The most beautiful place.....

Mark and I spent the week-end in Sedona, AZ and we both agreed with USA Today that is has to be arguably the most beautiful spot in America. My photos don't begin to do it one bit of justice but am posting them anyway!

We left early Sat. morning and made stops at two ancient Indian ruins, Montezuma's Castle and Montezuma's Well. Both were very interesting and quite remarkable. Following those tours we headed up to Sedona and the beautiful red rock country and home of Oak Creek Canyon. I had packed a picnic lunch and we ate and spent several hours exploring the creek and all its beauty. We checked into the Amara Resort and Spa around 3:30 and were thrilled with its luxury! (Thanks Megan and Andy!) We walked around uptown Sedona and all the tourist trap gift shops and found a place for dinner Sat. evening. Great western ribeye and atmosphere.

Sunday we did a bit more exploring, had a hearty breakfast at another great restaurant and took a trolley ride that gave us a chance to view and learn about all the mountains surrounding the area and all their unique names. We reluctantly headed back down to hot Phoenix around 1:30 and arrived around 3:30. I understand Phoenix set a new heat record for yesterday and may have done the same again today. It is scorching hot in many areas of the US, though.......

Today we are back watching Drew and it was very good to see his big smile this morning. Funny how you get attached to the little ones........

Anyway, Mark and I had a glorious week-end that we will remember forever! Hope yours was glorious, also.

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Time to catch up!

Mark and I have been having a great time watching Drew, doing more little things to the town house, etc. Drew is still the dream baby, so easy to care for and love. I can hardly recall the last time he has cried for anything over 10 seconds. Happy, happy little boy! I read yesterday how Baby Einstein videos may be producing Baby Homer Simpsons instead of Baby Einsteins and got a good laugh over that. We are not too concerned as Drew gets lots of stimulation and one on one so it will be over grandma's dead old body that he turns in to a Homer or horrors: Bart. :-)

The townhouse patio faces west and in this town that is not a great position this time of year so we bought two roll down screens and they have made a world of difference for us out there. As most of you know, we love to grill and be outdoors so this helps tremendously, not to mention the misters that Andy put up when they lived there. We have had many pleasant nights out there. Mark also hung all the wall decor so it is really looking homey right now. That man is a godsend and I am very glad he is mine!

This week-end we are going to Sedona and courtesy of Andy and Megan we are staying at a resort and spa in the city that was rated in USA TODAY as the number one beautiful spot in the United States. That makes me think I will have some photos to post next week. :-) I was there several years ago but Mark has never been so we are excited to see Sedona and the red rock country.

Here are a few photos....can't post a log without a few photos!

Let's make some noise!

More swimming

Drew getting better in the water

Swim lessons are working!

Visitors on the week-end

My nephew Erik and his two daughters were visiting Sharon and Arne this past week and came to see Drew on Saturday and spend the afternoon swimming in the pool. Kadin and Gracie are so brown compared to white Drew!! Darling little gals. Pictures are from that visit and also a picture of Matt and Drew visiting in Omaha two weeks ago and naturally a few pictures thrown in of Drew. He is sitting alone now but every once in awhile gets too excited and tips over! Hope everyone's week is going well.

Happy, Sad

Our town house

Mark and I have spent a lot of time fixing up the town house so I have included some pics of the new paint and new furniture. I went a bit dramatic on the paint but we both really like it. All I really have left to do is put up some wall decor and plant some desert plants in the patio and it is good to go! It is a perfect little second place for the two of us during the winter. I think we will really enjoy it. Megan and Andy also put in a security system so that makes me feel pretty comfortable living in the big city. The only trespassers I ever had to shoot before were raccoons and rabbits.....I didn't want to have to shoot anything (one) here so I really like the alarm system being in place. :-) I hope some of you come for a respite from the mid-west winters and stay for a spell with us in beautiful AZ winter temps! You can come now if you wish, but don't bring many clothes.......it is too hot to wear any. :-)

Home for the week-end

I was back in Iowa Wednesday afternoon through very early Sunday. (I had a 6:30 a.m. flight so left the farm at 4:15 a.m.....ugh!) It was so wonderful to be with Mark, dig in my flower beds, mow the lawn. I also took time out for all my yearly medical physicals so that took up some of my precious time there but all needed to be done. Mark and I also spent some time helping our good friends Jan and Clayton begin their move to a new home in town. They have sold the beloved farm with the pond but the upkeep on it was getting to be a bit of a chore for just the two of them. The place they bought in town is just awesome, though. It is HUGE and lovely. I am very happy for them. They have timber on each side and in the back so it is very private for being in town. This will make them a great home. I have included pictures from my long week-end. Some are from around our farm, some from the pond farm and a few of their new home in town. One picture shows cannas and zinnias that Mark planted while I am away. I thought that was very special that he did that considering they can be a lot of work. He is such a sweet guy, but everyone knows that! The picture of me in our golf cart shows me sporting a jacket........I cannot recall the last time I needed one of those items of clothing in Phoenix! The air felt even crisp.