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!

A HOUSE FULL!!

We have had visitors the past three days--LOTS of TEENAGERS! I had forgotten how it feels to have four teens in our house--all at one time. My daughter-in-law (wife of Son #1) was on her way to join some of her family for a camping trip in West Texas and stopped here for a couple of nights. She, brave woman that she is, brought our two grandchildren and two friends of Granddaughter #1.

We had 3 girls sleeping on blow up mattresses in our living room and that room was delightfully filled with giggles late into the night. Grandson #1 kept his granddaddy entertained by taking him to a movie and by attending to some other chores that they found needing their attention. Meanwhile, Daughter-in-law #1 organized these teens into an amazing cleaning crew while they were here. They could clean off a table and do the dishes before I could blink twice. And before they left this morning, all sheets had been washed, towels folded, and mattresses deflated and in their bags. Uh, Girls, please come back sometime to help out around here!

Not all was work, though. We went swimming--see grandchildren below enticing Daughter-in-law #1 into the cold water! Shopping and more shopping--no pictures, but lots of bags!!

And out to eat at the lake where we watched a beautiful sunset. Granddaughter #1 in the middle with her two friends.

And where would we be without our Blackberries??

Daughter-in-law #1 with the three girls.

Packing up their camping gear before they left this a.m. Lots to pack for 5 people!

Bye, Grandkids! Come back soon!

Daughter-in-law #1 checking to see if the girls are loaded up and ready to go.

VISITING FAMILY

Last week, in the midst of all our other busyness, we slipped off for a quick overnight visit with Son #4 and his family. We had such a great time with Miss Ella Bella who is two but going on seven, I believe. She spent the evening showing us her daddy's fire trucks.

Grandson #2 also put in his two cents' worth during the tour.
And hubby got to climb up in the big truck to inspect whatever was up there.
Next we went to their home so Miss Ella Bella and Grandson #2 could introduce us to their new puppy, Sally.
The next morning Miss Ella Bella showed her Granddaddy that she was going to take the little leopard that he brought her to school "for nap time."
And Grandson #2 told us good-bye from his car seat--holding the marlin that Granddaddy gave him.
Next we stopped off for a very short visit with Son #1 before going on to a luncheon and returning home. The trip was way too short, but we really enjoyed seeing everyone!

MORE FAMILY VISITS

This past weekend, at the very last minute, we agreed to meet Son #1 and his family for a short day visit at my brother-in-laws place in the country. We had lunch together and then my daughter-in-law, eldest granddaughter and grandson headed for the mall to find tennis shoes and other necessities while Son #1, hubby and brother-in-law did their guy-thing which, in our family, usually includes raising the hood of a car and leaning in to see what makes the thing tick. Well, they probably have more technical terms for what they are doing, but to the female members of the family, that's what it looks like to us.

Here are a few pictures so that those of you who know our family can see how the grandchildren have grown.

A family portrait! It must have been the girls day to wear turquoise.

Granddaughter #1 is really growing up! She tells me she is going to summer school so she can graduate next year. I am really proud of her!
Grandson #1 is also growing up. I understand he just bought his first car. That was a surprise! But he has to figure out how to put it back together before he can drive it--AFTER he gets his driver's license. I think he would have preferred staying with the guys and looking under the hood of the car rather than going to the mall, but his mother thought it would be difficult to buy him shoes in absentia!

A final map consultation before we left. Our visit was short, but we had fun! I am always grateful for these times that we can spend together.

A BUSY TWO WEEKS

Whew! The past two weeks have been very busy! First, we had about 20 family members here to celebrate five family birthdays. We had so much fun and were sad to see them leave last Monday. Miss Ella Bella was also sad to leave us!

On Tuesday a water pipe broke in our bathroom and the gush of water went undiscovered for a short time and flooded our whole living room, soaking the carpet. My husband was able to fix the broken pipe but also had to replace the faucet in the bathroom sink. We had to suction up the water in the living room, move all the furniture, remove the pad under the carpet and get fans going to dry out the carpet. I finally got the living room back together just about 3 hours before Son #2 and his family arrived for Easter weekend.

We had a wonderful Easter weekend with Son #2 and his family. Below are some of our pictures and activities.

Granddaddy giving a wagon ride.

The girls at the Japanese Tea Garden.

One of our Easter art projects.

Little One with the Easter eggs she found on the Easter egg hunt.

Great-Gram and Little One relaxing on our beautiful Easter afternoon.

We had a wonderful time with Son #2 and his family. I was so glad that they chose to spend Easter with us and I was sad to see them leave. Now I will begin to prepare for a visit later this week from Son #3 and his pal, Nero.

