last monday

Last Monday it was so incredibly, miserably hot, like melting, can't catch your breath hot.  These kids came for the day and were  quite happy to see each other.  

Here they are playing on tablets in that room that was so scary the night before that the little ones called their mother crying.

So scary.

Lunch!

This poor dog spent most of the day at the bottom of the stairs to the office, trying to cool herself on the cement floor.  We have some air conditioning in the house, but not central air, just window or portable ones, and on a day this hot, it's not great.

Although it was probably a full fifteen degrees cooler inside than outside.

The girls agreed to walk to the park, brought Barbie dolls along and also water.   The Barbies went on the swings, and we sat in the shade and brushed their hair.

This field of clover smelled like everything I remember about summer, made me miss my grandparents.

When we got back, they returned to continue working on their made up as you go movie, which keeps them busy for hours.  Also the ice creams are in the freezer nearby.

This gang of littles is flying through my arms as fast as my own kids did.   They're tall and strong, astute and hilarious, full of big ideas.  Glad they're still little enough to spend a summer day partying at Grandma's.

I love you guys, Grandma
 

wedding shower

Thursday evening was Maria's wedding shower. It was an understated occasion, good food and easy company.

Those were the only two photos I managed to take.

Someone else took this one of my girls all in a row:

It was a perfect evening, and so looking forward to the wedding in a few weeks.

Maria?  We love you incredibly much, MOM
 

a small thing

So my Outlook program went into an error a month ago, quit working.  There were many error messages advising many things, none of which would work, brought it all back in a circle.

There's no longer support for Outlook 2007.

I had to use the xfinity website associated with the email address, and that worked fine, though it wasn't Outlook, it provided continuity and I was getting used to it.

I tried at least a dozen times to force my Outlook into an incorrect shut off so it would do an errors scan, but it never did.

Oh, well.

Today I approved some random computer update and it happened.  Outlook had to re-open in safe mode.

I didn't realize at first, barely glanced at it, and then saw it was loading 516 email of 1005. The date was today's date.

MIRACLE!!!

Small thing, but I texted Dan anyway because he's the one I cry to when my technology is goofed up.

He said all the right, happy things.

Good night.  Love, Val

the final adult--julia is eighteen

Today was the official birthday day.

Last weekend celebrated at the lake:

Tonight we went out for dinner.

Dannell sent this picture of Julia and John from last weekend--the oldest and the youngest, and now we have no more children, only adults:

Julia I hope this year is fantastic, the last year of high school and the beginning of the next chapter of your life.

You make everything complete and we could not love you more.

Happy Birthday, love forever, Mom and  Dad and Everybody

happy birthday, dalton!

Here's a pic from Saturday  night, coaxing you to let us sing Happy Birthday to you.

You're a patient man and a good sport.

And in about one month is the wedding!

More Maria and Dalton:

Happy Birthday, Buddy.

We are so happy to have you in the family, 

Love, Val and Jay and Every body

more birthday weekend

Okay, this was a challenge taken:

Son in law in front, Future son in law in the middle, Grandson in the back, two sons, one on each side:

Yeah.

Volleyball with no net:

Joe mentioned this to me--one red flower behind the fish house.  I asked him, "Bee balm?"  He said he thought so.

Just one.

Lovely July

Love, Val