Ice Water Shenanigans

Toward the beginning of spring break, Maebelle had a friend over.

This how they started their week off:

Now it's Emily's turn.

And Orion:

Hahahahahaha! Hahahahahaha! I love it!

Maebelle then couldn't resist pouring the rest on Emily. : )

Great way to begin the week!

Green

This amaryllis was so very pretty this year.

Thanks, Mama, for the flower!

Another pretty flower:

Self portrait in the computer screen with the green screen saver on:

Orion took this one of his Lego creation:

I love the simplicity of these next three. So pure, so vibrant.

Thank you Zac, for moving everything behind the flower so I could get the exact shots I was imagining.

Our humble garden:

I probably take these exact same pictures every spring. Well, last spring anyway, and likely all to come.

But I enjoy them so much each time. They are always different, but so, so similar.

Just like the plants each year. Same plants, yet slightly different patterns and shades.

One of the best things about our property - the lilac - right outside our bedroom window. : )

This hosta means so much to me. My maternal grandma gave it to my paternal grandma a few years ago and a couple states away, who eventually shared a lively piece of it with me.

I was so glad to see it coming up with so much spirit and hardiness this spring.

This next one...

...I was afraid it did not make it through the winter. All my other hosta were poking through the ground a few weeks ago. This one stayed grounded for extra time. Eventually, it peeked through.

Maybe it was just hanging out, gaining additional energy so it'll be extraordinary this year. It is MY favorite hosta that Grandma gave me.

It has been probably seven years since she shared these with me.

I cannot express my thankfulness that she took the time, so long ago, to dig them up for me and help me start a garden of my own.

At the time, I had no idea it would take another seven years for me to settle down enough that I could enjoy her gifts every day.

I will always remember kneeling beside her in her sanctuary she called a garden, listening to her tell me about each one. How to care for them, what kind of space to plant them in.

She took such good care of them before I received them that, even through some neglect on my part, they survived long enough for me to have them back.

Love you Grandma.

Hamlin House of Music

Most weekends, we get together with the Anderson's to play music, eat food and generally enjoy each other's company. The kids go off enjoy their own sort of fun - music, games, dress up, Nerf, Legos or shows.

A couple of weeks ago, I found I was really enjoying taking pictures as the evening passed. (By the way, I love the look on Hannah's face above. It definitely matches the depth and soul of her voice.)

So this is all of us. Just doing what we do.

I am glad I took the time to document our evening. I love the way they turned out.

I even took a self portrait.

The last one is just the clutter that finds itself on our counter. Shiny clutter in the beautiful light in our kitchen.

Goodnight.

A Great Day for Washers

Yesterday the weather was gorgeous, with perfect light!

So we played washers as a family.

Maebelle has great form!

Above: Maebelle is hoping Zac's shot will go in. I believe this one was one of the few bullseyes of the game. : )

I love that above I caught both Orion throwing and Maebelle dropping the washers she was holding.

By this point in the game, the score was close. Orion and I had been in the lead the entire game. But Maebelle and Zac were catching back up.

Maebelle puts on her game face, which includes this cute little mouth thing. You can see it above as well, in the second picture. I love it!

She scores big:

That put them at 21. I tried one more shot, and came close, but close was not enough. They won 21 to 17. : (

Orion was a good sport about it.

The winners! In a pretzel!

Here's to  more warm, sunny days and yard games!