"The Sound Of Music"

Written by Sue, Tuesday August,23, 2011                                                sunny, low humidity, temps. in 80's


They came, we played, and played, until our hearts content. Do you remember the song, The Sound of Music, the first  line begins with  "the hills are alive with the sound of music,". Well, The farm and farmhouse here at Pear Tree Lane came alive with the sound of children's and familiar voices. What a blessing for me, while in the kitchen preparing a meal  to hear voices flowing through the rooms as loved ones were catching up on what had been going on in their lives. And children laughing and giggling.....

If your family lives nearby, and you see them quite often, please know how blessed you are. It had been over a year since we had seen our son and grandson Gabe, and 8 mos. since seeing our daughter and her family. My, how they have all grown...

I didn't realize my absence from blogging  would be so long, I have thought of you all so often, and have missed you so much, and had planned to post and visit, but time just would not allow. Since we don't see our family that often, when they do come, we lay everything down to enjoy every moment with them as their visits are so short lived....

While here we celebrated three birthdays,.."Dear sweet Gabe, what a joy it was to be able to share your birthday, and to bake your favorite cake, (ten layers with  chocolate icing). You have grown into quite a handsome young man, and we are so proud of you." Gabe is a senior this year and plans to attend college and get a degree in engineering, he wants to use this degree in some type of missionary work.

"Happy Birthday, Dear One"



"Three generations of fine Men"

Here is some of the early "gang".

My new friend, Fran, she and I share the same birthday and year, though we didn't know who was the oldest.  but if she wants to claim that I will let her.~smile~ "Dear Fran what a joy to celebrate with you, may you be blessed with many more happy birthdays. I would so love to celebrate with you again. Thank you and Bob for your visit."

Yes, this is me and I was so happy to have family here to help me celebrate, loved hearing those voices. ...As I was listening to those beautiful voices, I looked at the candles and wondered where did time go, inside I still have a young spirit, and most of the time, feel like ~lol~ I tried not to spit when blowing the candles as there were so many, so I took and fanned them. (really I did) ~ the family is still laughing~

 We fished,.... Son # 2 enjoying some R&R,

Helping Katie pull her "big" fish in!!

Mom and daughter.....

Jarred caught a big bass! Can you tell if he was happy or not?

Great catch, Bob





Wow! Jess you got a big one too!!

Susan and Le ann had a great time getting to know one another! Aren't they beautiful?

Nothing  better than taking a young man fishing, and I might add a young lady too!

Mother and daughter enjoying a moment

Beautiful! Beautiful! happy faces!!

Played games,... they played so well together

Always fun to play with Papa and grandma!

Cards anyone?

 Made cookies,.. Jarred was such a good sport


" One egg at a time,please."

Many hands make yummy stuff!!



Did someone say Yummy?



Reward  of hard work!!


Into the oven they go!!
wer


We were so busy eating them hot from the oven that we forgot to take a picture


We hung out on the porch, a lot ,Mr P and I enjoying ourselves.Lee Ann, and Jenna, and let's not forget Lucy!




Papa, Lee Ann, and Jenna, Oh! Let's not forget Lucy, she is and was the star!

 My best friend is always there for me and his family.

 We also worked!..Yeah right! Tell me please, do they look like they are working? To me it looks like they are having way to much fun. ~grin~

Worked on crafts,

See this sheet, this is known as our memory cover, named by Susie. We have done all kinds of crafts over the years using it, I  treasure it, so many memories, and hope to make more,~soon~ 

 Rode bikes, Concentrating real hard, that Katie is!

Whew!! are you tired?, Wait! Wait! I haven't finished,....
we skated! Papa giving a hand!

Going solo!

Shooting skeet, but first son must give gun safety lessons.

"Always remember Ladies, Safety first!!

Don't mess with this Annie Oakley, Susan got three out of four, beating all including her brother.

Gathered flowers for bouquets,

Jess, and Jenna set the table with their arrangements, great job, girls!

Trying to see who gets to pick the rose!

"Grandmother is this enough?" ....."I think so, now let's go make the arrangements!"

We ate, and ate, and then, ate some more...

Blueberry streusel muffins, soooo yummy!

 Fran and I had lemon and chocolate meringue pies for our birthday, thanks Susan!

Rode the ATV, Special time with father and son!

Played tag with Lucy,(she has been in withdrawals since they left). I think she had more fun than anyone she was involved in everything, except the skeet shooting, doesn't like the loud noise.

 Who do you think was having the most fun?

I just had to show this pic. it was at the end, and Lucy had won,. Can you see the smug grin on her face. The two guys decided to laugh rather than cry! ~LOL~ "Sorry Guys, she is just to fast for you!

Friends accept, and love one another always.

 Helping Papa and Lucy round up sheep.

 "Good Girl, Lucy," She has really learned how to herd the sheep

 Be sure and hook it tight! Please!

 "Daddy's Girl!!"

As always we ended their visit with a camp fire, no mater how hot is is.~LOL~ sorry no pictures!

Last day on the farm, ....we all got up early to enjoy some goodies  and some last time hugs and talk on the porch, the sun was so bright, just such a beautiful morning, we are always a little melancholy on the last day.... But they left us with ,and went home with wonderful memories, and I might add two boxes of home canned goods....~grinning~ Susan called last night to say they were enjoying some homemade spaghetti sauce.

See those two hiding, I am always so lucky, because I am behind the camera.`smiling~

The sweet voices of loved ones from afar are now silent here at the farm, it was so wonderful to have them all here, to make more memories with us and hopefully for them too. It takes a few days to re-adjust, but our desire has and always will be for them to be where God wants them and to be happy.

While rounding the bend in the road of the driveway, on our way  to the airport for their return I heard my Dh say to the family that they made the farm come alive, and how much we enjoyed having them. (tearing up) I felt the same.

And to you dear friends who took the time to let me share a little (okay a lot) of our life, a Big Thank You. Now that things are slowing down ~Did I just say that? I have apples and grapes to do~.... I am looking forward to visiting and finding out how your summer was.

Until next time,

May your days be filled with much joy and peace in Christ our Lord.

Love,

Sue

John 15:12~ This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Simple but powerful words and a commandment!