Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Look Who Came to Visit!


So, in February,
just a few months ago,
we were blessed!


He hung out with us for the whole day!


While the rest of his wonderful family
did this!

It was a Nana's dream come true!


What a wonderful cuddle time for Nana, 
with my sweet grandson!


Everyone enjoyed spending time with Bennett!


He lives in Virginia, 
so snow that stays on the ground
 is a bit of a novelty!


I love his little smirk in this photo!


He loved the snow and 
he loved the photos of him playing in the snow!


His truck went everywhere, with him!


I guess he was a little hungry!





He loves trucks, toys, everything Toy Story, his aunties and uncles and being read too!
At the end of the day,
he was quite happy to see his 
Mom, Dad and sisters!


We attempted an outdoor
gathering spot!


Not quite as nifty as our friend's but 
it still worked out well!


And provided a wonderful spot for a winter cookout!


The kids and the grandkids loved it!


Cook your own hot dog or brat!
Chips, salad, fruit and an Izzy to drink!


And s'mores for dessert!


This little guy LOVED his s'more!

Papa has a nice fresh haircut!
I wonder why?
Hmmmm
You'll find out in the next post!


Once a week we have pizza night 
and we make chocolate chip cookies!
Looks like it was Bennetts turn to make the cookies!
😜😋😅


The kids did some baking!


Many hands make light work!


The benefits of baking with your Aunties!


And even more benefits when you get to frost your own cupcakes!
That's the way I like it...
dripping in frosting!


Nummy!


Perfect!


Precious!


Lots more happened this week 
BUT
you will have to wait for the next post
 to find out what all the excitement was about!


Stay tuned!

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Respite in Warmth!


Our time in Florida was short but sweet! 
We are so thankful to have had this moment together!


We didn't have plans to go this winter...
until the winter started to feel a bit,
toooo long...


So, at the last minute
we planned a 6 day getaway!
(counting travel days)


It was fantastic 
but we would have loved
a few more days away!


But when we plan last minute,
we just take whatever we can get!


The sunsets never get old
and are always a priority
each evening!


One of these days... I will join them!

Yoga on the beach, 
looks like FUN!


This is one smart pelican!
He's fishing, where the fish are being caught!

Our second day, was the partly cloudy day and then rain in the afternoon.

We didn't mind!

We took a great walk in the morning, 
had coffee on the beach and 
then enjoyed a pina colada at noon!

By the time the clouds came, 
we were cuddled in our condo, 
and reading/ working to the pitter patter of the peaceful rain

And the next day was perfect!

It's quite fun walking through the sea gulls!
Either they scurry away or take flight!
It's just a beautiful experience whatever they do!
(Unless they pee on you... then it's funny and yucky!)


We walked from one end of the beach to the other! 
It's 5 miles from tip to tip!


With all the walking we have done at home, 
it felt easy and exhilarating!


 Once again, morning coffee and afternoon pina colada 
were a fun part of the day!
Along with a the peaceful background sounds of the ocean,
relaxing time together
and
the warmth of the sun!


Our little home on the beach was perfect for the two of us!
The view is breathtakingly beautiful!


We read books, hubby did some work and
I just love praying while staring our at the ocean!


As the sun began to set we enjoyed a glass of wine!


It's just so peaceful and so lovely!


Jim and I are doing the Marion Consecration
with our 8 confirmation kiddos!

We usually do it all together when we are home 
but since we are apart for a couple days
we did our lessons on the deck,

over looking the beach
and the sunset!


With my favorite person,
after a perfect relaxing day...


Okay I'm sorry, I'm doing this to you....
I apologize!
(Thank goodness spring is here!)


Once again the sunset did not disappoint!


It never grows old!
And it's unique each evening!


This evening, the glow stayed longer than usual!


And then this happened...
This was our view for the next 24 hours...

Food poisoning...
yuck


Redemption came the following day!





A walk on the beach-
 both of us moved a bit slower!
Morning coffee was good but not great!
We were just leaving the jello, popsicle, 7-up phase...


The sunset, once again was breathtakingly beautiful!
The sun rays mean that God is near and watching over us!


I'm still recovering
(it hit me a bit harder than hubby)!
So I'm already in my jammies on the deck!


On our last partial day-

We had a pina colada...
just to prove to ourselves that we could have one,
 if we wanted one!
Didn't taste quite as good
after the food poisoning...


And then a last look at the beach 
before heading home!
Our time in Florida was wonderful,
but truly,
"There is no place like home"!


A huge THANK YOU to our son, Johnny for staying with the kids!
They loved their time with him and he did an awesome job!

And thank you to Jennifer and Megan for your help!
You are both such a blessing to us!

Praising God for this vacation time together!