Wonderful two weeks in Peoria

Tonight I fly back to Phoenix after spending two fun weeks with Drew and Kayley.  Kayley was feeling much better by the time I arrived two weeks ago so I probably would not have needed to come this early.  But, I am glad I did.  :-)  The kids went to pre-school every morning to keep in their routine and I picked them up after they had lunch each day.

Mark came on Tuesday evening and stayed until yesterday.  Matt arrived Wednesday evening and also returned home to Omaha yesterday.  We had a fun family Thanksgiving!

We trimmed Megan and Andy's tree this week-end so that chore is done and even wrapped some Christmas presents.  I wish we could fly back for Christmas but are instead waiting for Drew's 5th birthday in January for a return visit. 

Mark is planning on leaving Saturday to spend the night at Matt's in Omaha and then will start the long drive to Phoenix on Sunday morning.  That should put him in our home mid-afternoon on Monday.  I can't wait for him to join me there!  He will be shocked but I don't even have a "honey do" list this year.  Maybe we can golf more and do some sight seeing!  We are looking forward to a great winter.

I hope everyone had a great holiday with their loved ones and may you all have a blessed Christmas.

Some pics from this trip.  (Haven't had time to edit any videos, yet!)

Getting ready for Mommy to take a Christmas card picture.

Drew was very proud of his cupcakes.

Looks like he now wants to eat one!

Princess Kayley

It was so nice here we went to the park twice!

Drew still likes to build trains....out of any vehicle!

Leaving a week earlier than planned!

I originally had a flight to Peoria for Thanksgiving break scheduled to leave on the 21st but yesterday I called and had it changed to tomorrow.  Kayley has been in the hospital for three days fighting meningitis and I want to be there when she is discharged and take care of her when she returns home.  As of this writing they are very confident it is the viral form, which is much better than the bacterial version.  The spinal tap should be definitive today in regards to which meningitis she has contracted so we are all keeping our fingers crossed.  Megan said she has really been sick.  Vomiting, bad headaches and neckaches, dehydration, etc.  My poor sweet granddaughter!!!  I am hoping I won't even be needed when I arrive but want to be able to help out if she cannot attend day care.   That poor child has been through a lot since the first of October when she had her tonsils/adenoids removed.  As Megan said, she may never get her into a doctor's office or hospital again after what she has been through!

Needless to say, I am scrambling to get things packed and the AZ house shut down for a two week absence.  I hate paying an extra $50 for checked bags so am only taking a carry on which doesn't allow for much packing anyway.  I may have to borrow some of Megan's wardrobe!  :-)  In case I don't post again for awhile, a Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!!!

I embedded this video on my Facebook page but will re-post for my friends that are smart enough NOT to have a FB account!  It is a young man hang gliding from a cliff that I hike to almost every day.  I have seen attempts before this one but they were never able to take off because of wind gusts.  I was thrilled to finally see a guy actually take off.  Too scary for me...I couldn't do this!

Looking forward to Thanksgiving!

I am getting settled into life in Arizona once again.  I have the grass starting to grow, pots filled with geraniums and lots of hiking as often as I can do it!  My only problem is missing my husband and children and grandchildren.  I am flying to Peoria for Thanksgiving so that will solve all of those "missing" problems for a while.  As much as I love "warmth" and the desert one cannot beat family!  That said, I hope the weather isn't so horrible there that I cannot get out in a timely fashion back to AZ.  Ha!  Like I said, I love warm weather.  :-)

These past two days have really been hard on my thighs!  Guess I am not in very good shape after spending 6 months in flat Iowa.  Yesterday I climbed up and down for 6 miles and today went with great gal Jane for another 6 mile hike.  It was so much fun hearing about her and hubby's wonderful adventures in their RV all summer traveling across this glorious West and the Natl. Parks.  They love their RV and it makes me want to buy one and just go!  Thanks Jane for a great morning.

Mark and Megan both talked today about the weather back in the midwest.  Megan was not impressed, especially after just returning from a business trip to Alabama.  All I can say about that is:  IA. MN, IL, etc. are not known for their weather.  They are known for their educational possibilities, stability and great quality of life.  I am glad we raised our children there and guess I have to admit I am glad we are able to get out of that crap (winter weather) now that I am older!  Ha!

Some (very) random pictures:

Half way down North Mountain!

I still have a ways to go...

The black dirt is turning grass green!

Another view from the top

Stolen fall picture from Megan's blog. 

And another pilfered pic

I wish these two could have rung my doorbell on Halloween