The Journey

I feel like I've been on a journey of no blogging...I'm not an everyday blogger, but usually I'm posting sooner than this! We took a little journey this weekend and the during the past week time was filled with the everyday business of life.  The computer is still giving me fits and I'm thinking a new one is in order. But for now, I'm able to post, so here's what's been happening.  On Friday Jack and I "journeyed" to Chicago to visit family and celebrate a birthday.  Actually, we celebrated 2 birthdays. One on each end of the spectrum. 

This little peanut turned 2 on Friday.  We arrived in time to go to her pool party.  Ella, my great-niece, turned 2.  Chicago temps on Friday were cool...just perfect for us but a bit chilly for the kiddos! Can you see her turning purple? Even though it was chilly, all the kids really enjoyed the evening.

I loved this "shroom" feature! (That's Ella's Daddy playing with the camera!)

The cake was fit for a princess!

The candles were blown out..wishes were made and we hope they all come true for her!

Jack is looking the the balloons for a reason..see, he's the other birthday that we celebrated.  No Jack, the numbers don't say 60...sorry! You had to wait until Sunday for yours!

Happy Birthday Jack!  We celebrated Sunday with the 3 F's...Family, food, and fun.  That's how we roll around here!

Ribs were on the menu..and they were awesome!

Yay Baby!

Now we're talking!

This birthday cake doesn't have a crown for a princess, but it was fit for a king (Jack) and the lucky group that chowed down! Holy cow was it good!

This is how you celebrate being 60..no pool party here, just relaxation on recliners! My brother Phil is  showing Jack the proper technique I think!  We had fun seeing everyone and I kept thinking about how many parties my Mom's home has seen.  The scenes are similar....

Cousins having a soccer game.

Babies being hugged by Great-Grandma.

Faces too cute for words! But not too cute to smear some chocolate icecream on!

There were the newest projects to see...My sister built this number in the backyard..she's amazing!

This pine tree wasn't just a reminder of my home in Ohio....it's a tree I remember my Dad planting when I was little...one I used to jump over! Now it's a testimony to how time has moved quickly while so much living was going on in this home.

My Mom has been living here since 1951 when Dad built the house.  She the rock and foundation of our family and we are so blessed to still have her overseeing all festivities! I thought she look lovely on Sunday!

My sister put in a garden with a walkway that she calls her "journey" garden.  You can meander down the path and think of life and how we are all given certain trails..some smooth, some rocky, beauty in hidden places, but all with a destination that hopefully leads to happy times and close families. Whether you are turning 2 or 60 or 100...we should celebrate those times because it goes so fast and the players involved may not always be there. Happy Birthday little Ella and Happy Birthday Jack!