Summer Fun and Travels

Just saw that my last posting was in May.  I'm really slacking off of regular blogging.  
The DGDs finished school the middle of June.  Next year Makayla will be in 5th grade and Violet will be in 3rd.  I am so excited that Violet's teacher will be Jessica, the teacher that I have been volunteering with for several years.  She is moving to 3rd.  We managed to get in  some fun time together just before their family headed off for a three week trip to Kenya.

Makayla giving Violet a manicure for the trip

I took everyone to the airport and on the way back, I stopped in San Mateo to check out a couple of Quilt Shops.  There is a summer shop hop going on across the U.S. where you can pick up free patterns.  I bought two kits but after doing the one row, decided that I'm not going to get too gung-ho about this project.   

Kits from 2 San Mateo quilt shops

One row finished along with a couple "just for fun" blocks

I am still working on the row by row challenge that I did with the Loosies a few years ago.  I am now on the FM quilting.  Little by little it is getting done. 

Everytime I work on this, I remember how much I like it.

Pulled out  a fabric bundle and made a quilt top for community quilts.  Of course, it needs to be sandwiched, quilted and bound.

If the DGDs were younger, I would give this to them

Everyone came back safe and sound from Kenya.  I prayed fervently the whole three weeks.  World travel can by a bit iffy these days.  They had a great time, new adventures, animal safaris, and interesting foods. 

Dear son, Jon came home with a beard!  So handsome!

While the family was in Kenya, Lissa's dad passed away in Los Angeles.  We went down to help out with the girls, visit Jim's sister Cathy and attend the Celebration of Life gathering. 

Visit to the Autry Museum in Griffith Park

Arnold Green in his younger years

Jon and his cousin Cheryl Karton at the Celebration of Life gathering

Game night

And to finish off this post, pics of a recent trip to Grass Valley, California where I renewed friendships with long-time friends.

Jim and Carol Posthumus, me, Amy and Bert Spencer