A peek at the week - so far!

Tuesday found us saying good-bye to Phoebe, Calvin, and Sully. They brought lunch to me at school - it was certainly fun to introduce them around!! And it was great to have lunch brought to me!

Then Tuesday afternoon, I picked Eve up at her piano lesson so that we could finally finish out our "Grandma's Birthday Sleepover." We both have pretty crazy schedules, so we've kind of been doing it piecemeal. A couple of Saturdays ago we went for manicures. And Tuesday we went shopping!! Afterward, we met up with Grandpa at Mimi's and had a great dinner.

Tuesday night, Eve wanted to do her mask project that is due Friday. She was pretty insistent, and we were pretty resourceful, so we found stuff around the house that would work. Her book was about the young Eleanor Roosevelt, so this is our interpretation of her!

We didn't have any yellow yarn, so we made her a brunette! And I think she enjoyed sleeping in the bouncing chair!

It was fun to once again have hair to fix, a lunch to pack, and waffles to make for breakfast!! Eve was excited to get to school a bit early even - "Now I can play before school," she said.

One of the great blessings in my life is our wonderful grandchildren - when I dropped her off at school, Eve said, "I love you Grandma!"

Charles Dickens once said, "It is no small thing when children, who are so fresh from God, love us."

He's right you know!

A very quick weekend!!

I arrived in Portland late Friday night and just got back tonight. It was a brief, whirlwind visit - not the most satisfactory way to have visits - but I was certainly glad that I was able to be there for Sully's blessing. And to get a chance to see Hannah and Robbie too. (I think I need to get over being annoyed that they are starting school on Monday instead of Wednesday like they have done for the past 20 or 30 years!!)

Being with the kids makes me wish I could see them more often. Calvin got a "spiky" haircut - doesn't he look older??

Bonny came Friday night too - with Ella. It's always good to have Bonny in on the mix. She has just the right amounts of enthusiasm, organization, charm, and goodwill - not to mention her photographic and cooking skills - to make her a definite asset to any group!!

One of the many faces of our dear Mr. Sully - the reason for it all!!

Miss Ella - babysitter extraordinaire!! Always fun to see her.

Hannah and Robbie - keeping the party lively! I meant to get a shot of Hannah reading my copy of Mockingjay - she finished it, so Phoebe will start next. The jury is still out on how much we like or don't like it. I liked it pretty much - the author at least truly "wrapped up" the story.

Robbie and Harry had run the Hood to Coast Relay - they were a mite tired - but good sports about getting the evening's details worked out! I actually say very little of Dad since he was at the relay when I arrived - and when he got home, it was just about time for bed!! I left tonight and he flies in tomorrow a.m. - but is going straight to work. (A Monday flight was cheaper enough to make it worth doing.)

Our good friends the Mac Dowells - who put up Dad and me for one night when it was a bit crowded at Phoebe's - and fixed us a wonderful breakfast - and drove me to the airport!! It was good to have them at the blessing too.

The happy family - and the sleepy star of the show!

What a cute bunch of kidlets - how can I stand to be away again??

Jinny - a good friend, a great cook, and she's in the family too - by adoption and marriage anyway! And when we go to Portland, we usually get to see her !!

The "senior" members of the Grandchildren Squad - "guarding" Sully as he slept!!

Agnes was pretty excited by all the activity - kept calling the carrot cake a wedding cake - maybe because it had white frosting?? This is a pensive moment though - she might have been feeling tired!! (I think we all were!)

Phoebe's old roomie and her hubby.

The proud parents!!

The lovebirds!! (It was chilly - so Hannah snaked Dad's pullover. Phoebe's note: "This is August in Portland!") Robbie and Hannah have been "on the road" for 10 days - and they took the "redeye" home, since Hannah has to be at work on Monday a.m. - and her school starts too.

Mike and Mandy - some good neighbors and friends!!

Brett and kids joined us too.

Assorted grandchildren and neighbors.

Pam, Denny, and Jeff were there for the occasion too - brought loads of homegrown tomatoes.

Bonny was on the phone, so she missed the sibling shot. I think Dad and I look like 2 of the 3 Blind Mice with our dark lenses!! (Funny story about my skirt. I wanted to pack very light, so figured I could just wear the skirt I'd worn to church on the plane. But I had to have a "pat down" because of my full skirt!!)

I was there less than 48 hours - but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I kept thinking I should take pictures, but I was too busy trying to get the laundry done!! (Funny story - Dad had packed light - I was supposed to wash his Levi's and tee shirts - but he'd left them folded so neatly, I thought they were clean - good thing Phoebe has a "speedy" washer!!)

Whenever some of us are together, we really miss those who aren't there!! But it was great to have as many of us as we did for this happy occasion.

Now I need to go ready for school tomorrow!! Hopefully there will be nothing noteworthy to report - just a regular day!!