Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Week 12

Welcome back and happy Tuesday.  We're enjoying our full nest again with Tyler home on spring break and have been helping him get things set for next quarter and even this summer.  He doesn't end school until the middle of June so he'll be back at it after this week. John and I were also able to escape to San Francisco overnight this past weekend for a fun and fabulous party. It was a great week.

Here are the pictures to prove it:


Day 78- Sunday, 3/19/17
Justin wanted to go on a bike ride and try out his knee.  It's been raining so much he hasn't been able to bike since his injury.  He says it feels fine and is eager to ride back and forth from school again but as you will see the rain is not cooperating.





Day 79- Monday, 3/20/17
This is a wonderful way to start the work week--not!  It poured rain most the night and through the morning and I mean poured, but then the clouds cleared and the sun came out and everything dried up like nothing ever happened so we had a beautiful sunny afternoon. Crazy and unstable weather!





Day 80- Tuesday, 3/21/17
These two are wrapping up their science fair project as partners on the best basketball shooting positions, and I came out with them today to get a few pictures for their presentation board.





Day 81- Wednesday, 3/22/17
We had another really wet morning but then the afternoon looked like this.  The dog and I took a nice long walk and enjoyed the sunshine and pretty flowers.





Day 82- Thursday, 3/23/17
He's home!  Tyler flew in super late last night and is now settling back into our home.  He missed his bedroom the most and is happy to have it all to himself.  I baked him some homemade cookies as a welcome back treat which of course made all the boys super happy :0)  Two quarters done and one to go for his first year.  He has a volunteer position at the hospital lined up starting next quarter and it will continue through next year, plus his summer lifeguard job is secured, and he's all set to take a summer EMT course.  Somewhere in there we'll also squeeze in getting his wisdom teeth out.  LOL--  busy kid!  One more thing--it's National Puppy Day so I have to give props to our favorite puppy Bella.  She's such a sweet girl and is also happy to have Tyler home.





Day 83- Friday, 3/24/17
It must be relaxation Friday.  It's cold today and rained again so even the pets are gathered here seeking warmth from their peeps.  These guys are watching March Madness basketball games together and it's a great sight to see although I'm missing my movie night.  I guess I'll just have to make up for it next Friday.





Day 84- Saturday, 3/25/17
Yay for the wekend! John and I headed into San Francisco to celebrate him and his high school friends turning 50 this year at Waterbar restaurant near the Bay Bridge.  That's all 8 of them joining the 50 club in the second picture.  It was a beautiful night, awesome location, lovely meal, and great fun with special friends.  Thanks to everyone in the group for taking and sharing pictures.  I'm pretty sure I'm using a couple of Elaine's here ;0) 




Well that's all folks.  See you next week for the last week in March.


Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Week 11

Welcome back and happy Tuesday!  We had another wonderful spring week last week and it was glorious.  Sadly it's raining again this week which is not so good for Justin's tennis team.  I'm pretty sure most their matches will be cancelled.  It's a super busy otherwise so one less thing to work into the schedule is not a bad thing.  I wish the younger kids' spring break wasn't so late this year.  Tyler will be home tomorrow (wow--tomorrow already!) for his break but the rest of us don't get a break until mid April around Easter week.  At least we can still enjoy some good family time with a full nest again over the next few days.

Until then here are last week's pictures:



Day 71- Sunday, 3/12/17
It's a super nice spring day and a good day to learn how to pump gas.  Driving lessons continue mostly on the weekends but hopefully soon during the week as well.





Day 72- Monday, 3/13/17
I'm not sure why he's all bundled up since it's warm out but maybe he just likes to be cozy while he reads.  Another reading counts book is due Friday so time to finish up. 





Day 73- Tuesday, 3/14/17
These two are super happy it's Pi day and there is actually pie to be had for dessert.  A piece of each please!





Day 74- Wednesday, 3/15/17
It's time to watch Survivor--the "Game Changers" season and John is gone and the boys are busy so it's just me, the pets, and a cold glass of wine.





Day 75- Thursday, 3/16/17 
A slight breeze today cooled thing down and bit and blew some blossoms off the trees.  Our whole neighborhood looks like it was sprinkled with mother nature's confetti.  Fun to look at but bad for those with seasonal allergies.





Day 76- Friday, 3/17/17
Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Brandon was home having dinner alone again but enjoyed the special greenish meal I made for him, and I found some natural pretty green new leaves blooming out back. 






Day 77- Saturday, 3/18/17
Today was another great day to be outside.  It was a little cold in the morning but then turned out nice and sunny.  The kids had tennis first thing, then some volunteer activities, another driving lesson, and Brandon wrapped up the testing for his science fair project which required playing a little basketball.  I was busy shuttling everyone to and fro and when I had a chance to actually sit down and relax the cat seized the opportunity to rest with me.



