Friday, July 4, 2014

Celebrating-After the 4th!

       Thank you Ruth, for Celebration Saturday! Everyone come over to RuthAyresWrites to share in the celebrations! 
        Tweet at #CelebrateLu  


         I've been gone almost since school was out, and am now celebrating being home! I haven't posted since the wonderful All-Write Conference. I was happy to be home for a few days, to relax a little before the next adventure. A week ago Thursday, my grandson flew in from Texas, and on Friday, he, my daughter and two daughters, and I took off for Missouri, to visit with my brother and family. What a wonderful time, a list of celebrations day after day. Among all the wonderful things, the very best is visiting with family, talking over old times, catching up on new times, and this time my grandson (13 next month) got to stay up with the grown-ups, listen and add to the conversation. Do you remember when you were old enough to do that?
        I've posted some of these on Facebook, so forgive me if you've seen them already, but am really happy about all the small things we loved doing. Each part is a special memory for us.
It looks this way, across eastern Colorado, then all the way
 through Kansas, & finally, rolling hills begin
as we near Kansas City, Missouri. After that,
 two more hours. Long days going and returning!
Goofiness surrounds us. The kids are hamming it up here!



Saturday was the Heritage Days parade in Boonville, Missouri,
 the town where my brother's antique store is (opened just last year).
 My brother drove the shiny Mustang, my niece was in the passenger
 seat, daughter sat with the kids, including a cousin's daughter.
 Have you ever been in a parade and thrown out candy?
 I haven't, but now they have!

We visited an old-time school. They're listening
to the teacher (me).

Morning on the deck.
Swinging

play in a treehouse
We visited the University of Missouri campus, where my grandson
hopes to go. My mother, my brother & sister-in-law, my son & his wife,
and I all went there. We hung out at the student union-much fun.

One hot, hot day, sprinkle time in the afternoon.

One loved snuggling up in a big chair with a cozy blanket.

On the way home, the girls had fun pretending the cart was
a stage, the mirror was the audience. They sang and sang.


Like the song says, "Little things mean a lot."


30 comments:

Michelle Haseltine said...

What beautiful pictures of happy summer days!! You certainly have much to celebrate! Thank you for sharing, Linda!!

Linda B said...

Thanks Michelle, it was a wonderful time!

Anonymous said...

I do love how the little things and the little moments usually create the biggest impact in our lives! Hope you have a great summer!

Linda B said...

Thanks Earl, hope you'll have lots of wonderful little things too!

Carrie Gelson said...

Your grandchildren are just so lovely. Looks like such a wonderful trip with lots of memories made! I particularly love the bubble blowing on the deck.

Linda B said...

Thanks Carrie. It was just a lovely trip, & you're right about the memories!

Jaana said...

Your pictures tell a story of a fun trip! These are the moments that memories are made of!

Linda B said...

Yes, so right, Jaana. Thank you!

Jennifer Laffin said...

What a great celebration of spending time with your family, Linda! These are priceless memories -- for all of you. It looks like your grandson is feeling better since his baseball accident. I'm so glad!

Jennifer
Sweet Writing Life

Julieanne said...

What great pictures and wonderful family celebrations. Enjoy your few days at home!

Linda B said...

It was lots of fun, Jennifer. And yes, my grandson had a good checkup for his eye. He only has to return for more frequent checks for a while. Thank you for remembering.

Linda B said...

Thanks, Julieanne. In two weeks I'll be by the ocean-excited for that too!

Tara said...

Just lovely, Linda, to see you all enjoying this trip together. Loved the parade picture - you could just tell that everyone was having such a blast!

Linda B said...

Thanks Tara-as much fun as we could do in that short time.

Julie Johnson said...

What a wonderful trip. I love the part about your grandson being old enough to stay up with the grownups. I DO remember when I was finally old enough to do that. :) You've created very special memories for your family. Spending time with grandma is the best!

Linda B said...

Oh, it's so good to hear you remember, Julie. It was a special time with everyone for sure. Thanks for telling me.

Anonymous said...

What a trip! So fun. I love that you get to spend this kind of time with them. My kids are never with my mother though she lives close by, so I really get how much it means. They (and you) are lucky.

Linda B said...

Thanks Kimberley, it is special to spend the time together.

Amy Rudd said...

I love seeing your pictures! They add to the enjoyment of your experience! You captured the essence of what celebrating is all about-creating special memories that you have to cherish forever! Bravo for your sense of adventure and all the celebrations of the moments experienced!

elsie said...

Road trips with family to see family are the most fun filled memories! It seems that your grandchildren will have some wonderful memories of family fun. Enjoy your days home, because soon you will be leaving again (to create more memories :-) )

Linda B said...

Thanks Amy, it was quite an adventure, so much to do with family!

Linda B said...

It was a marvelous month, spending time with you, too, Elsie, but I am really happy to be home too!

Margaret Simon said...

Fun to go and also fun to be home. You made some valuable memories with your grandchildren. Welcome home!

Linda B said...

Thanks for the wishes, Margaret. Yes, a lovely time, & yes again, time to be home!

Terje said...

Your time spent with your family speaks of happiness. There is so much love, fun watching the little ones discover the world, the teenager growing and everyone strengthening the family ties and creating new memories.

Linda B said...

Thanks, Terje, great description of my time!

Andrea said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful time spent with family. I love all your pictures of those adorable kiddos. Have a great week!

b said...

I loved the whole 'trip home' piece, complete with pictures and captions, reflective questions that brought me in. Your hometown reminds me a little of mine -- the antique stores, community parades (which, many times my dad drives a convertible to chauffeur co-workers...and yes, I've thrown candy; it's fun!), the spirit of a comfy group of people. Beautiful. I enjoyed seeing your family, your alma mater, and the trip through your eyes. Good stuff! So glad, too, you were able to attend All Write!! -- awesome!

Linda B said...

Thanks Andrea. It was a pleasure sharing the pictures, makes me happy to see them too!

Linda B said...

Happy you enjoyed it, Brenna. I connected these two younger grandchildren with your kids, too, such a joy to be around, although I know it's also nice for parents to get away. Thank you!