More fun with grandchildren

I had a fun surprise at the Casa this week. Sunflowers I planted from seed popped open.

Nicole made it back from her appointment. We made it home from the beach and the kids discovered my new secret. My hammock. Well, as you can see, there is no relaxing in the hammock with little ones around.

After everyone left the hammock area, Aubrey found a pillow and book and headed out for her own quiet time.

Until little brother came along riding the big wheel, bumping her as he rode under the hammock. They were both laughing and having fun though. I love watching them create fun out in the garden and on the deck.

A day at the beach

Aubrey and Garrett spent the day with us and we went to the beach.
The waves were fun and so was the ice cream treat!

S T and Hammock

OK, this was a very diverse week. The photos I share represent a small part of a very eventful and photogenic week.
Randy had a work trip to San Diego and he brought the family down to spend time with us. With a 1 month old and 2 year old, life is busy for them - and all of us! It is a privilege to be able to spend extended times with the grandchildren. You get to experiance their personalities at all levels, even with Grandma and Grandpa there to 'spoil' them with extra hugs and brownies.
I had hoped to take Staci out on the town for bit but realized taking Siena to the beach and entertaining her was a treat for Staci. And special times for Grandma.

I'd like to claim that I spotted the first smile from Tegan. This is such a sweet photo and Tegan is learning to flash her smile.

My Birthday Hammock arrived! It is beautiful, sturdy, and was put to immediate use. I spent some Launa time in it tonight:)

I took Siena to the beach for an hour - or so I thought. After a couple hours, I said, let's go home and have some lunch....Siena replied with "I'm still working". The photo shows her 'working.' An hour later, I mentioned the brownies waiting for us at home and was able to make the beach break.
Check out the waves. I took tons of photos trying to capture the huge waves.

Randy made it back and Sat. am we let Staci nap while we spent time in the garden. I took a scoop out of my compost pile (see bin in back) and put it on the little table beside it. Siena picks out the bugs and worms and puts them in a bug container. She is showing them off to Grandpa and Daddy. I love sharing the compost pile bugs with the grandchildren when they visit and they love spending time exploring.

Dallas fun

We stayed at the beautiful Renaissance hotel with a view of the Dallas skyline.

Bill and Stacey, cutting the cake. My photo... Had fun telling stories of Bill and Randy as middle schoolers and high school basketball buddies. The stories of the huge Halloween parties at our house with Bill engineering the logistics of the event were floating around. It was fun to reminisce. We have been in touch with his parents over the years and they have visited us here in San Clemente.

We met up with San Clemente friends, Dan and Barbara G. who now live just north of Highland Village. We had fun sharing our Texas roots with them. Drove by the home we lived in. The trees have grown up! Our home in Highland Village TX.

I really wanted to go to the West End in Downtown Dallas. When we lived in TX we took our out of town guest there and Mike enjoyed many business dinners at the West End. There were three stories of shops, chocolate making, hologram shops etc.

Well, that was all gone! There were still a few restaurants, the horse drawn buggies but the 3 story building was closed. I kept thinking it was the economy...We did stop for a drink and snack. The guy we talked too said it was GANGS that took over the area several years ago and drove families and business people away. I really wanted to experience the West End again but - 11 years later - it is all changed... the City took care of the gangs but the public is not back.

Texas trip visiting relatives

We lived in Texas from 1991-1998. We were invited to the wedding of Randy's basketball buddy on July 18.
We incorporated many opportunities for this trip. Visiting Aunt Claire, and her daughter-cousin Joyce, a drive by our Dallas home with San Clemente friends that now live near there, and the wedding.

My Aunt Claire and cousin Joyce live 2 hours East of Dallas. We brought Mom with us on the airline then we drove her to her sisters for the weekend. Went back and picked her up on Monday for the flight home. Worked out well for all of us.

We flew in to Dallas late Thursday and Mom stayed with us at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Dallas for the night.
Mom was loving the beautiful spiral staircase.

Mike and Joyce in her front yard.
Friday morning we drove to cousin Joyce and Aunt Claire's place in East Texas. Beautiful green country with rain and thunder that comes and goes..

My Norwegian roots! Cousins Joyce, John (lives 30 miles away), and Me. Don't get to see them often but family ties are precious.

My favorite Aunt. Aunt Claire!
She is 91 and has NEVER forgotten my birthday! Wish I could say that for my nieces and nephews!

Turning blue at the beach

After the 'Welcome Tegan' party and birthday celebrations, Nicole and kiddos spent the night. Siena was staying over also. Perfect opportunity for a beach trip.
Nicole digging for sand crabs.

Grandpa got the kids bubblegum flavored icees. They were having fun with the blue lips and tongues.
Garrett's comes with sand.

Aubrey found a creative, relaxing way to enjoy her icee.

Siena showing off her blue tongue.

Wish I could have done some of this stuff as a kid! It is so fun to see the laughter and expresions as they experience being a kid.

Birthday time

Mike and I celebrate birthdays a couple days apart. The kids sent us on a trip out under the tree on the deck to find our gift. There was a card hooked under the chain that holds a hammock. The old one broke. A new super duper hammock is on the way! It will hold me and all the grandkids! Thanks!

Aubrey and Garrett made this birthday banner, too cute! Mom Nicole, is so creative and the kids were so proud. We don't want to take it down.

The little ones like to be right there when opening gifts :) They are such big helpers.

More fun for the little ones and all of us watching. Playing in a 'pool' on the deck, running through the water while fillling it.

Welcoming Tegan

We had a Welcome Tegan party on Sunday. She is almost a month old. Wow, try get all four grandchildren in my arms at the same time for a photo. Takes some doing and we only get one shot.

Tegan, fast asleep under the blanket I crocheted for her.

Garrett and Siena having so much fun playing in my garden.

And Aubrey doing a cute pose.

July 4th

The Casa overlooks the San Clemente Pier where awesome fireworks are set off every year. You can see the crowds gathering.

We joined the festivities at the Casa including BBQ. We helped with clean up etc. but overall had a wonderful front row seat, in the Casa Gardens, for the fireworks. This photo is the courtyard looking festive with guests eating.

Fireworks with the Casa flag in front.
We were setting on the steps about 30 feet from the flag, in the Spanky garden. You can see where the fireworks were coming up from the pier.

Spectular! To be so close and feel the booom on your chest and hear the patriotic songs...gave me goose bumps...

Sunset Magazine blog

I made the Sunset Magazine blog with the Casa Gardens! Check it out...WOW

Casa Romantica's gardens - Fresh Dirt - Sunset.com

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