We were babysitting the baby.

Yes, THIS baby. Em and Sherod took the boys on a short vacation and we got to play with Rue. I tried to follow the rules (no people food, don't lose her, etc.) and did really well, except for a couple of bites of people food.
She jumped up on Papa's lap and made herself right at home.

Owen and Liesl LOVED her and spent two hours 'holding' her. Owen said, "I wish I could have a dog". Liesl said, "I want THIS dog". So cute Clara touched her, pet her and giggled---as long as the dog was not mobile. If the dog was on the floor--Clara was not.

I once again took advantage of my slave laborlings at the car wash. They do a much better job than the car wash guys.

They would such the carpet right off the floor if I let them.

Love Spring Break.

It's easy, when you have your own personal designer.

This weeks news: New couches at our house. Woot, woot. The old ones have been lovingly slip-covered and recycled to Becca's house. Her kids think they're new and are thrilled.
I think they class up the place.

And then there's my personal designer (Memzy) who helped select the bling/new pillows.

We're at Pier 1 loving all their pillows, commenting on how much we love this one and that one and how Cris will think they're too "out there" but buying them anyway.

When the scene was set and revealed he said, "There not putrid and Memzy DOES know best about these things. They're good". Ta Da!!!

LOVE hydrangea's.

And look who turned TWO yesterday!!! She loved her new baby from Gramma and Papa.

And set about making her baby happy. Happy Birthday Clara. We love you.

These kids just oooooooze happiness.

Nick, Tasha and Bella came for a visit this weekend. It's very clear that Liesl is in hog heaven when girls cousins arrive.
They laughed and played and laughed and played.

Nick has a way with toddlers. He can win them over within about 1/2 an hour. Once the sticker book came out Clara hopped right up.

Papa does love those little girls.

Me too.

A couple of weeks ago Kevin took his family to Mexico. Can you tell?

They LOVED it. Christine and Rachel are the most fluent in Spanish with Luke and Seth not far behind. Ricky. . .not so much.

Great family picture. Thanks for sharing Kevin.

What time is it REALLY?

This is the clock on the wall above my computer. It's a nice little clock--but too high for me to reach without a step-stool. Too much trouble.
This is the clock in one of our bedrooms. The correct time. Daylight savings time. The Daylight Savings time that will end next Sunday. I can reach this clock. I'll change it next Sunday and then it will match the clock above my computer---that's been wrong for 5 months.

Then all will be right with the world. Makes me happy just to think about it.

I love these people!!

Sometimes you just gotta whine a bit. It's human nature. Most of the time I try to suppress it and be super cheerful but every once in awhile it comes out. I MISS THESE PEOPLE.
And this one.

And this one.

Luckily, I have these people to soothe the soul.

Everything Charlie does----Clara wants to do also.

Quite a case of hero worship. Why is Gramma's bed so appealing to kids? When I got in to bed that night I found Charlie's socks. . . . .and some fruit snacks lovingly left behind. Sigh. . .life is good.