Last Week on my Phone

 I think that Instagram is part of my reason for neglecting my blog lately. I love the ability to take a shot with my phone and share it with my family with just a couple of clicks; no editing or downloading to my computer then blogger. And it doesn't get broadcast to everyone on Facebook. I am fully aware that my high school classmates do not need to know that I biked some new trails this week and enjoyed a long afternoon walk with Jay and Kirby. I've always used my blog more than Facebook so that only the people who really want to look need to be subjected to so much of my life.

 So hear are a few of my favorite shots from my phone this week, much like the ones that I posted on Instagram.

 It was a great week, gorgeous weather for August with highs around 80 instead of 90, time with the boys and a new commitment to biking more and keeping up with my walking at the same time.

Saturday night bonus was having the boys for bath time. I got to bathe both of them and snuggle them into jammies, certainly one of my favorite times of day. . . sweet smelling boys in cuddly jammies.

 

Tree Climbing

 A couple of weeks ago Lincoln discovered that he could climb my tree in the front yard and be a monkey. He slipped a few times but he was a great noisy monkey! What a fun boy!

Walker's Baptism

 Last Sunday was a very special day for me and my family. Walker was baptized at St. John and it was a such a joy to be a part of this holy event.

 Ashley's family is growing quickly and I love seeing their smiles.

 I just love that Lincoln and Walker have cousins on the Schrage side of the family. It's so fun to see them all together. Mason and Walker are just six weeks apart, what fun!

 

 What a precious time to be able to be a part of the baptism and pray for Walker with family.

 Travis and Ashley hosted a wonderful brunch after the worship service and it was a great time to celebrate with everyone. Obviously my blog is suffering if it takes me a full week to post about anything this special. I will try to catch up more this week.

August Biking

 Amazing that I didn't get my bike out on the trails until August this year. There was some flooding that closed the trails but the main reason was that I was spending so much time walking. I'm still walking lots but took time on Sunday to get my bike out and it felt great. Yup, I was using my phone while riding on the trails but I promise, I was being very careful.

 Jay was nice enough to fill my tires and have my bike ready for me. I just love being on the trails and seeing so much nature. I rode around two lakes, through the nature reserve, the state park and along the Cedar River and ended up downtown Cedar Falls to navigate the streets and hills back to Jay and Briana's house.

 I don't know how many miles I went but I know I was on the bike for two hours and my feet only touched the ground when I had to wait for the red light at First and Main. My knees could feel it but it was a great ride. Again I am grateful for my cushy bike seat that Jay and Ashley gave me more than fifteen years ago.

Phone Photos

 I've resigned myself to taking more photos with my cell phone because of the convenience and availability. It also frees me up from hauling even my small point and shoot along much of the time. The downside is that my photos are. . . well, they are phone photos. This week I had two opportunities to spend time with Walker while Lincoln did big boy things with Mommy. Walker is so flexible and so tolerant that I was able to take a walk with him each time. If he was tired he slept if he was awake he smiled. He was so sweet when we played and woke with a smile every time.

 I propped Walker up in the chair and Lincoln was happy to join him. I called to Ashley to get the real camera so she got some good shots of this. Of course, this is my phone photo!

 Lincoln has been doing lots of tricks this week including a summersault that starts with a run and partial headstand. He's pretty proud of his tricks but he was willing to go out on an adventure. We were throwing rocks in the river quite a while.

 Today was a very special day but I lost my photographer when Dale took over the responsibility for Ashley's real camera. Walker was baptized and it was followed by a fun celebration. I will post about the baptism but these are the two phone photos that I clicked.

Garlic and Bean Harvest

 

This was my second year to attempt growing garlic and I actually got to harvest this time. They had been ready for a while but I waited until Lincoln could help me dig them up. I planted these last fall and although they are small they are quite tasty. I think I'd like to plant some again but need to find a better spot for the 2015 crop. They aren't the most attractive plant when they die back in July.

I had forgotten that Briana and Jay gave me some bean plants and almost pulled them out in June thinking they were weeds. Fortunately I waited to see and found green beans. There are still more in the garden and I look forward to eating the harvest.

 This ornamental pepper plant is just for fun and I have really enjoyed watching the peppers change from yellow to orange to red over the summer. It brightens my patio and gives a little pop!

 

Special Date Photos

 During my "special date" with Lincoln last week I was fully aware that this was a very special evening. When he looked over at me and said, "You're nice, Grammy, because I like you" I knew it was a special evening for him too. We spent our time enjoying each other and the rocks, sand, bridge, water and woods that he had requested.

 Much of our time was spent on this little patch of sand throwing rocks into the lake. It never got old.

 When it was time to go I suggested a special treat for our date. I gave many options and Lincoln wisely choose the ice cream. Sitting on Main Street while he enjoyed an entire strawberry ice cream cone I was so thrilled with our evening together. It was a special time for both of us.