Sunday, June 20, 2021

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.  





28 comments:

  1. It's wonderful to be able to have family gatherings again!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy Birthday Samuel, and I compliment you on your flavour choices! Delicious. Graduations have had to be inventive, and thank goodness it didn't rain. They're now calling for an Autumn top up vaccine. Stay safe, my friend. Deb xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deb, we so enjoyed being with family for happy times together. We're still trying to convince those that can get the vaccine to get it! Happy days to you, my friend. xoxo

      Delete
  3. I am thrilled for you that you were able to get together with family for these celebrations.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am so happy for your joyous occasions! I know it was wonderful to have your daughter and son-in-law visit for celebrations (Happy birthday to your Samuel!) and also for simpler time spent together like your daily walks. Time together is golden.

    Congratulations to all of you on the happy occasion of Alex's graduation! Aren't graduations bittersweet?

    Happy summer, Martha Ellen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheryl, looking for joy is not really too hard considering my many blessings. My focus is to do just that. I know you understand the issues of family living a distance. You are so right, time is golden together. Thank you for the birthday wishes to Samuel and congratulations to Alex. Bittersweet and joyous go hand in hand for me as time passes so quickly with the grands.
      Happy summer to you as well, friend!

      Delete
  5. How fun to have family together and be able to enjoy wonderful celebrations face to face again. Joyous times, indeed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Family times are the best, aren't they, Jeanie? There is nothing like in person celebrations!

      Delete
  6. Happy Birthday to Samuel and congratulations to Alex on his graduation! It's wonderful that your family all got together recently, Martha Ellen. These are special times together for sure. Yes, this younger generation can do all kinds of small chores for their Mamas and Grandmas. My son takes my garbage out and to the curb every week, and I'm so thankful for that. Chocolate cake, Yummy! The daily walks after breakfast sounds really nice. Great family photos, and you look young in your hat, Martha Ellen. : )

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the wishes to Samuel and Alex, Sheri! Samuel is always willing to help his grandparents and we are so thankful! Just this afternoon he helped Grayden install our new dryer. The door opened the wrong way and it had to be hard wired and leveled and he did most of it! That hat was greatly needed as we sat in the sun watching the graduation. Happy summer to you, my friend.

      Delete
  7. A lovely post, I enjoyed your family news and photographs.
    Happy birthday to Samuel and congratulations to Alex.
    Don't the years fly past!
    Here in the UK with the vaccine programme doing very well, our Covid restrictions have eased a little and we have been able to see some of our family in the flesh and not over the internet ... so welcome :)

    Enjoy the remainder of June.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan, it's just the best to be able to visit again, isn't it? Thank you for the wishes for Samuel and Alex. Like you say, I can't believe how fast the years fly! I'm so glad you can visit with your family. Over Zoom or Skype is really not the same. Enjoy your summer days!

      Delete
  8. We are very grateful for vaccinations, Martha Ellen! These were very special occasions that you were able to share with the family! Congratulations and happy birthday wishes are in order!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grateful, indeed, Nellie! Thank you for the wishes to my grandsons.

      Delete
  9. Happy birthday to Samuel. How wonderful that he mows your lawn! Congratulations to the graduate, too. It is good to be together for celebrations like these and for everyday life, too. Glad you could be at the graduation and have a nice visit from family, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Family times are just the best, Ellen. We're so looking forward to many more this summer! Thank you for the wishes to my grands!

      Delete

  10. great post!Like your blog, thank you for sharing.
    (づ ̄3 ̄)づ╭❤~
    best lace front wigs
    These contents have greatly helped me.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you for sharing these wonderful celebrations Martha Ellen, you have a very sweet family.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Happy Birthday to Samuel. Chocolate cake and mint ice cream sounds so good to me. I love both. Nice family graduation picture. All have such nice smiles. Certainly is more than beach weather now, I am thinking Emerald Isle, will have to see.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Betsy. Our family is big on chocolate! Emerald Isle sounds great to me!

      Delete
  13. That was an unusual venue for graduation wasn’t it! At least they had one, vs. last year where many were cancelled. Great family photos. I know what you mean, when I have family around it doesn’ t occur to me to take pictures, I’m just in the moment!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. None of us was happy that Alex's graduation was at the Raceway, Liz! But it turned out nicely. I found myself emotional, but that's not unusual for me! I always say I'm going to take photos and always don't! In the moment is important.

      Delete
  14. So many happy moments! We won't take family time for granted again.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete

Your comments will show after moderation. Thank you. ♥