ORU and Cheesecake

This has been a long work day for me. Because of that, my bed time will be sooner than usual.  I'm already nodding at the computer, so we'll make this short and to the point.

These  girls have been close for many years. We met at church and are sisters in Christ. We love being together and take every chance we can to do that.  Even when we don't have time to get out and talk, talk, talk,  we keep in touch.  We are ORU, Opinions R Us.

We were missing two of our locals, one who had other plans and one who has been in Florida an extra long time.  We have three more who are just as dear, even though they all moved to Texas.  

Cheesecake Factory is one of our favorites, at least we probably get there at least once a year. We are never disappointed.

Matching Shirts

It looks like we have found who is the fashion setter for Old White Guys in Northeast Ohio. It is Ron. In the first picture he is posing with Al. They have matching shirts. The second picture he is with Steve with matching shirts. One thing for sure, Ron does not have his clothing designed for him. Both of these shirts were bought locally. It was also interesting that both sets of shirts were checked.  Perhaps he'll choose some plaids or even plain colors some time. Maybe he should even let them dictate the styles for a change.

This is the Wednesday morning breakfast crowd. No, he doesn't have a group for every morning, but he does manage to eat breakfast out at often as he can find a buddy or more to join him.

In the Spirit of Remembrance, Red. White and Blue

I didn't  do much of value over the Memorial Day weekend. My thoughts were  with our fallen veterans and their families. Thankfully we didn't lose anyone from our family, but we have lost friends. We are very thankful that they gave their all to keep us free. We pray that those who have grown up in our country without knowledge of those valiant veterans will somehow learn the value of a free country.  I know it is difficult, since patriotism is now pretty much schooled out of them. I pray that somehow they learn the problems with socialism without having to live under socialist rule.

So what did I do this past weekend? I worked to get another book published with Shutterfly. I was able to save $86 by completing it before the deadline...the sale ended Monday night.

I also went to church on Sunday morning. Linda and I were dressed in similar red, white and blue. So naturally, we took a picture. Proud to be American!

Next Best Thing

Oliver and Julia are at Legacy Field. There will be no soccer practice today because of the rain. So the next best thing, especially if you live in Colorado where it doesn't rain that much...is to wade in the puddles. And that is what they did.

Another thing  I like about this picture is their rain gear, so bright and pretty. They don't need to wear it much, so I'm glad they are getting some good out of those coats, boots and umbrella. How Cute!

Prom Photo Shoot

If you have a photographer  mom, you really get good prom pictures. That is the case here, Chelle is great with a camera and Ashley is used to posing. 

Since Ashley is into anime big time, she and her mom do a lot of photo shoots. So this Prom Photo Shoot was to be expected. 

It wouldn't pay to be camera shy in that family. Of course that thrills me. I get lots of pictures  to make layouts. So we are all happy.

Junior Prom

Can't believe the triplets will be seniors next fall. I heard this all my life and now it is so very true. It  seems like just a very few years ago, they were born. They will be 17 in July.

Time actually does fly.  The Bible tells us as much.  John 4:14 says, "You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while...

These pictures were taken when the boys were ready to leave their house for their Junior  Prom.  

More Beach Fun

Brittanie's and Ava's trip to Florida went very well. They did enjoy that sun and sand. Here they are with Tim (Grandpa) and Uncle Brandon on the beautiful white sand that is a real pleasure to see.

I can hardly wait to talk to Ava about that vacation. Hopefully it won't be long.

A Pensive Thought

I'm very thankful  I have pictures; VERY THANKFUL for parents who are good about saving the memories.

I absolutely love this picture of Julia. Since I wasn't there at her home on Easter Sunday, I have no idea about what she is thinking. I don't know if this was a brief expression or if she was really deep in thought for a while. I would like to know; but like most other things, I don't really need to know.

Isn't she beautiful in her sweet Easter bunny top? She was in her backyard for an Easter egg hunt with her brothers. 

The bunny had given all three of them geodes in their baskets and that was playing out well with them trying to open those rocks.  When they were broken, the crystals were a great prize.

Now, if I were to contemplate how and why these rocks were formed like they are, I might have a similar look on my face.

Trial and Error

The 'boys' started out working on their geodes with what I would call a rubber mallet and a screw  driver. They were not having much luck. Then Dad came on the scene with a real hammer and another tool that looked like it was built just for that job. Look at the results. It was like magic.

Night Scene at the Beach

In April Brittanie took Ava on her first vacation to Florida to see her grandfather and uncle Brandon.

Ava had a lot of fun during the day on the beach, but when darkness fell, it was time for some of the adults  to do the beach scene. 

These pictures are of Brittanie and her dad Tim, her brother Brandon and Brandon's friend Hannah.

Smiles were all around.

