"Make your own green grass"

Yesterday was my Grandfather's 89th B-day. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words so I have posted two pictures that I think speak volumes about my Grandpa. The first is a picture with a few of his great grandchildren last year during the annual Thanksgiving visit to the family farm.

The second is him sitting on a golf cart (the mule) he fixed up and brought down from the shop for anyone that wanted to ride it. He lives in town but makes the trip to the farm each day to help make things run smooth.

I used to spend the summers following him around the farm like a puppy. He would teach me about everything: Model T's, tractors, welding, shoveling, irrigation, and hoeing. Every morning around 5:30 he would start the process of getting me out of bed to start working. I would roll out about 6:30 only to find that I had already missed some of the "fun" work. We built things like grape arbors, fences, and food stands. We dug trenches and I must have driven hundreds of miles up and down the fields of corn on the tractor. He is a great example of working hard every day. I am grateful for his influence and the great example that he is to all of his descendants. Grandpa we love you and look forward to many more years of seeing you on the farm.

Ashkii and Fam...

My dear sister, Camille, came to visit a couple of weeks ago. She had a work conference in DC, so we lucked out with a visit from our wonderful sister/aunt/friend and even a babysitter for a fun Valentines date!

So, Mille was here for a night, then went to her conference for a few nights, and on the last night of her conference, my AWESOME hubby took care of the kids while I went into DC for dinner with Mille and some of her colleagues. I then joined her for the night in her super-nice hotel, got a GREAT night's sleep, and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast with her. It was a blissful and needed break. I am grateful for Mille and Ashkii for providing this for me. I am soooo spoiled.

After Mille and I ate breakfast, we left the hotel and returned to the homestead. Mille was napping on the couch, and I went in to change Trev's sheets (his room doubles as the guest room). I removed the comforter and top sheet and then saw that there was a pair of socks at the end of the bed. "Oh, Trev . . . " I thought, but then realized these socks did not belong to Trev - they belonged to Camille (she'd slept in his bed for one night before her work conference). I couldn't control my laughter as I recalled our Mother being frustrated with Camille when changing sheets and finding MULTIPLE pairs of socks left in the bed. I guess old habits die hard! We are glad you paid us a visit, Mille, and hope you NEVER change:)





Rachel was so funny with Camille - she kept looking at her when she talked, as if to ask "Who are you and what are you doing here?" I'm sure it is confusing to her that our voices are SO similar:)