More Weekend

Mommy burping Charlotte.

Jim & his daughter. This is a darling picture, but as usual, I probably had my finger over the lens so it's not a clear picture but it is cute!

My darling granddaughter!!

More Charlotte.

Charlotte with here Daddy.

I got a note from my sister wondering if I had taken any pictures of Charlotte my weekend in Des Moines. So I thought I better get these on before someone else asked the same question!! I noticed she got her picture with Charlotte on Jim & Mandy's blog!!! Actually I didn't get a lot of pictures the day of the picnic. Charlotte was being a Mommy & Daddy baby and was indoors the majority of the time. When I was around her I didn't have my camera. So, I'll just have to depend on Mandy & Jim for pictures!!

I did spend some additional time with my little family in Urbandale. On Sunday evening Barb plays ball so spent some time with them then. I did get to hold Charlotte for a bit but she decided she really did prefer her Daddy so I lost out on that one!! I'm sure she'll soon get over that phase and we can all hold her as much as we want. We had a nice visit on Sunday evening. Barb's game was forfeited (the other team didn't show up), so we left and made a quick trip out to the hotel that my conference was at. It wasn't too difficult to fine but I was glad for the guided tour!

The conference ran from Monday through Wednesday. Wednesday's finishing touch was an award luncheon for years of service to community action. Oh I forgot, this was our annual ICAA (Iowa Communtiy Action Association) Training Conference. I received my 25 year award at this luncheon. Woo Hoo! The State of Iowa gives you a piece of paper with your name and the number of years you've been on the job. They don't even give you a frame! They do, however, take your picture as you're receiving your award and in a group. I might get a copy of that, I really don't know.

Monday evening I had an additional meeting after the workshops and headed back to Barb's for supper. She had a game so I spent the evening watching TV and reading. Tuesday evening we decided to all get together and go out for supper. It's much harder for Jim & Mandy to go out right now with Charlotte, but she was a jewel and we had a nice supper at Chip's in Ankeny. We went back to Barb's and just hung out for a few hours. Mandy fed her little one and then she ended up on the floor and stayed there the majority of the evening. She really was good. Barb has a few toys and got her attention with some colored rings. With all baby's, the majority of anything she got her hands on with goes to her mouth. She's such a darling little girl. I love her so much! Wished I lived closer so that she eventually will know who her Grandma Joy is!!

You'll have to pardon my photography I seem to always have my fingers where they shouldn't be! Barb, Jim & Mandy got me a fantastic digital camera for my birthday a couple years ago and I shouldn't be able to mess anything up too much, but they can't do anything about me putting my fingers on the lens!!! I do love taking pictures, and Barbie always says when I taking some that I already have a scrapbook page in mind. (She's right, I usually do!!!)

Barb came to the award luncheon on Wednesday. That was special. I really appreciated her doing that. Jim & Mandy were unable to attend because they WORK! My boss said I should invite them, I said I did, but they WORK and there's no way they can get off for an award luncheon in the middle of the day. They used to have them in the evening - that would have been nice because then I think they would have tried to be there. They could have brought Charley and I could have shown her off. Everybody loves the pictures I have of Charlotte!

Had to share these additional pictures of my long weekend with all. I adore my family and love being able to show them off to my friends.

Long Weekend!

Grandma Glee, Jackson & Beth.

When we were at Valley West play center Jackson played with this little boy on the bridge and we found out that he was French. He called his daddy "papa". It was so cute!!

Jackson was bored on Saturday morning so went outside to check out the snake!

Glee, Beth & Jackson. He doesn't like to have his picture taken.

Barbie & Jackson at Valley West play area!!!

Jackson was chasing Barb through the bridge!!!

I've been lax in keeping up my blog lately. Maybe it's because I haven't been doing anything of late. But . . . I did finally get out and do something July 10, 11 & 12.

On Friday, July 10, I met my sister, niece and great nephew in Manchester and headed out to Ankeny. It was our girls weekend shopping! It was a beautiful day to go out and be on the highway. We got to Barb's around 4 - 4:30. I'm lucky enough to have keys to her place and we got cars jockeyed around and everything in the house. This was also the weekend of Jim & Mandy's 4th bash! That got postponed and rescheduled for the shopping weekend.

We took a walk Friday evening. There's a small park and lake not too far from Barb's so we took off for there. I'm happy to say that I kept up the majority of the way. I'm still having some problems with my leg but walking doesn't hurt it! Steps are what kills me!!! As we neared the park you could see the water and Jackson was so excited. It was so much fun watching him and seeing the excitement through his eyes! What a cool little boy! Barb and Jackson climbed around on some of the equipment and we checked out the lake. Jackson didn't want to leave but it was looking like rain so we decided it best we get back to the house. We hung out the rest of the evening. Made plans for our shopping and the bash at the Davis'. Barb and I did a little shopping before we called it a night. She needed some supplies for what she was bringing to the picnic and I just plain needed something. I found some great fruit and she got her supplies.

Jackson having a great time with some new toys!!

Saturday morning we got up early. You have no choice when you have a Jackson in your house. Barb had borrowed a barn toy from one of her friends and he really enjoyed playing with that. She also bought some blocks that he could put together, take apart, knock down, etc. He enjoyed them also. He's talking more and more all the time. One of the phrases he used all weekend was 'sit here, sit here.' That was as he patted the floor next to him.

Our shopping on Saturday was successful. We weren't sure how Jackson would respond but he was great. I think I did more shopping than the rest of them, and I was the one that just wanted to come along. I did find a purse that I love and got the books that I've been looking for. We spent some time at Valley West and took Jackson to the play area. He and Barb had a great time.

Jackson found Barb's 'big' ball and Barb showed him how to use it!!

I had so much fun getting these pictures into this blog. I don't know why, but they always go all over the place. Hope they make sense!

We spent part of Saturday afternoon at Jim & Mandy's. The food was great! Jim grilled steak! Everybody brought something to pass and everything was great!! Jackson slept through the majority of it so Beth was able to visit too. We did a little more shopping when we left. Jackson had a lot of pent up steam to blow off and went crazy in the shoe store. He was all over the place. We kept saying we really didn't know him, but we took him home with us anyway! Saturday night Barb fired up the firepit and we enjoyed the evening out on her patio.

Sunday morning we attempted to do a little more shopping but our little one decided the only way he was going to go anyplace was in Mom's arms. The shopping didn't last very long, but I think Glee was able to pick up a couple of things she wanted. We headed out for breakfast but every where we went there was a line so decided Burger King was fine. Jackson ate very well. Think maybe he was hungry!!! The decision was made to head back to Barb's and Beth, Glee and Jackson packed up to leave. It was great getting together and hope we can do this again real soon.

Barb & I took a nap. A nice long one. I stayed down for a conference until Wednesday. It was nice having my own room, my own bath and a place to park my car. Barb plays ball on Sunday evening so I got to spend some time over at Jim & Mandy's. Charlotte was real fussy all weekend and Sunday night wasn't any different. I did get to spend some time with Jim & Mandy. Brought some gifts for all. I had a Father's Day gift for Jim, some outfits for Charlotte and Mandy's birthday gifts.

I've been working on a baby book for Jim & Mandy and brought that with me too. I wanted to make sure that I was putting it together the way they wanted it. Mandy was very pleased so I've been working on it every day. They provide me with so many beautiful pictures and it's so much fun doing this.

That was my weekend in Ankeny. It was great. I love spending time with my kids. I miss them. I wished that we could all live closer so that I could be with them more but that's not the way it is. They call. That means a lot to keep in touch. And it's not that far to Urbandale and Ankeny.