The Girl is Back in Town!

Our friend, BJM is back in town, and this morning, she, SC and I spent a lovely time in the Temple and then lunch afterwards. It was so good to be together and catch up.

Oldie But Goodie AKA The Most Awkward Day of my Life!

My mother has always said that college girls are the most glamorous girls on earth. When I was in junior high, my brother married a "glamorous college girl". The summer of their marriage, I was going through the most awkward period of my life. I was in junior high; I had braces; and I was extremely uncomfortable with my height (5'8" in the 8th grade). My new sister-in-law's bridesmaids were all glamorous college girls...except for me..awkward 8th grader. Can you imagine having to be photographed next to these college girl beauties? Here we are at their wedding luncheon. My beautiful college age sister is on the far left, my beautiful new sister in law in the center and I am on the far right. I have never felt so awkward in my whole life as I did this whole day. Granted, my mother bought me a darling dress and had my hair done...but seriously can you even imagine this experience???

First the rabbits and now this?

Well, we finally figured out what to do about the rabbits....

but now what do we do about these stinkin' neighborhood cats?

Highlights of our Visit with the Kennedy Krew!

Highlights of our Visit with the Kennedy Krew!
Little V loves bugs and DTA was only too happy to help her explore. Little V and DTA are such good friends. When I watch them interact, I am reminded of one of the reasons I married DTA.

Saturday, we went to the Como Zoo in St. Paul. It was the perfect day for a trip to the zoo!

I love seeing the giraffes at the zoo!

I love this pic of Linz taking a photo of her family on the merry go round!

This is the fabulous dinner we had for Littlest D's birthday celebration

...chicken salad with fried wontons....so good!

Little V received a Doctor bag and she was healing all of us including her Little Lamb!

Here is DR. V checking DTA's eyes!

Thank you, Kenndy Krew, for such a fabulous weekend!

We love you!

Littlest D's First Birthday - and we were there!

We just came back from a lovely trip, celebrating Littlest D's first birthday with NTG, Linz, Little V and of course, Littlest D!

She received her very own laptop computer and a baby doll. It looks like she will be a very good mother, juggling her blog with the demands of a baby!

We gave her these musical instruments. She loved them!

She was thrilled to be given a slice of her delicious birthday cake!

It was quite a party and we were so happy to be her guests! Happy First Birthday, Littlest D! Love, Grammy and Papa!

Happy Birthday, Littlest D

Happy Birthday, Littlest D! Today Littlest D turns one year old. She is my 4th granddaughter. How I love her! She is quite serious, but that makes it all the more fun to make her smile! Littlest D and I are good friends. In helping her Mom, I have had an opportunity to take care of her, which has created a special bond. I am so excited because today I am at Littlest D's house celebrating with her!

Oldie But Goodie

I love a parade! When our children were younger, we loved going to our town's Memorial Day Parade with our best friends, The E Family. It was such a great time! In this photo, Coco is 4 from the left, Linz is 6 from the left and Kage is 7 from the left. My Boy is sitting on my lap. I have my hands over his ears because he did not like the loudness of the bands that passed. Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Standing Ovation!

Today we sang at a luncheon for an auxiliary group for a health care association. The room was packed. They were a wonderful audience and when we finished singing, they gave us a standing ovation! It was thrilling! The President of the auxiliary wanted to talk to me afterwards. She said, "They are mad about you! Everyone wants to hire you! Do you leave the area to sing? How much are you paid?" She complimented us on our melodious harmonies and our beautiful, smiling faces. It was a wonderful afternoon for our group.

Happy Birthday to JA!

Today is JA's birthday! She loves Italian food so we celebrated at a fabulous Italian restaurant. We had so much fun. We all love JA. Happy Birthday!

Part 2 - "Peter"

See what I mean about being tame? This brazen little rabbit didn't even care that DTA, aka Mr. McGregor, and I pulled into the driveway tonight, got out of the car, and got up close and personal to take a photo. DTA aka Mr. McGregor finally chased him into the backyard. The next step may be a live trap!

