Off to Whidbey

I'm heading to Whidbey Island for a family work party at the cabin, but I'll be back Saturday night. We worked in the yard yesterday and today. It's that time of year. I will be spending most of my time in the yard this month, weather permitting. I have a Sounders Soccer match to watch Sunday at 11:00, and there was an also a match yesterday evening to watch as well. Soccer and gardening - my life for now. And I have more garden pics to post. I only took 120 yesterday! I'll get back to you.

For the Beauty of the Earth..

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

Amen

All photos taken in the Reeder garden, Earth Day 2010

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

This photo was in my email this morning! Isaac and Irene are laden with Earth Day gifts for their teachers: reusable bags, a green fern, and lady bug rocks!

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Jill is amazing! I don't know where she finds the energy, and I know time is precious, especially on a school morning. And yet she took the time to send email and post on Facebook.

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Last night we found these pics. The kids made "dirt" cups to take to school as treats today. Chocolate pudding mud, crushed Oreo soil, laden with gummy worms and mint rocks.

I wouldn't mind if someone told me to go eat dirt today with this around.

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And I hope to get out into the dirt myself today. After an inch of rain in 24 hours, everything is lush, green and floriferous. Now I need a bit of sun.

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Embrace the Earth today. Honor our precious planet.

Chapter IV: Winding Down in Colorado

Sunday morning brought blue sky and sunshine, a perfect time to try out the new bike. By the time we left on Monday Irene was riding around the block, very pleased with herself. Training wheels certainly help with the confidence. I remember learning to ride without them. Ouch!

Isaac hadn't ridden all winter, but he was motivated to get back on his bike, too.

Then it was time for a trip to the garden store for seeds and plants. Jill was determined to get her garden planted while she had help. Tom got the garden spaded during the week. I cleaned up the front flower bed while planting was happening in the vegetable patch.

Get those seeds watered in.

Irene's new gardening accessories work and look great. It all goes together with the new Bee Happy tee shirt.

Isaac helped poke in the sunflower seeds.

Then we moved to the front yard, where it was now shady. The two hours I spent out there earlier was hot work.

Jill helped plan the planting.

Dig in! Plant those pansies.

Last to do - the petunia baskets. Hopefully they won't get another cold blast with snow, but if they do, they can put the pots in the garage overnight.

On Monday everyone went back to school and work. Irene was home in the afternoon. Tom and I got the kids bedrooms back together after using one of them for our sleeping quarters. Other than that we took it pretty easy.

Jill and the kids took us to the airport after dinner out on the way. We were back home by 11:00 Monday night.

It was a wonderful visit and we had a great time sharing in this special birthday pageant.

Birthday Pageant, Chapter III

Irene had a very high class birthday on Saturday. After we left the Brown Palace Hotel, we went to the Denver Art Museum. The kids have a book called Good Night Denver, which is part of a Good Night World series. They have been checking off the places they visit that are featured in the book. The art museum is one of them. It was raining lightly, the only day of rain we had, which was fine since we were spending most of it in doors anyway. The overhang of the building kept us dry. But watch out for that broom! Inside, looking out. The museum has an excellent collection of Native American art.

Try your hand at Navajo weaving.

There is also a very good collection of western art, including this work by NC Wyeth. Bang!

Well placed windows featured great peek-a-boo views.

The kids enjoyed the Children's room at the end of the tour.

Ride 'em, Isaac.

Then it was time to head to Fort Lupton, to the home of Grandma Andrea and Papa John. The fully assembled cake awaited us.

After a delicious lasagna dinner, the gifts awaited.

Irene loved her music box.

A pensive moment.

Oh, wow! A new bike from Grandma Andrea and Papa John.

Let's try it out right now!

And now, finally, it's cake time! Happy Birthday to you."

Awwww!

Killing the cake! Oh, no!

Andrea gets the sugar bowl.

And I got the creamer.

It was a tired but happy family that made the hour long trip back to Fort Morgan.

What a day! Tomorrow - the final chapter.