Felix Turns Two

 Dale's grandson, Felix turned two this weekend so I drove down to Des Moines to celebrate with them. It was fun to spend time with Felix and Dale.

 Felix loves puzzles and presents so it was a successful celebration. He is a wiz with puzzles and his favorite phrase may be, "I did it!" It was fun to see him work hard to solve the new more challenging puzzles. Two years goes very quickly and little ones are a sweet reminder of that.

March Melt

I had feared that my yard would still be covered with snow at the end of March but we have had great melting thanks to some warmer weather and a few good rains. There is still snow in the forecast but that doesn't concern me. I look forward to the roses, daffodils, iris and tulips which will erupt from this frozen ground in the next month. I am so very anxious for April which has always been a favorite month!

No Pictures, Grammy!

Did he really ask me not to take a photo of him? Well, that's not going to happen! I did listen and only took a few but there will be more photos. I am sure that he won't mind.

Black Beans and Avocado

Brownies made with black beans and avocado? It sounded strange but good enough to try. Ashley sent me a link last week so I bought an avocado. Monday while Ashley was here and the boys were napping I put the black beans and avocado in a food processor and added cocoa, eggs and some of the usual brownie ingredients. They are gluten-free (no flour) and more nutritious than my typical brownie recipe therefore more guilt-free. They did not taste like beans or avocado. They tasted like fudgy chocolate brownies and I didn't feel badly giving one to Lincoln. The brownies were good, but obviously a bit "different." I might stick with my old recipe most of the time.

Brothers

Cold Mornings

This cold snap has been disappointing. I pulled out my big winter coat, hats and gloves again. I am still walking but not as happy about the experience. Now it's snowing this morning. I want Spring back.

Walker's Shower

 It was a wonderful brunch celebrating Walker. His great-aunt, Sandi (my sister) gave a beautiful baby shower on Saturday and we all had a great time. It was a wonderful collection of women who gathered to meet Walker and eat a delicious meal.

 Izzie, my great niece was the youngest. She loves babies as much as the grandmas!

 My niece, Chelsea was there too along with all of my siblings. Are these ladies second cousins? Cousins once removed? I do not know. In our family they are cousins!

 Great Aunt Cindy

Great Aunt Sandi

Great Aunt Jill 

Great Uncle Dan

Yes, a few boys were allowed too. Dan came by after the party was breaking up and Lincoln came along too because he loves a good party! I am so glad that we got to see Dan too.

 

 

 Ashley had a great time and got beautiful gifts. Both boys rode nicely in the car and that was a great gift also. It was so fun to get to introduce Walker when he was less than three weeks old.

 My sister-in-law, Vernell (Ashley's aunt and another great aunt to the boys) came to the party also. It was a special joy to share the day with Vernell. She has a recent diagnosis that will require quite a medical "adventure," as she says. Prayers for our wonderful Aunt Vernell would be appreciated.

 I love being surrounded by family and it was made even better by the presence of some very dear old friends. Darlene and my mom have been friends for more than fifty years. I love Darlene and she brings me such joy when she tells stories of my tantrums or sandbox adventures. Life long friends are one of my greatest gifts.

 Kelly and Ann are certainly life-long treasured friends. How thrilling to share grandchildren and decades past with the same women. If anyone in this world brings me laughter its most likely to be Kelly or Ann. This shower was for Walker but it was truly a gift for me to be surrounded by so many people that I love. It was a very special day.

March Biking

 We had a heat wave this week. Well, actually we got up to normal temperatures. It was great to be outside and Lincoln loved the chance to ride his bike. He can go blocks and blocks.

 Of course there is still plenty of winter around! Lincoln has fun in the snow especially since it's not so cold. Watching him bike made me think it was time to check out some of my favorite walking trails.

 I checked out the trail around the lake and the one through the woods and neither are ready for my walking shoes. There is too much icy snow and lots of squishy mud. The forecast says we will get more fresh snow this week. I will stay on the streets for a while and look forward to April.

