The farm was filled with lots of relatives so that was exciting but it was also a very sad time as we laid my niece Lisa to rest on that Sunday. Her wishes were to be buried by Grandpa Stan so everyone flew/drove to the farm. Jan and her four children drove down from MN on Friday. I picked Sharon up in Des Moines on Thursday. Arne, Erik and his daughters flew into Omaha and rented a car. Lisa's sons Nick and Taylor flew into Omaha and Matt drove them to the farm Friday night. Larry, Kevin and Sarah, Katie and Dan came Saturday night, also.
One bright spot for me was the fact that Megan brought Ryan with her when she came Friday night. Drew and Kayley went to Omaha with Andy for a graduation. Ryan had LOTS of attention from so many adults but did manage to catch a bug, too, but it didn't last too long.
We managed to fit everyone into the house, but only because no spouses or children were here. The family has ballooned to such a large number that an all-family farm reunion is impossible. We will have to do gatherings like we did in Estes Park several years ago! That was very fun and less stressful on us and our septic tank!
Some pics from our time together and of course, a video with my grandson! :-)
Stan, Ryan and Matt
Jan with daughters Marla and Britt
Lisa's urn covered in rose petals
Lisa's stone
Sharon with cousin Joyce
Matt and Taylor
Checking out the old barn and its many sky lights!
I left AZ a week ago last Saturday and arrived to a warm Iowa. This week is a MUCH different story, with temps in the 50's today. Brrr! I am not even going to look at what the temperature is in Phoenix but I know it is probably twice that. :-)
I stayed with Matt on Sunday night. We had a great time and met some friends at a restaurant. Such a nice couple and the pizza was to die for! He had to work the next day so I took off for the farm and my husband. It was good to be home after being in 7 states in two days! Leaving a car in AZ and flying back and forth sounds more appealing each passing year....I just hate being seated for 12 hours per day!
I managed to stay at the farm for three whole days and then took off to see the grand kids in Peoria. I had a marvelous time there this Mother's Day week-end! I was able to watch Kayley play in her soccer game, her first sports participation. She is going to try T ball this summer so that should be fun to watch, also. Drew is excited about his baseball season and I look forward to his games.
Ryan stayed home from Daycare on Friday so he and I had a wonderful time together. He has changed so much and is talking a lot more now....and counting! He turns 2 on June 6 and Kayley turns 6 on June 9th so we will all be heading out there for those celebrations. I can't wait. :-)
My siblings and most of their children will be coming to the farm Memorial Day week-end to celebrate and remember my niece Lisa's short time here on earth. Lisa passed away in early April and wanted to be laid to rest with her Grandpa Kalkwarf, so that is what we are going to do over that week-end. I still cannot believe she is gone. She leaves behind four sons: Aaron, Nick, Daniel and Taylor.
On a happier note, some pictures and videos of my time in Peoria!
Like all kids, Ryan loves water and he had a great time playing in it with his daddy and Drew
Kayley soccer game
Ryan and Sox
Our AZ front yard before I left. Notice Mark's many beautiful cactus blooms!
Mark and I flew to Orlando on Wednesday, March 19th and were greeted by sister Sharon and Arne. They drove us to their home in that place called The Villages. It is huge and beautiful, as is their home! We stayed with them three nights and had so much fun exploring their world and seeing many, many golf carts of all shapes and models! It really is quite the place for older folks to reside. There would be no excuse for getting bored there!
Must be a retired over the road driver.
Mark exploring the boardwalk at one of the four town squares in The Villages
Beautiful scenery for Sharon and Arne
57 Chevy cart
Just a few of the hundreds of flowers adorning The Villages
There are more golf carts parked in the town square than cars!
Saturday they drove us to our resort in Orlando where we would spend the next week with Megan, Andy and children and Matt for a glorious time at Disney World. Andy and Mark did drive Drew to Kennedy Space Center that arrival day. They didn't have a lot of time there but Drew was in space heaven!
We had so much fun and were so tired each evening! Megan had organized a wonderful trip for us all which included "character" dinner reservations every day. We were on a prepaid meal plan so had plenty (too much?) to eat every day. It is a good thing we walked, a lot, as those buffets each day were delicious. Drew and Kayley were so excited and had the time of their young lives. It was so much fun watching their wonderment and awe! Even Ryan had fun, especially at the character dinners. He was afraid of none of the costumed figures and posed easily! I think the grandchildren and Matt would go back every year if they could. :-) Megan and Matt covered our costs for this trip for our 40th anniversary present. It was a wonderful gift with our family and one we will never forget! I will let the videos express our fun and excitement. :-)
We have our own version of March Madness going on lately! The weather has been superb and lots of outdoor activities to keep us moving. Our son-in-law Andy and his two brothers from Omaha were just here for a spring baseball vacation. We saw lots of baseball during their stay. I didn't go to all of them but Mark was there for every one. I do believe I have had my year's quota of beer, brats, hot dogs and peanuts! Time for some veggies. :-)
I am very excited about our upcoming trip. We are joining Megan and family and Matt for a Disney World vacation. It will be so much fun watching the grandchildren see the wonderment of Disney. Kayley has her beautiful blue Cinderella dress, shoes, tiara and wand ready for dinner with the "real" Cinderella. :-) I am anticipating a huge crowd because of spring break but nothing we can do about that! Mark and I are flying out of Phoenix tomorrow to visit Sharon and Arne at The Villages. We have never been to their new home and it will be fun to see what that old people's city is all about. Ha! Sharon will drive us to our resort at Disney World on Saturday when the rest of our family arrives. After 5 days at the park we are driving to Clearwater Beach so the kids can see the "ocean".
