12 Days of Heaven

Elle went home June 15th after a 12 day visit with Gramma & Grampa. We had to pack a lot into those 12 days. There were bubbles, swimming, cat & bird hunts, dancing with Grampa, chasing through the house, and lots of exploring. Elle learned the chicken dance with Great Grandma Parker. There was a BBQ at our house to let people come meet Elle, some for the first time.







The next day we met her Granddad & Uncle Mike and went to the Topeka Zoo because the new Discovery Center was closed on Mondays. It was 100 degrees...very hot. The next couple days her Granddad & Uncle Mike came down in the evening for some play time before bed.





On Friday morning Kelly came to visit. That afternoon Tonya, Stan, Amy & Sophia arrived from Colorado. They too got to see Elle for the first time. Sophia was a bit shy, but did warm up. Saturday was the Parker Family Reunion and lots more people to meet. Elle had a great time playing with others her age and all the "big" kids. She was not shy at all.













Sunday was Tonya's birthday and we had hoped to go to the KC Zoo but the weather kept us home. Lunch out, naps, a visit from her Uncle Mike & Uncle Paul and cake & ice cream at our house was the alternate choice. Monday would have been a perfect day for the zoo, but other plans got in the way. We visited my Aunt Delores, had lunch with Kelly and went to Gage Park. That included rides on the carousel & train along with the playground. Elle had a great time on the swings but seemed unsure about the carousel & train.











Tuesday was our last full day with Elle. Elle & I went to Vassar to visit Dale & Rich. She had lots of fun riding the tank and trikes, petting Tillie, pink flamingos & geese in the yard and she even kissed a frog. Sadly there was no prince. I’m sure there will be many more frogs before she finds her prince. Then we all went to lunch together. On the last night Elle got to sit on Grampa’s Harley and dance to some music.











We had so many laughs, giggles, SMILES and even some melt downs, but we miss her so much and can’t wait ’til her next visit with us.

Rainy Friday

Right now we are having a lovely gentle rain. I know that is supposed to be replaced by severe storms soon but I do enjoy a gentle rain. Everything is so green and fresh.

I'm getting very anxious to have Elle here. She will get to stay 12 days! YIPPEE!!! I can hardly wait. I know I'm going to be one very tired Gramma. Bring it on!

Kelly made it through his cath lab Wed. Heart issues are holding their own. Not much can be done there. Lung specialist next week and some new meds. Now we just need to see what's going on with Dad.

I went yesterday to get the crystals in my ear realigned. Not fun but hopefully I won't have dizzy spells anymore. I've had them for years and always thought it was a sinus/ear problem. Little did I know, it was vertigo.

Last Saturday was our 2nd 12 hour crop for the year. It was lots of fun. I finished my Hawaii 2005 scrapbook. WOOHOO!! I missed the first one because I was in Oahu with Tonya, Amy and Sarah. That was worth missing a crop for.

We left Ft. Collins for the Denver airport on the day of the BIG blizzard this past January. Pat, Sarah's sweet hubby, drove us to the airport on ice. Bless his heart, it was terrible out there. We made it to an island paradise at a time when we could really appreciate being there. At home there were record lows and snowfall. Oahu was hot and sunny! I'll journal that trip one of these days.

Mother's Day 2011

Why use one day when you have a perfect weekend. Saturday, Kelly & I took Mom on a picnic at Shawnee Lake. Dad & Derek also came. Unfortunately, Jim had to work. It was a beautiful day for a picnic. The temps were perfect we had shade, good food, family and it was peaceful. Somewhere nearby was a live band so we also had good music to listen to.

Jim & Derek did fix a scrumptious lunch for me...mmmm. Later we went shopping for a lilac bush from Pat, Kat & Elle. Then we went back home and planted it.

Along with celebrating Mother's Day Sunday, Jim & I were celebrating our 35th Anniversary. The plan was a nice ride on the new Harley, but the wind kept us home. I guess we kind of let the anniversary slip away. That's very bad of us. Not a lot of people our age out there that have been married to just one person for this length of time. We were looking at our wedding photo and noting some changes. Not just physical but inner changes. We have grown up together and are much better for having done so. I can not imagine my life any other way. This man I live with is the best part of me. He really does complete me. I believe that we were destined to live our lives together. 36 years ago on May 9th when I was cruising the boulevard I had no idea I would find the one person who would change my life forever. I'm sure glad I honked at those guys on the motorcycles. I was a "bit" of a rebel at the time. I love you Sweetie with a heart that is so full that it still amazes me. I can still feel your first kiss on my lips and will 'til the day I die. It was "ELECTRIFYING" !

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!

Well Easter has passed and I'd like to reflect on my day. I'm so glad that I can spend time with Derek, my parents and brother. We also celebrated Derek's birthday with some chocolate lasagna. Kelly has been enduring difficult chemo treatments, but did come to Mom's for dinner and a visit. With all the trials he has conquered in his life I feel blessed to share another day with him. That holds true for my parents as well. Each day brings us closer to rising up to reside with our Lord and I'm thankful for each day that I spend with my family here. I was also able to spend time with some very special friends that are also part of our family. They have loved and nurtured my boys for many years and continue to do so. On the down side I'm very sad that I didn't get to visit with Pat, Kat and Elle. Maybe someday I'll get to see Elle in her Easter dress and color eggs to hide for her. Maybe??? It's very difficult for this Gramma to never spend a holiday with my most precious granddaughter.

Thank you Lord for joining us for another joyous Easter!

Some of My Favorite Photos of 2010

WOW!

It's been a year since I've been active here. What have I been doing? Obviously not blogging. I also have not been creating for the cricut any longer. I do my files now in MTC, the best software out there. I'm going to try to come here from time to time to do updates and post photos. Elle is growing so much and I've just got to post some current photos. Other than Dad falling off the ladder last June, Pat & Derek buying houses in May & moving, Kat graduating medical school and Elle's first birthday the year was pretty uneventful. We made a few trips to San Antonio to visit the kids. For those who have shared my cricut files in the past, they will no longer be available for download. That is my personal decision. I can no longer support PC and their bullying tactics.