As part of the remodeling Bridget peeled and scraped wallpaper in the downstairs bathroom. Then she painted it some vivid colors (maroon and yellow) and I framed pictures of my grands in bluebonnets and hung them above the towel racks (which Whitney was kind enough to put up for me.) I started looking for a shower curtain to tie everything together - no luck finding what I wanted, so I made one (actually I still have to hem it and install the curved shower curtain rod.) In the upstairs bathroom, we painted over the wallpaper (worked great) and again I was unable to find just the shower curtain I wanted to complement the green walls. I made a shower curtain for it and had a fun idea to make a couple of valances so I could change the look of the bathroom upstairs with just a quick change of the valance. My first valance has pansies on it, the second one has apples.

Before and after pictures are posted. Thanks for all the hard work, Bridget. (We still have chair rails to stain and install in the downstairs bathroom and some work on the cabinet by the counter, but we're getting closer to being done.)

Hayley and Eli got along so well. They played together really well and loved to see each other at every opportunity. Colin and Dora just wanted to explore and have an occasional bottle or hug. What fun we had...

We scattered the seeds into a flower bed in front of the house. From there the bluebonnets have moved out and taken over the yard in that area. Last year and this year I got pictures of grands in the bluebonnets. Angela always takes the twins for bluebonnet pictures in the Dallas area. I thought I'd post pictures of all my grands in the bluebonnets. (Bridget and her kids came to stay with us for 2 months and the bluebonnets happend to be in bloom so I got my little northern grands in the bluebonnets this year as well.) Don and I really enjoy looking out the front window of the house and seeing the sea of bluebonnets in the early spring.

We grew gardens in several places and the children were always a big part of the garden project. Our gardens were sometimes flooded out, burned up by too much heat and not enough water, over run by bugs, but always we were able to enjoy some produce cultivated by our own efforts. In California Jesse wanted to buy 2 strawberry plants in June right after we moved there. I told him they wouldn't produce anything until the next spring, but he was insistent that's what he wanted to spend his money on. We bought the plants and in November, we had hundreds of plants to separate out and replant (we gave lots to friends.) In March we had loads of strawberries. We made freezer jam and ate lots of strawberries fresh. We had more and more plants every year. Jesse's strawberries were a big success.

We were always looking for a museum, zoo, or factory facility to visit. We found lots to go see. The kids were so inquisitive. They wanted to read every placard at the zoos and museums we visited. We never saw the entire Houston Natural History Museum or the Houston or Dallas Zoos in one trip. Every time we went we would start with favorite parts and then pick one or maybe two new areas to explore. In the summertime, we did a date with mom. Each of the kids would get a date with me - each of them got choose what the two of us would do on our date. They really looked forward to that event.

Now my children are grown and gone from home. Some of them have children of their own. It is a joy to see the next generation growing and learning. I see something of their parents in them from time to time and since I think all of my children are exceptional, I am pleased to see some of those exceptional qualities passed along.

Jesse left mortality 3 years ago today. It seems like just yesterday that our world was knocked off kilter and yet it's been three long years. I miss his wit, wisdom, and the little chats we used to have. Oh, how I miss my little boy. Sometimes my heart just aches that he isn't here to share in our everyday challenges and triumphs. It makes me so sad that he isn't here for his adorable little ones. I know we'll see him again one day, but I still miss him in the here and now. I love to visit with each of my children and really miss the chance to visit with Jesse.

Jesse, you are missed every day. Little things remind me of you everyday and I just wanted to jot down these few thoughts on this sad anniversary. Jesse, your mom and dad sure love you.

Happy Birthday Dora! You are our favorite little bean.

Bridget

Our neighbors gave us some of the things their children had outgrown - Hayley loves playing in the little house and eating at the picnic table and sliding on the slide. She also likes for PaPa to take her walking to see if any of the neighborhood dogs are out so she can visit with them. It was a nice cool day in May and we all enjoyed the time outside.

Here are the ones I took with my camera. It was a fun little parade and we had a terrific time during the parade and then afterward when we went to eat.

When we got back from the park Emma, Eli, and I went for a walk around the neighborhood. We spied a bunny and took a picture of it. Then we took a picture of Eli looking at it. The bunny didn't want to play as it turns out and hopped away shortly after the picture. The picture of Eli with both arms up is when he was showing me how big he is.

Then we had an early birthday party for Eli since I wasn't going to be able to be there in July. He is pretty good at opening his presents these days. He was quite interested in what was in the box. Turns out though, after he tried the chair, he found the box to be much more fascinating.

Dora also had her first introduction to rice cereal. She is so smiley whenever anyone talks to her, especially her mom, that she could hardly eat for smiling at all the attention.