It is 12:46 am and the house is quiet and still.  Well, that's not entirely true.  There is a load tumbling in the dryer and my fingers are clicking on the keyboard, but other than that...quiet and still.  Ahhh, bliss.  Why don't I stay up late more often?  Oh, because I would want to sleep all the next day, that's why. 

   So why the late night?  I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my dear friends (and their husbands) for a weekend out at the coast over Memorial day.  How did I get so lucky that my dear, kindred spirits would travel literal 1,000s of miles to come visit me? O.k. so maybe it's because they kinda want to see the Oregon coast too, whatev.  I'm sure they would still come visit me even if I lived in the middle of the desert, right ladies?  Right??  Hey, we visited Jewel, so anything's possible.:) 

   I figured that during my waiting, I would make use of my time and post some pictures of my family's trip out here.  Because by the time we get back from our trip at the coast, I will want to post pictures of that, but before I'll be able to hardly touch those, it will be off again on a vacation with Randy's family!  Busy, busy times.  But it's all good things that I wouldn't want to miss, so who's complaining?

    These pictures were taken back during that BRIEF (but oh-so-lovely) hiatus from the winter doldrums that we experienced a few weeks ago.  But Oregon, like a dog returning to its vomit, has succumbed back to rain.  Sigh.  I was SO hoping for a nice weekend at the coast!  Please, please, pleeeeeaaaseeeee can we get some sunshine?! 

    A favorite of both my neices and nephews and my own children, is the "duck pond" in Albany.  We like to take our stale, moldy leftovers and go feed the ducks.  Tell me, is it bad to feed ducks moldy bread?  Cause I certainly have.



  Hey random sun flare, you're blocking my dad! 

   I am so glad I captured these moments in pictures, for numerous reasons.  1.  It witnessed Mom in a RARE, fleeting time of relaxing and enjoying her grandchildren, and not painting walls or washing windows or canning something.  2.  It helps me remember that not all spring/summer days are gloomy. O.k. I only have 2 reasons but they're good ones so there.