family

Yes, family. All of it. Younger, from Chicago, slightly older from this neck of the woods. Wonderful daughters, husbands, kids. Together here, for the first time this year. Celebrating, playing, eating, walking, running, joyous -- all of it.

I have little time to think about it, let alone to write about it. Let's stay with photos. They speak volumes.

1. Morning walk. Finally dry out there. But cool!

 

 

 2. First iris of the year.

 

 

3. Tulips, hanging in there!

 

 

 4. Breakfast, with spring flowers. Ed sleeps. Me, I'm in a hurry to go downtown to the farmers market.

 

 

 5. For more flowers from my favorite vendor...

 

 

 6. But mainly to meet up with these guys!

 

 

 7. My most awesome five.

 

 

 8. They all wanted lemonade. I'm not sure the younger two loved it.

 

 

 9. A time of play. Many games. Running, tagging, climbing.

 

 

 10. From there, to the Arboretum -- where the lilacs are blooming!

11. So much energy!

12. Keeping up with the big ones is not easy. They slow down for Sandpiper. Sometimes. (The very youngest one, Juniper, is napping.)

 

 

 13. In order, by age.

 

The big kids, joined now by Juniper, come to the farmhouse. No photos from there! I was busy chatting to the Chicago parents!

Of course, one could say that the important event was the dinner -- officially the family dinner celebrating my birthday.

14. Lucky break: a young woman at another table actually knew how to work my camera. To her I owe this wonderful group shot.

15. A group hug to grandpa Ed who was our official dinner host.

16. We walk over to an ice cream shop. It's close to 8 and yet the light is still with us.

17. Final moments together. Over ice cream.

I have to say, despite the cool weather, despite anything and everything, because of all that these people bring to my life, it was an incredibly wonderful day. Every single minute of it!

With so much love!