Rain, Rain, Go Away

Actually today is sunny and beautiful; but this week we have had days of record rainfall.  We had mid-west type thunderstorms in a typically dry climate.  The rain woke us up in the night and drew us to the windows during the day.  Since most of the rain we get is light and spread out over longer periods of time this was a newsworthy event.

 Here are a few photos from a midday storm on Wednesday. 

  Our street was flooded, up over the sidewalks.  Two hours later the street was dry.

 




at this point there were
dark clouds, sunshine,
rain and hail....all at once

 

rain pouring 

over the gutters

rain and hail mixed

looking out the
front door, happy
that I didn't have to

go anywhere that day

Easter Sunday

We had a great time with our kids Sunday afternoon.  Kevin and Shannon prepared a wonderful southern dinner.  We had pulled pork, collard greens, cornbread, fired dill pickles and red velvet cake.  Sarah joined us, but Charlie had to work. 

Mike & Kevin frying pickles

Oh yeah, we also had a delicious tomato and
cucumber salad (and fried chicken for Sarah)

 the girls, comparing
baby bumps

and just hanging out

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Mini quilt for baby boy #2.  This one is made from his daddy's neckties with fleece on the back.  And the little (detachable) boat goes along with their nautical explorer theme for his room.

Almond Tree

As promised; our almond tree, bursting with almonds!

 Unfortunately they are very difficult to harvest & process by hand.

I sure do wish my allergies didn't prevent me from enjoying our yard more.   Being outside for even a little while this time of year caused my eyes to become watery, itchy, painful...in spite of several allergy meds.  Not to mention asthma.  (es no bueno)

Cherry Blossoms

  

Our Cherry Tree is in full bloom.  We are hoping for a bumper crop this year. 
They are sooooo good!!

(The almond tree is well past blooming and loaded with almonds, photos to come.)

A Baby Boy Is On The Way - Part 2

Our two 'soon to be daddies'
Kevin - 3 years, Charlie - 8 months

YES!! (fist pump) The results are in - two little boys will be joining our family this year!  The first in late May or early June; the second is due in early September (for more you can check out Betty Lives a Little). 

We couldn't be happier, and we're looking forward
to having more like these two around here. 
God is good!! Life is great! 

 

Blossoms, Bursting and Fading

Spring is teasing us.  We have had some beautiful weather and some flowers have already come and gone; now we are having wintery weather again.  Here are a few photos from the yard this week.

It is the he end for some...

The last two blossoms on the camellia bush and the fate of the earlier ones.



     
 

 (you can see the bush in the last post, just one
week earlier).

 

 

...and just the beginning for others:

  Some new blooms and leaf buds on the hydrangea.

 

Baby #2

We are so happy (excited, ecstatic, overjoyed) to announce that not only will our very first grand-baby be arriving soon, but that he will have a cousin, arriving in September!!

Congratulations to Kevin & Shannon who have just celebrated month 3 of this exciting adventure.