We Just Got Home From Michigan...

... and we would have loved to stay a little longer! After we arrived Thursday evening, we took a short walk to a neighborhood schoolyard park.

This is the "short-person's" way of enjoying a neighbor's flowers along the way.
(I'd be kneeling! At least!)
;-)

A race isn't always fair when one person's legs are shorter than the other's,
but there were plenty of swings!

Then there was a bit of climbing.
Grandpa and H

On Saturday, the girls and their dad and I painted some pottery (an early
birthday gift to me!) I didn't take my camera - THAT was a mistake... but I'll post
the outcome later.

Then there was a short run to Meijer's Garden Center... purchased a few flowers and a bag of dirt. :-)

Here's a puzzle for you! Vinca minor with different blossoms?











The weather was pretty blustery and chilly, but we did get another walk in on Sunday afternoon.




Last, but not least: Two evenings in the motel pool.
Did WE care if it wasn't so nice outdoors? Not at all!



















At the last... family photos.
A great time always goes quickly!

Mother's Day Weekend Visit

On Friday evening, L helped me make the batter for "Platz." Recipe follows at the end of this post. He used his strong muscles and shaved the butter. (That's how I do it... with a fork.) We enjoyed this with breakfast Saturday morning.

And here's a little video showing the process in action! We also use a great apple peeler that peels, cuts, and cores!

C & K and L & A were here for the weekend! Were we ever busy! Here's a photo of Friday night's Bedtime Book with Grandpa.

After Saturday's breakfast, we headed out to "the farm" to search for morel mushrooms.

Here's a little video of our foraging party. :-)

Sometimes Ada led the way,

and sometimes it was more fun to watch ladybugs!Here's a photo of some Great Cup Fungus!We did a lot of walking and searching.
Sometimes a fellow just needs to rest!
Somebody's Dad found a great morel mushroom!
This is one of three bags that was bulging
by the time we finished!After naps, we girls went across country to a Mennonite greenhouse.
The rest of the family went fishing.And had a great time!I don't know that we could do MORE in one weekend, but we sure had a great time...
and made some great memories!


Platz (Mennonite Apple Cake)

2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup milk
2 eggs, beaten
2 tsp. vanilla

Mix all batter ingredients and spread in a well-greased 17" x 11 1/2" x 1" jelly roll pan.

Cover liberally with fruit of choice (sliced apple, cherries, berries, plums, peaches, etc.).

Sprinkle topping over fruit: 1/4 cup melted butter, 3/4 cup sugar, and 3/4 cup flour.

Bake at 375 degrees for around 30 minutes or so... until lightly but not over-browned.

Last Week Was Really Fun!

Last Monday, Cheryl drove here with L & A! They all spent the night. Tuesday, after lunch, Cheryl & L left to visit friends in Illinois. They left A and me ("Grandma!") together for two whole days and nights. "Grandpa" came home from a meeting on Wednesday and enjoyed the rest of the visit.

Our A is now 2 years and 3 months old. What fun we had! Tuesday afternoon we drove to a local farm store that had baby chicks and baby ducks for sale. We didn't buy any (probably a wise decision), but we surely enjoyed those "cheep-cheeps!" ;-)

Here we are, "hiding" in the pillows!

Wish I'd taken more photos.

You have to know that Sidney is pretty tolerant when we have company... and that means exactly what the word says. No acceptance here... merely tolerant!

On Wednesday we went to the local nature center.
A loved watching the baby painted turtles and the fish.
She also had a great time listening to animal sounds (she also loved pushing the buttons!).

A's a great singer! You might enjoy this little clip. :-)




Mommy and L returned early Thursday afternoon. L is now a whopping 4 1/2 years old!
We had such a nice time together.
They stayed one more night before leaving Friday after lunch.

Here is a parting photograph.We missed them right away.

Next time, Daddy (Kyle) will come, too!

The best he could do, this time, was to tape small photos of his face on the car seats, etc.
No chance that his family would forget him! ;-)

Sunday, March 2

Time for Breakfast!
Our good helper! (Mom made the apron.)

Remember those little dresses I sewed after Christmas?
Here's a view of the "big-girl" and the "dolly" dresses.

Mommy and daughter enjoy a book.

Time for family photos!
Grandma and Grandpa with
the cutest children in Omaha. :-)
(Yes, I have braces.)

And now, for the family portrait! :-)

We're almost going to get one of Daddy and Mommy.

And, here we are!Couldn't ask for a better son-in-law.
Couldn't ask for a better daughter.
Could have asked for a longer visit! ;-)

A Trip to Omaha

We couldn't hold out any longer (as though we would ever want to!). We traveled to Omaha this past weekend for some children hugging and grandchildren hugging. Somehow, I'm not sure I got enough of it before we had to leave... but here are some excerpts of great times!

On Friday night, we were entertained.
Here is L's "Deputy Song." :-)


Saturday was a beautiful, sunny day. We donned light coats and jackets and visited the Henry Doorly Zoo. Here are some highlights.













The Peacock was looking for admiration after a long, cold Winter season. (He received ours!)



Our next stop was the Jungle!




















As explorers, there were many nooks and crannies...











as well as narrow, slippery passageways...





... and narrow, winding rivers below.




Whoa! Do YOU see our somewhat
large discovery?












We had a great time in the jungle, but we were ready for new adventures.











Have you ever given thought to riding a giraffe,















or cozying up to a gorilla?












Yipes! Is it time to deploy the rescue squad?











These are just a couple more examples of the wonderful sculpture garden.

























We can imagine the lovely Summer roses.











Would you call this the River Koi?












We did get a chance to feed the koi, while one lone swan made its appearance.













Before leaving the zoo, we visited the "monkeys."
A lone gorilla seemed as interested in the crowd as the
crowd was interested in him.














But it was time to go home. Someone was "fading."













My, we had had a great time!

to be continued...