Fun on the hillside

Another birthday

Grandma had a birthday this week-end. I normally don't celebrate them other than the fact that I am glad to see another one. But, I have to say it was a great week-end and one I would like each time I have a birthday. :-) Saturday morning I hiked with Megan and Sharon on the Go-John Trail in Cave Creek State Park. The desert is in high bloom again and it was a sea of yellow. Just breath-taking. Another "breath-taking" moment was when a young man stopped us and said a rattler was stopping any further hiking. He was a big one, sunning himself across the entire path. The guy decided to go in the brush to get around the snake. I was a bit apprehensive, wondering if relatives were near by, but we got through just fine. Well, Megan did snag a big cactus in her thigh by-passing the trail, so it wasn't completely fine but Sharon removed it and all was well again!

That afternoon we decided to do another Phoenix Zoo visit. Very pleasant day with the animals. For dinner, Mark took us all to the Satisfied Frog for dinner. Great place to eat in Cave Creek, AZ if you ever are in the vicinity!

Sunday Megan and Drew came over for brunch. (Andy was in Las Vegas for a friend's wedding). Mark spent the afternoon packing for Iowa. :-) He left this morning at 6:30 in hopes of avoiding the peak of the rush hour on the freeway. He is driving to Tucumcari, NM to spend his first night on the road. Drive safely!!

Glad we are here

Mark and I talked to friends back in Iowa and one had 3" of snow and the other received 5+" of the stuff. In the meantime, we are frolicking in the green space across the street from the town house and trying to avoid turning on the air conditioner! I certainly prefer those conditions as opposed to shoveling snow and freezing. I hope they get some relief and that spring arrives very soon. Mark leaves Monday for Iowa so I can guarantee he is hoping for the same thing!

Mark has been spending a lot of time with Drew this week with grandma in the background and I think they both have really enjoyed their time together. I have the feeling grandpa will want to come out here more this summer than have me come back there just so he can watch Drew's growth and personality in action.

This morning the ladies (Sharon, Megan and Marla) are taking a 5 mile hike at Cave Creek State Park so grandpa is babysitting. Sounds like the boys are going to a small nearby airport and watch planes come in and take off. Drew is at the age where he looks up all the time and watches the planes and helicopters so he should enjoy that activity. This afternoon we are all going to the zoo again and catch the sights we missed on the first visit.

A few pictures from the week...............

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Easter week-end

It was a beautiful week-end in Phoenix, highs near or above 90 but very comfortable. Mark and I went to the driving range both Saturday and Sunday. Met an old gentleman from the Ben Hogan school of golf theory and he taught us (tried to) teach us a lot of little things. I must say he helped me a lot. I was hitting straight!! Now I need to grab the guy and haul him to the chipping green as that is my real downfall.

Sunday we had egg casserole for brunch at Megan and Andy's home. Grandpa Butch is here visiting so Drew had all his grandparents around for the occasion. Butch came visiting from LeMars, Iowa so we are all so very happy he has had a week full of sunshine and great temps. He has been in shorts and sandals all week!

Here is a video of Drew's Easter week-end:

Grandpa and Drew grazin' in the grass

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The many faces of Drew, & a whistle, too!

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Happy, happy Monday

Hope everyone had a fantastic week-end. Mark and I had a glorious time. Golf on Saturday with Andy and yesterday was spent at the ballpark, a spring training game with the White Sox and Padres. We sat on the hillside grass which was just perfect for Drew. He loves being outside and was a breeze to watch at the game. The sun was out in full force and we actually started to get pretty warm by game's end. So, the day consisted of lots of sunscreen, lots of bad food (for you) but delicious, and a good ball game. Chicago lost but we didn't care, just spring training after all! As you can see from one photo, we could have been at Daytona Beach instead of the ball game. :-) Email me!

Give me the spoon!

Helping grandma clean house

Overnighter

Drew spent the night with us Saturday night. Megan and Andy "had" to host her law firm's box at the Phoenix Suns game. Tough job but someone has to do it I guess! :-)

We got along just fine as Drew re-arranged my little kitchen and decided it's contents would go better in the family room!
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Poppies and greenery everywhere

It was a gorgeous week-end so Saturday Sharon and I took a 5 mile hike near Cave Creek at a state park. All the rain this year really is starting to show up in desert blooms and a blanket of green that isn't always present. Sharon said the only down side to all that lush greenery is that it is a bigger fire hazard during the heat of summer. :-( Notice the yellow from all the poppies in bloom...
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Shadow Puppets

This video is a bit off the topic of this blog, but it just blew me away! Raymond Crowe from Australia does amazing shadow puppets to Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World". Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!




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