What's Up?

 We have decided that the month of February usually ends up being our busiest month! Lots of activities, lots of visitors, and lots of fun, memory-building moments. Two weekends ago (just after returning from my trip to the East coast) we started off with a quick visit from Krista and our grandsons.

 It is hard to believe that this little guy is soon two!

 And big brother will soon be four!!! Where has the time gone?

 We have enjoyed lots of sweet Valencia oranges from our trees this year. And guess who also enjoyed them?

 Later that afternoon, I (Marilyn) packed my bags to attend our Women's Ministry Board annual planning weekend. We rent a double room not far from here, bring our own meals in, and spend the weekend together. It is a time set apart for prayer and devotion, brain-storming and planning the different events and fund-raisers for the coming year, and just sharing time, thoughts, and concerns with each other. We appreciate the bond of fellowship; each of us was so richly blessed this year. 

 In the middle of that weekend event, Jim's cousin and wife came to town on vacation. So I took a few hours off and we all enjoyed lunch together.

 This past week, we finally got rain again. Even though this is our rainy season, we have gotten only about half the normal amount of moisture. It seems that all of the recent rains have passed by us; but not this week! Not only did we have a nice rain shower, God also blessed us with this beautiful rainbow--the sign of His covenant. 

 In spite of the reduced rainfall, our lawn and plants look so beautiful.

 Our front porch is awash in color right now.

 And then there was Valentine's Day...my dear husband is so sweet! I love you!

 On Thursday, M&B and the girls came to visit. Em looks so cute in her new glasses.

 The weather was lovely, so we took a walk after I got home from work on Friday. (K decided that she needed a book along to read...)

 Unique flowers along the way 

 Follow the leader...

 ...finding something very interesting on along the path.

Time for a swing...

...and later an interesting story.

Saturday morning started off with breakfast...

...and then we made some tea. This is a fun little teapot with "flowering tea leaves" that start to unfurl as they are steeped.

It was so fun to watch those little eyes

...as they watched the boiling water do the work of "making the tea."

I forgot to mention that my cousin Brenda and her husband Mark were also with us from Thursday to Saturday! Since their daughter is living in this area, they spent most of their time with her, but we enjoyed many moments together, and also enjoyed sharing some of our family members with them. 

Before Brenda and Mark left, we decided to take some pictures; K decided that the stairwell was the best place to take our picture!

After we skyped with our son and his family in NC, we were serenaded by these three ladies.

And to end that busy day, we had a lovely meal and time together with another of Jim's cousins (at his nephew's restaurant here in town).  All in all, it was a very busy week, but so many good times together with family and friends, and so many wonderful memories.