the 12 of '12

Finally - our first time together with all 12 sweet grandchildren.

Fun times ahead.

Welcome spring!

Welcome spring! Winter is past (we hope...) and spring temperatures have arrived much earlier then in the past. Everyone seems to have a smile on their face these days. I had to add some color on my blog today - these pictures are not current, but from last year. I look forward to seeing more bright colors in our world now that spring has arrived!
This picture is a reminder of the colors soon to be part of our everyday world! This is just a treat for the eye and refreshment for the soul when I walk into our local garden center! I can't wait to go there again in a few short weeks....!!

The River Room

You may have noticed or heard us refer to our "river room" - it is our made-up name for the all-season porch that hubby built onto the back of our home a few years ago. We just didn't know what we wanted to call that new room and because this is our view from the large windows...
we decided to refer to it as the "river room." (The river that flows past our property, however, is really only visable to us during the months that the trees have no leaves. Once the leaves are full and lush, we feel more like we are in a tree house.) Notice the cute gazebo hubby built down by the river... we are remiss in making good use of it though! Maybe this year we will take more time to relax in it with the soft sound of the moving river...


There is a sweet path to walk down to the river. We have two light posts to guide us and sometimes it reminds me of the lamp posts in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" because they seem to just appear in the woods as you walk to the river. (the other light post, not in this picture, especially has that feeling.)

While looking through my lens, I spyed this interesting tree - full of hollowed-out "apartments" for many of natures little friends.. this time of year is really quite interesting once you take the time to look around! Happy Spring! (almost)

Happy Birthday Meghan

Happy Birthday today to the lovely woman whom God has placed in our family as wife of our youngest son. We are so blessed by you and think you are a perfect fit in our family!

Just some candids

This past week we were getting back into the routine following a little vacation and I haven't paid much attention to my blog. We did have a nice evening in the middle of the week with some company for supper and relaxing in the evening. Our sweet grandson B. was introduced to this new (new to him) activity center and he loved it!
It was sensory overload for him. He didn't know where to look first!

Everything was new and exciting. He is growing up too fast!

Talking about growing up ... now some of our grandchild (and adult child) are happy to settle down with my kindle fire or my ipod touch to enjoy a little time with those "angry birds."

Grandpa's lap is another good spot for some fun with the electronic games..

Daddy and little daughter had a little fun goofing off...

It looks worse then it was! Poor daddy!

A good time was had by all.

Tea at the Chateau

Such class

Such beauty

Such symmetry

Such silver

Such delight.

Double vision

We just returned from a vacation; we drove to Calgary, Alberta to visit family. A visit to Banff and Lake Louise is always on tap when we go to Calgary. The brief time at Lake Louise included some photography - and here to the right is Lake Louise in the winter.. . the photograph to the left is one I took a few years ago in the early fall. I thought it would be fun to put them side by side. It is a fabulous place and we are considering booking a room there next year...