Happy Birthday Princess B-Bop

I think tonight of my special niece B-Bop...oh Bethany another birthday...and I smile thinking of last year and being a new bride with your hubby so far away...and now he is home to you.   I do a picture show in my mind of memories of you...my youngest memory could be you sitting on my dad as he lay in the hospital...and I smile that he got to hold you.    I picture a little one who could wear a headband like no other...I mean how many can wear it for their bathing suit!    I think of you growing and those squishy little chubby cheeks and that precious little smile...

I love that you have always laughed at my jokes...even if it sometimes was a courtesy laugh.   I sit here thinking how I miss you and would love one of those B-Bop hugs!     I think of my brother and his bride and how he adores this little princess...who has grown up so beautifully!   

I stop and watch the slides from your wedding...and what a cute couple...I look for some of my later pics...and come across this one...a couple princesses...I love how you relate to little ones and how they love you...some little guys...way too much!!!

Some big guys too...

So blessed to have you in my life and in the things I give thanks for today...Bethany...you are right up there!    Happy Birthday my niece and know how very much I love you and miss you!

God bless you and keep you today and always...I think it is about time we get together!

lyap

LISTS to check

And though we got to see the girls on Valentine's Day...one little Firecracker and her mom had a "list" for Oppy.    A blind to hang and then some other Firecracker lists as well.    When I had asked if they were busy...that Oppy was thinking of coming up and working on his list.   To which she wanted to know if Oppy was going to clean her room for  her.

We headed north and on the way the shepherd had on Dolores on the local station who comes in the radio station and plays old time gospel music.  This day she chose Tennessee Ernie Ford and Elvis...Tim says she usually just picks two and alternates.    We heard many old time gospels and many triggered memories...I thought of Joe Roberson who could fill up the little Hanover church and Tim said he remembered Doc Clark...funny how many remember certain individuals that just had that voice.  We talk of songs played at his Grandma and Grandpa Pfeiff's funerals...the triggers that music sets off...and the feeling of some of those old hymns that just touch you deep.   And the station seemed to carry much further than usual as we traveled  up Highway 71...and I catch a few pics on the way.   I love to see how pics come out while in motion...
 

Almost seems like one might just fall off of this!



But never fear...Punkin Center is what is on the other side...

 

Love this tree on Middle Rush Creek...I have many shots of it...the shepherd even slows down for me!

 

And the shepherd enjoyed this view...

 

As we finally lose the radio station and so I flick the station as we are getting nearer to Limon...and Luke Bryan begins singing..."Funny how the good ones go... Too soon, but the good Lord knows... The reasons why, I guess".    My mind goes back not so long ago...of days of going up and hanging out and though times with the girls...knew that if he wasn't home...the cop on duty would be stopping by.   But the song ends and as we make it to our destination we are greeted by one little Firecracker...ready to head for church with Grammy and Grandad!

And I catch a pic of her and Grandad crossing Lake Isabel as they call it! 

 This seems to collect a lot of  this wonderful liquid that seems to come from the melting of the snow and ice and so we spent more time later...getting Lake Isabel drained...even if Izzy's mom said her and I were a "cluster" in working on our project!

However, we catch a lunch break with Grammy and Grandad...Oppy and I...and Firecracker and her mama.   We take in Southside and have a fun time hanging out...Izzy getting to sip on her Sprite with plenty of cherries in it...a big plate of cheese sticks so she can share with everyone...and as we are about to leave the Bandy's come in and stop by and see who Izzy will talk to first...sorry Ted.   However, she did finally turn Ted into a frog before she left...she might be a tease!  While there I catch a few pics of Izzy and her mom...and I think how this girl wollers her mom!   Hmmm is woller a word?

And another of telling secrets...oh the secrets they probably tell!!!

And upon returning home...after a little shopping at the local Alco...Firecracker is prepared to help Oppy get some work done!    And so she puts on her work shoes!!!


After all, she is helping Oppy get his list checked off and she makes the sacrifice of  letting her work in her bedroom hold off.   But you know...Oppy has power tools...but then she helps out with her own little light shining!

 

And this is not the only tool that she knows how to use...she kept working on getting the wheels on the new shop vac.    Oppy asked if she needed help to which she told him no.  He finally asked did you get it to which she had...and he said I had no doubts...you are like someone who would not let it get the best of her!

And after these jobs were all complete...off to help Ahma clear Lake Isabel...and then help her mom move some snow...and so the shoes changed yet again...she loves these purple boots!!!

 

And so I probably get carried away taking pics BUT I was just trying to pick out some of my favorites and capture our day...and just so happens it was one of those days that just was FULL!   I capture a pic of Oppy and Izzy hanging a cork board for her...she ran and got the right stool so she could help.   This is fun watching because Oppy is one of those that would rather just do himself...but I love how one little Firecracker doesn't really accept that...and so even if it takes twice as long...they do it together...

 



And so I didn't get pictures of playing games or eating pizza...but Oppy did get most of his list checked off and though not SUPER DUPER...still got one little Firecracker's room picked up...and so on that note...I stop and give thanks for a great day and am so thankful for time spent with my girls...

The End!

 

lya

Frozen...

And last night we got to take in the movie Frozen with my favorite Firecracker and her mama and Firecracker's other grandparents.    I loved the movie...though one of those that makes you think.  It had a good story and makes one think deeper of what happens if we let our hearts be frozen.   I loved that one little Firecracker laughed out loud several times...the snowman was quite funny!   Izzy had told Oppy before the movie started that he needed to watch for the part where the snowman lost his head.

We took in Taco Bell before the show so that we wouldn't be late...and then afterwards ice cream...was such a fun night!   I appreciate that my daughter humors me and lets me choose to do some things that seem like a great idea...even though she did warn me that finding places to eat might be iffy but as a note...Taco Bell wasn't that busy!...

