2021 tick-tocks its way into 2022. …Greetings from France, Christmas gifts for Oliver and Reagan at our place, 3 weeks in London with Andy and I meet Reuben for the first time!!!!
Happy New Year from France!
Claire’s parents…
Christmas at our place…
The Green Room Cafe and Flower Store… Stoke Newington Church Street, London…
Chef Andy in his kitchen…
A pint and a pub with a peep…
A proper Sunday pot roast…
Roger, of “The World in Roger’s Beard”, and Robbie Graham, the illustrator of the book…
Of course I had to buy Reagan this book!
Sour ball candies!
Five Guys burgers Chester, England…
Build a Pokémon stuffie (Lucario?)…
The Ice Cream Farm… Cheshire, Chester, England…
Beeston Circular Trail… Tarporley, Cheshire, England…
Reuben’s 8th Birthday!
January 31st, 2022! Reuben’s Birthday Party… shared with a friend’s birthday on the same day!!
Last dinner with Reuben…
Reuben impersonates Grammy!
What a great way to begin the new year! Jeff was still in Colorado with his family. Claire was in Beijing covering the Olympics for her work. Olivia and John were planning their wedding in October. Brian and Jen were hanging in there while I was gone, eagerly awaiting my return and Jeff’s. Then Jeff had to drive back out to Colorado as David was not doing well. Meanwhile Brian and I looked at an apartment a few blocks away from his house that was undergoing a complete renovation. I put my name on the list for September!
The new kitchen is coming along…
Reagan loves to take selfies…
And pictures of us…
And Oliver…
She really lights up a room!
Henry and Oliver… 2 peas in a pod!
Come on, Papa Jeff, let’s color!
Uncle John visits…
Reagan, the “mad scientist”
April 2, 2022… Oliver is 7!
A hike at Blacklick Woods with Henry and his dad on Oliver’s birthday…
Taking a break from hiking…
My attempt at a checker board race car cake…
Ollie approves!
Can you see the black and white checks?
Henry loves to give hugs!
Who can this card be from?
Opening gifts from family:
Racing car cake Part II…
My helpers for Oliver’s Birthday Party cupcakes…
Ollie’s 7th Birthday Party:
Special moments…
…with Ollie…
Ollie loves to carry in the carry-out…
Reagan puts jelly beans in the plastic eggs for Henry and Oliver…
And hides them for an Easter Egg Hunt (with a little help from dad)…
Reagan can pump herself on a swing!
Jigsaw puzzles…
100 pieces…
Can she do 200 pieces by herself? You bet!
Swimming lessons… Ollie kept saying Grammy L!
Reagan having too much fun…
New backyard pool…
Her crocodile’s name is Poolie
Henry, Oliver, and Jack…
Horse camp…
Hanging out in Reagan’s room…
Mom’s birthday… Reagan decorated the cake Grammy L baked…
Mom makes a wish…
Vacation! Upper peninsula of Michigan…
Boat to Mackinac Island…
Lake Huron…
Two too cute cuties…
A splash area along the docks…
I’m ready for the pool!
Happy Birthday, Olivia!
Reagan is having a great time…
Oliver and Reagan with Jamie, Ollie’s caregiver extraordinaire!
Papa Jeff “watches” Oliver…
…To Dad!
Dad’s birthday…
A card from Ollie…
Lemon bars with sprinkles by Reagan…
Sidewalk art turtle…
Rainbows and unicorns…
Blowing bubbles…
…and…
…balloons!
Helping Grammy L in the kitchen…
Finishing touches… but don’t ask me to eat this!
The garden…
Lynds Fruit Farm…
Apple picking… and sampling…
An afternoon with John and Olivia at Denison University, her alma mater…
Ballet lessons…
…with Aunt Jess…
My 70th birthday gift from Brian!
Reagan’s Child of the Week poster…
Happy 5th Birthday, Reagan!
A gift from Oliver…
Baking rainbow cupcakes for her friends and teachers at preschool…
48 cupcakes in all!
Wedding rehearsal… Olivia and her mom…
The house is transformed into a venue…
Kelly, Olivia, Jen, Claire, and me (The first time we all meet Claire in person!!!)
Reagan’s birthday party with friends…
The girls…
…and Ollie with a big ol’ kiss from Grammy L on his forehead!
Halloween Parade at preschool…
Dinotopia at the Bexley Library…
Lots of fun crafts…
Playing Sorry after our Thanksgiving dinner…
Across the pond, Andy gets ready for Sascha’s arrival…
A hot tub from “Make A Wish”…
Mood lighting…
An Advent Calendar jigsaw puzzle…
Reagan doesn’t do windows though…
Preschool concert… “Mele Kalikimaka”…
The jigsaw puzzle is finished! Tomorrow is Christmas Day!
2 minutes later… Oliver arrives!
Merry Christmas 2022 from France!
wandering gypsy Laurel 