lately

i've been on a blogging hiatus most of this calendar year with the exception of a few posts.  i didn't really start out with the intention of taking a break.  it just happened.  lots of things on my mind and some of which didn't need to be shared.   why is it life goes by so fast?  while i was figuring out "life" lots of fun things  happened.  this is just a little brief catch-up for journaling purposes.  there's exciting new things coming up that i'm really looking forward to.

in march i was able to plan a visit with illinois grands

i was able to catch one of makenzie's performances

got to help with a craft party for makenzie and her friends

we rode lots of mall rides

painted 

and had special "windshield" time with brody while makenzie was in school

it snowed for the second time in a row on my visits there

makenzie making princess pancakes

it was a great visit

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we got rid of mike's beloved convertible for a more practical gas savor

not sure that was such an exciting event for him

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we lost a dear family friend

we miss you Mrs. LeBreton

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firsts

makenzie began reading chapter books

brody potty trained

taylor had her first trip to a gun range

and dylan and I have had lots of chuck e cheese time

(this doesn't exactly fit in the "firsts" category)

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easter 2013

easter breakfast

my easter gift from mike.  it's from pottery barn kids but i believe it sold out.

love it.

my easter cake

orange bars and easter bark

this little guy is a easter hunting expert

we missed out illinois bunnies

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my birthday 2013

melissa gave me such a wonderful birthday party this year

ribs, baked potato and corn

delicious

and i loved my decorations and crown

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taylor got her license

i can't believe a have a granddaughter with a driver's license

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makenzie and her friend reagan won their first dance duet competition

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i was able to watch my great nieces and nephews 2 different days in may

it was lots of fun

love them to pieces

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brody turned 3

he and makenzie had an illinois birthday party together for extended family

cowboy and cowgirl

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Brody made the newspaper in his hometown bike parade

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we had our second gno sleepover at my house

this time we did watercolors

i didn't put my picture in because, well it was terrible and

yes i AM that vain.

love our gno sleepovers

our next one is planned for january 2014

theme

downton abbey season 4 premier 

fun

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this is just because he's so darned cute

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dylan and I made a summer fun list 2013

our first thing off the list was to do a painting craft

just in time for the 4th

and finally

i have a new granddoggie

makenzie and brody's puppy, lola

well that about covers the important points of the last several months

except mike and i have been on a health overhaul this last two months

we are eating mostly whole foods and exercising daily

so far i've lost 37 pounds

hurray!!!

i have lots more to go but i'm proud of both of us

we're not calling it a diet

just becoming healthy

being thankful in all things:

920.  our health

921.  the daily rain we seem to be getting

923.  my morning walks seeing our sunrises in florida

924.  my evening swims seeing our sunsets in florida

925.  christmas in july weekend with dylan and taylor

(on separate nights of course)

926.  feeling energetic again

927.  all the birds chirping on my walks

928.  cool evening bike rides

929.  the smiles mike gets when he plays with his trains 

930.  gno tonight

931.  watermelon ice cream

932.  fireworks at disney world on the fourth of July

933.  prayer and devotion time on my walks