An exchange of Valentine's was made at Culver's and I snuck some shots of one Izzy while eating my raspberry ice cream.    But this one could be my favorite...and so with that I post my favorite pic and sign out for the night!    May your hearts stay thawed as well as other parts!  lyp

a sweet Valentine wearing her "hippy" outfit...so cute and Valentiney...

Smiling...

I had posted this morning on facebook with today's forecast that accompanied bare feet with smiley faces painted on all of the toes...

Forecast....Here's a TOEst plenty of smiles on the horizon...see how many you can find!!! And if you don't find one...Give them one of yours!!!

I had to head out early as I had to be in Colorado Springs for a meeting at 8:00 a.m.    And I realized why I appreciate living where we do...as it took longer to find parking and find the meeting than it almost took to get from Pueblo to Springs...but a good meeting and everyone seemed to have smiles...I thought of the toes...well a few accountants...might have not...NO I think they all did!!   It is entertaining to watch engineers and accountants in the same meeting...

After the meeting I headed off to go visit my Aunt Arlis...I knew the vicinity but called my cousin Kim for better directions...and the nerve she was WORKING and couldn't answer...so called up Arlis' sister Patsy...who gives my kind of directions...informing me I had indeed passed the place I was supposed to turn but got me going in the right direction after a nice little visit.   Again laughter!

I then was getting closer and thought I would just call where Aunt Arlis was and get directions...both of the people I talked to though the first one said can you put it on your gps...and I realized I am behind the times...but both friendly...I got there and had a great visit with Aunt Arlis...and laughter...of course I did bring chocolate!    But they were playing music and she spoke of dancing and I told the others there that she and my uncle Glen...were great dancers....I loved watching them waltz!    I saw a woman there kiss her husband goodbye...knowing he might not know who she was...but yet...just knowing you have someone kissing you on the forehead...it makes a heart hurt thinking our loved ones might not know us...but still with many sad stories...again...many smiles.  I was impressed of how joyful the women working there were...

I then called ahead for some Fargo's and stopped by to pick it up as Kim wasn't going to be able to do lunch...so I got a salad and stole some pizza for lunch...with enough for supper...and remembered days gone by...looking across the street and seeing where Lynn's OK Tire store was...of the nights hanging out after the stock car races...I could almost smell the rubber of the tire store...when about that time...I heard an engine revving at the shop across the way...and I thought I was almost there!   In at Fargo's it seemed that the people went above and beyond and more smiles!

I then went to do some shopping and had positive experiences in each of them...and thinking how lucky...blessed...I had been I had one more stop...the post office...okay this might be the clincher...BUT NO...three guys working that just made you laugh...they were enjoying their job and I noticed that it was contagious.    He asked this woman how she was and she had a fine and you....and he told her amazing.   It caught her off guard and she said that is a good answer!    Another woman was having trouble with her check going through...but just the interaction with the one taking care of it...seemed to remove the hostility usually involved in such incidences...and it just hit me how their attitudes seemed to rub off on all that were around them...

Was just one of those days and as I headed home I looked at an amazing sunset in my rear view window...so no everyday isn't like that...but today was and so I am thankful!     I hope you all had days of smiles!   Of course we had sunshine and mud...now that's gotta make you smile!!!

lyp

 

Happy Birthday Nephew Boy..

I still remember him a little cocky cowboy who would come and stay summer's with us...I remember when we first married and he and his brother, Tate, came to stay with us in the little house on Lane 8...His belt buckle bigger than him...telling his brother...you stay in here with Aunt Penny and do the women's work while me and Uncle Tim go do the men's work...he didn't know that statement would come back to haunt him one day...

Brian though I am not saying how old he is today...came and stayed with us one summer and he ended up living with us for awhile...Looking back...we weren't a whole lot older than he...WELL maybe ALOT BRIAN...yeah that's it!

So many things we went through...junior high...train wrecks...you and Tate just being brothers...saying goodbye to such a special brother Lucas...but we had some special memories...and now I see you a grown man...doing well in his career...loving his mama...and checking in on his old aunt and uncle from time to time...

I won't say how old...but may God bless you and keep you for many more decades...Love you Nephew Boy and Happy Birthday!

I found this pic...and loved seeing you three boys together...even if you were a styling guy...many memories...I do have a close-up...but preferred to put up the brothers!   lyap

Taste testing...

Many of you know I love taking pictures...and so when I get a chance to be around some amazing subjects...I love it all the more.   I like to just try and not bring much attention that pretty soon people are used to having me walking around with a camera and hopefully will be comfortable with the camera and then can capture snap shots of them in their natural habitat!   And so the other night...I had the experience to bring my camera and take in some of the taste testing for a special couple's upcoming wedding!   And so I put in a video for the music to play while you look at some of the pics...might have to just make a video of this sometime...

Kasey Jo and Kerry...such a cute couple...

I might just get a tad carried away snapping those Van Dyke boys....but they are so cute...okay even the big one ;)   (Even if he makes comments about how many pictures I take!)  I loved catching them when they didn't even know when caught...but also even when I did get caught...Nothing like a daddy or mama showing their little ones how special they are!

 

Okay like I said...a little carried away because there were other targets there too...

But then there are moments that just make your heart smile...knowing that these are memories that will be cherished for years and years to come...family...friends...these are things to cherish...

 

I love all of these...but am a little partial to Gramma pics...and friends pics...and kids pics...but I think that is one of my favorite things of pictures...is that you capture those memories...and anytime...anywhere you are...you can pull them out and you are taken back to that special place in time!     And can't wait to see the winning recipes...I hope the white sauce makes the cut!!

 

 

lyp