A Birthday Weekend

Last weekend we were able to go visit our oldest sons and their families. Since the next day was the birthday of our daughter-in-law (Krista), we went out for supper at her favorite restaurant, Red Robin! J loved drawing with Grampa...

...more and more trucks and cars!

The happy birthday girl and her son!

Krista, celebrating with her boys

After the birthday song was sung, Krista was presented with a sundae.

And this little boy loved helping his mother eat it!

On Saturday morning, mommy went out with her girlfriends for more birthday celebrations, and we stayed with Jamie and the boys. First we watched some Saturday morning cartoons...

enjoyed some of B's tall tales...

...practiced some crawling, walking, and sitting

...

...and enjoyed each and every smile!

and game...

and song, and achievement! We had a wonderful overnight time and we loved each and every minute of it! 

After the little boys fell asleep for their naps, we headed to M&B's house for some time with the little girls. And who could resist this happy little face!

...and this sweet smile?

...or the opportunity to listen to or read a book?

...or two, or three, or more?

Or hear the squeals of delight as these two played together?

Yes, this was a perfect way to spend a weekend! 

We are so blessed!

Sunshine and Rain

 Last weekend, since the weather was so warm and sunny (unlike this week of colder weather, clouds, and rain), we headed for an afternoon at Seal Beach. It was a lovely day for a walk on the shore and out on the pier.

 There were several other families that had ventured out to the beach that day.

 This pier was destroyed in a massive wind storm many years ago, and the local residents raised all the funds to pay for the construction of a new pier.

 Some braves souls enjoyed playing in the cold water; we just enjoyed listening to the rolling waves.

We enjoyed watching a family of kids playing in the sand with their Tonka truck. And we dreamed of the day that we could spend with our grandkids, playing in the sand...

A new park and new flowers

 After a busy workweek, last weekend we explored a new park that some friends had told us about. The view was beautiful...

 ...and there were lots of lovely dirt trails to walk on. We certainly did not feel like we were in the middle of a city with hundreds of thousands of people surrounding us!

 For this country girl and her african spouse, walking on dirt paths in the woods--it was a bit like being "back home again!"

 The park was a very restful place to be that warm and sunny afternoon.

 It even had a lovely pond with friendly ducks (not the hordes of aggressive fowl that we've sometime encountered).

 I have been gifted in growing plants...except for African violets and Orchids! I always manage to kill the violets, and the orchids never bloom again. I received this Orchid for my birthday last year. It remained in full bloom for a couple of months, then it went dormant. Meanwhile, I "planted" the silk orchid blossoms in the pot and enjoyed their color. A couple of weeks ago I noticed this shoot growing from the base of the plant.

 I could not get the camera to focus on that lovely branch with the buds on it, but here is the proof that we will get to enjoy the flowers some day soon! I am so excited--this is a first for me! (And by the way, my African Violet is now eight months old and it too is flowering!)

 I love the dollar store! I go there frequently and am truly amazed at the food items, plants and other things that I have been able to find there. Last week I found 3 Primroses (each a different color)...

...and they are now planted in front of my house to greet our wonderful visitors as they arrive! (Actually, these pics are especially for my sis-in-law who just loves these little flowers. Enjoy this touch of spring in your winter climate!)