Lowry Park (take two)

Clif and I returned to Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa this past Saturday.  We needed to get our photo ID before our 90 day window was up.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day.  Breezy, mild, low humidity. Very unusual for Florida this time of year.  Anyway, this meant the animals were more active than our last visit.  Here's a few shots to share.



A macaw.



A gibbon.  Boy, they were loud!





Watching the orangutan put on the shirt was amazing even though he did put in on upside down.  I think he did that on purpose because he kept playing peek-a-boo.





The skunk we didn't see the last visit.



The red wolf who was sleeping the last time.



The African penguins were swimming around instead of standing in the shade.





New Guinea singing dog.





And me, who has gone batty! :)

Chloe is now One!

I must admit it was hard not having Chloe here for her first birthday.  But, kudos to Valerie for making it as easy as possible.  We "skyped" on her actual birthday (May 14) so we could see her open the presents we sent.  This is one of the few times I am grateful for technology!



Valerie spent some time shopping a couple weeks before Chloe's birthday.  She liked this hat, and Chloe, well, hmmm.



Valerie made Chloe her own special cake.





At first, Chloe just poked her finger in the cake.



Then she got brave and tasted it.



She liked it, and had some more...



...and more..



...and....well...What an opportunity...CAKE!!!



Aw Mom, why did you take it away?  I was having fun. :)



What do you mean "look at the camera"?  I would rather have some more cake!




Here I am all ready for bed surrounded by most of the presents sent from my loved ones back home in Florida.  Tomorrow will be a big day too.  I hear I have to go for a check up whatever that means.


I found out it was the doctor.  Let me catch up on some of this reading.  I hope I don't get any shots today.  "OUCH!  You didn't tell me I'd be getting 4!!!  Are you crazy?!"




Glad to be back home, and in my "Wisconsin" country clothes.

Mother's Day

The kids are grown and out of the house.  Empty nest leaves Mother's Day to a different kind of celebration.  Today, Clif and I enjoyed the day at Leu Gardens in Orlando.  They have free admission for Mothers today.  We had a wonderful day, although a little on the warm and muggy side, but a relaxing day in any event.



Leu Gardens has over 3 miles of trails covering 49 acres of land.  We spent 3 hours exploring the many gardens and trails.  There were many plants I had never seen before.  When we toured the house, we learned why.  Harry Leu toured the world in search of many plants to bring back to his property.  He visited every Continent.  That explains it!



They had sculptures around the park.  They also had vegetable, herb, rose and butterfly gardens.



They even had a manmade waterfall that extended across the property.  I loved that!  There are 2 sounds I thoroughly love....a child's laughter and the sound of running water, especially when it flows over rocks!



This was a sausage tree.  I had never seen one of these before.  To me they looked like oversized peanuts dangling in the tree.



Now just a few pictures to enjoy...





After our adventure here, it was off to Tijuana Flats, my favorite Tex-Mex Restaurant.  They had free entrees for mothers today.  While there, I was thinking of my own mom and how much I miss her.  I decided to take out a flash drive that Barbara had made for us back in 2009 for Christmas.  It has been joyous looking at these pictures and remembering what a wonderful childhood I had growing up in such a loving family.  I have been truly blessed!

NOW FOR THE FLASHBACK PHOTOS!!
























I love you, and I miss you Mom. :)

First Holy Communion

What a beautiful day to celebrate my grand niece's First Holy Communion!



Parents Julie, Steve, with kids Barrett and Ashley.



Grandparents Jim and Diane along with Grandpa Harty.



At the house, many family members were there to join in the festivities.  I hadn't seen Mikayla since Liz and Vince's wedding.  Mikayla and I had fun playing Chutes and Ladders, Go Fish, and Old Maid.  She won all the games.  What a smart 4 year old!  She's posing here with her cousin Braden who is Liz and Vince's son.

Thank you Lord for bringing us all safely together to enjoy each other's fellowship. It was a magnificent day indeed.  :)

Party Time

My sister-in-law Nereida turned 50 this year.  Her dream was to have a Disco Party, and boy, the event didn't let us down.  We boogied down to 70's and 80's music and had a BALL!!



Clif took a quick picture before we began dancing.  You know what will happen to the big hair with too much bouncing around.  The nieces: Sandra, Julie, Cathy, and Amy did a great job dressing retro.  I just did my hair and make up. 



It didn't take long for the dancing to begin.  Barbara taught Jim how to dance back in the 70's, so naturally they displayed their moves while Jill looks on.



The Electric Slide was real big in the 70's, and yes, we did remember how to do it! :)



Matt had to show us he had a few moves of his own.



Jim and I.  I must admit I was surprised he still has his moves he learned so long ago...especially when those KC and the Sunshine Band songs came on!



The event was catered and there was plenty of cake for dessert.



Thanks Jim, Mya, Maria, Emily, and Nereida for a great party.  We had a blast!  :)