Hydrangeas in June

My hydrangeas bloomed a little late this year, but oh, my, they are beautiful!!!  I couldn’t resist picking a bunch. They will last a long time indoors. I didn’t pick the magenta ones, however, because it’s a newer, smaller bush.

Coming soon: report on our 4^th Barber Family Reunion.

Strawberry jam and miracle triplets

In 2010, Russ and I thought we were so expert at making Strawberry jam that we forged ahead without thinking or reading clearly and ended up with a bunch of Strawberry syrup. (click here to read about that disaster) In 2011 we had been out of town right at peak Strawberry season, so we just skipped making jam altogether.  But this year, the strawberries came on early, due to a very hot March, so we jumped right in and made eight batches before the first of May. It’s in the freezer – looking oh so good. I’ve also started my own little Strawberry patch.  Perhaps it will grow and spread until I can pick from my yard to make jam. 

There is one little jar that I save and use every time we make jam.  It has a special meaning to me and is a constant reminder of the miracle of the birth of our triplet grandchildren.  In the year 2000, our triplet grandchildren were born two months early and it was only through prayers, good thoughts, fasts, and priesthood blessings that they survived. While the babies were in the NICU, their mother, Lisa, had to pump her milk, put it in little bottles and store it in the freezer at the hospital. Lisa had so much milk for her babies, that we also filled her freezer and our deep freezer. When the babies finally got their feeding tubes out and were able to drink from those little bottles we all took our turn to feed them there in the NICU. And when they finally came home two months after they were born, we still had two freezers full of those little bottles of milk.

So I kept one of those bottles, and have used it for one jar of jam every year since.  It will always remind me of the miraculous birth of the triplets, Tanner, Connor, and Sydney. The triplets are almost 12 years old now, but I still have the jar and will keep it forever. Love and hugs to our miracle triplet grandchildren. 

Some of our 2012 jars ready for the freezer

Comparing the triplet bottle to canning jar

The baby bottle jar I'll keep forever

My strawberry patch -- a beginning

The triplets and their Mom, Lisa - 2012

Easter Weekend - 2012

All the Knoxville families were here for Easter Dinner, except Trey, who was still at BYU.  But we  added my sister, Kathy, who was visiting from Seattle, WA.  :)

 Dinning Room table setting...................................

The DR table was full, the kitchen table was full, so Claire and Lydia got to have their very own table at the end of the island.

 Sorting out the money from the candy

 Lined up right before the Easter Egg Hunt began

 Josh's baptism on April 7, 2012

Sisters - Kathy visits from Seattle, WA

Barnsley Gardens getaway---celebrating Julie's 40th

I was lucky enough to be the mother of a daughter turning 40 who chose for her birthday gift from her husband to be a girls’ getaway to Barnsley Gardens in Georgia.  Julie is my third-born child and just turned 40.  Her husband, Allen, generously gave Julie an over-night getaway with her sisters and me.  Can’t thank Allen and Julie enough for a fantastic trip.  How often does one get to share in such a special gift?  Here are a few pictures.  The weather was perfect and Barnsley’s is gorgeous.  Good weather, good food, good company, and a beautiful setting. THANK YOU, Julie and Allen! Happy 40th Birthday Julie.

 Leaving for Barnsley Gardens

Our manicures and pedicures

 

On our way to dinner at the Woodland Restaurant

........................My beautiful daughters..............................

Julie's 40th Birthday

               

                                   Our walks included these beautiful views plus many others.

The Barnsley Ruins

More give away winners!

Congratulations to the Kentucky Wildcats!  They are the champs.  We had three people guess they would win, so three Target gift cards are being sent to:

Sydney

Lisa

Joel

Congratulations to all the winners, and may your favorite team win next year.  (In case you missed it, Lisa won the grand prize from the give away drawing)

WINNER of the March Madness Give Away!!

Drum roll, please………………….and the winner is Lisa!  Here’s Lisa’s comment: 

“Actually that was Sydney who posted...But she knows basketball pretty well so I'll agree with her and say Kentucky.
Mom, the kids loved having you guys come to so many of their games. It's my favorite kid sport to watch too!” 

Congratulations to Lisa.  Your Papa John’s gift card will be delivered soon.  I decided to add a 2^nd part to this giveaway.  I will send out a small gift to anyone who guessed correctly the National Championship team.  For those who put down more than one team, the first team you listed is the one I will use. You’ll know if you win or not after Monday’s game, but I’ll list it here anyway.  Good luck!

March Madness

At our home, it’s been a little bit different kind of March Madness.  I know you’re thinking NCAA and NIT.  But I’m going to talk about the CLS. Yes, CLS = Cruze/Langford/Sexton.  During the month of March Russ and I found ourselves attending a bunch, a bunch of grandchildren basketball games.  Josh Cruze played in the Westside Y league---first year. Tanner Sexton played on the LDS team in the intra-church league, along with Carter and Jared Langford.  Then Sydney played in the Presbyterian basketball league.  Jared and Carter also played on a second team(s) in the Presbyterian league. And finally Allie played on the LDS team in the intra-church league.  Whew!  That’s a lot of games each week.  We could possibly go to a game on Tuesday night, Thursday night, and three games on Saturday.  Russ had some conflicts, but I would go without him, as this is my favorite sport to watch the grandchildren play. They all did great with Allie’s team winning the tournament, and the other teams doing almost as well in their league play.  Those games have come to an end, but it’s been a fun ride.  I wish I had taken more pictures, but I do have one of the oldest grandchild and youngest grandchild playing here in Knoxville.

Josh  is ready to play ball!

Attending Allie's basketball game







Now, in honor of our grandchildren’s stellar basketball season, I’m having a giveaway.  Do kids like anything better than pizza?  The winner of this giveaway will receive a gift certificate to Papa John’s Pizza.  However, if you win and don’t have a Papa John’s, then I’ll substitute a Domino’s, etc.— something equivalent. 

This contest ends on March 30, Friday, at 11 p.m. Eastern Time -- before the Final Four starts.  Leave a comment telling me who you think will win the NCAA. BTW, all children who played on a basketball team this winter are welcome to enter, too.