The visit

We had a wonderful time when Nick, Sophie and John came to visit.....We didn't waste any time  and we at the zoo within two hours of their arrival....Here Nick and Sophie are making friends with the Lion....












 Sophie loved the new Koala exhibit and here she is in the climbing tree pretending that she is one too!

















....and here is Nick meeting his giraffe namesake.....

 After a family party on Friday night (which we forgot to take photos at) we were off to the beach for 3 days.  We stayed at the bay, but were only a short walk to the ocean....

It was foggy until 9 or 10 and one morning Gene and I took Nick and Sophie out for a walk....

Their cousins came down for a few hours after a soccer tournament and they all enjoyed the waves....

Monday we headed up to Point Loma and the Cabrillo monument....Nick and Sophie had been there last year and were great tour guides for their dad....

...and then it was off to Belmont Shores amusement park for some fun rides....Here is Nick trying to decide what to go on....

...there is a great old roller coaster and a plunging ride that Nick and Sophie both loved....

Sophie convinced me to go on the Tilt-a-Whirl.....

....and I was still able to stand afterwards!

 The next day Kathy's grandkids, Eddy and Nicole took photos for us....it is always fun to get the 7 together and now we have Sam too (She lives with Lydia and Tim)

....Gene took these shots while  the official photographers were working away....

Here we have them one to fourteen....

....We finished the evening with  Italian food on an outside patio....Here are John, Sophie and Gene.....

The time flew by.....and I am counting the days until our next visit!

Visitors from the North

Tomorrow, John, Nick and Sophie are coming for a visit.  We are so excited! We will be having a family get together tomorrow night at our house....40 for tacos.....and then we are off to Mission Bay (just a few miles away in San Diego) for 3 days.  We will throw in a visit to the Zoo and swimming at my Mom's pool and much too quickly their 5 1/2 day trip will be over.

   
Glenda, my daughter- in- law, came up with the idea of a photo of the 7 kids being taken ......so Tuesday we are working that in too!  Now we just have to get them all to look happy at once!  

What a great way to start the summer!

Sunday walk

Gene and I went for a walk on one of the many trails in Balboa Park and came upon this heron just walking around a few feet from us.  Guess he thought it was a beautiful morning for a stroll too!

A good time was had.....

I've been back from Market for over a week, but just downloaded my photos today!  I know you have been looking at all kinds of shots of the show in Portland....but here are a few more.  This is Kathy's booth.  My sister Kathy and I had such fun helping her set it up....She brought LOTS of cute props to work with...and of course the great pincushions in her book.  The book was a BIG hit at market.  You can get a copy at the LOFT and be sure to come to the book signing on June 8th.....(if you live far away the shop will have it signed and mail it to you!)

We were right next to Buggy Barn and we had such fun with them....Here is Ron "manning" the booth while the girls were out shopping.....

Kathy Campbell of Heart to Hand was about 20 rows away....but I got over there a few times to say "HI".....You will love what she is doing with burlap!

.....and here is Rita from Reets Rags.  

....and Joan from Bits and Pieces by Joan.....You can see her great FLAG over the mantel at the Loft....

Jeff and Debbie Busby of Wooden Spool....They loved  being in their home town for this market.  Sample Spree was a family affair with all their adult children and spouses helping out....What Fun!

...and I got to meet Leah from Primitive Quilts and Projects....This was her first market with her Mom and her aunts who are the inspiration behind the magazine. 


There were LOTS more friends and wonderful booths. but I did go to help Kathy and not socialize ALL the time....:)))

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.  Gene and I are off to Los Angeles this afternoon to spend some time with his sister Sue.  Bye for now.....Jo Ann

Off to Quilt Market

I am off to Portland tomorrow morning with my sister Kathy.  She and Sharon will be shopping for The Country Loft....but I will be helping in our good friend, Kathy Cardiff's booth.  Here she is at an earlier market with some of her great projects.  She is introducing a book chock full of pincushions at this Market....You won't want to miss it!  Her company is The Cottage at Cardiff Farms.  The Loft is having a book signing in the next few weeks and can send you an autographed copy......

If you are going to market stop by and see us in booth 930.

Of course since it is in Portland Kathy and I will get to see our family....Tomorrow our sister Marlene will pick us up at the airport; then we will spend the night at our niece Margaret's home.....and of course I will see Megan's family.  I plan on spending several days with them after the show.  Bye for now....Jo Ann

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all....I hope that you get to spend it with a Mom who is special to you!  Here I am with my Mom who at 94 has celebrated many!

Hugs to you all....Jo Ann

A very busy day!

Last Sunday was a BIG day in our family.  Timothy had his first Communion in the morning....Here he is all dress up with his baby sister, Lianna.  Lianna is totally convinced that her big brother walks on water....Let's see how long that lasts!!!!

 .....and here he is with his Dad after the ceremony.  We noticed that Timothy's name was the only one the priest knew.....Is this a good or bad sign?  We decided to think positive!  We celebrated with him that afternoon......

....and then it was off to another party.  This one was for Alana, our 10 year old granddaughter.  It was her birthday.  Here she is  with her mom and dad (our son Andy)  She had a rollerskating party in the afternoon with her friends and got an unexpected gift...a broken wrist!  She hasn't let it get her down.

Luckily this weekend has been much less eventful!  Hope you are having a FUN one.....Jo Ann