The advantage of needing a faucet repaired is

the repairman also cleans the inside of the cabinet.

Seth has his own agenda for the day.

He asks to go outside.

Not a good day to go outside, 

when the backyard (golf course) is on fire.

Seth is up to four spoons, if oatmeal is served.

Nolan LOVES coconut, chia granola.

We've had so much rain, 

one of our pine trees decided to lay down for a nap.

Grampa had to head to Home Depot for straps stakes to straighten the tree.

I think he needs Nolan's help to straighten his tangled mess.

The project needed more strength than Grampa's tools provided.

Another trip to Home Depot is on the horizon.

Fires and falling trees are no reason to be stuck inside.

Seth has happy hands.

And he has happy feet.

Getting a dancing lesson from Grampa.

Grampa and Nolan do their cooking from scratch.

Nolan is the sous chef.

Nolan's favorite book in our library is the German dictionary.

I have no idea why.

Seth is concerned he missed a meal and is getting too thin.

Seth also wonders what it is about the German dictionary that interests Nolan.

Seth thinks Auntie Becca's hat is adorable.

News from the California Gentlemen

We went to California to celebrate the boys' birthday.

We're thankful they can be such a big part of our life.

Distance doesn't exist between our hearts.

But California is far, and it takes a long time to get there.

I had my coffee before we left the house.

Apparently there are no bathrooms between our house and the airport.

I told Grampa I needed a restroom; repeatedly.

He was more concerned about finding the place we were to park the car.

When we finally got to Wally Park, 

he dropped me off in front of a building to use the restroom.

But I didn't have the code.

Thankfully, he was still waiting in the car.

We tried another building and were told we had arrived at the real Wally Building.

Their bathrooms are wonderful.

Nathan helped me with my pop flies.

We're off to see the boys play baseball.

I won't be playing in the game.

I am much better at catching pop flies,

but I haven't tested my batting average in awhile.

Peter Parker came to the boys birthday party.

He's a very nice guy,

and he loves spiders.

The boys are contemplating their wish.

It has to last a year.

Gramma helped the boys practice more than their piano.

Nathan would instruct me where he wanted me to toss the ball to.

When the ball went somewhere else, 

he thought I was confused about where he wanted it.

"Gramma, throw it to my right side.  I need to work on that.  And throw it higher."

"I was trying to throw it to your right side.  I'll try it again."

"You were?!"

The boys demonstrated how far they've come with their bike riding.

The training wheels are off.

Daddy's going to need his own wheels soon to keep up with them.

Easter in Chicago/Birthday in California

"Who's knocking at my door?"

How many balls and boys can a tent hold?

How do you take care of your little brother?

Put him somewhere safe.

Easter egg hunt time.

Seth's first Easter egg hunt.

Daddy helps Nolan crack his eggs.

Seth is not certain he has the concept down.

"Give me five," says the bunny.

This bunny has babysat Nolan.

Notice the color of Nolan's eggs...

and his shoes, and his pants, and his coat.

The day was complete with a ride on the fire truck.

We celebrated at Quartino's in Chicago.

We were surprised when our waiter came up and asked Rebecca,

"Are you Rebecca Goedken?"

When she said she was, he said, 

"the chef recognized you and will be sending out some drinks and desserts."

Cheers to Rebecca's friend - the chef!

News from the California Gentlemen

We went to Carmel to spend the day.

California is a very beautiful place.

Nathan and I love our bugs.

We took a tour of Stanford.

Perhaps the boys will be interested in attending someday.

Of course, a birthday means lots of presents.

Auntie Becca knows boys love Pok-e-man.

She had two brothers.

Piano practice is a daily activity.

The same as eating or brushing your teeth.

We all read a favorite book together.

It's a Spiderman birthday.

I hope my next won't be a spider vein birthday.

Nathan speeds down the slide much faster than I do.

I think I must try to slow myself down with my elbows.

It would explain the scabs there, after the first day.

Andrew lands safely at the bottom of the slide.

Can you imagine how bad this feels on your tailbone?

After this I had scabs on my elbows and bruises on my tailbone.

I think Grampa should build me one of these.

It would be easier on the elbows.

We came to look for sea lions.

We brought binoculars.

And we found the sea lions.

They were sun bathing.

This is God's painting.

How does a tree grow on the edge of cliff?

All by itself.

A couple more cute bugs.

A view of paradise.

We left all the bugs, except for this one.

This is a good luck bug.

Nathan is so observant, he can spot a ladybug while running.

After lunch we went to a wine tasting room in Carmel.

It was the highlight of the boys' day.

Another wine tasting room.

A perfect for the boys.

The highlight of my day was trying to figure out Nathan and Andrew's riddles.

I loved when Andrew told us we were Supery Dupery close (but not right).

He told the joke about the man going into the restaurant, and asking, 

"Do you serve crabs here?" 

We said the response was, "We serve everyone here."

But Andrew had the answer in black and white and it was,

"We serve anyone here."

Perhaps he should consider becoming an attorney.  

Or a judge.

But then, I know from experience an engineer thinks in black and white, too.

Now, I just need to put a couple of California bugs in my suitcase.

That way, I'll have plenty of jokes and riddles.

I will learn to play baseball better.

And the boys will be able to play the piano for me everyday.