counting blessings

every summer i find myself yet another year more blessed.

not another year older right, but rather another year to count 

the many blessings i am surrounded with.

i find myself incredibly fortunate to have such a wonderful 

group of grandchildren keeping me on my toes and keeping me 

laughing. 

"God gave us the gift of life, it is up to us to give ourselves 

the gift of living well"

-voltaire

hope your week is off to a great start!

Summer Travels {London}

While in Spain, Kim and her husband spent a weekend in London, enjoying all the sights and tradition that wonderful city has to offer!

On her bucket list, was seeing Phantom of the Opera in London, so Kim was able to check that one off this summer!

A little peek at Westminster Abbey...

Traditional fish and chips and a lager...

As Kim said, "You haven't experienced London without going to Harrods!"

Again, thank you Kim for sharing your travels with us! Tell us, did you go anywhere fun this summer? Plans for the Fall? Where should we plan our next trip?

Summer Travels {Spain}

Our lovely Kim from the Willows went on an amazing trip to Spain this summer with her husband. Her pictures from Barcelona and Madrid have us all more than a little jealous! She said the architecture was simply stunning everywhere you turned. The Barcelona Cathedral in particular, she told us, was positively breathtaking...

Kim told us that the Retiro Park is her very favorite park in the entire world. As you walk through the park you are not only surrounded by beauty and history, you also hear live music throughout the park! It sounds like a dream. When are the rest of us planning a trip?

summer travels {balboa}

Another great year at the beach with the whole big crew.  

One of my grandkids said this was his favorite week of the whole year :)

Bags for each family.  With the way we are growing, I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to keep up :)

Numbers 20 and 21 were born this summer!

Carpooling to the beach!

Even the big kids need a nap...

Family soccer.

Meeting new cousins.

So happy to be reunited with favorite cousins :)

Until next summer!

summer travels {the hamptons}

This summer Susan Rose spent time with her family in the Hamptons.  

Her pictures have us all wanting to plan a trip back east next summer...

A picture of Susan taking a picture...

^^ She said the light was like this for just a moment and then it changed and nothing was quite as green and perfect as it had been in just that exact, perfect moment.  ^^

Enjoying the beautiful greenery and back roads of the Hamptons...

Fresh produce stands along the side of the road...

Chicken question...  

Is it wrong to eat a chicken salad sandwich, when one of its relatives is wandering around under the table?

Abundant flora in the Hamptons...

Where did you go this summer?  Where should we plan our next trip?

another great 4th of july!

This year with our big family week coming up at the end of July, Brian and I took a few grandkids over to the beach to celebrate the 4th on Balboa.  We had some surprise visitors when my son Al and his wife Mary decided to fly in last minute with our newest grandchild, Evangeline. Everyone had a wonderful time with lots of hours at the beach, paddle boarding, front row seats to the boat parade, trips to the toy store for swords, and lots of time to gush over the newest little miracle in our family.

It was a wonderful long weekend!

Happy 4th to everyone!

Hope yours was great!