Spring Chicks!

Just before Easter, one of our local photographers had a special going on called "Spring Chicks." Can you guess what the prop was?? Yep . . . baby chicks!

What fun!

For once, Maddy was excited about having her picture taken!

The little chicks were beyond adorable, though keeping them together at times was like herding cats! One little chick especially loved Miss Maddy and sat on her shoulder and fell asleep! Maddy had a great time and the photos turned out so beautiful!

Shane and Sunny have a wonderful photography business here in town and are so much fun!

We love the photos! Thanks Shane and Sunny!

[Images posted with permission of Shane and Sunny Photography]

Read To Me!

Recently, a notice in the newspaper caught my eye. No, not a special on Botox* -- well, actually, I did jot down a phone number about that -- but that is another story!

This was something totally different. It was entitled:

Read to A Dog!

Yep, our local library has a "Read to a Dog" program. It not only benefits the readers, by providing them out-loud reading practice, but also gives a little doggie an opportunity to listen to a book! Miss Maddy was on-board when I mentioned it to her, so last Sunday afternoon, we went off to our local library at her assigned time.

She was a wee bit nervous (she always is at new things) and she wanted me to sit right next to her. The dog's owner was sitting there with her dog, Tucker, so I sat a little ways away listening. Maddy had so much fun and I daresay Tucker enjoyed it too, though the story seemed to make him a little sleepy. He was a perfect little guy and his owner said that she found him at the shelter 8 years ago. He didn't exactly want to get his picture taken, but isn't he cute!

Black & White Wednesday

Yes, it's Wednesday again -- time for another edition of Black & White Wednesday.

Today, we're headed back to Hilton Head Island from last summer. Seriously, that was one of the best vacations we've ever taken! While the location was beautiful and it was so sweet to be at the beach, the very best part of it was spending it with my sister and her family and the members of her China travel group and their families. We wish they had a reunion scheduled there every single year! Maddy was just landing from one of her big jumps in the sand below.

Do you hear it? I think the ocean is calling my name! :)

For more lovely B&Ws, visit Lisa at The Long Road to China!

Opening Weekend!

The Lovely White Wedding Peacock -- beautiful to behold,

but wow -- that bird can screech!


Janie and Maddy on the way to see the kangaroo!

Our sweet little local zoo had just had its opening weekend!

The weather was lovely, so Maddy and I and her friend joined the many visitors to see what was new at the zoo!

Yes, there were lots of new exhibits and animals, though some projects are bit behind due to our long and snowy winter. Soon, we hope to have some penguins and crazy monkeys happily ensconced in their new habitats.

Guess what -- we ran into Jodee and Kamree there and enjoyed hanging out and riding the train with them. Maddy's friend pronounced Jodee as "fun"! She's got that right! No doubt we will enjoy many visits to the zoo and get our money's worth out of our zoo pass!

Kamree, Jane and Maddy in front of the otter pool.

Black & White Wednesday

It's Black & White Wednesday!!

Time for B&W Wednesday again -- hooray --

this day really helps me get through the week!

This week, I have a couple of photos taken in my yard.

This tree is kind of gnarly, but still very cool.

And who doesn't love a cute little ampersand?
I bought this for a wall project that I haven't finished yet and so,
have moved it around a little bit here and there.

I love it and purchased it from Tracey at French Larkspur.
If you haven't found her yet, you must check her out
(though I believe she is currently in Paris) --lucky Tracey!
She has such a beautiful sense of style!

For more B&W photos -- visit Lisa!

A Special Day!

Though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not.

C.S. Lewis

Sunday was Miss Maddy's First Communion. What a special day! She looked so beautiful and was so excited and a wee bit nervous about receiving the Eucharist for the very first time. I saw her with a good friend just before they had to line up and they were whispering encouragement to each other!

It was a really lovely day and so wonderful to celebrate such a momentous occasion on one of God's most beautiful spring days. All of a sudden, Sunday was the day the pear trees and magnolia trees bloomed -- so beautiful!

Of course, before we left for church, Mickey HAD to get in a picture with Maddy. That silly Mouse -- he waited in the car at church, but then joined us for dinner afterwards!

Easter Outfits

After mass last Sunday, I happened to notice that Miss Maddy and Mr. Tennis had coordinating outfits on for Easter -- both had on yellow and blue -- some of my fave colors.

Don't they look so cute together!

Maddy had on chunky heel sandals -- her first "heels!" You should have heard her clomping around! Luckily, she was able to master them before we got to church. I love the sweet look of white anklets with shoes, don't you! Aaaaaadorable! :)

An Update

Hello friends -- Happy April! Whoa, felt like I almost fell off the earth without computer access for a few days there. Happy to be back in internet and blog-land! Hope everyone had a nice weekend!

Maddy and I were in Omaha visiting my sister and two of her kiddos from Florida! They brought the warm weather with them as it was 85 on March 31st! That was crazy hot!! Amy and I turned on the AC when our parents weren't looking! Actually, she did it, not me -- she has always had a bit of a naughty streak!

Spooky glow golf!!

We had such a good time visiting and having the cousins (Maddy, Grace and Erik) hang out together. We went to a fun arcade, played some glow golf, went out to lunch and the girls absolutely wore Grandma's dog out taking him on many walks.

Buddy loved it and was very tired and sad when everyone went home!

Grace, Buddy and Maddy

Plus, Amy got to meet her little Great-Niece -- Miss Janie!! Luckily (for us) Amy did not act like our Great-Aunt Carrie used to when it was hot!

Aunt Carrie would lift up her blouse, fan it for some air and exclaim, "I'm Roasting!" She was one incredible lady, but that vision has been burned into everyone's memory forever!

She was our elderly Great-Aunt Carrie -- it was not a pretty sight!

Great-Auntie Amy and Janie Boo

And look at Amy's hair! She has way curlier hair than mine, but it was so gorgeous, soft and straight! A hairdresser friend was "practicing" some new hair-straightening procedure and did it for a substantial discount. I SO want it for my hair too!!! I must get to Florida! Amy mentioned that she also has some plastic surgeon friends who have been promising discount treatments!! Oh yeah, bring on the botox and fillers! Kidding! Errrr, well, kind of kidding! ;)

Amy, Erik, Maddy, Grace and Larry

Unfortunately, Amy, Erik and Grace had to head back to Florida early on Easter Sunday - we miss them already!

Easter Flashback!

It's time for an Easter Flashback -- to four years ago -- oh my time flies! Maddy was only 4 years old -- she looks so little and Philip and Connor look so young, don't they!

Well, really -- they still are young! :) Me, not so much! ;)

I remember that year because it was just before Easter that I found out that I needed to have surgery to repair my leaky mitral valve (heart) -- yikes! Although I wouldn't admit it, I was a bit worried. As you have probably figured out, I came through with flying colors!

Good news -- I just read that chocolate is good for your heart! Hope you all have lots of yummy chocolate eggs and bunnies!

Happy Easter!!