Another June in the Books!

Wow, where did June go!

It was a busy, busy month for us to say the least.

Following Buster's retirement party, we had Khloe and Ellery for nine wonderful days, 

while their Momma and Daddy had some well earned R and R in Grand Cayman.

A portion of this time we rented a little beach house where we were joined

by daughter Jackie and her family for some beach fun with the Grands!

It was such a great time together, think it will be on the calender for next year :-)

We are now preparing for our vacation and boy are we looking forward to it.

We will be putting on some miles as we explore new places for us.

My beautiful Montana will not be one of them this year :-(

After the lost of my sweet Aunt Wima, followed by the selling of the Herndon family

home....well, I just wasn't ready for a visit less both her and the home.

Next year perhaps we start new memories in Big Sky country!

I've missed my blogging friends, but hope to reconnect during our travels!

Hope you will enjoy these precious photos with our Grands!

  At the beach house, Khloe and Ellery....

Our second Grand Aubrey

 Aunt Jackie with Khloe and Ellery

 Our oldest grandson Gavin

Aubrie and Khloe

Our First born Grand is the beautiful Julia

 Love this of Pa and the Sweet Beans

 Aubrie and Gavin siblings and best buds....it's the sweetest thing to watch.....

 Frisbee action ~

After the beach we hit the pool...

 Dad and our girl :-)

 A worn out Ellery ...

 

So happy we had all this time with our daughter and her husband Ev and the grands, they keep us young!

Happy Fourth to all...

Wishing you God's best, it's what echos from my heart today.

Memories Etched in My Mind and on My Heart~

Father's Day

The laugh from the the gut, without sound....I remember.

His break of a smile...I remember it well.

So often in the day to day living of life, I spot him.
In a strangers smile...
The first time it got me was in church. He was an elderly man sitting in front of me.
Those are my Dad's hands.
I could no longer hear what was being taught from the pulpit, I just kept staring at those hands.
Taking it in, remembering Dad's hands, knowing eventually the gentle man would exit the church..
Like losing sight of Dad...again.

I was introduced to a sweet elderly man at the river last weekend.
 As I took his hand to shake it, I saw my Father's hands again. I may have held on longer than normal, he didn't seem to mind...
My eyes met his and there they were, beautiful eyes, cloudy and shaped just like Dad's...
He didn't stay to chat for long....I watched until I lost sight of him.

The memories of my Dad are many, far to many to account for.
I see him every where.
A green freshly mowed lawn.
The rose bushes he bought me.
Water pumps.
Old Fords :-)
My son's love for fishing.

Admittedly, I find myself looking at the hands of strangers. The leap of my heart when I spot those much like his.
 Father's Day, surely he deserved a day of his own.....for the rest he gave to us.

How I look forward to our heavenly reunion, where I'm sure to receive a Poppa hug.
It's what echos from my heart today.

Ready to Enjoy Life More Fully!

This is the face of the reitred man being surprised by family and friends!

June 7th I pulled off a surprise, which is no easy feat for me.

My cousins husband took him golfing for the day, and at the determined time

he had to make up an excuse to stop the 18 hole course at hole 10 (Yikes) in order

to get him back home for the celebration.

I can tell you, he was very surprised.

I could not have pulled it off without the help of my son's, daughter in law, 

and my cousin Linda, she saved me from near death,

well, lets just say she was a really big help.

Linda with her new best friend Khloe, watching for Pa to arrive.

~

The party was family and some folks Bob has a very long history with.

He was thrilled to see each and every one!

Most of all he was thrilled our oldest grandchildren made the trip!!

He spent the afternoon trying to visit with each, he was clearly a happy man.

After all was cleared away, everyone departed for home he settled down with a cigar,

staring at what became a canvas for the grands that day, chalk art.

He told me he was overwhelmed with the emotion of the day, and the best part was having

the grandkids together (minus two)....he shed a few tears.

Translation, successful surprise!!

~

 The chalk art was to precious to pick just a couple....

Now, where is that honey do list????

We have already planned a nice vacation to celebrate, the list can wait ....

Happy man, he echos from my heart for sure......