the return of... Car Seat Friday!

Wanna see it from the beginning?

And here is today, Friday April 23, 2010 4 years 5 months old.....

starring Claire as Mulan

Tonight the fifth grade musical production of Mulan opened at my old elementary alma mater. My niece, Claire, has the lead role! Oh how I wish we were sitting in the audience right now!!

Break a leg, Claire! We love you!!

there is someone who loves azaleas more than I do

Even I probably wouldn't go this far to keep the gorgeous pink color around all year!

mmmm.... freshly picked!

Gretchen & I learned that the berry farm was open and we did what any duo with no plans for the morning would have done... snarfed down our snack, washed our buckets and headed out to pick us some berries!

We only picked enough for about 2 days so they won't go bad. $1.35 per pound. Is that good? I guess it doesn't matter - we were happy to pay it!

Oh - yes, they are as sweet as they look!!!! mmmmm.... freshly picked!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! ♫

Azalea Season!!!! We've just been driving around any chance we get. This is by far the best 2 weeks of living in NC each year! The kids even comment as we drive by - yelling out the colors and saying, "They are gorgeous!" Carl has a pretty good NY accent going with it! "gahw-juss"

Last week we went up to the local college one night before dinner to take advantage of their gorgeous azaleas! Then on Sunday, we went to the local garden to enjoy theirs as well.

The sign that asked you not to climb on the tree was on the back side of it. Which we didn't see until after the photo.

Here's a shot that Carl took:

Here's the shot that Gretchen took:

Obviously, another Gretchen shot... look at Lew & Carl's legs/socks/shoes/stance!

Happy Birthday, Grandma!! and Uncle Bruce!!

Happy Birthday wishes today to both Grandma and Uncle Bruce!!!!! We love you both very much!!

May 2006

May 2007... next 3 shots

May 2008

June 2008

August 2009

November 2008

December 2009 taken by Gretchen!

macro Mondays

I know it is Tuesday, but I have a friend who does a macro Monday every so often. She is an amazing photographer! So, her photo yesterday of a spring flower in her own yard inspired me to grab the camera this morning. I waited until the light was coming over the house, but not too long - so the dew was still there.

These are my lilies. I don't know why I say they are "mine". I didn't weed them. I didn't plant them. I just enjoy them. Here are some of our azaleas, too. It's that amazing 2 weeks here in NC... when the things that look like out of control shrubs for 50 weeks out of the year now bloom like crazy in bright pink, white and red!! Makes up for some of the hot summer heat, I guess. If you remember, last year I shared photos of what it looks like to drive around. Car window azalea shots are here.

Here are Carl and Gretchen watering the plants out back 5 days ago. They have since bloomed.

Here are the buds only 4 days ago.