Until I have grandchildren pics to post (soon!!!), these will have to do...
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| Before and after |
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| Mark is going to get really good.... |
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| More before and after |
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| Rolling the putting green...the final touch |
Tuesday, February 03, 2015
No more grass to plant every fall.
Mark and I decided to make a change in our back yard in AZ. I always
have to plant the winter grass every October when I arrive, which
involves lots of bag hauling by me. He is still at home riding in a
tractor during this ordeal while I am slaving hauling dirt by hand.
:-) So, we decided to put in a putting green and we just love it! The
back yard looks so much better, I can hardly believe the
transformation! Plus, we are going to become awesome putters. Ha ha!
Until I have grandchildren pics to post (soon!!!), these will have to do...
Until I have grandchildren pics to post (soon!!!), these will have to do...
Friday, January 30, 2015
January in the desert
It has been a quick month. I cannot believe it will soon be February! We have kept ourselves busy having fun or taking it easy. The weather has been picture perfect up until today. We have had rain all day and temps in the mid 50's! Tomorrow is more of the same. There are thousands of visitors in the area for the Phoenix Open and the Super Bowl so the forecast is kind of sad for them. As soon as it is all over, the weather goes nice and sunny again. Oh well....
Mark and I attended the Open yesterday and had a great time. It was nice, especially compared to today out on that wet course. We had planned to go all four days but the weather changed that decision! Tiger didn't make the cut and it looks like Phil won't either, so that wouldn't be fun to watch without them!
I heard there was a winter storm warning in Iowa this week-end. Those types of forecasts make me feel so thankful to have the opportunity to miss that snow. I am not a fan of cold and snow....
I am taking a quick trip to Peoria for Valentine's Day and am excited to see my grandchildren. I hope everyone on the plane is healthy and flu free! I do not want that stuff! I have had the measles so not worried about that, at least. :-)
A few pictures from our month:
Mark and I attended the Open yesterday and had a great time. It was nice, especially compared to today out on that wet course. We had planned to go all four days but the weather changed that decision! Tiger didn't make the cut and it looks like Phil won't either, so that wouldn't be fun to watch without them!
I heard there was a winter storm warning in Iowa this week-end. Those types of forecasts make me feel so thankful to have the opportunity to miss that snow. I am not a fan of cold and snow....
I am taking a quick trip to Peoria for Valentine's Day and am excited to see my grandchildren. I hope everyone on the plane is healthy and flu free! I do not want that stuff! I have had the measles so not worried about that, at least. :-)
A few pictures from our month:
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| Fun with friends at Turf Paradise |
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| Mark looking over the old stuff at Greasewood Flats |
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| Having a beer at Greasewood |
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| A view of the horse track |
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| Mark is lost in a sea of metal cacti in Cave Creek, AZ |
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| A view from one of my hikes |
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| Phil Mickelson at the Phoenix Open |
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| Tiger on the practice green |
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| Approaching hole #2 |
Friday, January 02, 2015
A very merry Christmas and New Year
Christmas 2014 is now history and we enjoyed it to the fullest! Mark and I flew to Peoria, IL on Dec. 20th for a week's stay at Megan and Andy's home. It was fun watching the kids' excitement as the big day approached and their fun on Christmas morning. We usually visit after the 25th so this was especially fun for us to be with them on the actual day!
The weather was very mild which I must admit was a big plus for cold weather hating grandma! We were able to be outside riding on new toys or going for a walk with Sox. I think the weather has since turned bitter cold so I feel lucky for the temps we had during our week.
The day of our arrival was highlighted by attending Drew and Kayley's basketball game. They play on the same team and it was such fun watching them have a great time. Drew is very good and handles the ball well and makes lots of baskets for his team. This is Kayley's first year so she is learning the game and she loves to dribble! :-)
Ryan is such a fun character. He is only 2 1/2 but knows how to entertain everyone and enjoys doing it. He has a very sweet demeanor and I will just have to admit it: he is adorable. :-)
Matt also joined us for the holiday festivities and it was great seeing him. It is a long drive from Omaha so we appreciate his effort in getting to Peoria for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanks, Matt!
