A Memorable Memorial Day Weekend...

I love 3-day weekends...thank you, US Government, for creating Memorial Day Monday every year!

Last Friday I spent most of the day with Karen and Dave, beloved daughter and son-in-law, while Karen had her gall bladder surgery. I'm so happy that all turned out well, and that she should be experiencing tremendous relief for the tummy ailments that have plagued her since high school! Praise the Lord for a skilled surgeon (handsome, too), and nurturing female anesthesiologist, and the wonderful nursing staff at Baylor Hospital.

Saturday morning found me riding in Mike's red Toyota MR2 southward to Georgetown, TX to visit his daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Byron. Their four children (Sarah, Michael, John and Peter) were so excited to see their Grand-Dad and since I had met them on a previous occasion, they were also delighted that I was coming, too.

Sharon and Byron's home is amazing! It's a Texas historical landmark, built in the late 1800's, and it has been beautifully restored by these amazing two adults. I've posted some pictures for you to enjoy...I'm particularly enchanted by the exterior and in love with the colors and schemes they have chosen for the interior.
The beautiful staircase (which is hard to see because we took family pictures in front of it) was the original wood and design...so well-preserved and beautiful. Hardwood floors throughout...Oh...such charm!





Who is in the photo to the right? Mike is holding adorable little Peter, age 10 months. I'm holding John, age 3. To the right of John is Michael, age 6, and behind Michael is Sarah, age 8 (going on 12...the girl is brilliant)!


While hard to see them, John and Michael are sitting on the front porch of this beautiful Georgetown landmark.

The photo to the right is taken from the side of the house. The backyard is behind the wrought iron fenceline; the front yard is to the left beyond the trees at the left edge of the picture.

We spent a lot of time enjoying the Georgetown community. We had dinner at a new Italian restaurant downtown. Mike and I walked the quaint streets and looked through antique shop windows. The weather was warm, breezy, humid, and somewhat rainy, but it didn't stop us from touring the historic streets of this charming town.

I experienced one new adventure...something I'd never seen nor done before! The children caught lightning bugs (aka fireflies) and secured them in their bug box! I'd never seen these flying creatures before...quite amazing!

Michael is on the left and John is on the right; the "bug box" is on the floor...this was the next morning after the lightning bugs had been incarcerated through the evening! They were set free! You might notice two injuries on these active little boys...a fall resulting in Michael's broken arm, and a spill for John which produced a very colorful black eye!



Speaking of bugs and "critters"...8 year old Sarah is a budding young scientist. Her interest mainly lies with insects, crawling creatures, snakes, crocodiles, and dinosaurs. She is an expert on most wildlife; instead of pink ruffles, dolls and glass figurines in her room, you'll find acquariums, hermit crabs, foliage, and insect collections. She graciously gave me her room for the weekend.

The photo on the right was taken next
to her prized possession...
quite a piece of taxidermy, wouldn't you say?




Last, but certainly not least, I post a photo of our lovely hostess, Sharon (Mike's daughter). She is an amazing woman...she keeps a lovely house sparkling clean, she home schools her children, she does the weekly gymnastics trips, the shopping, the laundry, and even manages to feed her domestic bent further by sewing her own wardrobe and those of her four children! Her sewing room is every seamstress's dream...I'll have one down the road again when I embrace retirement! Thank you, Sharon, for a terrific weekend!