Most recently. . .

Mason was 5 years old on July 27th.  He had lots of friends and family to celebrate with him on the Saturday before.  That's the birthday boy in the blue shirt with the shades.

The "Slip'n'Slide " made the HOT day a bit more "cool". 

Targeting Eric with the water balloon bombs made him a cool dad.

The squirting beach ball was pretty much fun, too.

Time to open gifts!  That big yellow one was from John and I.  It was John's idea and went over big for the "Sponge-Bob Square Pants" Theme.  We wished him a bubblier birthday than ever with bubble juice and a big can full of various bubble wands, a Sponge-Bob storybook, bubble bath soap, and 200 feet of bubble wrap!  The kids went wild for it--sounded like the 4th with all the popping going on!

The deck was a happy place!  The door into the "great room" was given a great workout.  Their place shaped up nicely in the latter otts!--keepin' going now in the new teens.

That huge umbrella provided the very much needed shade!

From the hunter:                                          July 13, 2010

Got this big male this morning at 631yds; conditions  prefect, 0 wind, sun just coming up. Got one at 612 yds acouple weeks ago, won't talk about how many times I've missed shooting from the porch over to the sage rat field!!!!! (Thanks for the primers Ray and Becky) My STW ammo is getting low. Just got started getting my yardages set on my 30-378 and 338-378. Plan on breaking them in on some long range coyotes here soon too.

 ^ ^ ^  Sharks; and knows to keep a safe distance while observingn a Jelly fish, >>>

an Alligator,  v v v   and

 a poisonous snake  v v v

Learning to surf is on the agenda!!! >

uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu 

 Cowa bunga !!! WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWeee e e e e 

Gram and I had Shrimp Kabobs on the BarB for our 4th of July Picnic. 

Ray and Becky visited on the 5th.  Ray fixed the Cub.  They brought elk burgers and we grilled them to go with delicious potato salad Becky made.  I made the iced tea and the burger fixin's. 

Gram llistens to her book machine when we get an occasional good cassette.   

The grillmeister is getting way too chubby.  Third world here I come! 

Gram and I've had Shrimp from the BarB lots this summer.  Honey Home fries, Broccoli, Snowpeas, and nectarines have rounded out the menu.

I got an email from Kim S. and learned that her brother-in-law Roger had a fatal coronary on Flag Day.  She had made a whirlwind visit to be with her sister Kathie on Father's Day weekend (despite her own difficulties in fighting breast cancer).  I had a nice two-part phone visit with MomM and am hoping they will find time for a ride and visit out this way again before the summer is past.  Thank you for the Prayers They were appreciated for the success of Kim's recent chemo--the test -to-tell results Showed it to be in remission.  ALLeluia!

Balancing the sadness and uncertainty is the JOY from the expectation of Bethany's delivery due August 24th.  Hope she has air-conditioning in this summer heat!!!  I predict it is a son.

Gram has returned to the habit of sitting in the kitchen rocker when I am working at the table.  For a while she always preferred the recliner. 

Two little grape tomatoes along Mom and Dad's sidewalk have started to ripen.  I think it is a desperate attempt on the part of the plant to perpetuate its genes before drowning.  The heavy rains ponded a few inches of water there recently. 

I made a little drawstring bag with two compartments to protect the Nikon S4000 digital camera MScott sent back so that I could keep him informed of what is happening with family on this side of the country.  

I used those microfiber cloths because that way I always have something to clean the fingerprints off the touch screen.  I made 2 compartments so that the other side can carry the cable and the stylus and will not scratch the screen.

John visited for a couple days and helped me repair a window down at the house, and a door sweep here at Gram's. 

 The daylilies were starting to bloom Sunday, 

June 13th. 

v v v

Becky and Ray were here a couple Sundays ago while Keenan and Tanner visited their Mom.  Ray assessed what could be done to help Keenan get her car going again.  Between the 3 of us, we got all the grass mowed without too much wetness.   

Mimi was over at Five Springs .  She didn't think she'd be able to see the bobcats; but, Brittnee and Chris went with them to TR's.

The photo at the right is the two-year old named Nala.

Vivian (above), Rose, and Lily have been hunting birds, squirrel and chipmunks lately.  Vivian's odd light spot is pretty unique for a cat.