Happy Valentine's Day

Not a lot to report on from Phoenix.  Just the same old nice weather.  :-)  We were even in the 80's a few days ago.  We have two cool days ahead of us and then back to mid 70's so we really cannot complain about that too much!

We had plans to drive up to Cave Creek tomorrow for a Valentine lunch and just to walk around the shops but the forecast is sounding cool and wet so we may put that off for a few days.  It is nearly impossible to get into restaurants around here on the 14th so that is why we were going for the lunch date.  There are several museums I have been wanting to take Mark to so perhaps a rainy cold day would be good for that... or maybe a movie!

Every Saturday a group of us gals take a long hike somewhere in the Valley.  We have not had a bad one yet!  This past week-end we hiked the McDowell Mountain Park and it was the best hike yet that I have had in AZ.  The views took your breath away and the trail was in great shape and easy to hike...not too many rocks to trip over!  After the hike we always go out for breakfast which rather negates the calories burned on the hike but that is the fun part!  :-)

Some pics from Saturday's hike:

Phoenix Open

Mark and I had a grand time at the golf tournament this past week-end.  We had such fun on Thursday that we decided to head back again yesterday....on Super Bowl Sunday!  We knew we would be home in plenty of time for the game and the commercials so saw no reason not to go one more time.  Kyle Stanley had a tremendous come from behind victory and we were so happy for him.  I felt so awful for him last week-end at Torrey Pines and never dreamed he'd come back this quickly.  He is now a rich young 24 year old!  To make the day even better, as we were waiting in line to buy tickets, a lady came up to Mark and said she had an extra ticket for free if we wanted it.  If we wanted it??!?!?  Yes, we wanted it.  :-)  $25 saved is a good thing!

Other than golf tournaments and hiking, we are just enjoying the weather and missing our kids and grandchildren!  I will see them again on March 20th so I am looking forward to that trip.

We hope to get to Mesa this month and see some friends from Dayton that are wintering there.  Jeff and Patty P. have been here for several weeks and Craig and Barb P. are coming next week.  It would be fun to get together with them at least once!  Maybe they can also find time to come here for dinner for one of Mark's great ribeyes on the grill.  :-)  Anyway, looking forward to seeing them all.

Some pics from our week:

Looking across TPC golf course with stadium hole #16 in the background.

Phi Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson on the green

We hiked a new trail at Cave Creek Park and found this unusual saguaro

The new Quartz trail.  It was a pretty hike and am sure we will do it again.

A little bit of everything

It has been a little over a week since we returned from Peoria, but it seems like months!  I guess I will never get over missing our grandchildren until they are too old to care if we see them or not!  I doubt that will even help me!

We were welcomed back to Arizona with picture perfect weather.  It has been non-stop beautiful, making it great for hiking, walks around the neighborhood for Mark, and yard work, etc.  I just wish this weather were everywhere so no one has to suffer bitter cold.

Yesterday Mark and I went to Turf Paradise, a horse track just several streets from our home.  I had purchased a VIP package on Living Social for half price which got us into the Turf Club, bottle of wine, dinner for two and $5 to spend in the gift shop.  (I bought a Turf shot glass).  It would have cost $70 for this total package but I paid only $30.  Well worth it as we had a blast.  We had a gorgeous view from our table and we placed bets on every race without having a clue to what we were doing.  :-)  I won a couple of races but Mark was the big winner!  $51.80 on a $2 Box Quinella bet.  That more than covered our expenses.  We are always happy to leave a gambling establishment with their money in our pockets rather than vice versa.  :-)

This morning I met 7 gals at Cave Creek Park for a hike on a new trail just recently finished.  I have usually hiked the Go John Trail here but this new hike was very beautiful, but shorter.  It is called the Quartz Trail as it went by...quartz rock.  :-)  I enjoyed it!  The hike was followed by brunch at Venues Cafe in Carefree.  Delicious but we decided that the GPS monitors rated us as not hiking far enough for the calories consumed.  :-)  It was a very fun morning.  (Sharon, we missed you and they all asked how you are doing.  The hikers were Betsy L., Marilyn, Edie, Sharon R., Mary Anne, Jane and Carol.)

This week is the Phoenix Open.  I would like to go two days but we are going to go Thursday for sure.  Megan always had some pull to get us free tickets when she worked here so guess we will have to pay this year! 

