Loving on my dad

Before I share photos and stories from a trip to visit my Dad, I am excited to join a fun photo challenge over at Renaissance. The theme is self portrait and, not knowing, last night I set my timer and came up with these gardening shots:

The top one is SOOC, except I did a "fancy focus" on me, spiral blurring the photo from that point. The middle one is just so artistically cool and the bottom one is... red! I like that the bottom one looks Holly Hobby-ish, too.

Last week my life took a new turn. Two boys very dear to my heart went to join their siblings at their dad's house. As I routinely try to teach my children, being happy is a choice. Living in peace is a choice. Perspectives are a choice. That doesn't mean it is easy, though. But, if I am going to teach it, I'd better live it. I knew that I wouldn't want to hang out around the house after the boys were picked up, so I planned a trip down to southern California to visit my dad. Since he has slowed down so much lately, I knew in my heart that spending time with him would be priceless. And what better way is there to head out of town than to take my daughter and grandson??

Here I am at the airport, baby boy in front carrier, giving "mom" a break (and loving it!), ready to get on the plane:

Here we are me and my dad!

My girl... hopefully enjoying little breaks while the rest of us enjoy the baby! She is with Papa's dog, Fritzie.

And a few fun pics of Nana and Papa enjoying the great-grandbaby boy!

So, the first day away ended with the sweetness of a sleeping babe...

Look what the cat dragged in the next day... JUST KIDDING! I enjoyed my brother stopping in for a visit. Here he is with his grandson, Mattix:

Remember those days when older brother squirted you right in the face with the water gun? Remember when big brother hung your underclothes out on the tree? Remember him saying, "Don't walk too close to me... someone might think you're my girlfriend!"? Well... I got him back. Yep. I sure fixed him! I told little Mattix that his grandpa was taking him out to buy him balloons, ice cream and a stuffed Curious George monkey. And my brother said, "Gee... thanks a lot, Betty..." As it went... Mattix was taken out and a delightful ball was purchased for him. He was happy.

Even though this picture is blurry... I love it. I love seeing my dad laugh and looking at such happiness in his eyes.

Jayden enjoyed a 3 day game of "pull puppy's hair out". We kept moving the dog away, but the dog kept getting close to him over and over again!

(I've got to remember to change my f-stops on my camera... for example, here the dog is in great focus and the baby isn't... I must start remembering... and teach Shasta... since she took most of the photos!)

I remember how content Shasta was as a baby and toddler. No little thing was ever wasted... but was thoroughly enjoyed... from a pretty Easter egg to a kitty walking by to the slide at the park. And what happens when she is taken out, years later, and spoiled with a few great bargain finds? This, I tell you! This!! Can you find a happier new mommy?

Jayden enjoyed the shopping trip, too, because we weren't pointing the black box at him and his every new facial expression... here he is towards the end of the day, saying, "No more pictures!"

But... between his mom and his grandma and great grandparents being silly-crazy-in-love with him... Not a chance... His picture will be taken! Here he is in a hat we found on clearance when we went out shopping for a second day of treasure bargain hunting!

Then we took my dad out for a combined birthday/Father's day dinner. My niece, Denise and her dear one, Steven, joined us with their 4 children.

The weekend was completed with attending church with my parents. I gazed at the rafters and stained glass windows reflecting on many childhood and teen memories, thankful for the foundation of my Christian faith. Here are the last couple of photos from the trip:

Blessings to you all!