Cosplay Howe's Moving Castle

In April there was another MTAC  (Middle Tennessee Anime Convention)  in Nashville, TN. It is an annual event that Ashley attends. This year she dressed as Sophie from the movie Howe's Moving Castle. 

She and her mom always come up with really good costumes for the cosplay.

Easter Bunny Downtown

It was pretty cool that the Easter Bunny was downtown in Ft Collins on the Saturday before Easter.
I'm certainly glad to have this photo to keep that memory.

A Sunny Day at the Beach

It's a dreary day here at the lakes. I need to think warmer, so here is a layout I've almost completed of  our great granddaughter, Ava on her first vacation. She is in Florida to see her grandfather Tim and yes, she is at the beach in the warm sand with her mom and a little friend of the family. 

Looks like she is enjoying herself. I'm not sure she will want to come back. But since that was on April 17,  she is back.  It's good that she is 4 and used to change. 

The older we get, the harder it is to adapt to change...especially change for the worse. Whoops, a 

comment like that could take me to politics. Let's not go there. This scrapbooking is about my only escape from the daily news. News of those fighting to divide us instead of all working for the good of our country.

There's a Change in the Weather

This time last month the temperature was very warm. On the 9th Oliver was running around in the backyard with his shorts only. It was 76...a very nice day for April. However, the next morning, they woke up to a fair cover of snow.  They were able to go from summer to winter in only 2 spring days.

Home Grown Soccer Player

For Caleb's size, he is a mighty big eater. He can eat twice as much as  his 6'2 dad.  

The bigger surprise is, he is a power house on the soccer field. Just last week, two of his team's players were not there when their soccer game  was scheduled  to begin. The game began on time with only 5 on his team. Yet they won  the game, due to Caleb's great playing. He is the  one  who made all the points.  

Celebrating Life Together

Chelle's and Greg's anniversary was near the end of March. It doesn't seem that long ago but it was. They waited and waited for a baby and then in 2002 Chelle gave birth to triplets. Soon to be 17, they have been a real joy to all of us. Thank you Lord, for this loving family.

Any Time is Pizza Time

Yes,  I'm still behind. Actually that has become the norm around here, always trying to catch up  with everything. I'm still back  in March with the snow in the Colorado mountains.

I think you are probably through with snow.  I know  I am happy to see flowers everywhere, so much so, that I'm even enjoying the dandelions, that is the ones that are not in my own yard. Because of that, although I'm posting a picture from March, it does not show snow!  After a long day of skiing, the kids sat down to eat a pizza.  I can't really think of anything better to do after a busy cold day on the slopes. Like skiing, they  did well at eating that pizza.

Rocketown Talent Show

Rocketown was Founded in 1994 by Contemporary Christian Music Artist Michael W. Smith, It is a faith based youth outreach facility in the heart of Downtown Nashville, Tennessee.

In March a Talent Show was scheduled at Rocketown. On a whim, Aussie tried out. He was chosen to solve his 6x6 Rubik’s Cube. On the 29th he 'performed' and came in 3rd. The girl who captured first place sang beautifully and is a fellow student of Aussie's at Nashville School of the Arts.

During the performance, Aussie challenged one of the judges to do the 3x3 while he did the 6x6.
The fellow worked with it a short time, then gave up and watched Aussie’s fingers fly to a solve.
                                                             

Just Imagine

We have a marvelous country that allows people to choose their own paths without coercion. But,

these are perilous times. There are many who are willing to throw away our freedom for socialism, which always has destroyed any place in which it has taken control.  

The only hope we have against these people is the hope that God will save us from those who are bent on ruling  our nation with an iron  fist.

We do have as almighty God who could do that, one who told us that if we turn from our wicked ways, He will save out land.

I am praying that is just what happens, lest ours could  be the next nation to fall into slavery.

A Special Visit

I know it looks as if  I just fell off the face of the earth, but I did not. I'm still around, just have been very busy  trying  to figure out what  I just did and what I'm supposed to do next.   I don't know if my brain can't keep up with me or if it is running away and leaving me.

In spite of that, we have been pretty busy lately. Some of it has been a very pleasant kind of busy.

Our daughter in law was kind enough to let our youngest son, John, come for a few days to visit. We would have liked to see the whole family. Perhaps we can do that soon.

While John was here, we took a day to visit one of his sisters in Marietta, Ohio. It was a pleasant day (the first non rainy one in a while) and we  enjoyed visiting with April, her husband and another of his sisters, Kim and her husband, Woody. They drove over from their temporary home in Glen Ferris, WV.   

We enjoyed seeing April and Tim's new house on the Ohio River as well. It is unique and beautiful.

As usual these days, even though I was carrying my iPhone, I still didn't get many pictures and there were  lots things  of which I wish  I had photos now.  Guess I'll just have to go back to get  some. 

I especially wish I had gotten a photograph of the three siblings since they rarely are able to get together. Kim and April  do visit often, but John has a young family and lives in Colorado.