Monday

I love having days off during the work week, especially when I get to hang out with family. I especially love it when they come to my house. This Monday I got Ashley, Lincoln and Walker; what a cozy time! I am so fortunate to work part time.

 Dimples?

 Tummy Time

Starting our garden seeds

Sweet Dreams 

 

 

Nesting Yarn

If I am feeling a bit set back by recent snow and cold temperatures, I expect that the birds may be a little disappointed also. Although I have put yarn scraps out before, this year I am being very deliberate and hoping that the birds find my gift of nesting material and use it to create a cozy nest for the season. I read somewhere to use a suet feeder so I filled it up and Lincoln and I hung it for the birds. We have all enjoyed the wood peckers at the suet feeders this winter and we are hoping for more guests soon.

Two Weeks

Walker will be two weeks old today. In some ways these two weeks have gone quickly and in other ways they seem like a lifetime, Walker's lifetime! It's almost hard to remember what life was like before he was a part of the family. Funny how babies have a way of creating such a special place in your heart and family so quickly.

Between Winter and Spring

My Spring fever may be premature. It's snowing as I write this post but we spent lots of time walking in the sunshine, stomping in puddles and shopping for rain boots this week. I chopped at ice in my driveway that was bound to melt in a day or two anyway. I even admit to shoveling some of the deepest snow away from the sandbox and my garden areas just so I could be out in the sunshine playing with Lincoln. It's time for Spring but it's snowing right now so it will have to wait a couple of days.

Barefoot Breakfast

 Homemade blueberry waffles from a plate in your lap while sitting on the counter? Why not? It's Friday breakfast at Grammy's and we can stay closer this way.

Feels Like Spring

The weather was so beautiful this week that even Walker got to spend some time outside. We were all so thrilled to be out and to watch the snow melt after this long hard winter. Walker is obviously comfortable all bundled up. This little blue cable knit hat is one that I made for him the week before he was born. I was slow getting started but did make him a few hats. Although it will take quite a while for all of this snow to melt we have lots of hope now. Winter will end.

Seventy-fifth

 It was a few days late but we got to celebrate my mom's seventy-fifth birthday on Monday. It was great timing for them to meet Walker too. Lincoln was thrilled that great-grandma and great-grandpa would both get down on the floor and play with him. It was a fun visit for everyone, I think. When Lincoln hugged them good-bye he said, "Come back." I think that's a good thing!

One Week

In one short week this baby boy has changed so much and truly has captured my heart! Walker is such a blessing and I am so excited to watch him grow and learn. He is a very sweet baby boy.

Mommy

I have spent much of the last week getting to know Walker, playing with Lincoln and helping Ashley and Travis a bit. It's been a joy to have so much time with my grandsons. One of the greatest joys is watching Ashley be a mommy. I am so blessed to see my daughter mother my precious grandsons. She does an amazing job! Tomorrow I head back to the office and will miss their company.

Last Basketball

 Saturday afternoon was the last UNI Women's basketball game for this season and the timing was perfect for us. Lincoln has  been asking to go to a basketball game so we were happy to have one more afternoon game. Dale and I went early and Ashley joined us with the boys after nap time. Yes, Walker got to go to his first basketball game too. He slept through the entire event but it was so fun for Ashley to get to come also. Now we just need to wait for this snow to melt so that we go to some baseball games.

This Baby Boy

I cannot get enough of this sweet baby boy! I even stay up way past my bedtime for him. Amazingly precious time of life!

Walker Jon

 On March 3, I was blessed with another grandson, Walker Jon. It was a joy to be there when he was born and capture some precious moments with my camera. I am so anxious to get to know this little guy who already reminds me of his momma. Maybe it's because their birth weights are very similar but I do see a resemblance. I have always been proud of Ashley but watching her give birth and mother my grandsons brings it to a whole new level. We are quite blessed.