Well, that catches us up since our return from the birthday bash.  Still had some videos to edit from Peoria so will include those along with some more pictures.

Shawn Johnson, eat your heart out:

Misc. shots:

 

Kayley ready to ride Matt's gift to them, a John Deere Gator

Drew on last year's gift from Uncle Matt!

Drew loves writing numbers...this is getting a little out of his range but he did great.

Proud Grandpa and Kayley

Two buddies

Grandma and her two favorite kids

And they're off!

Mark is going to apply for a job here so he can keep up his tractor skills during the winter...

This track is in a beautiful setting in north central Phoenix

Happy 5th Birthday to Drew!

Drew turned 5 on January 15th, 2012.  Mark and I flew to Peoria on Friday night to help him celebrate and are staying until this Friday, the 20th.  We had a family party for him on Saturday.  Matt and Grandpa Butch also drove over for the week-end celebration.  Drew received lots of toys and Mommy bought a delicious ice cream cake from Dairy Queen all decked out in a Cars theme with Lightning McQueen and Mater.  I think the birthday boy thoroughly enjoyed his day!  That evening we dined at Drew's favorite pizza place in Dunlap.

We are spending our days here playing with Drew and Kayley and getting used to cold temperatures and snow once again.  I miss these grandchildren terribly when we are in Arizona but I don't miss this god awful weather!  :-)  I am spoiled rotten now and can hardly function if I am not in flip flops,sandals or hiking boots.  The kids love it, though, and spent time outside with Andy making a snowman, snow angels and sliding down the hill.  We watched from the warmth of the window!

Some videos and pics of our time here and Drew's birthday:

 

Drew checking out his ice cream cake

Kayley getting ready to dig in!

Drew getting served first.

Daddy set up his construction site

Kayley enjoying Drew's tool kit...real tools.  Yikes!

One more sweet thing.

Kayley and Uncle Matt

Drew with Uncle Matt

Kayley and Grandma

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that you are looking forward to the new year.  2011 seemed to fly by, as they all seem to do lately!  Mark and I spent a very quiet Christmas in our home.  I did go on a hike the 24th but other than that we just chilled out here and enjoyed it.  I made chili for Christmas Eve and French Dip sandwiches on Christmas with my new crock pot, a gift from Mark.  I also received a Shark hand held vac.  That is the problem with two homes....what you have and are used to in one, you want in the other, too!  I also received some money for shopping.  Well, he might have said it was for my savings account but I am not certain I heard that part correctly!

Christmas Day Drew and Kayley skyped with us and showed us what Santa brought them.  It appears they won't be bored over the rest of the holiday.  Plenty to play with from what we saw!  It was so much fun seeing their excitement but we didn't talk long...there were toys that needed playing!

We are still hanging around the home this week.  I did hike yesterday and today, though.  I think I am addicted to that activity.  I never, ever tire of the view or the challenge.  Today a helicopter was hovering over the mountain and circled it several times.  I hope no one fell or had a heart attack!  The news this morning talked about all the rescues they have had to do because of all the visitors going on hikes and they aren't used to the terrain.  They are falling, breaking body parts or becoming ill from the elevation, etc.  The majority of the rescues have been on Camelback Mountain which is NOT for the faint of heart or for those out of shape.   I have hiked it once with Megan and once with sister Sharon and have no desire to do it again.  I am not tempting my luck!

The Hawkeyes play in the Insight.com bowl in Tempe Friday night.  We went to it last year but I think we will pass this year.  I think the Sooners will have their way with my Hawks and I just couldn't stand to see that happen.  Mark and I plan to go to the pre-game parties and fun for awhile but then will come home to watch the game.

I hope all of you have a safe and Happy New Year and a fantastic 2012!

Some very random pics:

via Megan's phone:  Drew very happy with Grandpa's gift!

Having fun at Greasewood Flats on a Saturday afternoon with friends.

via Andy's cell phone:  Mr. and Mrs. Claus

One of the trails I hike on North Mountain

Rainy days and sunshine...

I cannot believe it is already the middle of December.  Christmas will be here before we know it!  When I worked I used to LOVE this time of the year and looked forward to the long holiday season with my family.  Now, every day is like a holiday but I do miss spending Christmas with the kids and grandchildren.  I think next year I may skip flying home for Thanksgiving and do Christmas there instead!  I want to see Drew and Kayley's excitement during that holiday.  Or perhaps I can convince them to all come to Phoenix once so they can enjoy nice weather during the holiday break!

