Wonderful Day

Today I celebrate my 54th birthday. I really didn't have much planned, but little did I realize how much I would have in my special day. It started with taking the day off from work. Ken is on vacation, so I thought I would use some of my earned time and share a few days with him. I slept in (7:30) which is a treat for a Tuesday. I got my hair trimmed, did some laundry (you can see this is shaping up to be a wild day, can't you?), and even got to hang the towels out side to dry, another treat. Ken said we would go to Corey's for supper, another treat not to have to fix a meal. I decided I would go to WW and just weigh in, not stay for the meeting, so we could get to Corey's. When we arrived, Brandy said the girls had a surprise in their bedroom for me. When I opened the door, here stood the 3 granddaughters, party hats on, and blowing their party horns. It was priceless. Brooklynn stopped blowing long enough to say "Happy!" The older girls made cards for me with all sorts of special things on them, again, priceless. Gavin and Jen also arrived to join us. Another surprise! We enjoyed some of Corey's chicken on the grill, and salad, and Gram's home made bread (glad I already weighed in!) Then I had the treat of being sung to, and getting to blow out a candle.Now, Dawson is scared that whenever there is any smoke, the smoke detector will go off. You can see he is waving away the smoke before I even got it blown out. But we were safe. One candle does not make enough smoke to set off the alarm. We enjoyed cupcakes by Brandy, and decorated by Corey and the kids. Mine even had some sparkles on it!

I have always told the kids not to get me anything- I have all that I want, and everything I need. But the gift I received tonight was so special. It says so much with 4 little hands, very special little hands. I am so thankful for those 4 little ones, and their 2 very special parents. I am thankful that Gavin and Jen took time out of their crazy days to be there. I know I have said it a lot, but it's true. My life is wonderful, so full, in so many ways, but especially full of love.
Isn't this beautiful?
LOVE

Birthday Party Fun

We celebrated a cousin's birthday over the weekend. Aunt Cyndie did a great job entertaining all the children. Everyone took a turn at blowing bubbles up over a cup. What a great idea! It kept them busy (and quiet) for quite a while. Lexy shows her skills and has quite a flow going.

Kloe got right into it, also. She put everything she had into that straw and the bubbles just overflowed.

Dawson wasn't sure about it at first, but once he saw how much fun everyone was having, he, also, tried it. He manages to pause for a second to show me that great smile.

And, Brooklynn would have won the prize for blowing the longest. She spent most of the party standing on her tip toes, blowing and blowing into the straw, making mountains and flows of bubbles. What fun was had by all.

Lexy's 7th Birthday Celebration

Over the weekend, we had a birthday celebration for Alexys. She is now 7 years old. I made a flower cake for her, and we all enjoyed a BBQ first, then cake, ice cream, and presents.

Uncle Gavin and Jen came to celebrate Lexy's birthday, and to eat some cake!

Corey and Brandy helped celebrate, too.

Mammie serves the cake and ice cream. Brooklynn is hoping that scoop of ice cream is for her.

And she can really put on that smile when she wants something.

Kloe waits patiently for her cake, too.

Lexy gets to lick the candle since it's her cake.

The next pictures of Dawson show his fantastic smile, shot after shot after shot.

He really has a good time.
Papa and Brooklynn get in on the smiles, too.

She is growing up way too fast. Once in a while you can still get her to snuggle, but they are becoming less and less often. She still loves her dresses, and loves to twirl the skirt.

Early Spring?

The kids thought spring was here. All outside, with just sweaters and light jackets on. The sun felt warm on their faces. But the chill of snow hung around their feet, and could be seen at the edge of the lawn. But did they care! Oh, no!
Their cheeks glowed with pink from the chill. But their smiles warmed everything around them, including our hearts.

Bicycles were dug out from storage and balance was looked for, in each push of the pedal, knowing it was there, just needing a nudge to be found.

And as the shadows got longer, and the air grew colder, these grandchildren knew that spring was just around the corner. They enjoyed their taste of spring, and warming sun, and longer days. I hope they are right. No more winter. Much warmer days. More fun outside. Won't be long and we will be swimming!

Much needed R & R

It was the coldest winter in over three decades, and Ken and I got to experience it. We were looking for a restful week in the sunny south, and we got that. What we didn't get was the warm sand, and the deep dark tans.

But we did get the walks on the beach, every day, even though some days I thought for sure I could see my breath!

The wind was fierce. The waves were huge. And there were some very capable "surfers" that took advantage of those windy days. This shows the wind lifting the surfer up, and out!

These birds flew by the balcony every day about three o'clock, back and forth. They may have been soaring on an updraft in front of the buildings, or maybe enjoying the warmth thrown off the facade of the buildings, but regardless, every afternoon, they certainly were taking advantage, back and forth. Ken was able to capture one in flight in front of us.

We tried to capture the sunset on our last day. The pictures don't do it justice, as usual, but we tried.

Even though the sun was setting, the day was far from over. We finally stuck around on the balcony with the camera to capture a sunset.

My best friend...forever,

At Bubba Gump's shrimp factory...need I say more?

Ice Fishing

Last Sunday, Corey and Brandy and all 4 kids went ice fishing. It was one of the coldest, windiest days, and there was some snow in the air, but they all had fun.

Dawson made the mistake of sticking his gloved hand into the bait bucket. This is right before we headed home.

Kloe was the smart one, by staying inside the little tent-like ice shack. It was quite a bit warmer in there, as it made a great wind break.

This little one's cheeks just kept getting redder and redder. I gave her my scarf to help keep her warm, until we took the 2 little ones home with us.

Lexy shows us the first catch of the day. She is quite a fisherman, and not afraid to touch or pick up the catch. All in all, a fun time, although very cold.

New Puppy

Tonight we went to Corey and Brandy's for dinner. Brandy's aunt and uncle dropped in for a visit with a new puppy. The kids just had a blast.

Just the right size for this little one.
Corey and three kids, very tired kids, so the smiles were not there.

Little Riker just loved Dawson.

And he felt right at ease with Lexy.

And this one is for Great Grammie and Great Grampa Dow, so you can see the curls are back!