Return to the desert

I arrived yesterday afternoon in Phoenix.  Monday and Tuesday were both beautiful days for driving so that was a big plus.  I found the house especially dusty compared to years before...I thought all those days of rain would tame the dust storms, but evidently a few got through during the monsoon season!

Matt rode his bike to the farm Saturday afternoon for a very short visit.  It was good to have him home for a few hours.  We went in to see Jan and Clayton so that was especially nice.  We both left for Omaha Sunday around 1:00.  He had a going away party to attend for a friend and he took me with so I could meet all his friends.  It was lots of fun.  Afterwards we went to one of his favorite pizza places for dinner.

I woke very early Monday morning so decided to toss on some clothes, brush my teeth and hit the road by 5 a.m.  The new car was such fun to drive and each stop I was amazed at not being stiff, so that was awesome!  :-)  I always stop in Santa Rosa, NM the first night.  747 miles and a little over 11 hours.  I had a special treat when the kids decided to Facetime.  So good to see them! 

Tuesday is a shorter day for me so I didn't leave until 6:30 a.m. and arrived in Phoenix around 2:30.  So tired, but managed to go to Costco and pick up essentials.  Due to the 2 hour time difference I went to bed WAY too early and then woke up around 3 a.m.!  Wide awake.  I decided to make the most of it and started unpacking all the junk I hauled with me. 

When I was tired of that, I decided to do what I love best about being here and went for my favorite mountain hike.  I was 10 minutes slower than when I left last spring.  Ha!  Darn flat Iowa got me out of shape!  I will have to work on that.  :-)

I have spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon dusting and mopping the floors.  I plan to go over the floors again later.  The water kept getting so dirty, I kept changing it often but I think it needs another go over! 

I am looking forward to Mark's call that says the harvest is finished.  It has been a real struggle with too much rain and muddy fields.  Those boys will be glad to see this behind them!

Before I left I went to see Dan, Katie and sweet Piper.  She is a good baby!

Matt and I decided to take Jan out for a spin on a very gorgeous Saturday.

Me and my baby boy.  :-)

28 miles until Flagstaff!!

I have some yard work to do!  The grass is usually dead when I arrive, ready for winter seeding.  Not this year!  Time to mow this down!

Beautiful morning for a North Mountain hike.

Final trip to Peoria

I spent almost two weeks with my grandchildren and enjoyed every minute of it.  I went earlier than I had planned because Kayley was ill and I had time to watch her, so I did!  She recovered rapidly and we all stayed healthy the rest of my time there.  We took in football games on Saturdays, made lots of play doh cupcakes and cakes, a "real" easy bake oven cake, played lots of football in the back yard, had fun with Kayley while she was Top Frog in her class for the week and much time spent in the sand pile.  Grandparents Day for Ryan happened to be scheduled while I was there so had much fun attending that!  The kids love me being there so they can ride the bus home instead of going to after school care for several hours.  It was a fun "last" visit before I head out to AZ.  It is always sad to go but I know I will be flying back for Thanksgiving.  As fast as October is flying by, that will be here in no time!

Ryan just loves to sing, so I caught him in action one day:

As much as he loves to sing and is constantly doing so, he was a bit shy at Grandparents Day during the songs!  I was surprised, as he is usually such a ham, or as Andy says, The Class Clown.  :-)

If you look quickly, you will see Drew get a reception and run for a touchdown in this video:

Still hasn't mastered pedaling but loves his trike

We spent a lot of time together for two weeks and had fun!

Kayley with her top frog.....this picture wasn't included in the school journal.  Lol

Kayley bored at Costco

Our first Saturday game was COLD!!!

Kayley and her red velvet easy bake oven cake

They actually ate it...I resisted

Ryan looks so tiny next to one of his classmates.  He was a big boy!

Cute!

Clowning around

Into selfies this week

The sand pile.  A favorite gathering place for these children.