After lunch we enjoyed a lovely surprise visit from Danni, Andy, Ella, and Jack. Our great-niece began as usual by dragging her father into the library to bring out the toy box. In there she was delighted to find her pea which she had left behind last time. She kept hold of it for most of the visit and made sure she took it home with her this time. She was very keen to be photographed with her brother.
Ella hadn’t eaten on the way here, so enjoyed her snacks, some of which ended up in her hair which was unclogged by her mother. She had sat on the sofa with her parents listening to the Sound Storybook, pressing as appropriate for specific noises.
Jackie was delighted to converse with Jack.
Upon departure, Ella calmly put on her shoes by herself.
Later I did not need to leave our garden to catch the sunset.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s wholesome chicken and vegetable stewp with fresh crusty bread. Neither of us imbibed.
Gorgeous family photos, along with those of the sunset.
Thank you very much, Sheree
A lovely day at home from start to finish including dinner and sunset. The highlight of our day was getting the last car cleared for snow for the 4th time this month. (Am I tired of this? Most assuredly).
I’ll bet you are, Pat. Thanks very much
I agree with Sheree. Wonderful portraits.
Thank you very much, Rupali
What a delightful day!
Thanks very much, Chrissy
I enjoyed all the photos from the family visit, Derrick and Jackie. Ella is getting taller! They grow fast and the time flies. Do you remember a song by Harry Belafonte – “Turn Around”?
The sunset photos are very lovely. You caught some nice colors!
I sure do, Lavinia: https://youtu.be/dTL-fwRsEdc Thanks very much from us both, Lavinia
A fine day in every respect.
Thank you very much, Tootlepedal
Such a beautiful family! 🌸
Thank you very much, Holly
You are so welcome!
Family moments frozen in time. The captioned photo of Ella brought to mind the Mona Lisa’s smile 🙂
I see that, too, Rosaliene. She was wanting to make sure Jack was in the picture. Thank you very much
Such wonderful family portraits. It’s great to have them to document time’s passage. Ella looks so much more grown up!
Beautiful sunset photos from your garden. They look a little eerie.
Thank you very much, Merril. So they do
Gorgeous unique sunset photos!
But, the photos of those sweet faces of family are even more beautiful!
I’m sure a visit from Ella and Jack send you over the moon!
Love hearing about the pea and the unclogging of those curls! 😀
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS… We have a similar supper planned! We decided on Friday to have grilled chicken stew/soup tonight with lots of veggies in it! 🙂
Snap on the stewp, Carolyn. Thanks very much X
Such heart-warming family photos! And such a beautiful sunset to end the day.
Thank you so much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
great photos Derrick 0 and the stew and crusty bread sound right about now – cold snowy day over here –
Thanks a lot, Yvette
Little Jack is growing so quickly. It won’t be long before he is into the toybox with his sister.
Quite so, AnneMarie. Many thanks
Oh, such wonderful family photos! Love all the ones of Jackie and Jack. And the Ella and Danni snuggle is precious. What a wonderful visit.
Thanks a lot, Jodie. The snuggle is my favourite
<3 love <3
The babies are sooo cute! ❤️☺️
Thanks a lot, John
I loved this post so much, Derrick. Thank you for sharing it with us. You are certainly blessed with a beautiful family.
Much appreciated, Jill
Ella is growing so much. Beautiful pictures of your beautiful family. I love the one of Ella sleeping and her mom holding her head. Precious!
Thank you so much, Bridget. I share your thoughts on that one
Young happy faces to light up your, and then a gorgeous sunset, followed by a scrumptious meal … what a fantastic day Derrick
Lots of cheers, Ivor
They are so cute! A beautiful day with a lovely sunset and dinner!
Thank you very much, Ribana
It’s so fun to see pictures of the little ones. I really get a lift from that. I liked the story of Ella finding the pea she’d left behind. I remember how important things like that are for children her age.
Thank you very much, Barbara
How nice to have a surprise visit from family. I enjoyed your photos.
Such a beautiful family! The warmth and delight show in your photos. I like Ella’s shirt, too.
Thank you so much, JoAnna
The family pictures are heart-warming in these times when such visits have become all the more precious. My youngest grandchildren also make a beeline for the box of toys and almost seem to pick up where they left off months previously. My mother used to keep everything her grandchildren played with on the farm – from feathers to stones – so that they could be found on their return. Ending this post with the beautiful sunset taken through the skeletal frames of the trees highlights a sense of enjoyment.
Thank you so much, Anne. It is amazing how, even from a very young age, Ella has known her way around. Sometimes she has been surprised when something has been moved. Long Covid gaps have not disrupted this at all
Such a beautiful family! And the photos of the sunset are stunning.
Thank you so much, Laurie
Love all your family photos but Ella’s are standout.
Thank you so much, Arlene
Adorable kiddies and magnificent photos of sunset.
Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
How lovely to have a surprise visit from Danni and family. I think they care for you a great deal.
The photos of all of them are just gorgeous, and how Ella and Jack have grown.
Thanks very much, Sue. The fondness is mutual
What wonderful curly hair ! Will she keep it, or will it gradually straighten?
Thanks very much, John. No sign of it changing yet
That is a delightful family gathering yielding a heartwarming album of memories. The golden and vermilion shades of the sunset have mingled with dark black boughs of the trees to produce stunning silhouettes.
Thank you so much for these observations, Uma
Beautiful 😊
Much appreciated, Sandra
Such a lovely family, Derrick.
Thanks very much, GP
Such heartwarming family portraits and Ella’s curls are gorgeous!
Thank you so much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
No imbibing? Hah!! I am always ready for a stiff one after my great-grandchildren leave! You had a lovely sunset there… and a wonderful visit with family. Those children just get cuter every time I see them!
Thank you so much, Jan. I rather over did it the day before 🙂
Ah-hah! Now I understand! <3
🙂
Ella’s curls are beautiful. Your sunset pictures are breath taking.
Thank you so much, Mrs W. You could have matched those sunsets
Thank you
There isn’t much that pleases me more than a set of lovely sunset photos, but the smiles and general loveliness of your family photos certainly are the best of this post. Ella is an especially pretty child; I predict young men lined up at her door in time.
As they were with her mother, Linda. Thanks very much.
Ella has grown into her very own person, hasn’t she? 🙂
Great portraits and excellent closing shots of a gorgeous sky.
Thank you so much, Crystal