Spring Forward!

A collection of springtime fun while the weather is sunny n cool. For soon, the humidity and heat will be upon us, as we peer out from our windows around noon-time, waiting for sunset! No Foolin! It was April 2nd, 79 years ago Jim's dad was born. We celebrated at our home with family. "He will keep you strong to the end." 1 Corinthians 11:8.

Grandpa Jim, Joann and hubby Jim.

A Day on Tampa Bay.

Our friends Mr. Jim and Ms. Terri across the street invited Jayden and I for a boat ride on Tampa Bay. Oh my gosh, we couldn't pass it up. It would be Jaydens first boat ride! We have a blast and are grateful for this opportunity to have fun in the sun with wonderful people!

My baby stud-muffin helping Mr. Jim to drive the boat. heehee

Platt Street Bridge with graffitti from various competitors in sculling.

Grand-kiddin' it.

Time spent with grandkids makes you "grow" again, focusing on them and serving them, as they are dependant on you.

Squirt-gun-fun with grandpa!

We all need our beauty sleep!

Can't ask for anything better than this! Love 'em. "Gratefulness is perhaps the only quality that a person can claim without seeming arrogant."

I am truly grateful for all my awsome grandkids, Erik, Jayden, Isak, Alana and Aiden! God bless you!

Whistler Canada

I once read we all have a LifeBook...

We all have a LifeBook
Written on our hearts,
People come in
And people depart.

Some days we decide
It is time once more,
To turn a page in our Book,
Looking forward to whats in store...
sc

Each day we have opportunities to make entries that are positive and loving, or we can post entries that create unhealthy attitudes. As always, with Gods help, we have carte blanche to go back and "mark out" past entries when asking for forgiveness, etc. Because they are written in ink, we can reference them back to see how our lives are progressing. They are a gentle reminder to keep growing in God.

January brought us a fun cold weekend in Whistler Canada, with our dear friends Steve and Teresa. They skied (not me) on a foggy morning while I rode the Whistler Gondola up the mountain to the top. I enjoyed a cup of joe inside, watching all the faithful snow lovers doing what they love!

We spent the second day snow shoeing! The sun peeked out and it was the perfect day to do such a feat! What a workout. We started out at the Nordic Center, where the 2010 Olympics ski jump was held. Seeing it in person -gee it was so big. It has to take courage to throw yourself off at the end! The 1 1/2 hour in hike was relatively flat, so to speak, had lunch by the falls and hiked back. In between, I slid down a short hill and lived to tell about it heehee. But Jim fell backwards standing still, can you beat that!! Loved the whole day. Thanks Teresa for packing the lunch. Here ya go! Steve, Jim and Teresa in their ski gear!
Ahhh, my cup of joe!

Ready to snow shoe at the Nordic Center.

Sweet Teresa.

The quietness of winter. My loved one and me.

Unusual for Jim. He is actually laying on the snow. Just happend to have my camera! Teresa and Jim.

Stillness with love.

Smoked Salmon lunch at Alexander Falls

I have to say my LifeBook has been filled with such wonderful memories, family and friends.

To end:

I am glad you all came in

Our pages of life,

Bringing happiness with you,

And being part of our life!

Random Christmas Joy 2010

I always have a Christmas Eve get-together. So for brunch, Linda and Stephi came over to share some special time with us. It is the first holiday without my brother Tim, but we have our God to help us through these times, comfort from the Holy Spirit and family arms to hug and squeeze each other. Linda and Stephi

Bright Eyes Jayden

Jamie and I guarding the food from Jim

Last but not least, we always sing a few Christmas carols, and we played a few games. Good times with family make wonderful memories.

Christmas Day is always celebrated at George and Mickeys home. Everyone gathered to have a great time! Jim and Mom

George on his knees...

Had to throw in this sweet pic of Alana!

Bev working hard at her awsome greek salad with her girls.

Diane and Mickey putting the finishing touches on dinner.

Sharai finally gets to relax!

Matt getting ready to open Christmas presents!

Alana and dad opening gifts celebrating the most wonderful gift to us, Jesus Christ. A wonderful Christmas gift was having my son Aaron and his family, Ivory, Alana and Aiden with us for Christmas. They moved to Orlando this year (which is closer than Oahu).

Bless you in the new year with God's protection and grace!

A December to Remember

Knowing I would be traveling with Jim, my decorating for Christmas was put to a minimum. The tree a must, and stockings hung, I packed my suitcase: hello Seattle! here we come! Our dear friends Steve and Teresa took us to a Dickens play the first afternoon. The theatre was intimate with circular seating so every seat was a great one. A wonderful time and we will always remember it.

Afterwards we met up with our other friends Mike and Lynette and had dinner at McCormicks and Schmidts in Belleview. We finished a great dinner just in time to see the Snowflake Lane activites just outside. The cool air and smiling faces made everyone jolly!

The guys with the "snow queen"

We jumped into the car and rode over to the botanical gardens that were all decorated for the holidays. It was a beautiful end to a fantastic day. Good memories we shared with others!

We flew home from Washington State and repacked as Jim was taking me to New York City for Christmas! Went to see the Rockettes in the Christmas Spectacular Show and later trucked up and down the city streets to find the famous Macy window displays. We explored all of Central Park from one end to another. Got our walking in I'd say! We met up with Jim's sister Diane and her daughter Sharai. Below Grand Central Station, there were many shops and tons of places to stay warm and have lunch. Had wonderful sandwiches with soup. Later that evening we all met to go to church at a Hillsong Outreach. Sharai heard about this famous hot chocolate made at a place called Max Brenners....mmmm you have to experience it to believe it! Manhattan

Rockerfeller Center

From our room

Macys

Central Park

Sharai and Diane

Grand Central

Below Grand Central

Max Brenners hot chocolate

New Orleans Came home and repacked for Jims annual Christmas dinner weekend in New Orleans. The Big Easy....we stayed at the Hilton on the Riverwalk. After we settled into our room, we headed outdoors trying to see as much in the short 2 days. Horse-drawn carriages, local eateries decorated for the holidays and of course Community Coffee! A hot cup of joe to wrap my cold fingers around in the cold weather put warmth in my heart! Explored the French Market for local goods and strolled the Riverwalk on the Mighty Mississippi. We lunched at the Cafe Maspero and visited old hotels for Christmas "eye candy." That night we dined at Mortons Steakhouse and the 2nd night we dined at Emerils. Wonderful times shared with wonderful people. Cheryl, Maria and me

French Market

The Riverwalk

My pirate

Emerils

Thanks for taking the time to share in our memories of fun and treasured times. I hope you will do the same with your loved ones!