Thank you, Mr. McGregor!

I love having a vegetable garden in the summer. There is nothing like going out in your own back yard and picking a beautiful, ripe tomato. However, in our neck of the woods we share our yard with rabbits...lots of rabbits. They are so tame, they sunbathe in the middle of our yard! Our dog hardly phases them. DTA, aka Mr. McGregor, has been trying to keep the rabbits out of our garden for years with stray wood he finds around the town, and chicken wire. Saturday, I mentioned to him that I love the garden..... but I do not love his unsightly rabbit barricades. By the end of the day Saturday, he transformed our vegetable garden from this (above) to this (below). Thank you Mr. McGregor!

Foto Friday

My Boy's 21st Birthday!

So Long, Farewell

A big group gathered Tuesday to say good bye to our dear friend, SM who is moving later this month.

There's Nothing Like Being in a Presidency!

I love the women I work with in young women. Last night we hosted a mother daughter dinner. We served a salad that consisted of spring greens, mandarin oranges, craisins, chicken, and Gorgonzola cheese with a raspberry vinaigrette, orange rolls and fruit kabobs. We gave talks to remind the girls of the General Young Women Presidency's charge to daily read the Book of Mormon, pray, and smile. And we talked about our new young women value: Virtue. It was a great evening but the most fun part was being in the kitchen with these friends with whom I work.

"You Can Sleep When You're Dead"

"You can sleep when you're dead", that's what I told myself when my bed looked so inviting this morning...I wanted to crawl back into it. Instead I laced up my shoes and headed for the pavement to cover my five miles. And I am so glad I did! First of all, I always see people when I am out, but never people I know. Today I saw two people I know! The first was my friend MM, who is in the young women presidency with me. She was out with her new baby and her high-tech stroller. It was so fun to see her. Next, I saw a friend who I haven't seen in a couple of years. She was on her bike, riding to a morning Mass. We took a minute to catch up and I learned of the upcoming arrival of her fourth grandchild. How fun to find friends along the way. My stride picked up and I smiled all the way home!

Happy Birthday My Boy!

Today is My Boy's 21st birthday. Today is also Mother's Day. So you know what that means....I get to talk to My Boy on his birthday! I am so excited. This is our last phone call before he returns home. My Boy is my only son and he is so good to me. I am so proud of his outstanding missionary service. I miss him so much but am so grateful for this life altering experience. Happy Birthday, My Boy. I love you.

Coco and Her Boys' Last Day.....

Look at these cute kids.....Coco and Her Boys spent their last day in the Chicago Temple. We have had so much fun with them. We are going to miss them so much. They leave this evening and then it is back to our quiet house......

Foto Friday

Happy Mothers Day, Mom! You're the best!

"I sail!" Bill Murray in "What About Bob"

Today, DTA took Coco and her boys sailing on Lake Michigan. The weather was 80 degrees with a nice wind. Good times!

It's a Must!

Well, when you visit Chicago, you have to have Chicago style pizza! We had a fun time last night at Ginos East.

Go Cubs Go!

Coco and her boys headed down to Wrigley Field yesterday. Good times!

Friends in Harmony Spring Tour

Friends in Harmony launched their Spring tour last night with a performance for our families. This Spring we are singing:

A Spoonful of Sugar

Sentimental Journey

Love a Piano

I Only Have Eyes For You/The More I See You

The Trolley Song

Goodnight My Someone

Matchmaker

Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree

Steppin' Out

Wash That Man

Chattanooga Choo Choo

So Long, Farewell

Off to the City!

Coco and her boys are off to the city today. They are going to the Museum of Science and Industry which is hosting a limited engagement Harry Potter Exhibit. Depending on how long they stay at the museum, they may visit the Aquarium as well. They are very excited. Before leaving, they packed a lunch.

Finally!

Finally...we are showing some signs of Spring! This tree is in our front yard. I love it!

They're Here....Coco and her boys!

Oldie But Goodie