Visiting the Grandchildren

Last week we went to visit Son #2 and his family. What fun we had! We played with the grandchildren, drove to the Panhandle town where I was born, celebrated Em's 9th birthday (a bit early), did some art projects, went for a lovely hike on the ranch next to their house, took some pictures around their house that I would like to paint, and had a grand visit. I was sad to come home. Here are a few pictures from the visit (aren't digital cameras wonderful??).

Em is taking fencing lessons and was practicing with a hay bale.

Little One is growing up way too fast, is talking a blue streak, and is cute as a button

We took the kids to school Friday morning so we could hear Em and her class sing a Fun Friday song. Em, Soph, and Little One wait with Kara.

I loved roaming around taking pictures. This one behind their house makes me want to whip out my paints and get started. The only things missing are the cows and bull that occasionally wander by.

We celebrated Em's birthday with cake and candles (the reigniting kind) and Son #2 was teasing that he might need to use the fire extinguisher to put out the candles. We had a nice celebration with Em. Happy Birthday this week, Em!!

HOME AGAIN

It feels like I have been gone from home a month. First, I went to New Mexico and had a great time there with my brother and sister-in-law as she regains strength following her kidney transplant. The time flew by and I was back home again for a few days before we left again to go to South Texas for a school dedication.

Our good friend is a superintendent for a wonderful school district and the school dedication was lovely. The highlight for me was the kilted bagpipe player who stood out there against the clear blue sky and piped the most beautiful songs before, during and after the ceremony. We also had a nice visit with our friends while there and a brief time to walk along the beach, get some sun and pick up a few shells. Ahhh! That felt good.

We briefly saw both of our sons and caught up with Miss Ella Bella and Grandson #2, but missed seeing the other members of the families due to our crazy schedules. What a shame! Now we are home again and I have a mountain of laundry to do and preparations for visitors to arrive Sunday. Never a dull moment around here!

A TRIP!

This morning I flew to New Mexico to visit my brother and his wife. She had a successful kidney transplant just before Thanksgiving and I decided to come for a visit. She and I will venture out to do some shopping, perhaps join my brother for lunch, maybe visit Santa Fe and whatever else her energy level will allow.

Meanwhile she suggested that I might need a nap. I came upstairs and was delighted to discover that my husband's laptop computer works delightfully well--many, many, many, many, many thanks to Son #1 who talked me through a massive amount of technological "jargoneese" yesterday to install a wireless card so it would work for me here.

I am sitting on the bed looking out on mountains that are bathed in sunshine and look like they have had a dusting of powdered sugar sifted down through the trees. I love the mountains; I love the snow and I really love this sun-bathed corner room that overlooks a whole mountain range!

More from New Mexico later and perhaps even a picture or two. I can hardly wait for one of their spectacular sunsets!

ANOTHER VISIT

Yesterday we went to visit Son #4 and family--LOTS of family! My daughter-in-law's father's family gathered for a viewing of our newest grandson who is a month old today. He casually slept through most of the festivities, but Miss Ella Bella entertained us all afternoon!


I got to hold Grandson #2 when I got there. I believe he was looking up and getting acquainted with me. Then he gave a big stretch--I love the shirt that says "I'm a Prince but Dad is the KING."



When it was time for him to eat, Miss Ella Bella got the Boppy, climbed up in a chair and offered to feed him. Unfortunately, she was not properly equipped so Mama had to take over, but Miss Ella Bella was very sweet and gentle with him. He is lucky to have such a loving sister to help take care of him.

We had to take a picture of three generations--Proud Grandmommy, Son #4 and Grandson #2.


And, of course, one with both grandparents. Unfortunately, we could not get Miss Ella Bella to join us for any of these pictures. She was busy entertaining other great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

We had a wonderful time and ate and ate and ate. Such delicious food, good company and precious time with the grandchildren!

Home Again

We traveled to see Son #4 and played with Miss Ella Bella for a couple of days while her mother rested on the couch with doctor's orders to stay immobile until Grandchild #7 is ready to enter this world. Miss Ella Bella is so wonderfully delightful! We spent time outside blowing bubbles. When we went to put on her shoes before we went outside, I got out her socks and she said, "No socks! Just feet!" She wore her shoes without socks. She spent time reading the morning newspaper with her granddad, and she showed us her new baby brother in her mom's tummy.

We also went to a wedding in a beautiful church and watched a friend walk his daughter down the aisle. The bride was lovely and we had a great time visiting with a number of friends who attended the wedding and reception. Before we left for home I got to walk in the sand and dip my toes into the water with the waves splashing on my legs for just a few minutes. What a marvelous feeling that was! I picked up a perfect shell to bring home until the next time!