An Autumn Garden

Last Friday we took a trip to the Arboretum (read about our other visits here and here) and definitely had fun! Thanks to Mrs. Linda for her "energizer bunny" personality, the grannies' love of the outdoors, and the Lord for giving us such a beautiful day, we had a most enjoyable garden experience.  Enjoy!

Thanks for visiting!

A Birthday Celebration...

...For Mom!

October 9th, Mom turned the big *4*7* and we had another multi-day celebration.  Grandpa and Grandma came into town the 8th, so we had a fun day out at the mall (for a Penny's gift card from G&G)...



Our sweet parents



"I love Gamma so much! She lets me put on her lipstick, she gives the *best* gamma hugs, and she's just so sweet!" ~ Johanna Joy


...Then out to TL&C Steakhouse for dinner...

Families are like fudge... mostly sweet with a few nuts. (Author Unknown)

Daddy/Daughter pose



...*L* is for the way you look at me
*O* is for the only one I see
*V* is very, very extraordinary
*E* is even more than anyone that you adore...



...Birthday morning we had omelets for breakfast...

Please don't assume the omelets turned out burnt simply because the foil's covering it :)

...A birthday dinner...




A very messy birthday dinner I should add...

...And the grand finale of dessert (doughnuts and good ol' northerner cider!)...

xoxo Happy Birthday, Mamacita!  You're such a beautiful example to us girls and we just love you so much! xoxo

A Conversation

"Uh, hello there.  This is Johanna calling to speak with herself.  Is she available?"

Happy, Happy, Birthday...

...To Grandma "D"!

Yesterday was our dear "D's" 88th birthday and we had such a lovely weekend celebrating!  Her sweet daughter, Kathi, flew in from out of state to be here for this momentous occasion.



Sorry this is so blurred...the flash wouldn't work!



It was such a pleasure to meet yet another one of "D's" wonderful children.  And yes, Mrs. Kathi and Mrs. Ellen are twins!

Johanna had a blast with Mrs. Kathi, and will miss her help in tying her "baby carrier"! = )

And thank you *so much*, Mrs. Kathi for the fabulous cookbook!  I can't wait to dig into it and try out some new delicacies...yummy...



Hmm...looks like Johanna found a babysitter in the birthday girl...

They took a lovely mother/daughter walk on this delightful October day.

Later on in the day, "D's" wonderful son, Tim came to the party and brought a lovely bouquet of birthday blossoms.

It was so good to have you, Mr. Tim and Mrs. Kathi!

A beautiful portrait (don't you love Grandma's birthday crown?)

"D's" firstborn son, Mike, sent this charming flower arrangement.  Isn't it stunning?  Thank you, Mr. Mike!

It was a very special weekend for "D" and we all so enjoyed it!

On Sunday, Grandma "D" went over to have yet another party at her daughter, Ellen and son-in-love, John's home, as well as her granddaughter, Stacy!  My, you are loved!

"...Rejoice and be glad, For the LORD has done great things..." (Joel 2:21)



Serene Tranquility

He who believes in God is not careful for the morrow,

 but labors joyfully and with a great heart.

"For He giveth His beloved, as in sleep."

They must work and watch, yet never be careful or anxious...,

...but commit all to Him, and live in serene tranquility;

with a quiet heart, as one who sleeps safely and quietly.

                                            ~ Martin Luther

Have a *tranquil* Friday and first day of October, everyone!

Quoted Truths

Learning acquired in youth arrests the evil of old age; and if you understand that old age has wisdom for its food, you will so conduct yourself in youth that your old age will not lack for nourishment.

                                                     ~ Leonardo da  Vinci                                  

         

Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing.
                                                                                                   
                                                      ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

In old age we are like a batch of letters that someone has sent. We are no longer in the passing, we have arrived.

                                                                        ~ Knut Hamsun

The best class in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

                                                                        ~ Andy Rooney

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

                                                         ~ Mark Twain
                                                                            

                                                                                                   
Photo Credit: Teaching Grandpa by David Grothe
Photo Credit: Going Home by David Grothe

Closet Time!

So last week we had a lot of tornado touch-downs around here.  Of course, we have a safe tornado room in which we station all the grannies into...

...Well, make that two rooms...

Anyhow, Johanna seems to find great excitement during these rather turbulent moments.  She loves the excitement and the "responsibility" she is given to make sure the grandmas are comfortable and happy. :)

Life Around Here

Greetings everyone!  Where do I begin to catch you up on Life around here?  You know, it's funny, every time I finally make my "explanatory post" from the many days' absence, I determine to keep you all up to date, to keep my "to-post" photo bin empty by regularly giving updates.  And then- what do you know?  Busy days demand my interest and that bin grows and grows.  So please, enjoy (until next time! :)

Junebug and "D" have become wonderful friends! Of course as seen above, they both immensely enjoy their daily exercise video- together.

Johanna has been quite the little hairdresser of late.  Lorry here is styling the One-Clip-On-The-Side do.  It's too bad our little glamour girl doesn't like her sisters to fix hers as well... :)

Ms. Cheri brought over her kitten, Trouble, for the Grandmas to enjoy...

...And I'm sure you can see without my narrative voice...

...That he/she? is truly loved around here!

As for Bella Bean...yes, she's allowed on the couches, and yes...we love her tremendously!

Many blessings to you all on this (hot 'n stuffy) September day!



Hello folks!

Some of Grandma "D's" wonderful family. Thank you for visiting, Stacy!

Hello there, folks!  Sorry for all the short, random posts...It seems I haven't had all that extra time in my days as I used to have in order to write out a good ol' explanatory post.  So just in advance, I'll be working on one with all the wonderful photos from the past couple weeks...loads of pictures coming soon!

Wordless Wednesday