A Daughter's Birthday and a Big Surprise

Hello, Dear Friends, I hope you are enjoying 

this unofficial last week of summer 

leading up to the Labor Day weekend and 

'Back to School'. 

Last weekend, we celebrated our daughter, Heather's

birthday and before the guests arrived I took 

a few photos of the preparations. 

I had a little bit of fun with the crepe paper :)

It was a beautiful, sunny day, so we were

able to celebrate outside. 

Heather's favorite flowers are sunflowers, 

so I made cupcakes with that in mind, 

using jelly beans and upside down chocolate chips :)

Paper plates kept things simple. 

The gas grill was put into service......

on the menu:

Chicken-pineapple-sweet pepper kabobs

corn on the cob

pasta salad

assorted fruits, cheese and crackers

lemon cupcakes with orange sherbet

We had some extra special guests.....

Ramblin' Man's brother Dave and wife Katie,

visiting from 'back east'. 

They had taken an Alaskan cruise and 

disembarked in Seattle to spend the weekend with us.

xoxo

It was a special birthday for Heather, 

and we also celebrated Katie's recent birthday. 

The birthday girls. 

There was also a very special announcement. 

Heather, Eric and baby Gavin had 

wonderful news........

Count the sneakers.......

Yes, they are expecting twins! 

xoxo

My dear daughter did not think she would 

ever be a Mom, and now........

they are so very blessed. 

We are over the moon with happiness! 

The babies are due in February. 

Gavin is just 9 months old. 

To say they will have their hands full

is an understatement, but 

luckily we live only 10 minutes away. 

xoxo

After that bit of excitement, it was time to dig

in to our cupcakes. 

Our 2 year old grandson, Ethan thoroughly enjoys his! 

'Big brother' Gavin gets snuggles 

from Auntie Jennie as Uncle Dustin relaxes nearby. 

My turn for snuggles.....

Ramblin' Man (Papa) and Ethan. 

Mischief is written all over their faces :)

Cousins. 

Ethan can climb in and out on his own!

Ramblin' Man and his brother looking 

through binoculars at the mountains beyond.

It was a wonderful party filled with happy, 

smiling faces. 

And now the house is quiet once more. 

The 'kids' have gone home, David and Katie, too, and

the pets I was sitting for have gone home to their humans. 

Now it's just me and the dogs, trying to stay cool. 

Meanwhile, I have been watching the tragic events unfold 

in the path of hurricane Harvey. 

My heart is heavy and my prayers go out to all 

those who have suffered so much loss. 

Just a few weeks ago, life was normal there 

and they had no idea what was to come. 

We never know what tomorrow will bring. 

We must cherish each and every day. 

xoxo