Where Did That Week Go?

                                                                     Our ball player!

                           I wish I knew where the days went and how they go by so, so fast! Whew! It has been a week since I last posted and I have, as usual, been an awful visitor. I am always truly grateful that so many of yo stop by and say hello even when I seem lax at making my blog rounds! Bless yor hearts, I love you all!

       So, where did that last week go? It flew by in a cloud of softball games, a concert, a funbdraiser,   2 celebrations, every day errands and housework and, well, life! I know you all understand how that goes!

 

One evening our family took a little drive to enjoy the sunshine and sweet Spring temperatures. We ended up near Cincinnati and the Brazenhead Pub so we stopped in for dinner. I love this place...so much like a *real* English or Irish pub. Well, at least it is similar to some of the ones I was in!

                                                And yes, my brother does make silly faces...a lot!

This was so good! Grilled chicken and ratatouille! Yes! Ratatouille! A delicious French peasant dish, also a movie...an animated Pixar movie featuring the voice of one Brian Dennehy as Django the rat...but I digress. Ahem...

And we celebrated Bill's birthday! Uh huh,my handsome husband turned 54!

His party request? All the family over for chili, cornbread, salad and cake!

He got lots of gifts...

...and lots of cake

Yes, Kipper IS thinking, "Drop it...drop it...drop it pleeeeaaase!"

Oh, and uh huh. Kip IS sporting a banana sticker on his head. As soon as I come in from the grocery with a new bunch we KNOW Danny will be putting the stickers on Kip! It is THEIR little game...: )

On Mother's Day morning our knock out roses began blooming! What a pretty sight!

We enjoyed church and a nice drive then headed downtown to the Oregon District in Dayton.

                                               We enjoyed a fantastic seafood brunch at Jay's.

Parmesan encrusted Haddock...can you say Mmmmmm?

The 2 reasons I am such a proud mom, Dan and Grace.

They are posing here with their Grandma, my lovely mom, Miriam.

The kids and the moms...that's me on the right. The chubby blonde with the wild hair!

And then...well, I don't want to bore you more than I already have so I will stop for now!

I will work at hoppin' 'round to see all of you during the next few days.

Enjoy the rest of your week...

Love to you all!

                                                                                
  

Uh huh..I Know, I Know...But Here Is Why...

...yup. I sure do! I have been just an awful blogger. Terrible at keeping up posts and even worse at visitng and leaving comments. Try as I might, life just keeps me from sitting down with this old computer! Not anything awful, just the general busy-ness! You all know what that is like! Since we returned from Florida, it has been go, go, go!

I have so much to catch up on here but please know I adore you all. I think about you all so, so often. You will not believe how many times during the day or the week I see something or hear something and think about one of you!

I can't possibly catch up with everything that has kept the folks at Rabbit Run Cottage hopping but let's start with these...

On Grace's birthday the family went to Columbus, Ohio. One of Grace's best friends came along too! We  headed to the Rhodes State Office Building across from our Capitol building where Grace was one of 170 young people across the state honored with an art award. One of her pieces is to hang in the building where our state representative's offices reside.

Grace with her beautiful ink and watercolor piece.

Here are Grace, her friend Miss A. and her art teacher, Mrs. Tavani.

Receiving her award...

Miss A., Grace and my Mom

The girls in front of the State Capitol.

Then it was off to Easton Town Center, a wonderful shopping and dining area in Columbus. The girls had lots of fun looking and trying on and oohing and ahhing...

Then it was lunch time! Grace chose The Cheesecake Factory...

...where after dinner, the wait staff presented her with cheesecake and sang a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday!

The next evening we had a nice dinner, followed by Grace's birthday cake.

And yes! She blew out all 12 in one breath!

Then, this past weekend, all of us, plus 2 of Grace's dear friends, went down to Great Wolf Lodge near Cincinnati. Uh huh...more birthday doin's!

Grace with her buddies, Miss KE  and Miss KH.

Is there anything sweeter than kids giggling?

More presents to unwrap...then off to dinner at The Brazenhead Irish Pub!

Now, if I hadn't been pretty darned sure I was near Cincinnati, Ohio, I would have SWORN I was in the Emerald Isle itself...

What a wonderful place!

We loved being at Brazenhead Irish Pub, especially during St. Patrick's Day week!

Shepherd's Pie and Fish and Chips all around!

And nope. There was no partaking of any Irish spirits...these girls are just naturally silly!

Then back to Great Wolf for more water fun!

Great Wolf has the most wonderful indoor waterpark and the girls had such a great time!

Oh NO! Watch out for the wild animals!

We all came home tired but happy. It was certainly a sweet month of birthday celebrations for Grace!

Next post? My nephew, the Booman, had HIS birthday celebrations this month too!

I TOLD you it had been extra busy!

Wishing you all a sweet week filled with sunshine and smiles!

Spring is here!

Love to you all!