Joshua’s Visit Part 2

John, Joshua, and I met up at Doo-Dah Diner.

John with his salad and crab cakes.

My yummy meatloaf dinner

and Joshua’s huge burger. I wasn’t for sure how he was going to eat it.

Saturday, April 25th was Jennifer’s birthday and I loved that Joshua was here to celebrate with us. I decided to make tacos for the occasion. (another meal request of Joshua’s)

I was very excited that my Megan’s daddy allowed her to come back to our house to spend the day with us. It made us all happy and of course she took control of the camera again.

I was so glad that Jackie came to celebrate Jennifer’s birthday and Joshua’s homecoming.

Surprise! Another selfie of Megan and the beanie baby monkey that she found in a tub in the garage that was from Joshua’s collection.

John and Joshua always make for a good picture.

Especially when they crack me up.

I especially love this picture and Jackie was right on the money in capturing it.

I thought this was a great photo of Megan eating my homemade salsa. The little girl that doesn’t like onions, bell peppers, or jalapenos. Good thing she doesn’t know what’s in salsa. 😉

My brother Terry and two little Granddaughters came too. Their first visit to my house. I loved that they were able to be here.

Little man Truman’s first visit to my house as well. He really enjoyed his soft taco. I loved how he kept making that um um noise as he took each bite.

Miss Ava seemed to enjoy her taco.

I was thrilled when Jarred arrived. We got to celebrate his birthday one day early. When Jennifer and Jarred were young we always celebrated their birthdays together. It was just easier for family to get together once. I love my two 39 year olds.

Sister and brother together again.

Troll photo bomb

and a Megan photo bomb.

I was so proud of Megan. Any of the pictures that I am in, Megan captured just the right moment.

Terry and his daughter-in-law Kim. I think this was Kim’s first visit to my home as well.

I love that Angie’s little family was able to come over to celebrate Jennifer’s birthday and I think I captured a pretty good family photo. This was the best out of 14. What do you think Ang?

I was so glad that Terry’s son and his family came too.

Mark and Jackie. I am always amazed at how many pictures I have to take to get one good one. This one was number 7. 🙂

Terry and Cathy. It only took 4 to get this one.

The birthday girl and her Mommy. I can’t believe that it’s been 39 years. I remind her all the time that I was so young when she was born and I feel like we grew up together. I know I made some mistakes but she has always forgiven me. The bond between a mother and daughter will never be broken.

I saw this poem on Facebook and had to share it with all of you. I thought it was very fitting to go with my thoughts of being with my children on that special Saturday two weeks ago.

I’m not sure what I was saying to her but I loved that Megan captured that moment.

Notice that we are all doing great?

Then, you know who has to act up. LOL

Then we all go crazy. I love these photos so much. This reminds me of when Joshua was little and made us all laugh. He was the one who could get all three of us to do somersaults in the middle of the living room or on our California king size bed to teach him how to roll. He could get us do anything and I do believe we would still try.

I love this picture. My only regret was that I didn’t get any of me, Jennifer, and Megan. Oh well, next time.

I just had to share this one. It cracks me up every time I look at it. It reminds me of those three monkeys in a row. Hear no evil, speak no evil, and see no evil. 🙂

I’m not sure if this is as funny as Joshua is letting on. But I still have to smile when I see it.

Joshua climbing the tree he learned to climb so many years ago.

Helping Megan climb her first tree.

The little ones loved our magnetic screen door.

Joshua decided that one water gun was probably not a good idea to give the little ones to play with. 😉

This was such a cute scene. Three cousins playing together. My Mom would have loved seeing them play together.

Little man Truman with a worm that he named Wormy.

I loved that Joshua organized a little scavenger hunt for the little ones and kept them entertained.

Uncle Terry and Joshua. Two of my favorite people.

Sunday morning breakfast and Joshua’s words were, “oh my gosh that’s a lot of food”.

Breakfast at Emillie’s with Aunt Ricci and Uncle CW. If you remember right my Mom’s favorite place to eat breakfast. I know why she loved it so much; because it was familiar and the wait staff knew exactly what she wanted. The first time I went back to Emillies after Mom passed away, it was hard. Of course the waitress that often waited on us was so sweet and gave me a big hug. We love our little neighborhood restaurant and Joshua enjoyed spending time with his aunt and uncle there.

Ricci’s great grandson and Joshua met for the first time and had a special connection.

Joshua’s visits are always good, but this one seemed a little more special. It seemed like he enjoyed it more this time too. We didn’t plan anything we just went day by day. He was able to be here for Jennifer’s birthday and spent quality time with us. He is maturing into the kind of man that I always knew he would be.  Although it breaks my heart every time I take him back to the airport for his departure, I know that I can’t keep him here. He loves it here and told his Aunt Jackie that the things that he loves about our home is the smells and the familiarity of all that is here. I loved hearing that and I loved his visit here. Stay tuned for more on the week following Joshua’s departure and last weekends adventures. Have a great Wednesday!