I will end with some videos and lots of pictures! Happy New Year!
The weather was very mild which I must admit was a big plus for cold weather hating grandma! We were able to be outside riding on new toys or going for a walk with Sox. I think the weather has since turned bitter cold so I feel lucky for the temps we had during our week.
The day of our arrival was highlighted by attending Drew and Kayley's basketball game. They play on the same team and it was such fun watching them have a great time. Drew is very good and handles the ball well and makes lots of baskets for his team. This is Kayley's first year so she is learning the game and she loves to dribble! :-)
Ryan is such a fun character. He is only 2 1/2 but knows how to entertain everyone and enjoys doing it. He has a very sweet demeanor and I will just have to admit it: he is adorable. :-)
Matt also joined us for the holiday festivities and it was great seeing him. It is a long drive from Omaha so we appreciate his effort in getting to Peoria for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanks, Matt!
I will end with some videos and lots of pictures! Happy New Year!
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| Sad face....my iPad battery went dead |
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| Happy Meals are always worth the extra $ because of awesome toys like this... |
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| Ready for the little ones to get out of bed! |
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| Looking through their stockings |
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| Twins! |
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| Kayley and Elsa |
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| Drew was happy for this gift. |
Friday, December 05, 2014
On the road again
This morning we are on our way to our Phoenix home. Should arrive mid afternoon. The skies are clear and sunny as picture shows. Thinking of everyone back home!
Tuesday, December 02, 2014
A wonderful Thanksgiving with my family
I flew to Peoria the Friday before Thanksgiving, allowing me many days to be with my grandchildren for the holiday. I watched Drew and Kayley's basketball practice and swimming lesson. I had Ryan while the other two went to school on Monday and Tuesday. We all played lots of minutes on the x-box, chugging Thomas and his friends around the tracks that we built, assembled many puzzles and watched some iPad videos of Wheels on the bus and more.
Mark arrived from Iowa on Wednesday and Matt drove in from Omaha on Thanksgiving morning. Megan and I made the traditional turkey dinner and it seemed to fill everyone up for the day. Later that afternoon we put up their Christmas tree and other holiday decorations. It looks very festive at the Thiel home!
Matt left Sunday morning and Mark and I drove back to the farm yesterday. We plan to leave for Omaha on Wednesday and start driving to AZ on Thursday morning. We should be at our winter home Friday afternoon if we are trouble free on the long journey. We won't be there long and we will be flying back to Peoria for Santa's arrival. Fun time of the year!
Mark arrived from Iowa on Wednesday and Matt drove in from Omaha on Thanksgiving morning. Megan and I made the traditional turkey dinner and it seemed to fill everyone up for the day. Later that afternoon we put up their Christmas tree and other holiday decorations. It looks very festive at the Thiel home!
Matt left Sunday morning and Mark and I drove back to the farm yesterday. We plan to leave for Omaha on Wednesday and start driving to AZ on Thursday morning. We should be at our winter home Friday afternoon if we are trouble free on the long journey. We won't be there long and we will be flying back to Peoria for Santa's arrival. Fun time of the year!
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| Cheese |
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| Drew and Kayley love their swimming lesson |
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| Costco is selling one big teddy bear this year |
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| Sweet Ryan |
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| Kayley is ready for the elements!!! |
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| Ryan has never met a wheeled vehicle that he doesn't like |
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| Ryan and my iPad |
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| Drew, Kayley and Uncle Matt |
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| Grandpa and a cheesy Ryan |
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| Train time |
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| There is even a "Frozen" play doh set... |
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
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!
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!
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| Before I left I went to see Dan, Katie and sweet Piper. She is a good baby! |
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| Matt and I decided to take Jan out for a spin on a very gorgeous Saturday. |
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| Me and my baby boy. :-) |
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| 28 miles until Flagstaff!! |
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| 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! |
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| Beautiful morning for a North Mountain hike. |
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