Saturday, May 18, 2013

An Addition To The Family!

We have a proud new addition to our family!
Meet Nina, the Gardenia Tree. 
She is the latest addition to our patio landscape family.
 
The front entrance landscape is a work in process.

Which scheme do you like? 
The picture on top or bottom?


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

April 2013 Vacation

In April 2013 Jim & I took a road trip north. 
We drove 3500 miles through 12 states in 14 days!!
 
First lengthy stop was Kokomo, IN to see Gregg's fixer-upper
The house has a lot of charm inside with wood floors & lots of woodwork.  It definitely is a fixer-upper though.  First order of business was a furnace & hot water heater, then main bathroom remodel.  Brings back memories of Kyle's 3-flat in Chicago, IL. 
Have fun, Gregg!!
 
Next stop, Chicago to celebrate Theodore Harrison's first birthday.
First a trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo!
 
This is what monkeys really sound like, at least the species we saw at the zoo.
The zoo wore Theo out.  He fell asleep on the walk back to the car.
 
We celebrated Theo's birthday with Kyle & Shannon's small group.  Shannon made the cake & a couple of cupcakes without nuts for those with allergies.
All the kids helped Theo blow out the candle.
YUM!!
Theo's  gift from his mom & dad was a handmade sock monkey.
I guess this is what you call "having a monkey on your back."
 
Next stop Oklahoma City to visit Jim's sister, Betsy & her husband, Tommy.
Before we reached Oklahoma City we spent the night in Joplon, MO.
We had a little thrill when the tornado sirens went off at 1:30 in the morning!! 
 Betsy made lemon bon-bon cookies for Jim (his favorite cookie). 
No one in our family can make them like Betsy can!
Tommy loves to cook!!
 Jim enjoyed all the smoked & grilled beef, since he mainly gets chicken at home.
Eat your heart out, Gregg!
 
After Oklahoma City it was on to Ft. Worth, Texas to visit my sister, Sherry & her husband, John.  We enjoyed seeing their new home for the first time.
Here we are in front of Sherry & John's house.
This is my sister, Sherry & her husband.
 
 Of course what would a vacation be without the infamous feet pictures!
 
 
 
We really enjoyed seeing all our family & friends, but it was so good to sleep in our own bed after two weeks of sleeping on an air mattress & hotel beds.
 
There truly is no place like home!