We Celebrated My Birthday ~It was a Big Birthday ~Spending Time with Family ~Here’s my Report ~How Old is Old?

One of the best Birthday Celebrations, ever.

Being together with our whole family…precious time, well spent.

Our day was fill with plenty of good food,

fun activities, and just being together…

Starting with breakfast prepared by our Son in Law.

Avocado Toast with an Over Easy Egg.

A hearty breakfast is essential

before heading to swimming lessons.

After lessons our daughters and grandsons played in the water.

We all sat on the Pool Deck for a refreshing beverage…

 

…And a tasty lunch of a California Turkey Wrap,

Chips, and Watermelon.

Our afternoon was occupied with naps,

a few house chores, and playing outside, while Son-in-Law

and Hubby participated in a Golf Tournament.

Busy day, but we all gathered for

a lovely Italian dinner out.

Appetizer course:

We shared Salad and

Rosemary Glazed Chickpeas.

Main Course:

I ordered the Butternut Squash Ravioli…

Rich and Flavorful.

The portions were generous, and we all had enough

leftover to take home for another meal.

Third course:

Ice Cream Party!

Complete with Sugar Cones, Toppings, and Sprinkles.

There was something for everyone’s sweet tooth.

It was a perfect day.

And here’s some good news.

According to the World Health Organization,

Celebrating a Medicare Birthday does not classify someone as old.

It really is true… Age is Just a Number.

Thank you to everyone that took time to send Birthday Wishes

to me via text messages, emails, and Facebook comments.

I love staying in touch with all of you.

A Special Thank You to our Daughters, Sons in Law,

and Grandsons who treated me like a Queen for the Day!

Take care,

~Natalie

Hello Summer ~Fun in the Sun ~Fun in the Neighborhood ~Nearby Park ~Nearby Zoo

We welcomed in Summer with beautiful warm sunshine. 

There is a neighborhood park within walking distance of home.

The park has lots of things to do. It is always busy

with children, parents, grandparents, and dogs.

While Jack and Papa played on the swings,

slides, and climbing wall, Henry and I found

a spot in the shade to sit and watch.

It is fun for all ages…

The Young and Young at Heart.

Our evenings on the patio involve playing with big trucks…

And looking at photos of dinosaurs on Papa’s phone.

Just down the street a little ways is a Zoo.

A quick drive in the car.

The whole family went to visit all the animals.

Mr. Tortoise showed off his big strong dinosaur-looking legs.

“Slow and Steady Wins the Race”

“My oh my! What big ears you have”

Mr. Peacock had plenty to chat about with Papa and Jack.

“I just enjoy being with my family, outside in my stroller”

“Do you people have anything for me to eat?”

Mr Billy Goat is hanging out in his playhouse,

while the other goats scrounge in the yard for food.

Breakfast time in the Zoo brings everyone out of the barn.

“Can we all come here again sometime soon?”

As promised, here is the progress report on the project in the yard.

Happy Summer, Everyone!

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy Fathers Day to All Who are called Dad, Daddy, Pa, Father, Papa, Gramps, Grandpa, and Granddude ~How We Spent the Morning ~Fathers Day Eve

This Papa is enjoying a pretty Special Fathers Day…

He’s together with his First-Born Daughter, Son in Law

and two Grandsons.

He had plenty of help opening his gift!

And tomorrow, there’s a good chance he gets to see

our Second Daughter.

After a hardy breakfast, these two

got to work out on a big project in the backyard.

It started with some assembly in the garage

before moving it onto the lawn.

Strategic Planning Session.

Henry was in charge of all the baggies of little pieces.

If you’ve every put together furniture from IKEA?

It’s looks like that.

They are a good Construction Team with Daddy

as the Foreman, and Papa as his Assistant.

Like so many of you, I am missing

my own Daddy on this Special Day.

Father’s Day Eve…What a Celebration Meal!

Our Son in Law prepared the most tender,

juicy, and flavorful steaks on the grill.

Amy sautéed Broccolini, and prepared

Mashed Potatoes and Salad.

So very tasty, and so very nice to be together for dinner.

After a morning of hard work in the sun,

Daddy and Papa went to the Golf Course for a round.

I will be on duty in the kitchen for tonight’s dinner.

Stay tuned for progress reports on The Project in the Yard.

Take care,

~Natalie 

Where the Week Went ~Spending Time with Family ~Enjoying Time Close to Home

 

Can you believe that Papa and Gigi drove here,

all the way from South Dakota? 

Just to visit us?!

Some of you remember when I stayed here before the pandemic.

The guest suite on their third floor is so charming.

The first morning, we woke to the sun streaming in

above our bed through this quaint little window.

Of course, Wednesday is Garbage Pick Up Day.

The young men that provide that service, do so

with a smile and friendly wave.

Jack’s Daddy had to work long hours that day,

So Jack and his Papa stayed busy with some yard work.

They trimmed bushes and cleaned out underneath,

preparing for a load of mulch.

Some of us sat out on the patio to

provide encouragement and enjoy the shade.

Most importantly, we make time for play.

According to a proverb recorded in 1659…

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”

Take time off from work,

so you don’t become bored or boring!

Good advice for all of us.

Take care,

~Natalie

Road Trip Report ~Day Four ~New York is a Big State ~Reaching our Destination

 

Do you think Papa and Gigi will read our books to us?

Oh, little brother,

you don’t have to worry about that.

They will read books,

and Gigi likes to sing songs with me too!

We have traveled in beautiful, warm sunshine…until today,

this is what it looked like in Rochester, NY, when we woke up.

Thank goodness for the canopy over the hotel entrance,

so we could load our car without getting soaked.

Day Four Lunch, of course we ordered the usual.

This is my side salad, with the dressing on the side,

as I requested.

This is the RoadHouse Burger at Babe’s in Utica, NY.

The Smoked Gouda Cheese made this one especially tasty.

This was our last lunch stop on the road.

Another great review!

And this was our last state border to cross.

Four days was a long time to sit in the vehicle.

However, the reward at the end of our journey…

was priceless.

Take care,

~Natalie