And...We're back!

Contrary to what some of you may choose to believe, I was not guilted into posting again. There are a couple of reasons that made this post possible. First of all, it is spring! We had a most beautiful day here in New England. It was warm (70) and sunny and after what seems like endless weeks of gray, rainy days it was spectacular. Apparently April showers do bring May flowers (not that we are quite there yet) and I have hyacinth blooming in my front planting area that used to be taken up by big, ugly, overgrown, and dying bushes (yes, it is possible to have an overgrown and dying bush even though that sounds like an oxymoron). We removed them in the fall and I planted a few bulbs. There are also crocuses and tulips and daffodils coming up and Noah noticed red buds on one of the maples in the back yard. This is all very exciting to me and I feel such a sense of renewal.

We had the added fortune of being able to enjoy this splendid weather with friends who we ran into at the library and tagged along with them to the park--our first trip to the park so far this year. A good time was had by all.

It being the perfect day that it was (and knowing that more cool/rainy days are expected), we wanted to spend as much time outside as possible so, when the kids asked for a picnic lunch, I was happy to oblige. PB&J and apples on a blanket on the lawn--nothing fancy but it's what works for us.

This brings me to the second reason I am posting today: I have a working camera! I actually have the picnic documented in clear, crisp, bright and colorful photos! Just wait, I'll show you some. First I have to thank my most incredible and generous friend, Michelle, for the camera. She recently upgraded to a camera that fit her aspiring-photographer needs better and offered to give me her 'old' one if I wanted it since mine was on the fritz. How could I pass on such an offer? This camera is way better than my other one and has many more features that I actually have to spend time learning how to use it in order to get the best pictures. I am so excited about it and so grateful that she thought of me and my camera-less plight.

So, without further ado, here are a few pictures from our picnic today:









It wasn't a very eventful picnic so I decided to get in some practice with the portrait mode of the camera. Always the willing participants, my kids decided not to look in my direction unless they had on silly faces.

I plan on taking some pictures of those flowers soon as proof that my thumb is at least not black. I also hope to have more videos too since this camera has better video quality and comes with a program that hopefully will allow me to edit them. So, if you are happy to be seeing pictures of these cute kiddos again, you know who to thank.