A Haven for Vee

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Holiday Fun

My family gathered at a local state park for holiday fun on Sunday afternoon. We arrived at two and were the last to leave before the gate was locked at six. The cool autumn weather kept many other folks away and so we enjoyed the place nearly to ourselves.


The boys and their dad, along with their mom and auntie, played on the beach a long time building a river, a dam, and a castle. The grands are hard workers and enjoy having a job to do.


My daughter and Sam set up the table for a late lunch/early supper. Oh that hot coffee sure felt good going down. My mother kept her hands wrapped around the cup until the last bit of warmth was gone.


Jake and John exchange a howdy. (I can not tell you how this warms my heart. The boys' paternal grandfather passed away long before they were born. John steps in as "grandfather" just as my own step-grandfather did for my sister and me. They adore John! True confessions: Sometimes this can make me a titch jealous.)


No lifeguard on duty...


No problem!


Thwarted again!


Daughter and niece attempt kite flying. It turned out to be too windy.

There was running...

 chatting,


 eating (the boys are not into Italian sandwiches)


and playground slide races. (I tried this, but being the ample-bottomed Nonni that I am, I lost.)


The final gathering of the clan. You eagle-eyed folks will notice two missing. I'm always missing—that's why I hold the camera! (This is the only photo that will enlarge...lots of fun to see the
family interactions here, especially with the boys.)





The End of a Lovely Day...

26 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your holiday with us. I so enjoy seeing family and how they "do" special days. The state park is beautiful. So much beauty all around us. .thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I feel like I was able to go to the beach with you - great photos to share with us!! Glad you had a great holiday Vee.
    Blessings & hugs, Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love seeing all the fun. Family days make wonderful memories. I loved what you said about John being the grandfather. We have the same situation and I know what a blessing it is to have a husband who takes on that role.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That looks like a very lovely day! What a beautiful area.
    Hugs,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful photos of a lovely family day, Vee. I had to laugh re the slide thing. Me too! You would think they could make them slightly wider now, wouldn't you???!
    I am still pondering the letter. Thanks for your support though!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh Vee, it looks like you and your family had a wonderful day together!!! Such gorgeous cool weather has been a nice change, even for us down here in GA. Your photos are so beautiful sweet friend!!! I hope you have a great week....hugs and love, Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks like a great day! Memories made, etc.

    The lady with the black lab, is the boy's maternal grandmother?

    Did I ever say what a beeeeeutiful daughter you have? If not, consider the situation rectified. :-) She is!

    Gentle hugs...

    ReplyDelete
  8. The lady with the black lab is my sister.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh how wonderful Vee! It was the perfect day wasn't it? Everyone looks like they are having a wonderful relaxing time...how blessed you are.

    The grands are getting so big...and who doesn't favor peanut butter and jelly over an Italian sandwich? :))

    Glad there was no storm in your neck of the woods.

    Hugs,
    Robin

    ReplyDelete
  10. What beautiful sweet memories you're making! You have a beautiful family. These are the days that linger in our memories and come to mind when we need them.

    ReplyDelete
  11. A lovely post! Family Gatherings are the BEST! Thanks for sharing YOURS with US!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a beautiful day! Hard to believe the change in the temperature! We had cool temps this weekend too, but today it's to get to 90.
    Looks like everyone had a grand time!

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a lovely way to usher out the summer of 2010. I enjoyed tagging along. It looks like a beautiful state park and how nice not to have to fight any crowds.
    The picture of the boys getting ready for the slide race is precious.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a wonderful way to spend a holiday weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Aww, Vee- this was wonderful to see your family all having so much fun! A beautiful and memorable day to be sure! Glad you got to get out and enjoy!

    Hugs - Vickie

    ReplyDelete
  16. A day to be remembered those long winter months! Your family picture mosaic was great! My life-long grandmother, was not my mother's mother, but was absolutely, every bit my grandma, through and through...so I know how much those kids will love their "Grandpa John".

    ReplyDelete
  17. I just love to see pictures of families having so much fun together! Those are special memories to treasure. So glad you were out to enjoy the day, Vee, with your beautiful family and that Earl didn't cause too much trouble in your area.

    Thanks so much for your prayers for my FIL. Have a good day!

    Hugs,
    Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  18. How fun to see your family enjoying their end-of-summer beach party on the east coast...while at the same time we were beachcombing here on the west coast. The perfect way to end the summer...right down to the coffee and slide races!

    ReplyDelete
  19. There seems to be a theme in blogland - saying farewell to summer in a celebratory way with family.
    The beach is a perfect place for children (and adults) of all ages.

    What a blessing to have John step in as grandfather (and how honest of you to admit to a wee bit of jealousy - it makes us love you more.)

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a wonderful way to celebrate the close of summer. A picnic at the water with so much to do!! Those are some great pics, Vee and I'm sure some awesome memories were made, too.
    Thanks for sharing!!! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks for sharing your holiday. Terrific pictures. I miss my kids living close by. For a lot of years they did. I don't think I appreciated just how lucky I was.
    Glad you had such a great time.

    ReplyDelete
  22. It looked like a beautiful and blustery day, Vee! So glad you were able to enjoy a family outing. I'm usually missing from photos, too...lol! Your Mom looks great --I hope she is doing well.
    Your grandsons are such cuties! It is so nice they look at John as a Grandpa.
    Lovely way to end summer!

    ReplyDelete
  23. what an idyllic family labor day outing!
    i loved all the fun photos of your
    beautiful grands and daughter. it's
    wonderful that you can be out and
    about more.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank you for sharing this beautiful day with us, Vee. Seeing family together like this warms me so much, just like your mother was warmed by holding on to her warm cup. lol
    You have such a beautiful family. And I too wonder why my dh is adored so much more than me.LOL Yes, I do get jealous too.
    Hugs,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh Vee, lovely photos from your family day out in the sun. Happy Labour Day!

    ReplyDelete

🕊
If comments disappear, please don't fret. A simple "hi" will do. The platform surely needs some maintenance.