June 21

  Hello, and happy Summer! I just checked via Google if today is officially summer solstice, and yes; it is. Apparently it will be the longest day of the year in terms of sunlight, but we wouldn't know that here in WAY Northern CA. Yes, it's 55 and overcast. Just the way we like it ;-)

Speaking of the beginning of summer. I shared our idea for a new collection (heart rocks) with you three years ago. Here's how the collection stands today:

Some of them you really have to squint to see as a heart, but Caleb picked most of them while on our little adventures so they're all very special to me. ;-)

I have been blogging about grandchildren since Caleb, the first one, was 3 years old. Yesterday, incredibly, he turned 11. We celebrated by taking 16 boys to a pool party. Things went amazingly well. Couldn't have asked for nicer boys.

Caleb has gotten so big! 100 pounds and feet bigger than mine

Still so very sweet tho. 

I had cut some strawberries and apples and oranges before we headed out to the pool. Was afraid they'd turn their noses up at fruit but they were so ravished by the time we got back home that they inhaled it all, just while we were getting the cake ready! 

That cake was so easy to serve. It was all cupcakes joined together by frosting. They offer them in all sorts of designs at Safeway. I chose the sentiment because this week we are in the thick of practice for All Stars, which starts this Saturday and which Caleb got picked for for the second year in a row. :-) Yay Caleb!

Three weeks ago we were visiting John's mom in OR and ended up buying Caleb a new bike at Costco. The smell of those rubber tires in the car for the drive home made me want to gag, so how John kept it hidden in his office all this time is beyond me. 

He sure seemed happy to finally be able to bring it home! 

Caleb seemed pretty happy, too. ;-) 

Today we have four grandchildren. They are amazing and gorgeous and having them in our daily lives is certainly our biggest blessing. Here is a photo we had taken of them last month.

Last weekend Kadence was in a Jr Rodeo, endeavoring to ride a sheep. I hear they call it "mutton bustin' ". lol! 

I caught this snap just as it was throwing her off. Brave little thing! I wonder if she knew it would be so fast and jerky? I sure didn't. Her time of 3 seconds doesn't sound so great, until you hear some other times of 0.25 seconds. :-D 

Such a sweet girl. 

It was 96 degrees out there so these little kids who aren't used to that kind of heat started cooking fast.

We drove 3 hours round trip for that little 3 second show, plus watching the other littles,  and wouldn't have missed it for anything! Haven't laughed that hard in a while. ;-)

Hope this finds you well and enjoying your summer, whatever that may entail. I'll check in again soon!

jen

 

Comments

[Kylie Harms]

Hi Jen,Just saw your pinafores online. I live in Australia and was wondering how I can order one of your fabulous creations. I can see my litte girl in them :)
Regards,
Kylie

[Kris H]

How fun. Great pictures of your grandkids. Caleb has certainly grown up before our eyes. And, you have a little rodeo star too. How brave is she?! Great portrait of the 4 of them together. You are blessed!

[nanette]

Oh Jen the grandkids are getting so big. Good for you. I guess. When they outsize you then it must really hit. My 17 year old son had a growth spurt this summer. I can't believe he is almost taller than my husband. Amazing. I love the pics of the kids. Love. They are very cute and have personality to match.

[pam]

That Caleb is a looker. And he seems so sweet. Love seein the photos. I 've been around since Caleb was 3, hard to believe how the time goes by right? ♥ you!

[suzy]

Oh no, I forgot that summer soltice is the longest day of the year. Shorter days from her on :-
I am so excited about my kitchen reno, but my frugal husband is fighting me on the countertop selection. Oh boy. Guess I will have to pull out the big guns. Or the big BJ's. Oops, hope that's not too xrated.