Here are a few pictures from AZ and now I must go pack!
My geraniums are LOVING this weather. I have even had people ring my bell asking about them. :-)
Drew's favorite Sox player at bat. (Konerko)
Very few spring blooms on my hikes due to drought but did find one.
Beautiful view from a new hike
Megan sent me this picture. Well, that made my St. Patty's Day! :-)
Andy sent this picture. We could have a caption contest on this rainy day photo!
I left 85 degree weather last Friday for a very cold and snowy Peoria, Il and I loved every minute of it! My flight arrived just in time for Megan to pick me up and head to the school where she was helping with Kayley's Valentine Party. I was able to surprise Kayley with my appearance at her party and I helped with the games and snacks and everyone had a great time.
Saturday I was able to attend Drew's basketball game thanks to some earlier cancellations. I have seen him play baseball and football but never basketball so that was fun. I know I am prejudice but Drew is pretty good. :-) He appeared to be the only one that could actually dribble up and down the court and he made several buckets! Maybe that bb game we had in the basement at Christmas helped, with the score 283-248. Ha! He saved the score on his whiteboard and we are now in the 600's after this visit! He dearly loves his sports!
Ryan changes TOO much every time I see him. He talks a lot now and mimics everything you say so I was careful with my language! He loves to read and we did a lot of that.
Kayley looked so different with her new haircut, but I just love it. It is much easier to comb in the morning!
The kids did not have school on Monday so I had all three home for the day and we had a grand time. Drew and Kayley played in the snow for over an hour while Ryan and I stayed warm inside. It did seem to snow every day I was there. I feel so sorry for them as it has been a long, cold and very snowy winter. Megan wants it to end. Soon.
I had a Wednesday flight back so was not there as long as usual. It was hard to leave them but knowing I will see them again the last week of March helps very much. Below is a video of Drew playing BB and the other just a misc. mixture of our time together playing.
It has been several weeks since I have posted anything. No excuses except lazy, I guess! We continue to enjoy remarkable weather, as it has been our warmest winter yet. I hate saying that when all my family and friends seem to be enduring their coldest winter. :-( I simply cannot believe the weather in other places. Pipes bursting, roads a mess, school cancellations mounting. I hope spring comes to everyone very soon!!!
Mark and I still haven't golfed yet. We went to the range once and I was so awful I don't need that frustration anymore in my life. Ha! I have decided there are other things in my life I enjoy more....like hiking in the mountains and desert.
Sister Sharon and Arne came from Florida at the end of January for their grandson Aaron's wedding. They stayed with us Monday-Wednesday and we enjoyed their company. We went to the Desert Botanical Garden on Wednesday and beauty was everywhere. Famous glass sculptor Chihuly's works were on display throughout the garden and they were amazing. We were so glad we went!
Thursday they left for a resort close to Aaron's wedding venue and they were staying until Monday morning. On Sunday Mark and I drove to the resort. I am glad we did as we were able to see nephew Erik and his three children. I had never met his youngest son Jeffrey. He is definitely a little Erik! Gracie and Kadin are growing quickly into beautiful young ladies. Nephew Aaron and his friend Emily drove down from Jerome so it was fun seeing them. We also saw niece Lisa and her sons Aaron, Nick and Taylor.
I am flying to Peoria on Valentine's Day...just because. : -) Ryan is at an age that every month brings huge changes and this granny doesn't want to miss out on any of them! I will see them again in a month when we go with Matt and Megan's family on a spring break trip.
Mark and I have also been doing a few landscaping changes. We took out everything "bush like" and put in items that do not get out of control while we are in Iowa, namely cactus and agave. No more bags and bags and bags of trim when I get back next October! Yay! Another upside to that is less water. Water is getting scarce in the west and southwest so we will do our tiny part to help conserve!
Well, that catches us up on our comings and goings! Here's hoping spring comes any day now to everyone.
The geraniums are really starting to put on lots of blooms now
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Spent an afternoon in Cave Creek....I wanted one of these!
The Town Dump. Fun place but we found a better one down the road!
Erik and Mark watching the kids swim
Mark with Erik's son Jeffrey.
Great time at the Phoenix Open. This picture does not do justice to Ricky Fowler's pants!
Beautiful day at the Phoenix Open.
Chihuly glass sculpture at the Desert Botanical Gardens
This saguaro is huge so you can tell how tall this sculpture towered over the desert.
Mark patiently waiting for his Oregano's pizza.
I enjoy this view with my morning coffee.
A day at the races with friends. We usually go there once a month because it is fun and a pretty setting.
