Family Time and Milestone Birthdays

 My Dad is turning 70 this weekend! To celebrate, we're having a small party on Sunday, and Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty have come down to attend. With our new Murphy bed, they're staying with us! 

On Friday, we had charge of Ellie, and it was warm enough to enjoy the pool (though the water wasn't heated, so it was *very* "refreshing"). 

Here, Ellie is leading Aunt Patty in a water ballet dance. 

Stace and Cora did a bit of soccer in the yard, and then they started hitting the punching bag, with Uncle Bill. 

We bought this beautiful tomahawk steak, which Aunt Patty handled masterfully on Saturday.

Also Saturday, Liana and Sofia came over to play D&D in a campaign with Violet that Cora is DMing (being the Dungeon Master, or game leader).

THIS was a dinner worth savoring!

We enjoyed dinner and the evening outside, talking and thinking about a possible trip to the UK for Bill and Patty. They'd love to see where Stace grew up, so we told them all of our favorite places.

Stace pulled up a Martock visitor's guide on the TV.

On Sunday, it happened to be the annual Queen's English car show, so we four went together.

Once back in town, we got a coffee and walked around Newhall. We noticed an old payphone stand on Lyons - funny it's still there. No phone, though.

Later on Sunday, the big event! Dad's 70th birthday party!

We had about 17 people at my parents' house for food and fun. 

Posing with our dog, Maverick. (He insisted on being in the photo!)

Here is the photo card I made Dad. Lots of love to a wonderful father and grandfather, Dad!