Getting close

Mark has only two more days left in Phoenix before he heads back to Iowa.  He plans to leave very early on Friday morning and spend the night in beautiful Dalhart, TX.  The smell of cattle lots and the sound of many passing trains will lull him to sleep after a long day on the road.  Saturday he will make it to Matt's home in Omaha and then on to the farm on Sunday.  He expects to find branches and limbs awaiting him in our yards.  Our good friend Jan said there were quite a few down.  :-(  I feel bad that I will not be there to help him pick them up.  (Seriously, I really DO feel bad!)

Last night we met my sister Sharon's children at Olive Garden in Old Town Scottsdale for dinner.  Lisa, Erik and Aaron were all there along with Lisa's boys Aaron, Daniel and Taylor.  Son Nick had to work, unfortunately.  It was great to see them all.  They told Mark and I that we are their surrogate parents now that Sharon and Arne moved to Florida!  I bet they were wishing for their REAL parents when the dinner bill arrived.  LOL.

Tomorrow is my birthday....number 60.  I still really haven't wrapped my head around that number but I guess I am supposed to because everybody keeps remarking about that number.  :-)  I am simply glad to be here for it!  I plan to hike Black Mountain near Sharon's old home and in the evening Mark is taking me to a restaurant of my choice.  Sounds good to me!  Once we get back on the farm we rarely go out to eat.  The closest decent restaurant is 30 miles away and none of them come close to Mark's grilling anyway.  :-)

Below are pictures from last night's family dinner.

Sharon's children Aaron, Lisa and Erik

Lisa with sons Taylor and Daniel

Lisa with brother Aaron, son Aaron and his girlfriend and Mark