Off the Road Again

Just can't wait to get off the road again...

Goin' places that we have never been Seein' things that we may never see again Just can't wait to get off the road again.

I haven't been to this place since I was on my 8th grade field trip some 20 years ago. Thanks to the kids who begged and pleaded along with me, Randy finally agreed to stop. The stop wasn't a complete success because all the neat buildings on the Ranch were locked up because they were putting in a new fire suppression system, but it was great to get out, look around and breath some crisp (cold), fresh spring air. I REALLY hope to go back again someday when we can really immerse ourselves in this fascinating place! You can read about it here.

Hope you all are enjoying your spring! I will be going off line from now until the first of May so I'll see you then!

Just can't wait to get off the road again,
Tootle-loo

Meeting At Fairmont

It was super special to meet all my family last week at Fairmont Hotsprings. We had a really wonderful, relaxing time together.

We took special time to get a picture together on Sunday afternoon. We would have liked to be able to take the picture outside but the weather didn't cooperate so we snapped this indoor shot...

I loved to complare it to this picture taken back in April of 2007 when we met at Fairmont Hotsprings the last time...

Here is a picture of all the kiddos with Grandpa and Grandma...
We have to take a silly picture too. Looks like Melita finally smiled!
Dear Dad and Mom... Here are a few more pictures taken of our time together. As usual, I didn't take very many pictures so thanks Mom and Dad for sharing yours with us!..


Thanks for the special time everyone! Can't wait to do it again sometime!

My Lot in Life

These are the glasses I picked out this time when I went in for my eye check up. I have to admit that I picked them out with my hair in mind. I thought they would accent the sprinkling of gray that resides in my hair these days. Or, better yet, draw the attention away from it.

To be honest, my lifes plans did not include turning gray at age 35. But it seems to be my lot in life, and I've decided to embrace it, along with the encouragement of my loving husband. Maybe I even feel a little bit lucky to have more and more of these shimmering silver embellishments appearing in my hair with each new year that passes. Truth is, I've always known that true beauty resides in the heart and some of the most beautiful people I have known in life wore thier crown of gray with humble dignity.

Father Time is not always a hard parent, and, though he tarries for none of his children,

he often lays his hand lightly upon those who have used him well;

making them old men and women inexorably enough,but leaving their hearts and spirits young and in full vigour.

With such people the grey head is but the impression of the old fellow's hand in giving them his blessing,

and every wrinkle but a notch in the quiet calendar of a well-spent life.

~Charles Dickens

Don't You Change For Me

I like you just the way you are.
Love, Me

March Unedited

A post about March...

It was fun to have a house full of 4-H kids and parents...
After the meeting and presentations, the kids decorated clovers for the St. Patricks Day parade...
In the basement...
Maya and Daddy enjoying the evening...
With the warmer weather, the kids have been taking Lita outside...
Love these two!
We saw our first robin earlier this month. Randy snapped this picture below. We are starting to hear the birds sing there early morning songs now. Love, love, love that!
Anther reason my days are always good days...
Grandpa Larry came to visit for a few days!
There was lots of visiting going on. Farming, sheet-rocking, wiring, weather, traveling, heavy equipment, engineering, camping, hunting, and fishing, lots of fishing. They also got a lot of work done too! I missed a picture of them tearing apart and rewiring Colter's room downstairs!
We enjoyed our traditional Irish meal (corned beef, cabbage, potatos, soda bread and Irish Applesauce cake by Kyla), with Grandpa Steve and Grandma Judy joining us...
Grandpa enjoying a story read by Colter...
Thanks Grandpa for the Kendama's! They are a hit! And we enjoy them too. And Melita still loves her ball. She calls it "Bop, bop!" Her favorite toy by far!
The beginning of Spring break started with a low key, play games Friday evening. Later we played "hands down" and "Memory"...
The last part of March saw us through a couple weeks of sickies. And just when I thought Maya and Melita were getting better, they both relapsed with nasty ear infections. After several days of antibiotics, I think we are headed in the right direction!
I couldn't resist picking up these beautiful tulips at Costco one day...
The month is almost over! Were did it go? Spring Break is almost over! Were did IT go?

Have a wonderful weekend!
Alison and family

Nights and Days

Sleepless Nights

make for

some

Sleepy Days

It's because of those nasty molars trying to poke about in her sweet little mounth and because of another cruel ear infection. Bahhh!

Here's hoping for a good sleep tonight and a better day tomorrow!

Goodnight,

Alison

Fotoflexer and Befunky

A BIG THANKS for helping me find some great, free, easy, online editing software. The collage I did above is from a program called Fotoflexer.com and so far I'm happy with it. I like it that I can do collages for online use.

The three pictures below are edited on a program called Befunky.com. It has a ton of artsy stuff on it. Check it out...


I still have my good ole Photoshop but I really like the fast, easy approach of these online programs.

So, it looks like I'll have plenty to keep me busy. So long Picnik!

Here's a little of what's going on here...

-We've been having snow and cold the last few days. It is only March after all...
-We've had a bit of sickness again at our house. Maya really got it this time! She's been home all this week so far.
-Grandpa Larry was here for the weekend and will return tomorrow night on his way back home.
-We're looking forward to spring break next week and time spent with my family! Yay!!!!!
-And in case you're wondering... I've been staying true to my New Years resolution to have no chocolate this year. Almost 3 months down, 9 months to go...

Happy Wonderful Wednesday,
Alison