Mark has been keeping busy puttering around here.  He put up our Christmas lights and installed a new garage door opener.  I have been hiking and shopping, two things I am getting quite good at doing!  We have been having some rainy days, though.  While that is great for the desert it doesn't do me much good for outdoor fun.  Yesterday was gorgeous, around 70 degrees.  Today looks to be the same.  This afternoon we are going with friends to Greasewood, an outdoor grill/bar with live country music.  We always have fun there and are looking forward to seeing the friends.

We plan to golf on Christmas Day if weather permits.  We are assuming everyone will be asleep on the couch from consuming huge meals and won't be out of the courses.  Or, everyone is thinking like us and they will be packed and we won't get a tee time! 

Well, this will most likely be my last post before Christmas so we wish everyone a very wonderful holiday with your families.  We hope Santa is good to you and yours! 

Some pictures from our week:

I put some lights on the cactus and the rocks

The nice thing about AZ is that you can hang December lights in shorts!

The hikers are starting to decorate the mountain tree for Christmas.  Can you tell which ornament is mine?!?!

Cacti Santa

I just HAD to put up a pic of my two favorite people!

Ready to start our winter

Mark made it to our Phoenix home early this afternoon.  It was quite a journey.  He originally was going to leave Iowa on Saturday but mother nature had other plans.  Sunday he finally got off the farm and to Matt's home in Omaha.  Mother nature again decided that he should postpone his plans and stayed an extra day at Matt's and left Tuesday morning instead.  His travel on Tuesday was good and he was happy he waited that extra day.  He drove from Omaha to Moriarty, NM.  That is just a few miles from Albuquerque.  My best shot in a day's drive from Omaha was Tucumcari, NM and he went another 130+ miles!  Wow, I could not have done that!  His drive today was uneventful, even through Flagstaff.  I am so glad to have him join me here and we look forward to a great winter.

Tonight we skyped with Drew and Kayley and it did make us lonesome for our grandchildren!  I wish we could be with them at Christmas but they will have a grand time without us there.  Santa sounds like he is going to be good to them. 

A video of Kayley from our Thanksgiving trip to Peoria:

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

I am in the desert

I left Thursday afternoon for Omaha.  Landed at Matt's around 4:30 pm.  He was working but returned home around 6.  He took me and a friend (Kailie, sorry if I am not spelling it right)  to Anthony's steak house.  Very, VERY good meal.  We had a great time there and then back to Matt's home.  I hit bed early because of a 12 hour drive the next morning to Tucumcari, NM.  The drive went without a hitch, so that was a plus!

I left Tucumcari at 6 am New Mexico time.  That would be 7 am Iowa time and 5 am Arizona time.  Needless to say, with the 2 hour time difference I made it into Phoenix early on Saturday, around 1:45 pm.  That left me plenty of time to grocery shop, start getting rid of the AZ dust and just relax.  I still do not like the drive down the mountains from Flagstaff to Phoenix.  I cannot imagine doing that road in the winter.  Yikes!

Yesterday I spent most of the day preparing our little lawn for seeding.  Thank goodness it is "little" because it took a lot of hard work, bending over, lifting 8 big bags of top cover, etc.  It is worth it in the end but I am stiff this morning!  I was going to go on a hike today but that can wait another day.  :-)

I was very disappointed in my rose bush garden.  I lost every single one.  They were so beautiful when I left last April and the watering system was working so I don't understand what happened!  It was a long and very hot summer here so I am thinking that I didn't have the water on long enough for them to survive.  Live and learn!  We enjoyed their color so much that I am going to replant them but if they die again next summer then cacti are going into that spot!!!  Hard to kill a cactus out here.  Ha!

No video today.  :-(  I will have to rely on Megan to keep us updated as to what Drew and Kayley are up to these days!

Mexican Palm upon arrival was in desperate need of a trimming!!!

Mexican Palm after trimming it...immediately!!

Date Palm was also looking very shaggy!

Date Palm looking clean shaven!

Mark's cactus was overtaken by grass while we were gone.  He is going to have to deal with this.  I am not getting near that cactus!

This once was my beautiful rose garden.  Upon arrival it looked like the yard of a foreclosed home!

This is what my rose garden looked like when I left last May.  Must have really been a long hot summer in the Valley!