Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Visit with son Jeff and the Grands


I have enjoyed reading your blogs this weekend.. Seems like most everyone has been enjoying outdoor activities with friends and family. Memorial Day weekend generally is the beginning of summer. We personally had a great weekend. The weather was nice---and even though we thought we were going to get rain, it seemed to go all around us most of the weekend. We did get half an inch---mostly during the night. Our days have been just about perfect for the end of May!

The highlight for me over the weekend (other than being with my sweetheart) was driving to Knoxville and meeting up with son Jeff and the grands. We met at Texas Roadhouse on Sunday evening, and had dinner together. We sat and talked and talked... I was in seventh heaven--just being with them. These two grandchildren are just so grown-up and well-behaved and, of course, SMART. It was such a FUN time!!!! Above is a picture of Jeff and his kids, ages 10 and 13. Below are more pictures.





I love this picture of two of our grands. They are growing up SO fast! (George and I have a total of six grandchildren: these two, two in Texas, one in New Jersey, and one in Tampa.)






See how proud this Grammy is???????





George was nice enough to take this picture of Jeff and Mom ---and the grands!!!!! All in all, it was a GREAT visit----and 'made' my holiday weekend even more special!!!



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OH how I wish you could be here to see and smell our roses! There are 30 different rose bushes in bloom now, out of our 48 total. Each bush has several blooms. It is totally awesome!!! If you like yellow roses, you'll love this beauty above. Her name is New Day. Beautiful, don't you think?



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Well, this may be my last 'peek' in the bluebird nest-box. They are about 12 days old now I think. Look how many BLUE feathers there are now. Wow!!!!! (Click the picture to enlarge.) Even though everytime I have looked in the box, the babies have been sleeping, I don't want to 'spook' them --and have them try to fly out BEFORE they should.

SO---unless I decide to take one more look tomorrow, I will sit on the deck and watch Mama and Papa go back and forth feeding them. Once the babies start peeking out of the opening ---then I know it will almost be time for them to fledge. This should be sometime the first week of June. Oh---how I love my Bluebird family.

Hugs,

44 comments:

Cedar ... said...

Blue feathers already is amazing! I'm also watching an eagle video cam from Oklahoma,.. for those interested it is at: http://www.suttoncenter.org/eaglecam.html
scroll down when you get to that page and wait a bit for the link to engage with the cameras. "Baby" is big now and should fly off next week. We've been watching since he/she hatched.

Beth said...

Your grandchildren are really cute, Betsy. I think your grand-daughter looks like you.

Love the bluebird babies--I look forward to your pictures when they leave the nest.

penny said...

You have a wonderful family, Betsy. I'm glade you all enjoyed your time together.
Thanks for the yellow rose :) and the update on the baby bluebirds.
Have a wonderful week, hugs back at ya!

Rose said...

Glad you got to see your grandkids! I missed my little dumpling this weekend...we are heading in to Terre Haute in a minute. Sarah has medical problems and is staying home today. But she has been up all night, so can use a bit of help.

I love all roses, but think the yellow rose is probably my favorite. One reason is their association with friendship, and they are just so cheerful.

I can't imagine having that many rose, nor so many blooming at one time! I bet they are a joy to behold.

Arkansas Patti said...

Great looking family and you can really see where the gene pool started.
Can't imagine that many rose bushes. It must be a career just deadheading. How wonderful your place must smell.
Those babies are resting up for the big flight. They seem totally used to you.
Hope you catch first flight.

T said...

What a great picture of you with your Grands! You don't look like a proud Grandma at all ......lol!

The rose picture is lovely - I'd love to see a shot of your rose garden, I'm betting it's quite a sight to see.

Jessica said...

What a nice visit with your family for the holiday!

I've enjoyed watching your baby bluebirds grow. I've been trying for 3 years to attract bluebirds. I've chased house sparrows out of the nest box twice. No bluebirds for me yet... so I'll enjoy yours!

Susie said...

Looks and sounds like you had a great visit with your family Betsy.

Your bluebirds look like they will be leaving home very soon. My hubbie checked our nest yesterday. We have 3 eggs now. Yippee!

Diane AZ said...

Sweet pictures of Jeff and the grands. Sounds like you loved every moment of your visit. I'm sure they enjoyed it too. The bluebirds look like they're wearing velvet robes. Like grandkids, they grow so fast.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Yes,Grandma is just beaming,as well she should be.
I do wish I was at your house to enjoy all the aspects of the roses.Thanks for sharing the pictures.
Those babies look really good,I hope you get some pictures of them as they leave the nest.
BLessings,Ruth

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Great pictures of the kiddos...looks like a wonderful family...
Thanks
Becky

Busy Bee Suz said...

How nice that you were able to visit with your family!!!
Seems like a perfect weekend in the life of George and Betsy!!!
The bluebirds, almost look BLUE now. :)
Suz

Carol Murdock said...

I know what you mean about the Grans get to excited! We will be going to my oldest son Todd's house in two weeks for a reunion.
My grandaughter Mandy, his daughter,came home from Germany this weekend for three weeks with her little girl Amy. This my first Great-gran.
I will have all three of my children there, all my grans and little Amy who will be 7 months on June 10th!
Glad you had fun with yours Betsy!

Harriet said...

Looks like you had a great visit.
Love all the roses!You are really lucky to have the chance to watch the baby blue birds. We had the chance to watch a nest of baby Cardinals a few years ago. They were just below our bedroom window.
My kids were small and enjoyed it so much.

