Some Recent Views From Our Front & Backyard

The sun had just risen when it "lit" this lantern in our back patio.

We're suckers for beautiful clouds & sunsets!

This rainbow actually ended in our neighbor's yard!
I got wet taking this picture, but it was worth it.

It's not too often we can clearly see all 7 colors in a rainbow.

Our peach tree is really loaded with blossoms. I can hardly wait!

We love this "bleeding heart" tree in our front yard.
There's another name for it, but I like this name.
Our local hummingbird likes it too.

Nathan, Carol, Ellie, Simon & Penny Shackelford came for for dinner on their
visit from Illinois. So nice to see them again!

The "La Habra Glow" on the buildings in Brea above the 57 Freeway.

Mom turns 83

Here I am giving a "speech" at the presidential podium at the Reagan Library.
It was interesting to see how the teleprompters work.

After dinner we sang, "Happy birthday to YOU!"

Robin made this delicious cake. She & David
flew out to Dallas for a week the day after our party.

The Girls.
We were hoping to skype with Luanne and take a picture
of the 4 of us, but the difference in time and Luanne's responsibilities
made it impossible.

A Day at the Beach

Well, today we played hooky and had breakfast at one of our favorite places,
The Cliffs, in Laguna.
When Heather was almost 2, she looked at the beach below us and said, "BIG sandbox!"

These guys were paddle surfing as we enjoyed our omelets.

After this picture, I took off my jacket and we enjoyed the lovely sunshine.

Near the restaurant are tiny shops with local artisans showing their wares. This shop is new and carried lots of Russian gifts. I got this set of 3 eggs with the Nativity painted on them. On the back of the cross are Mary, Joseph & Baby Jesus.

We drove down PCH a little and went in to look around Aliso Creek Inn.
Then we parked at Aliso Creek Beach Park and walked along the sand.
Look up at the mansion at the top!

After poking around for awhile, we sat in the car which was facing
the sea and did our Bible study lessons. :-)

On the way home we spotted a cute Gelato shop in Laguna and went in for a cup.
I got chocolate sorbet and Kirk got 2 scoops, coconut & chocolate Hazelnut-Yum!

Laguna Beach on Dwellable

Christmas Celebrations, 2010

Christmas Eve at Mom & Dad's. Here Mom is serving up herself,
from a delicious array of food.

Jeff (mostly) & Heather made a delicious apple pie to share.
The two shepherd boys, Anders & Garrett

Jim & Erin Barnes with Wyatt & Garrett

Blowing out the "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake

Still a happy couple after 32 years! :-)

Heather & Jeff looking at Grandpa's new autobiography
that he gave us all for Christmas.

Wyatt entertaining himself with Gma & Gpa's tangerines.

Robin, Daddy, John Jensen & Uncle Elmer singing Christmas carols.

Our tree on Christmas morning

Christmas dinner with Jeff, Heather, Abby, Philip, Kirk & Jerry(Stevens)

The "kids" with their gifts

Jeff showing off his Nike golf balls & gift certificate

Abby with her copy of the book "Abigail"

Philip's new loppers have HUGE blades!
These should really work on the junipers at church!

Philip made this beautiful arrangement for Kirk.

The kids standing by the "light blob".
This is how we hung up the lights this year, all at once! :-)

I made a collage of pictures for Jerry from this year.
It included Heather & Jeff's wedding & his 90th birthday.

Abby modeling her new work-out outfit.
It was such a joy to be together with family members that we can relax with.
Such lovely celebrations!

Decorating for Christmas

I was feeling kinda blue about Heather not being here this year to help me decorate for Christmas. Then she & Jeff said they would come over the Saturday after Thanksgiving and help. Yahoo! At the appointed moment, Philip & Abby also arrived. I have NEVER had that much help! We did it all in 2.5 hours- a record!!
Here Heather is holding a goofy angel she made when she was in Jr. High.

Abby put together our old-fashioned angel chimes,
which I had not used in years-so special!

Lovely!

They all brought in the 24 boxes from the garage attic.

Here we are putting together our 20-year-old tree.

Aw yes, and the angel goes on top!

Ta-dah!

Thanks kids for helping us!
I so enjoy having our home decorated for a whole month!
I'm gong to invite our neighbors over for cider &
to see our nativity sets (we have over 30 now).