Celebrating Friends

Every year my friends from church organize a "night out" when we can all celebrate my birthday. I am so blessed to have so many wonderful friends both near and far! This is Rachelle (my co-PW). We are so happy to have her and husband as our closest neighbors.

Ana, Jenny and Kate

Kelley, Dorothy & Sharon

Laura & Tona

Lois, Chloe & Juanita

On Sunday, after the morning worship service a group of us went out to lunch together as a farewell to Dorothy. We really appreciate all time she has given to the worship team and also the young girls. She will be greatly missed! God's blessings to you, dear friend, as you begin another new adventure!

Celebrations

 Sunday was a family day. Jim was able to have his two oldest sons here to honor him for Father's Day. And since my birthday was in the middle of the work week, my family here honored me by celebrating my birthday a couple days early. Bec used her creative skills by baking and decorating the birthday cake.

 The finished beauty! The big 6-0! (thanks for the hard work, Bec)

 It was so fun to have my two oldest grandchildren help blow out the candles!

 lots of photographers...

 ...and gales of laughter (oh how we love it!)

 Seeing these little boys playing together in the back yard brought back memories of our sons.

 Helping grandma open presents

 Enjoying birthday cake (chocolate, of course!)

 Lots of smiles...

 ...and strawberries-- so much better than presents!

 Happy Father's Day to these three amazing dads! It is such a blessing to see the realationship that these guys have with their dad, and now with their sweet children.

 A happy birthday to mom! What a joy to have two of my sons living close by.

 Playing soccer with grandpa

 Cousins playing together with Bec

 Good catch, Jayden!

 Fun conversations

 Grandpa helping Brady. We had such an enjoyable day of celebration together.

I had to work on my birthday. But when I walked into my office that morning, this is the beautiful bouquet of flowers that my friend and co-worker had placed on my desk. What a pleasure to gaze at these beautiful Hydrangeas for the past few days. I had a lovely birthday!

les petites enfants

 During this week of sadness and loss (two deaths and funerals in one week) we are thankful for the happy moments...times we can spend with our family and friends and rejoice in the smiles and squeals of laughter! Last Saturday, we spent time with two of our sons and their families.

 at a pool party...

 observing a new way to slide...

 enjoying Grandpa L. It was a gorgeous and relaxing day.

 Then we went on to visit with Jame and his boys. We are loving how this little guy is now on the move!

He's so observant of everything he sees...

 and this little boy has such a lovely imagination! (talking with grandma on the phone, and oh the stories he did tell!)...

Then it was time for a long walk, we played "I spy" and oh the things we saw along the way!

 When we got back home, a box arrived--and of course, we had to see what was inside!

 We just love those generous smiles!

 It was a great ending to the day.

celebrating the years

 Thirty-nine years ago today, in a small country church, we were married. Seems hard to believe that it was that long ago...the time has really flown by! We decided to celebrate this evening by a dinner out, followed by a baseball game. So we started out at Olive Garden...

 Arriving at the Angels Stadium, a great sunny afternoon (after a morning of drizzle and overcast skies)...

 he was dressed for the part...

 and so was she!

 We found out that the Angels Team is only a little over a decade older than our marriage!

 We always marvel over the half-empty stands when the game begins...

 and how it fills up around the third inning!

Unfortunately, our team lost, but we had a good time at the game. 

Happy Anniversary to us! Life has only gotten better with the years!