Connie said...

Wonderful pictures of your family, Betsy. I'm so glad you got to enjoy a visit with them. Family is such a blessing to have.

I have loved watching your bluebird "family" grow as well. :)

Have a great day!

~Daisy~

Joy said...

Goodlooking kids. I know you enjoyed your time with them.
I didn't know you had a grandchild in Tampa. That is where I'm from. My family and some of hubs is there, but we live in TX.

Glad it was a great weekend for you all.

Joy

Pigeon said...

I'm glad you had such a nice visit with your family. I am totally fascinated by your baby birds.

Dorothy said...

I know you enjoyed being with your family!!

Please try to get pictures of your baby bluebirds leaving the nest!!! I've never seen them leave.

Deborah Godin said...

Looks like you had a 'grand' time!! and the bluebird babies (your other family) are looking really god, too!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: What neat photos with the grandkids. Those roses are lovely, I may have one soon.
Love the Bluebird story.

Small City Scenes said...

How nice you visited with your son and the grands. A good looking family.

I love the blue feathers on the babies. MB

Unknown said...

You should be a proud Grammy! I already smudged my computer screen with my nose trying to smell your roses that George posted last week, I ain't falling for that again! LOL The bluebirds are coming right along...

Anonymous said...

Betsy,
Family, good food, roses, bluebirds...life is so good.
Donna

Mandy said...

I'm glad you enjoyed your visit! Great looking family!

By the way, my family's farm is in Hardeman County over in west Tennessee. The cemetery is pretty awesome. It borders my family's property.

Have a great week!
Mandy

Janie said...

I'm glad you were able to spend time with your family. Great photos of them, too! The bluebird chicks are looker bluer. Must be almost time.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

What a lovely family picture, and beautiful grandchildren!
Your grandson looks like mine, is he a skateboarder?
Glad you had a lovely Memorial Day.
The bluebirds are ready to fly, and getting bluer by the day, so sweet.
Thanks for sharing all your pictures with us.
I have a new nest in my pie safe on the back porch. I was watching a little wren busy flying in and out of the pie safe, she had loosened the corner of the screen, and inside four babies !!
I'm almost afraid to take pictures for fear of them flying off.

Mary said...

Tha baby blues are so cute! Will look forward to seeing them out and about.

amelia said...

There's nothing quite like visiting with family! It always makes me happy and smiling too!!

Lovely bluebirds!

Mark Kreider said...

Hi Betsy,
I'm awarding you the Friends and Favorites Award. Stop by and pick it up! (as if you need another one :-)
Mark

SmilingSally said...

I can see the love and pride on your face! Neat.

Peggy said...

what a beautiful family! I want to just come sit in your backyard,sniff the flowers and watch the birds!

EcoRover said...

Yellow roses are Mrs ER's favorites. Thanks for sharing yours. We have a yellow rose hedge that will bloom in late July, can't wait!

Becca's Dirt said...

Your son is so handsome and has such lovely children. I know you are a proud grandma. The grands grow up so much faster than our children did or so it seems. I will see mine next week and can't wait. So glad you and George had a lovely Memorial Day. Becca

Jackie said...

Betsy,

So glad you got to spend Memorial Day with your son and grandkids. All my family lives within 15 mins. and I sometimes take it for granted and don't appreciate that they're so close. And soon there will be one more, probably around end of Aug. We can hardly just about stand the wait, but wait we must. China just doesn't let you waltz in and out without permission, lol.

Jackie

Cicero Sings said...

Glad you had such a grand visit with the grands! They look like great kids.

Those new babies ... the blue bird babies are really coming along.

Rambling Woods said...

You have a lovely family, I would be grinning from ear to ear too. Awww..the blue bird babies get big so fast..
Michelle From Rambling Woods

Shelley said...

So glad you got to enjoy time w/ your son and the grandkids! That photo of you w/ them is wonderful - I can see your JOY radiating through!! And I can't believe how big those bluebird babies are - they looked so stuffed in that nestbox - pretty soon it'll be time to fly!

lola said...

Betsy, I am so glad you had a chance to see the son & grands. They grow so fast. My ggs's are headed to Tn. in the morning for awhile. I shall miss them very much.
I love that yellow rose. I only have a couple that my brother sent to me. Otherwise I have old fashioned {7 sisters I think} growing on my chain link fence--so long they cover 3 sections of the fence. I also have some on an arbor. They bloomed this yr. I said it they didn't I would yank them out. I've had them for yrs.
It doesn't seem long till the babies fly. They sure are getting crowded in their nest.

I Am Woody said...

I am so glad that you were able to spend time with your family. Sounds like a perfect day to me!!

Naturegirl said...

Betsy: Oh what a happy day with your family! Blessing to you all!
Enjoy your time in your garden this week!

Diane said...

Looks like a nice visit, Betsy. Do you get to see these grandchildren often? Thanks, too for the bluebird picture.

Sit A Spell said...

Hi, I scrolled down and saw Garvin Gardens. My Mom lives in Hot Springs and has a pass to this garden...she loves it!

You have some of my favorite birds on your side bar...I really like the tufted titmouse.

Dave's Bird Watching Blog said...

Wow, Betsy!!! What a great look at those beauties in your box! Sorry I haven't been here sooner...I've been terrible at visiting everyone's blogs recently. Outstanding job!!!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

What a special family you have. Yes grands are so very special....m..