Joyous Days

 The late spring days have brought many joyous times to us.  In late May we had a lovely visit with our daughter and son-in law.  Their son lives with us and is pure joy.  Believe me, he is a great help to his grandparents and has taken on the duty of mowing our lawn.  Hey, we'll take all the help we can get!  Samuel's 26th birthday was celebrated while his parents came for a visit.  When family is visiting I never seem to remember to take photos!

Chocolate cake and chocolate chip mint ice cream was requested by Samuel for his birthday.  No one was sad about that request!

We enjoyed several days with Noel and Peter.  They share our love of daily walks and joined us each morning after breakfast.  It was so good to visit with them.  All of our family is completely vaccinated and that makes this Mama and Grandmother very happy.  

During this week, we attended the graduation of our middle grandson, Alex.  Their graduation was held outdoors at a very unusual venue--Richmond International Raceway!  

 With 408 graduates, there was plenty of room.  

 Though difficult looking through a fence, we watched with pride as Alex received his diploma.

Goodness, it seems like yesterday we attended Grady's graduation.  Here is Alex, Grady and Miles.  Miles will be a junior next year.   

After the ceremony, we all went out for dinner.  After this past year of separation,  we were so glad to spend more time with our family.  

Busy Days

Our daughter and son-in-law came for a few days to celebrate their son's birthday.  As I've mentioned before, they live in New England, so we are thrilled when they come for a visit.  Although the weather was less than perfect while they were here, we had sunny moments together. 

I picked several bouquets of peonies (Sarah Bernhardt) during our days of rain.  They were being beaten to the ground and I just couldn't take that!

The Nellie Moser Clematis is starting to bloom happily on our mailbox.  Flowers truly love the rain that falls from the heavens and we received over 4 inches last week.  

George Washington's Boyhood Home has recently opened for inside tours.  As I've mentioned HERE The Washington's lived in our county in what was called the Home Farm.  The foundation was discovered by archaeologists and a reproduction house has been built over the foundation.  We wanted to go inside and have a look at this home that George Washington lived from the age of six to twenty-one.  So while Noel and Peter were here it was the perfect time to go have a look.

The home was recreated using the same manner of building from the 1700's.  I must say we were quite happy with what we saw.

The Foundation is acquiring appropriate furnishings to the era and what was left on the inventory list of the Washington's.  

  
Some pieces are being made by Colonial Williamsburg craftsmen.

This replica of Mary Washington's desk is a beauty!  George's mother was widowed when George was eleven years old and then managed a 600 acre farm!

Everything is hands on at the home!  You can sit on the chairs or pick up any item and explore how it's made.  

We all enjoyed checking out the progress at George Washington's Home Farm, later known as Ferry Farm.

Back home we shared cake and ice cream.

I made the cake and Peter decorated it for his son.

The Virginia Renaissance Faire was attended by these folks, while Boo and Bear stayed home and propped our feet up.

Samuel's Birthday

Samuel's parent's came for a visit to celebrate his birthday.  Whenever our daughter comes for a visit we like to go to places that she and her husband enjoy.  All of us enjoy Colonial Williamsburg so we decided one of the days they were here we would drive down to one of our favorites.

After having a wonderful lunch at the Old Chickahominy House we decided to take a stroll down the Duke of Gloucester Street.  This was the first long walk I have taken since having a flare up of arthritis in my knee.  I mentioned to Noel, Peter, and Samuel to just go ahead as fast as they want and Grayden and I took our time enjoying the gardens.

As many times as I have visited Colonial Williamsburg, I have never encountered a pig on the Duke of Gloucester Street!

His owner was letting him eat the grass.  He seemed perfectly happy with visitors petting him. 

We passed Bruton Parish Church on our way down the street to view a favorite garden.

It was a warm, but beautiful afternoon.  There were many tourists enjoying themselves.

Passing by this boxwood garden reminds me of how lovely and formal this garden looks.

At this garden you can buy plants and flowers and books and all the items you need for your colonial garden.

All the bee skeps in this garden look lovely as well as help the bees have a home to pollinate the flowers and nearby vegetables.

It was tempting that day to want to take a carriage ride.

Johnny Jump Ups

Walking along we found a nice shady spot to wait for our family to return and join us.

Soon they too wanted to take a break in the shade.

Samuel and Peter hold themselves the same and I always get a kick out of seeing that!

On Monday we celebrated Samuel's birthday with dinner out and cake and ice cream.  Then his parents had to fly back home.

Peter decorated his cake.  Do you know the symbol on his cake and his t-shirt?