That's it!  See you next week.


Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Week 10

Welcome back and happy Tuesday.  I'm so not a fan of the time change especially since I work early morning hours.  These past 2 days have been pretty brutal starts but I'll adjust eventually.  The long light hours at the end of the day are nice so I guess that makes up for it.  We pretty much had a full week of spring with warmer temps last week and are expecting much of the same.  I do like that!

Here are last week's pictures:



Day 64- Sunday, 3/5/17
This was the last day of rain we've seen in over a week now, and I can't say I miss it.  It was a quiet and wet Sunday at home.





Day 65- Monday, 3/6/17
Justin got his tennis team shirt today and has been back at tennis for a couple weeks now.  He's mostly been practicing and just now getting into competitive matches again but better to ease in than push it and aggravate that knee tendon.  We rarely see him without these two bags--one for school and one for sport.





Day 66- Tuesday, 3/7/17
Rusty found a nice place to rest and relax.  He's actually keeping Justin company as he ices his knee.  That's just something that has to be done everyday after tennis now and this kitty doesn't mind.





Day 67- Wednesday, 3/8/17
Awww-- spring and sunshine and bugs.  LOL!  It may be buggy out but still a good day for a nice sunny walk.





Day 68- Thursday, 3/9/17
Brandon had his end of season basketball party today and received his certificate.  He misses it already, but has been shooting hoops here at home every chance he gets and even designed his science fair project to test something related to basketball.  I'd say he's hooked.





Day 69- Friday, 3/10/17
Random Friday happenings.  That flowering bush out front is so pretty.  Too bad it's kind of hidden behind other things in our yard.  Tyler has a lot of moving parts going on at school and beyond this week so we've actually talked a lot.  He posted this new profile picture on his twitter account so I snatch it up for myself since I haven't seen him in forever.  Rusty found a new favorite napping spot.  Too bad that's MY spot.  He'll be booted later when I sit down to watch a movie ;0)  And then after school I pulled out an old book that was a favorite with all my kids and asked Brandon if he remembered and he did and was eager to explore it's pages again.  It's called "Actual Size" and is a great animal book that took us on a fun trip down memory lane. Not a bad way to end the work week--so much to be thankful for.





Day 70- Saturday,  3/11/17
Yep- still dry and still spring.  John is even wearing shorts and it's the perfect day to be outside grilling burgers and hotdogs while drinking a nice cold beer.  It was a super gorgeous weekend.



That's it!  See you next week and in the meantime enjoy the sunshine ;0)


Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Week 9

Welcome back and happy Tuesday!  Busy times at home and busy times at work as the days just fly by.  None of us can believe we're well into March now even though we did have a nice warm spring like week last week.

Here are that week's pictures:


Day 57- Sunday, 2/26/17
A typical Sunday morning- Bella begging Brandon for food after a game of fetch with the green octopus, laundry started, pantry open from kids raiding cereal boxes, and no one dressed just yet.  Bonus--today there is sunshine.




Day 58- Monday, 2/27/17
When life gives you lemons you think of lemon drops, lemon meringue pie, lemon chicken, lemonade and so much more.  This tree is full and happy in more sunshine. 





Day 59- Tuesday, 2/28/17
Dinner for one ;0(  Everyone is coming and going at different times so I feed them individually when I can.  Brandon is happily the first to eat each night.  Pulled pork sandwich, Funions, and cut fruit for the win.




Day 60- Wednesday, 3/1/17
Happy March!  Justin got home from tennis just in time to take a picture with the monthly marker before the sun went down.  It's his birthday month and he can't wait.





Day 61- Thursday, 3/2/17
Tonight is Brandon's last basketball practice and his last game is Saturday.  He learned a lot and is sad the season is over.  Time to get back on the tennis courts until we can find another basketball program.





Day 62- Friday, 3/3/17
Enjoying Shamrock Shakes on a warm day before the next storm window opens is the best way to kick off the weekend. TGIF!





Day 63- Saturday, 3/4/17
Time to mow lawns and clean up the yard before the rain hits this evening.  This used to be Tyler's job and now Justin has taken over.  In other news Brandon's team won their last game and that's it for basketball.  Sorry no picture.  They'll have a team party next week to celebrate their great season.




Wait!  One more-

February's Family Photo


Taken on the last possible day in the final hours of February once everyone was finally home for the evening.  In March we'll plan ahead a little better and Tyler will be back for the picture.  Yay!




Ok!  All done.