Family Time

I have been so busy with Mom that I really didn't do justice to the rest of life that went on the past couple of weeks. June is a busy month without having had Mama fall and the rehab stay.

When I was still teaching I no sooner got out of work than I was baking cakes and having two birthdays to celebrate. I often felt like once I got the birthdays behind me then it was time to rest. You know when kids are little there are sleepovers and all that to go with birthdays, so it was really my "YES, now I can do summer moment" when I celebrated Paul Allen's birthday.

Mother was still in rehab when Jeff and Paul Allen's birthdays rolled around. My kids stepped up to the plate to make it all happen. For Jeff's birthday which comes first, Paul Allen cooked at his house. He did a Low Boil and Lindsay made my homemade ice cream recipe and homemade chocolate syrup that was WAY better than mine. I was quite proud of them. We checked Mother out of rehab that day as she was beginning to go stir crazy about that time.

Paul Allen had all kinds of activities set up in his backyard. Cornhole, volleyball, etc...AND IT RAINED CATS AND DOGS!!! We managed it all anyway and had a great family time. Like I said, I was so proud of my kids. I couldn't have pulled it off better myself. I took only one picture. I was a bit frazzled after 2 weeks of hospital and rehab visits.

I will pass on it since it wasn't all that good. Jeff didn't want presents...instead he asked for a fishing trip from Tyler. Also Jeff, Paul Allen, and Tyler played golf for one of the schools. The other gentlemen is one of our best friends.

Jeff, Tyler, Paul Allen, and friend Bob

Paul Allen and Tyler in the Gulf.

Both of these events took place the two days before the birthdays began. 

Two days later is Paul Allen's birthday. By that time, I had Mother at my house. Lindsay and Tyler didn't come as they had just come in and Tyler is working some late hours on the condo on 30A.

We had a fish dinner with Katie joining us. 

It was a crazy birthday year... no candles on banana pudding that he requested. My candle had burned out.

She had helped Jeff pick out the birthday present. We got Paul Allen two fishing kayaks. He and Katie are outdoorsy for sure. They love to do anything outdoors. I have no doubt they will use these a ton. According to Jeff, two people can't fish together on a kayak that seats two as their lines will get tangled. I just go along with most whatever he says.

Here they are trying them out after supper.

And of course, Gus had to jump in and help.

That rounded up the birthdays that I felt a bit guilty over. I didn't bake the normal cakes, but Lindsay came through on the ice cream and I make a mean banana pudding!

I do hope after I return from my mission trip in July to make a cake for both of them and make it up to them.

There is much more to share about family life, but I will stop with my recording of the birthdays.

57...I always say Jeff catches me for three months and my baby turned 26.

I will try and catch up on this past weekend soon. 

Sandy