Special Times With Mom

We went to Chicago to visit my mom, and of course, my daughter, last week.  My daughter had to fly out a couple of days after I arrived.  She won an award at work for a free trip to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.  The rest of my time was spent driving to the suburbs to see mom, and the only other thing we did the whole week was see the movie, War Horse.  What an awesome movie! We will do more things in Chicago next time around, but this time our focus was mom since it is her birthday week.  In fact, today is her birthday.  Happy Birthday, Mom!

A Loving Tribute To My Mom


In my mom's hands, I see all of the hard work that ...she has done for me. I see the caring they've provided for my benefit down through the years. In my mom's eyes, I sense a gentle understanding of my ways, and also a longing to sometimes help me see some better ways of living. In my mom's arms, I've found comfort from the world so many times, from fears, hurts, and everything that troubles me. I know that if anything happens to bother me now, those arms are always open just for me. In my mom's face, I see the hopes for me that are plainly written there; often, a sense of pride is revealed, too. But in my mom's heart is the greatest gift of all, for that is where so much love is kept for me. ~ Barbara J. Hall

I love my mom so very much.  Here's some pictures of our visit...

Elmo Birthday Party

I recently went to California to celebrate my grandson's 2nd birthday.  It had been a few months since I've seen my son and his family and it was a long anticipated trip.  When my daughter-in-law picked me up at the airport, my grandson was looking at me from the back seat of the car and said, "Nana".  It sure made me smile. :)  I got in the car and gave him a big hug and a kiss, and a present, and couldn't take my eyes off him the whole way home.

Here is my grandson watching Elmo on his daddy's phone. 

I was there to see my grandson get his first haircut.  Needless to say, it was not a pleasant experience for him! 

After the haircut, we went out for dinner and my grandson got to ride the train at the mall.

My son's a video game producer and one day soon, his son will be playing this game with him. We went to my son's work one day and my grandson loves to ride the elevator when he gets there.  As soon as he stepped off the elevator he started calling...daddy...daddy...daddy!  He got everyone's attention as they looked out of their offices and said 'Hi' to him.  Every corner he turned and down every hall, he called for his daddy. It was so cute.  My son said he heard him as soon as we got off the elevator.  

Party time!  You should have seen his face when my daughter-in-law came home with the Elmo birthday cake and balloons.  He was bursting with excitement!

He loves Elmo!

I love this little guy!  He's such a happy, good-natured little boy. 

We went for a hike up Mt. Burdell.  There were some incredible views up there.

Can't wait til the next time!