Yes, spring is really coming!!

Yes, it's true - spring does exist and we expect it will eventually arrive in Minnesota! Here we are in Branson enjoying blossoms, sunshine and outdoor walks! (Meanwhile, it was snowing in Minnesota... we sure timed that right!!)

This is a view of the trees in blossom - and the building our condo was in. It was a very nice place. There were quite a few buildings just like ours on the property.

This picture is specifically for my brother John! Here I am in front of the RFD TV building. There were just opening that day and starting to assemble their collection of old tractors. We came back in the evening to attend a concert by country singer Penny Gilley - we had front row seats right on the aisle and when she came off the stage to shake hands she came right to us to shake our hands. If only my brother John had been with us at that time!!

Vacation again

Hi folks, Candis is on vacation for a week. We're going to Branson so it will be quiet here for a while. See ya when we get back! Happy Easter.

Happy Sean Patrick Day!

Today we celebrate our Irish grandbaby Sean Patrick - it's good to branch out from our Scandinanvian roots, eh? Actually, today Sean Patrick is 3 months and since it is also St. Patrick's day, I thought he could headline this post. Isn't he growing? And check out his cousin next...

Here is Josiah at 6 1/2 months! He is a delightful baby; contented and smiling most of the time. What a honey!

Sean is catching up on Josiah - here is the latest comparison picture. Now compare it to the end of December in the next picture...

Big difference as Sean Patrick was only a few weeks old and Josiah was 3 months. This time next year they will be great little buddies and probably quite close in size.

The birthday girl

Today is Meghan's birthday! We had dinner at our home along with Meghan's Mom, Dad, sister Julia, brother Patrick and her Aunt, Uncle and 3 cousins. It was great fun! Julia and Brooklyn had the big task of putting ALL those candles on the cake!

And Brooklyn & Preston helped mommy blow out her candles. (That's Meghan's brother Patrick holding Preston.)

I couldn't resist showing a picture of the checkerboard cake that I made. It was such fun to take out that first piece and have it both chocolate and vanilla! I told Brooklyn & Julia that I just couldn't remember what kind of cake I baked - was it chocolate or was it vanilla?? They were guessing, but they didn't guess checkerboard! I have a checkerboard cake pan set; it is sort of a messy thing to make; and I have to admit, though I was pleased with how the cake looked, the cake itself (from scratch, mind you!) was way too dry. Bummer. But the icing was delicious! yum ! And a good scoop of vanilla ice cream offset the dry cake... hopefully... At any rate, Happy Birthday, Meghan!

Seven happy grandkids...

Okay, okay, here's a reality check... not ALL of my picture-taking efforts are welcomed by the grandkiddies... but I did think the opportunity to get a picture of Wally and me with the seven grandkiddies would be a good idea. They didn't necessarily agree, however.

Ah, such happy, smiling grandchildren. I actually love this picture. It totally makes me crack up each time I see it!

Ah yes, this is better. But not as funny, right?

Winter in Minnesota means find a waterpark!

Cold weather just won't quit this year here in Minnesota, so we headed off to a waterpark with Daniel, Meghan, Brooklyn, Preston and Sean Patrick. What fun! It was snowing outside and we were slashing in the water inside! Yeah!

There were lots of places just right for little boys to walk and play!

And Brooklyn had a friend from her preschool come to the same waterpark, so they enjoyed the hot tub together. (Well, we ALL enjoyed the hot tub!)

Sean Patrick didn't get any water action this year but he enjoyed a good nap with all the water noise in the background.

We had to improvise a table for our pizza party in our motel room. It worked just great!

Good friends last forever

One highlight of our trip to Arizona was a stop in Tucson to see my dear friend Elizabeth!

Time doesn't erase the bond we share. How wonderful.

We could have talked all afternoon. Time flew by!

Now we look forward to Elizabeth coming to Minnesota to enjoy our fabulous summer weather. (Of course, if she wants to get a good dose of winter weather, that's okay too!)

Thanks for the visit, Elizabeth.

More reasons to visit Sedona...

Just a few more reasons to put "visit Sedona" on your "to do" list...