Spring Break Road Trip to Visit Family ~and to Meet Baby Boy

We woke to news of a new baby in our family.

This Papa and Gigi got a sneak peek of that little guy,

when he was less than 24 hours old.

Check out the tiny ankle monitors that the

 newborns wear for security reasons.

Check out Baby Boy’s long toes!

This little girl is officially a big sister now.

She is going to teach that Baby Boy everything she knows.

He is going to be so smart.

One of my favorite things about staying with family

is  getting up early, sitting with my cup of coffee, and

visiting with the grandchildren while they

eat breakfast before leaving for school.

It’s fun to follow their afterschool activities.

It was  beautiful evening for a little T-Ball.

With Baby Boy and his parents in the hospital,

it was wonderful have the distraction of staying with family…

…especially when there are chocolate chip cookies

 and ice cream for dessert.

And then, this happened…

Such a tender moment between Big Sister and Baby Brother.

Siblings and Best Friends for Life.

Take care,

~Natalie

Spring Break Road Trip ~Our Family on Baby Watch

Every year these Retired Empty Nesters look forward to a

Spring Break trip to warmer weather.

We left a couple weeks later than usual to

coordinate our plans with the arrival of a new grandbaby..

We had ideal weather for driving.

We saw remnants of the snowstorm that had passed through

this area just the week before.

After a nine hour day in the car, we check into our hotel

and then find a place to have a beverage and share a bite to eat.

If you have followed our travels,

you know that Hubby is always in search of the best burger.

Check out this stack starting with a smashed potato,

ground beef patty, cheese, bacon, and an over-easy egg.

This was my favorite side salad on the trip, so far.

Spring greens with strawberries, apple, celery,

candied pecans, red onion, and crumbled goat cheese.

Two and a half days of driving, through six states…

We received word that our grandson was not waiting for his due date

and arriving early. There was no time to diddle-daddle.

Uncle Nick picked up the cousins, as they attend the same preschool.

They waited patiently for Papa and Gigi to arrive.

Popsicles and Bluey help to pass the time.

There’s nothing better than hugs from

this Welcoming Committee.

Uncle Nick made dinner for everyone, too.

It was a beautiful evening for a family walk

with the bikes and scooters after dinner.

Bedtime Stories with Aunt Amy is the perfect ending to a perfect day.

We all went to sleep knowing that we’d wake up to

the news of a new baby in our family.

Take care,

~Natalie 

Monday Miscellaneous ~Making March Memories

Seems like we were just talking about welcoming in

March like a Lamb. And now, in a week, we’ll be ushering it out,

 hopefully like another Lamb.

I’ve packed away the St. Patrick’s Green Decor and

 trimmed my tree with Easter Ornaments.

But not before Hubby prepared one of his favorite

St Patrick’s Day meals, Corned Beef Hash.

We roast the Corned Beef Brisket in the oven one day,

and allow it to chill overnight in the refrigerator.

Potatoes, Onion, and Corned Beef.

Yum

He serves it with a perfect Over-Easy Egg on top.

There’s no smooth segue to this photo…

No connection to our meal of Corned Beef Hash.

Just going to the clinic for a routine Blood Pressure Check.

Watchcat Gracie spotted a man on the roof of our neighbor’s house.

I don’t think she can get her little brain around that concept.

We went to visit Great GMa.

She chuckled about taking a selfie.

I was in the mood to bake cookies.

We are preparing and packing for our annual

 Spring Break Trip to visit our family.

Just Kidding

(I found this photo on-line)

We try our best to use up all the perishable food

in our refrigerator before traveling.

A frittata is a tasty way to do just that.

Yeah, I know Eggs are expensive…

However, six eggs can go a long way with

sausage, mushrooms, peppers, onions, spinach, and cheese.

These Empty Nesters had two meals on that savory pie.

See that sweet little bunny on my tree.

Two years ago, I accidentally dropped her and broke off one of her ears.

It was a little gift from my mother, years ago.

I couldn’t believe it when I found that tiny tiny ear.

Hubby glued it back together, it’s as good as new!

I hope March has been good to you.

I’ll be back to share more about our Spring Break Trip.

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy Spring 🌷 Happy Happy Birthday to our Jack ~See How He’s Grown

Jack and I shared a morning, just the two of us,

when we were there for Christmas.

If you are a grandparent, you know just how special that was.

Jack is the Grandchild that made us a Papa and Gigi.

Papa and Jack shared some bonding time at Christmastime, too…

Assembling one of his Christmas gifts.

They were a good team.

Our Spring Break trip frequently coincides with

our family’s March Birthdays.

Last year, Jack’s friend party had been earlier in the afternoon.

He saved his gifts until this Papa and Gigi got there to open them.

Birthday 2023

A family party at the house.

His Daddy prepared probably the best steak I have ever eaten.

And his Mama’s Mashed Potatoes and Salad were tasty , too.

Of course, there was chocolate cake.

Spring of 2022, I was invited to travel with the family to NYC.

Jack and I held hands and used our “pony legs”

to keep up with Daddy when we all ran to catch the Subway!

In 2021, we celebrated my Birthday together

with an Ice Cream Party.

Spring 2020

Even at two years old, Jack was a great little helper in the kitchen.

Papa and Gigi had intended to be there to celebrate his 2nd Birthday…

…but then the Pandemic happened.

Jack with his Gigi in 2019.

In fact, Jack is the one that named me Gigi.

I first met Jack just a few weeks after he was born in 2018.

Sweet memories of those trips to Okinawa to spend time with the family,

helping with childcare, and visiting the sites.

And now, oh how I treasure these FaceTime chats.

I look forward to seeing all the grandchildren,

celebrating our family’s March Birthdays, in person, soon.

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy Happy Birthday, Emily

Today we celebrate the Birthday of

our second born daughter, the baby that

that made our family complete.

A happy little girl,

Smart and a little Sassy.

And now a smart young woman,

A Wonderful Wife and Mama, growing a family of her own.

We are so proud of you.

Wishing you Joy on this Special Day!

Take Care,

~Mom