HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

We are off to baby sit a couple of our grandchildren for New Year's Eve, so I will probably have more pictures soon. Tomorrow we go to help celebrate Son #2's birthday (which is really today) and that will ensure MORE pictures!

Meanwhile, I liked this meditation from Richard Rohr for the New Year:
When we celebrate New Year’s Day, we celebrate the rebirth of time.
We wait for our God to do new things.
We wait for who we are, and who we are to become.
We wait for the coming of grace, for the unfolding of Mystery.
We wait for the always bigger Truth.
We wait for the vision of the Whole.
But we cannot just wait. We must pray. Our prayers then start naming and defining us. When we hear our own prayers in our own ears and our own heart, we start choosing our deepest identity, our biggest future, and our best selves.

TRAVELING & FAMILY

We have had family visiting, we went on a short trip and we went to help our youngest grandson celebrate his 1st birthday. Now I seem to be having trouble getting back into the routine around here.

I thought I might share some pictures of the grandchildren and our travels with you. First our daughter-in-law, Kara, brought her three girls for the weekend and we had a great time for a couple of days. We gave them a bit of introduction to the heat before she headed farther south in Texas. Here I am with the three girls:

The girls also had a nice visit with Great-Gram.

And I had time to read a story or two.

After the girls from the Panhandle left, my husband and I packed up and went to South Padre Island for several days so he could attend a conference and I could wander on the beach and watch the waves from our marvelous room overlooking the water.

I LOVED getting up each morning and walking on the beach while I watched the sunrise. It was beautiful and serene with only a few other people walking along at the same time. It was wonderful to let the water lap over my feet as I walked.

We went on a Dolphin Watch/Ecology ride one afternoon and it was most interesting as one of the crew showed us some of the many creatures from the bay and told us how they live, what they eat and even showed us a couple that were dangerous. My favorites were the starfish. I don't think I have ever been that close to a starfish!

We came home from the beach, dumped the sand out of our suitcases and drove to Son #4's home to help celebrate our #2 grandson's FIRST birthday. He found that the balloons were fun to play with as Son #2 looks on.

Son #2 and Son #4 visited in the shade while the cousins enjoyed some pool time. I believe the thermometer behind Son #2 was registering 104 in the shade!!

And then it was time for cake. The individual cake for the birthday boy was a small fire truck and the rest of the guests got cupcakes with dog prints, fire hoses or fire ladders on top.

The guests and cousins helped test out the new toys as they were unwrapped.

Finally, before everyone headed home that evening, Miss Ella Bella insisted that she and her cousins take a ride in her little pink jeep. It was a wild ride with Miss Ella Bella at the wheel, but Little One was having a wonderful time--watch out for the tree!!

What a wild and wonderful clan we have!

MISS ELLA BELLA TURNED THREE!

Over the weekend we visited Son #4 because his oldest turned 3 and we were invited to the party. We went a day early so that we could get in a visit with the family before the party. Here are some pictures:

Grandson #2 (soon to be one) is really growing up fast!
Miss Ella Bella was so glad to see us!
We visited Son #4 at his fire station and Miss Ella Bella showed us how she can "drive" the firetruck.
Son #4 and his family at the fire station.
Grandmommy with Miss Ella Bella in the Birthday Girl's chair at her party.
Granddaddy got to take care of Grandson #2 during the party--they got along just great!

Miss Ella Bella with her birthday cake.
Party time--Miss Ella Bella and some of her friends. A great time was had by all!

ANOTHER WEEKEND VISITOR

This past weekend Son #3 and his pal, Nero, came for a visit. I bought Nero a new toy and he is investigating it just after they arrived.

Nero also liked to stand at our back door watching for squirrels to chase. He really put the fear into them when he was here, getting lots of exercise in our back yard. However, the squirrels quickly recovered as soon as Nero left. Sigh!

We had yet another birthday celebration for Mother while Son #3 was here. She was delighted with the unusual present he brought her that contained a bit of her family history. A hint? It was from a distillery in Kentucky that contains her maiden name. I think they were distant cousins of my mother's family. I do believe that was the most unusual present she received this year!

But, alas, Son #3 and his pal, Nero, had to return home and to work. We really enjoyed having him here, though! Hurry back--and I have to admit that my husband kept offering to adopt Nero, all to no avail!