ISABELLA'S SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY

ISABELL'

happy birthday dear and beautiful isabella.  sweet sixteen, my how the years drift bye. we celebrated at her home on the 18th of june.  actually, her special day was june 7, but due to her parents anniversary trip to glacier national park it was moved back.

this cake was both beautiful and mouth watering. the food that ann prepared was especially tasty as she always provides on special occasions. bella opening gifts brought on OOOH's and AAAH's, especially the heirloom earrings of her great, great grandmother foster.

i made this composite of pictures of isabella through her years birth to now. being bathed in the kitchen sink, began walking, growing up with cousins, uncles, family vacations, and those special trips with her dad camping. her volleyball junior and high school years where she now has become an excellent student  with top grades.  oh, did i mentioned ...... SHE HAS A DRIVER'S LICENSE. 

enjoying food and fellowship in family back yard.  this home was built in 1931 by my grandfather located only about 500 feet from lake erie where enjoyed many years of swimming and sports at the park. joel and ann have maintained this home in excellent condition. relatives, friends and neighbors  had a great time celebrating isabella's 16th birthday

speaking of dad's and uncle's david (in center ) and wesley broke away from kids camp to be at the party. thats bella's dad joel on the left.  aren't they a good looking trio. filling out the brother clan is joshua who just moved to colorado with a new job and home. thats it for now what a day!!!!!

Butterfly farm and a quick visit

sweet, loveable grandaughters I don't see often, but I like to send special things so they will remember me.

we visited the butterfly farm at put-in-bay last week and took these two pictures and sent then to the girls writing information on the back . just like a post card

this one is called the owl butterfly.  can you guess why? I suggested the girls get info and pictures of as many butterflys  and make color drawings.  they love to draw.

josh and stacey came this weekend for staceys twentieth high school reunion.  It was great to have them for a few days.

Retiring in Amish Country

Life is sweet and a little slower here in Holmes County. Children enjoy the simple things in life.

Worship is very important in the Amish ways. Their meeting time in the morning followed by fellowship around dinner together. All the kids come together for a special playtime in the afternoon. It's an all day togetherness.

Here are granddaughters Isabella (16), Lauren(9) and Hannah(11). 

They are a joy and a sparkle in my life. 

Joel, Josh, Wesley and David. We enjoy the visits now that are living all around the country. 

It is so lovely here. The covered bridges are handcrafted uniquely in their special ways. Amish men have a way of building barns in a few days by working all together.

Here is the love of my life and best friend. 

Sylvia inspires me in more ways that I can say. She always points me in the right direction.

And always knows where I am.