The Magical Birthday Tour!

In case you are wondering what I have been doing all year instead of updating my blog. Lloyd and I have been traveling to places foreign and domestic: Mediterranean Cruise, Rhine River Cruise, Mexico, Egypt, Israel, and Paris -- Yellowstone, Washington, Utah and Nevada. It is overwhelming to think of updating you and where to start. Then it hit me, on my digital camera are pictures of all the grandchildrens' birthdays for 2009, starting in February and ending last weekend. So, maybe you'll get a travel log later, but for now here is a chronicle of the life of a grandmother who has seven (soon to be nine) grandchildren, and the birthday travels. And the best part is all of those adorable little faces.



Jonathan Turned "2" on February 8. We had a celebration at Grandma and Grandpa's House. His talented mom made a cake in honor of the "Little Monkey."

He wasn't quite sure what to do with all the presents but got some expert help from big brothers, David and Nathan. Of course Aunt Mandy was there to offer birthday cuddles and kisses. Happy Birthday #2 Jonathan!

Duckies...but not the rubber kind!

Duckies in the pool!

Imagine our surprise on returning home yesterday to find 4 fluffy little ducklings paddling in the swimming pool. We spent several hours watching them and feedling them bread crumbs. They were too little to get out of the pool but could cross over the ledge between the pool and the spa. They weren't too happy to have company and swam away from us at top speed. I don't know who scared them more the big two-legged creatures or the cat prowling the perimeter of the pool.

With no mama duck in sight, we worried that they wouldn't survive the night so after much strategic planning Meg and I guided them into the skimmer net weilded by Nathan and deposited them in a warm grass covered basket to spend the night, safe from the cold and the cats.

This morning we called the SPCA who took possession of three little ones. One of them didn't make it, but the rest seemed healthy and lively. They will be going to a wildlife rehabilitation refuge and then released into the wild when they are big enough to fend for themselves. The experience was "just ducky", but now the pool is again safe for little swimmers of the human persuasion.

PACE-SETTERS

Times they are a changing! It's about time the old Paces update their communication style. We have loved reading the blogs of our children and decided to join the 21st Century. So while sometimes we are PACE-SITTERS, we still have plenty of life left and will keep you abreast of our travels, trials and treasures (children & grandchildren) as the PACE-SETTERS.