We have had beautiful weather in Phoenix and we both are greatful for our good fortune to be out of the wintry blast many are experiencing. I worry about my friends and loved ones driving in that nasty weather. Stay safe!
Mark and I have had a fun few weeks. We spent three days in Laughlin, NV for a nice getaway and a little gambling and really great food. We try to do this once every winter as we do enjoy it!
We are looking forward to a visit from sister Sharon and Arne at the end of the month, as well as our visit to the Phoenix Open at the same time. Last year we went to all four days but don't know about this year. We will play it by ear. It is "the greatest show on grass" as they say. :-)
We continue to go the fitness center four times per week. I am not positive I am getting any stronger but we enjoy it. I also try to hike several times a week and that is a huge enjoyment for me. Lots of beauty in the desert and mountains!
Needless to say, I am lonesome for my three grandchildren. So lonesome that I bought another plane ticket for a quick Valentine's Day visit. :-) Mark is holding the fort down here in Phoenix while I fly to Peoria. I think our Xmas plane ride was plenty for him for awhile. :-) We will also be traveling with them and Matt over the kid's spring break so we are super excited for that trip.
Some random pictures from our days in the desert....
Just mowed lawn.....takes me longer to roll up the cord than it does to mow!
A view of the CO River from a bar in the Golden Nugget, Laughlin
Beautiful "forest" and waterfall inside the Nugget
On the drive to Laughlin
Very interesting drive
We met friends at our favorite horse track
Trying to get 20 minutes of Vitamin D per day. :-)
Mark and I flew to Peoria on Dec. 30th. Was it cold when we arrived? Yes! Did we care? No! Megan, Drew and Kayley were waiting for us at the airport! What more could we ask for, accept perhaps Ryan, but he was waiting for us at home with his dad.
Matt came the next day and we all had a great time. We opened belated presents from Grandpa and Grandma and Matt. We played all kinds of games, sports and puzzles. Never a dull moment.
On our last Saturday we had an early birthday party for Drew. (Real birthday on Jan. 15) He opened presents from Matt and us and we had cake and a dinner out. Fun day.
The weather outside was frightful.....don't recall in recent memory it being this cold but I am sure it was! Guess it was that Polar Vortex. :-) Drew and Kayley were outside more than Grandma thought was necessary but they survived and had a grand time!
We had to depart on Monday, the 6th, but that was an ordeal in it's own right. We were scheduled to leave at 11:15 a.m. That was changed to 11:15 that evening. Our pilot steered the jet into a snow bank and we waited a LONG time for airport workers to get something started in those cold temps to tow the plane out of the bank. Finally they did....we walked into our Phoenix home at 5 a.m. IL time.....long, long night. It was all worth it seeing our family.
A video collage of our time in Peoria and stills of the same follow. Happy 2014 to everyone!
I spent a week in Peoria and a great time was had by all! Megan picked me up at the airport around noon and we drove downtown to the Cat headquarters so she could return to work. I took her vehicle home and around 2:00 went to the daycare to get Ryan who was running a temp. So glad I was there to be with him so mom and dad didn't have to leave work early. He actually seemed fine but they can't be running a certain temp and remain at daycare. Around 3:00 Ryan and I jumped back in the car and drove to Drew and Kayley's school to get them. They were very excited to see me and the feeling was quite mutual!
Tuesday Ryan and I stayed home and the other two rode the bus home from school. They love doing that because it doesn't happen very often as they usually must stay at the child care at the school.
Wednesday I had all three home for the day. We roasted our turkey and cut bread, celery and onions for the stuffing. They were a big help to grandma. (They enjoyed the preparations much more than the actual dinner on Thanksgiving!) :-) That afternoon grandpa arrived from the farm and Matt arrived around 6 pm so we had everybody together for the holiday.
Thanksgiving Day we had dinner at noon. Drew and Kayley helped with the potato and vegetable peeling. We just relaxed after dinner like millions of Americans, watching football and playing board and card games. It was a very nice day!
Friday was another play day. We went to Carlos O'Kelly for dinner that evening. Saturday we took Drew and Kayley to the movie Frozen. Drew doesn't much care for movies but he agreed to go if Matt went. Matt is probably not a fan of cartoon movies but he graciously said he would go so that Drew would go. I would say neither child enjoyed it very much. Kayley cried several times when she thought the heroine had died, which she didn't but it appeared she had. All in all, grandma probably could have saved her $75 and put it into their college savings accounts. :-)
Saturday was a very nice day and Matt and Drew played ball outside and Andy put up the house lights in shirt sleeves. I know the weather will change but it was pretty nice while I was there!
Sunday was time for everyone to go home. I was supposed to fly out at 12:25 but was still sitting in the airport at 3:00. (Maintenance issues). I finally walked in to my winter home around 8 p.m. It was a very long day!
Some pics and a video from our days together:
In this video, Drew and Kayley are playing the XBox Adventures and Ryan gets into the act.
Very good stuffing makers
Kayley at her dollhouse
Kayley helps grandma clean the vegetables
Drew peeled the potatoes
When Drew found out the Hawks were on TV, he ran up to change clothes!
