They Are the Grandest

I wouldn't be doing my job as a grandmother if I didn't share a few photos of our visit with our grandchildren when we were together in Oklahoma on Memorial Day weekend.

We were there to celebrate Matt's 28th birthday. Time flies by, doesn't it? I remember well when he was just a little boy like Myles (20 months).

John and I were there a couple of days earlier than Robyn, James, and Rose. Matt and Carly had the good idea of taking us for a hike in a nature park. They know what we like!

Myles rode in the stroller most of the way, but got out to stretch his legs in a pretty spot along the trail.

In this photo, Geep (pronounced Jeep) is showing Myles something in the field, though I don't remember what it was. It was in this spot near the long grass where I think we must have encountered the ticks we found crawling on us later. Yikes!

The next day, Rose (9 months older than Myles) arrived (with her parents, of course) and our joy was doubled. As you can see, John is the happiest when he has his arms around both grandchildren at the same time.

He knows how to keep their attention. They would rather play with Geep than any toy you can think of.

On our last day I tried to capture a few good memories with the camera before we had to leave...

Rose loves dogs.

Myles is learning how to build things.

Listening to Aunt Carly sing a pretty song.

Watching a Cottontail rabbit out the window.

And then time was up. We needed to get on the road, but I still didn't have the picture I really wanted, so I gave John the camera...

Okay...now we can go.

Grandchildren are the grandest!

Myriad Botanical Gardens

We visited Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City last Friday with the kids. As you can see, it was a gorgeous day!

A view of Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory (arched glass building) at Myriad Botanical Gardens.

There are gardens to explore outdoors, but we headed straight for the conservatory due to a chill in the air and the fact that I was suffering from a cold and a very bad case of laryngitis.

Along the way, we walked by flowerbeds filled to the brim with tulips, pansies, and daffodils.

Once inside Crystal Bridge Conservatory, we were surrounded by huge tropical plants and wrapped in a warm blanket of humidity.

I took a couple of pictures of some of the pretty blooms...

 but forgot to read the signs to find out what they are called. I blame my cold for that.

We really enjoyed seeing the Zebra Longwing butterflies that flitted about the conservatory. They were the most active in the upper levels where it was the warmest.

John found one that was freshly emerged from its chrysalis just outside the conservatory entrance door. He has a good eye. I would have walked right past it.

I was drawn to the pretty orchids that were displayed in the big circular window that overlooks the gardens and the city.

There were a few critters on display as well. John is showing Myles the Veiled Chameleon. I think Myles would like to have one of his very own. Future gift from Geep and Birdie??? Just kidding, parents.

I remembered to read the marker for this flower. It's the bloom of the shaving brush tree. Perfectly named.

By this time we were at the tip top of the conservatory. Here's a shot looking down through the tropical foliage at the tiered waterfall.

As we exited the building I had everyone pose for a parting shot among the flowers. We all enjoyed our time together at Myriad Gardens.

Myles and the Garden Boxes

This weekend we built garden boxes...and memories...with Matt, Carly, and Myles at their home in Oklahoma.

Myles was eager to help, but the shovel proved to be too cumbersome for him, so he took on the role of supervisor.

"See this bubble, Mama? When it's in the middle, then it's level."

"Not bad, Geep, but if you turn your hand this way it will be easier to mix the compost into the soil."

"Hmm, I hope Birdie is getting all this on her camera."

"We need more in here, Mama."

"Make sure you break up that big clod, Dada."

"Well done, everyone. We make a great team, don't you think?"