Bluebonnet Quest

It's that time of year again!  My favorite season in Texas, the bluebonnets are blooming, and we are dressed all coordinated-like and on a mission to get some bluebonnet pictures!  Of course some were like this...

... So close!

 And this.  That's me looking extremely consternated that my remote isn't working.  Or is it?

 This is as good as it got at our favorite park for bluebonnet viewing, Old Baylor Park in Independence.

We drove closer to home for this beautiful spot...

 ... where we struggled on, valiantly, for a picture in which everyone is looking the right way and refraining from their impulse to express their individuality!

We got a lot of fun, real pictures, and the flowers were beautiful.  I capped off the expedition by leaving my keys behind, so I got to visit this pretty spot twice!

A Great Day at the Races

A fun day morning at the Awana Grand Prix, and everyone walked away with trophies and medals, just to add to the victory!

Naomi's Rose Parade Float got second place for design, Johnathan's Mario Cart got third place for design, Ezra's Spider Man Wreck took third place for design AND speed, and Kevin (miraculously) took second for speed!

Here's a closeup of Kevin's car... the "Visitationmobile" featuring Mr. Albert and himself ready to deliver a visit and communion to shut-ins!

See Johnathan Grow

We just picked up Johnathan's fifth AFO, so I pulled his old ones out of a box in his closet to see how much he's grown since he was 3 (sniff!).  I also love how each one reflects his interests as he grew.  He started out with one he chose because it had his favorite vehicle - a fire truck.  Then he went through a space phase, animal fascination, army/battle everything, and this year he chose a sophisticated blue swirl, just to be different!

Legos and AFOs

It's time for Johnathan's annual trip to Scottish Rite Children's Hospital to visit his orthopedic doctor, so we made a day of it by going to Legoland afterward.

Goodbye to Columbine

A birthday gift this year was for me to spend a weekend in Colorado Springs.  It was the last week before Mom and Dad moved out of our childhood home on Columbine Boulevard, so it was a sweet time to see the house one more time, take a few pictures of special memories, like our growth chart on the doorframe to the den and our handprints in the cement outside.

I also enjoyed meeting our sweet great-nephew Sawyer, being spoiled for my birthday, and taking a long hike in Palmer Park in gorgeous spring-like weather, a rare treat for February!

Ferry Ride

We walked on to the Bolivar Ferry in hopes of seeing some dolphins, and they obliged by following the ferry part of the way back!  Between the aquarium, unsuccessful fishing, yummy seafood, and the ferry, we had a fun time in Galveston this week.

A Cold Day at the Beach

It was a little cold and damp during our trip to Galveston, but we were there to let Grandpa see the Gulf, so we didn't let the cold stop us!

The intention was to take a walk on the beach, but the pull of the surf was too strong for Naomi, Johnathan and Ezra.  By the time we finished our walk, they are all soaked from the waist down!  Only Abby was determined to stay dry.