Days and Nights Mixed Up

The triplets turned 16 on the 27th of July.  This picture was taken on July 2nd.  Aussie is not here, but he was in bed  sound asleep when I took the shot. I wasn't much help.  The best time  for us to play our favorite tile game, Rummy-O  is around midnight.

About a week and 1/2 ago, school started and hopefully they have gotten back in the habit of getting up in the morning and sleeping at night...at least for the most part.

Of course, I, the Gramma am still on a 'free' schedule... Free of the obligation to arise early and shine through the day. Tonight for example, I will be up until 1:00 AM.  We had guests during the Tucker Carlson show at 8:00, so I missed it. Luckily, his program runs again at midnight; so since it is my favorite show,  I am staying up to see it. I did the same last night.  And yes, that means that this afternoon  I took a nap and I hope  to do the same thing  tomorrow.  No, I'm not a good example.

Slide Fun

Ava and Oliver had a good time on the slide and as you can see, Beth captured some great pictures.

This is a summer to remember. I'm hoping we will be able to get the family together more often now.
I admit it is quite a struggle when we are so scattered and  vacation days are so precious. There are just way too many places and things to see.

I'm praying for God's protection over this family over the days and years to come..

Rubik's Cube Solve

While the family was here in early July, Caleb's older cousin introduced him and his dad to the Rubik's Cube. John, with a little instruction and some reading learned  to  work the puzzle  recently. 

Caleb joined in the quest and learned himself. Tonight while his grampa and I watched on Face Time, he solved it three times. He's pretty fast at it as well.  

Caleb  has varied abilities. He will start football practice  for this year soon. And if  I remember correctly, he has one more week of vacation, then school will resume.

Big Brother...the Good Kind

Yesterday's post showed our Julia swinging. Today, Caleb is in the swing beside her. He is her big brother and as such he is there to protect her whenever she may need it. However, she is a strong little girl and for the most part can do very well on her own. 

Knowing  her other brother Oliver is very responsible, I imagine anyone with the intention of bothering Julia would have their hands full of trouble. They are  both exceptionally good brothers.

Swing Sweet Julia

On the day we celebrated the life of our son Mark, we had a family picnic at the boat club  diagonally across the street from us.  It turned out to be a good location.  There is a large pavilion with plenty of tables and a good kitchen. April and Kim headed it up and did a great job.

The little kids had plenty of room to run and play. They enjoyed the swings and the slide and were able to run off their energy.  I love these pictures of Julia, who had not changed from the military funeral service. That skirt is just fun to see on a swing and on a slide.

50's Vintage

Once in a while a piece of history just falls into our laps. That is the case with the photo above, which
Ron's niece posted on FaceBook today. Her other uncle (Jerry) had found it and sent it to her along with more family members including Ron.  There is some discrepancy about the year it was taken, but it was probably between 1956 and 1958.

I don't know if it had that flash of light on your left or if it is just showing time, Someone said it looks like an angel's wing and I agree.

I used vintage 1950's papers to make the layout.

The story is that the brothers, Ron, Jerry and Denny had been taken by their father to the Firestone store earlier in the year to get them new bicycles for Christmas,  so that they could be riding them. They got matching bikes in different colors.

What is Real?

Everything I have to say is right here on the layout. 

I may have to change my tune...my attitude.

I've always thought that I am not a pessimist, just a realist. This makes me think about what is real and what is merely temporary.  I may ponder it a while, until  I can make a habit of living it.

 Give it a little thought.