Exploring Indiana

During my Spring Break, Jared and I traveled to some parts of the country we had never seen before.

We are on our first visit to our kids and grandkids in Indiana at Easter. It was perfect--everyone and everything was beautiful.

Easter Sunday in Indiana

  I thought it was pretty great that Candice could just walk out her back door,
past the patio,  and take long walks each morning around the mowed "track" of the field behind the house.

Exploring the backyard with Maggie in the lead. 

Jacob loves to romp around in the woods and fields that nearly surround his house.

Walkin' the plank.

A private school owns the acreage here and behind the house
where we played on the equipment and walked through the woods.

The beaded jewelry was designed and assembled by this beaming duo.

"Mr. Vine" is available for the strong and stout-hearted
after a short walk in the woods behind the house.

View of the Ohio River from downtown Madison. Main street is just a block over, and all the town is a historical district.

Three Ballerina Babes

Grandma Suzanne 1963...................Kristine 1989....................Anna 2011

My mother drove from Anaheim to Fullerton sometimes three days a week to take me to the ballet studio of Lois Ellyn,
who was a soloist for the New York City Ballet. Grandma would stay in the waiting room and knit while I danced, watching me through the glass sliding doors.

Kristine grew up in Fullerton and also
studied under Lois Ellyn. Kristine participated in her performing group, the Nouveau Chamber Ballet.

Anna lives in Arizona and has started ballet training there, the third generation of little girls interested in ballet.
If Anna lived in Fullerton, she could also study with Lois Ellyn who is, amazingly, still teaching today.

Princesses and Pirates for Birthday #2

 We are still smiling about the great weekend we had in Santa Paula to celebrate Bethany and Isaac's Birthday #2.  Jared and I got to dress up twice--once for the Princess and Pirate Party, then again for church on Sunday. Different outfits.

Bethany was decked out head to toe, but quite willing to share her treasures with the pirates.

Grandpa Lee in full regalia kept one eye on his little mate.

There was a satisfactory exchange of  goods!  

                          

                                     Grandpa introduced Isaac to a pirate's bounty...

...of one kind and another.

Power tools! Oh, yeah.

Palm Springs Christmas 2011

What a fantastic "bonus year" we had at Christmas when so many of the kids could stay with us in California. We decided to try Palm Springs this year, instead of Newport Beach, 

and explored the Marriott Shadow Ridge Enclaves. 

Somehow, we pretty much had the pools in this area to ourselves.

Lulled by the warm water into a moment of calm relaxation poolside. 

 I think we all felt pretty much the way Isaac looks. Flying high on this beautiful Palm Springs morning, elated!

 Luke must think Christmas is a beach. And probably the cousins would agree!

The beach entry pool was just right for water play with Anna, Scott, Isaac, and Bethany.

One evening while we were there, Grandpa Jared led us in a family home evening and then we opened presents early. I must have been busy just enjoying the scene and don't have photos to share, but my heart took a picture.  Just want to say thanks, again, to each of you for the wonderful memories. 

California Sunshine

During the summer, we visited at Grandma Dot's and enjoyed some fun in the sun.
Now that Brian's working in Indiana and away this Thanksgiving weekend,
it's good to look back and remember some recent family activities.

Happy Birthday #5, Olivia

Florence and Pisa

You may think you are looking at a hillside scene of Santa Paula, but it's  Italy.

The art and architecture were amazing,  and it seemed incongruous for people to try and go about the daily business of living while surrounded by such intricate beauty. Like any good tourist, I often just stood in the street, gaping.