Pre-Easter surprises--and not.

Just days before Easter, I found the most wonderful surprise in my mailbox: a package from Cara, Will, and Lincoln. (notice how cute those three bunnies are in the card) I was totally, totally surprised. What a sweet surprise and when I say "sweet" I do mean sweet. Cara sent some of her favorite Easter treats: Cadbury creme eggs, Cadbury mini eggs, and Starburst crazy beans. Thanks Dahlquists!

Easter Treats from the three Dahlquists

The next surprise was when the fertilizer man fertilized our front and back yard on the very day of our annual Easter Egg Hunt. What to do, what to do. Didn't really want to hide eggs in grass covered with fertilizer. Fortunately, Lisa said we could hold the hunt at her house, and it turned out very nice. Thanks, Sextons.

Traditional photo shoot required before the egg hunt

And they are off and running---------Our six granddaughters pose with baskets full of eggs

Now, a few things that were not a surprise: Sydney traded money for chocolate. She and Allie both came away happy. Allie and Carter found their own corner of the yard to sort out their candy and money.


Allie swaps chocolate for money----Carter and Allie sort out the goods

Just to make sure everyone had enough sugar I baked cookies with lemon frosting and sprinkles

The History of Swings---a pictorial

I remember the swing set that I grew up enjoying. When I had my first child my parents were determined that I should also have a swing set for my little ones, so they presented us with it as a Christmas gift in 1970. These were the metal type that usually had a glider included. Well our first swing set moved from Sunnyvale, to Walnut Creek, but when we traveled 2,000 across the country, the swing set stayed behind. But a new one was purchased soon enough, and Russ built a super fun fort. When we moved 2 miles, we didn’t bring the swing set, but we did bring the fort. Even before my first grandchild was born, I knew we needed to have swings again. After spending Grammy days with Trey (first-born grandchild) looking at swing sets, I knew we needed one in our back yard. I would take Trey and push him on the swings that were set out as floor samples. So I talked to my husband Russ and told him I knew we needed swings in our backyard. While at Lowe’s, I also found a nice slide that could come down out of the fort, a climbing rope, telescope, steering wheel (accessories for the fort), and yes, SWINGS!! Russ built an A-frame extension to the fort and hung four swings/bar/rings. As we went from one grandchild to many, the swings were in constant use. And actually, the swings were used by my own older children. (see pictures) As the number of grandchildren grew and grew, I realized, I needed more SWINGS. It took me about a year to convince Russ. Finally we bought more swings, and Russ once again, extended the A-frame, adding two more swings. I’m in heaven when I see six grandchildren all swinging at once, with the familiar squeak as they go back and forth, higher and higher. Take your time and enjoy the pictures as you review the “history of swings.” One picture was taken of a young man asking Russ permission to marry his daughter.

April 1954 - Richard, Kathy, & Sharlene backyard swing set in Provo, Utah

Summer of 1971 in Sunnyvale, CA --- Troy and Lisa enjoy swing set

Aug 1974 - Lisa and Troy husk corn by swing set ---- Walnut Creek----Feb 1974 - Julie & Lisa

July 1975 - Julie and Lisa swing on my old swing set in Provo--Sept 1976, in Walnut Creek, Joel enjoys glider

Summer 1981 - Brad and Lori in Walnut Creek

Spring of 1984 - Brad, Julie, and Lori look cool -- S. Monticello in Knoxville swing set

June 1997 - Trey and Allie on new swing set in backyard of Butternut Lane home



August 1997 - Lori and Scott, followed by Scott asking Russ permission to marry Lori--and of course this important discussion took place at the swings -- Butternut Lane Swing Set

July 2003 -Cousins Hayley, Dillon, and Mali from Washington visit the Langford and Sexton grandchildren

October 2003 - Grandpa with the Knoxville grandchildren

2008 June - Jared, Carter, Claire ---July - Lydia, Grandpa, Josh, Emma and Ben

Two more swings = a total of six - Connor takes his choice - Oct. 2008

October 2008 - Grandchildren

2008 Oct - Sydney leaps from swing

2010 May - Sydney pushes Afton in baby swing --- 2008 Dec - Grandpa pushes Andrew

2010 April - Grandchildren at play ---2010 July - Silas, Hale, and Koen visiting from Utah

2011 March - Emma flies as Lydia watches

Afton and Lydia are amazed as Emma walks down the slide - 2011 March

Spring Clean

I actually love spring cleaning. I love the feeling of everything starting over – just like the flowers and trees – a brand new, clean beginning. How’s your spring cleaning coming? I’ve just barely begun, but I’m excited to continue on with each project. My husband is less excited.

I washed all my husband’s sweaters and have them bagged and put away. I also noticed that some of them are over 10 years old and perhaps need to retire.

I cleaned out my medicine cabinet and found these pills dating back to 2001, but most were between 2004 and 2009. Tubes of this and that were thrown out, too.

HELP! This closet is begging me to please get started on it.

Spring give away WINNER!

Congratulations to Shahara—our winner. Your Spring bulbs will be sent to you this week. Thanks to everyone for naming your favorite spring flowers. I was surprised to see so many different “favorites.” They all make Spring perfectly beautiful!!

Our Daffodils after the storm.

Edit: I found this cartoon a few days after I posted the giveaway, and it just seemed to fit perfectly with my theme, so I'm sharing it now.

Spring is almost here give away

OK, it’s officially still winter, but tell that to my Daffodils! They’ve had just enough warmth to spring out of the ground and give me encouragement. Spring is just around the corner. To celebrate a new season (coming soon), the winner of this give away will receive a nice assortment of spring bulbs—a nice mix of Daffodils, Tulips and perhaps some Hyacinths. Some can actually be planted now and others may need to wait until fall. Make a comment and tell me your favorite spring flower. Give away ends Saturday, March 5th at midnight (EST).

These pictures were taken during a thunderstorm with a tornado warning.

Nothing is going to stop Spring from arriving.

The gift of self

OK, this is the last post about the year of turning 64. I made a very mild request to my son-in-law, Allen, to sing the Beatles' song "When I'm 64" to me for my birthday. But that's kind of a big request, especially since Allen wasn't familiar with the song and I honestly didn't expect it to happen. So when we were all gathered and after opening gifts, I was totally surprised to see Allen bring out his guitar from the closet and sing "When I'm 64." All my sons-in-law are great! But I just wanted to say thank you on my blog for this gift of self from Allen to me.

I took this picture to remember the event:

:

He still loves me..........

A week later and he still loves me. Hope everyone had a very Happy Valentine's Day!