Birds and Squirrels

The resort runs right along a creek and they have a beautiful area near the water with lots of bird feeders and a squirrel feeder. The other morning there were lots of birds out and one very hungry squirrel. The kids had a lot of fun. Lizzy took lots of pictures of a mama duck with ten ducklings, that is one fertile duck. Anyways, it is so beautiful here, walking down near the water feels a little like camping, but then we get to come back to our nice two bedroom condo with running water and a stocked fridge, what could be better? You can even fish down there, Mark, Liz and Mark did that the other night, the only thing biting though was the bugs, which brings back fond memories of Pennellwood. The weather here is still beautiful 80's with no humidity is the high.

Golfing

The kids love to play mini golf, there is a course at our resort and they usually play a round every day. Bella really enjoyed it and that night she was scratching around her pack and play like she was trying to get something while she was sleeping, then she started saying, "Ball, Ball." in her sleep and actually woke herself up. I think she was dreaming of golfing.

More Vacation

Mark and Lizzy went for a hike this morning. They hiked Allen's Bend Trail and Casner Canyon. They crossed the river a few times and got to climb a really big boulder. The less I think about Lizzy climbing a boulder in the middle of a river, the better. They had fun and I think Lizzy actually started to enjoy the wilderness around her. (She has a lot of fears of bees and bugs and usually hates to walk on hikes.) Markie, Bella and I hung out around the resort and played life size chess, bocce ball and played on the playground. Lots of swimming this afternoon by everyone, and now it is 9 pm and Lizzy is not even close to fading. OOh, to have the energy of a 7 year old....

Vacation

Day three of our one week vacation and we discovered we have wireless internet from our room because we are close enough (one bldg away) from the lobby which is the only place on property that has it! Gas money to get to Sedona $50 Trip to Costco to stock up the time share with drinks and snacks $300 Time share maintenance fees for the year $750 Finding out we have wireless PRICELESS.

Anyways, having fun, blah blah blah. Going to start with our great dinner at a restaurant here at the resort tonight. A successful dinner out with the three rugrats.

Haircut Time!

Bella and Lizzy both got haircuts this week. Bella was very serious during hers and stayed very still throughout the whole thing. She has a fashionable bob. Lizzy went to my hairdresser for the first time. She did not utter one word during the entire cut. She had about three inches cut off. She also wanted bangs. I know she likes to think she is just like her Aunt Kim, but when I saw this last picture on the computer, she is the exact image of her Aunt Heather when she was younger. Mark thought so also. Lizzy calls her Aunt Heber, maybe if she sees this picture she will come visit again from Ohio! We are off on vacation tommorow, so I may not have a post for a few days.

School's Out for Summer!

Isn't that the name of a song? Last day of school today, May 22. Seems awfully early this year. Lizzy's school had an end of the year picnic for the families at the park next to the school. Seemed suspiciously like a way for the teachers to get rid of the students a couple of hours early, but it was fun. Second grade, check it off for Lizzy. She got two awards today at the end of the year assembly, One from Coach Spears, The Joventus Warrior Award (Roman God of Youth) for the student who most exemplifies WTA's physical fitness standards. (My little athlete) The other from her classroom teacher for outstanding achievement in math. It was a great year! I can't believe I have a third grader now.

Kim's B-day

We went to a wine bar in Chandler for Kim's birthday. Her birthday is Sat. but we went out Wed. night since I am working Sat. It was fun, we planned it at the last minute, so it was just Kim, Tamra, Becca and I. We ordered the brown bag special, the bartender's choice of a bottle of red wine in a brown bag for 15 bucks. It was a nice Santa Barbara Syrah. (We peeked.) Anyways, we had fun talking and laughing for a few hours. We always laugh a lot when we are together. I can't believe Kim is 42. Seems like just yesterday we were in Vegas celebrating her 40th. Happy Birthday Kim, you will always be older than me, and for that I am forever grateful.

Cousins first, friends forever

Well, since I just spent a few days reconnecting with 5 of my cousins in NY, I thought it would be appropriate to do a post on the cousins, the fabulous 5, plus Christian in Yuma makes 6 actually. Kim and I's 5 kids spend a lot of time together, with the original two, Ben and Lizzy the closest. Last night we took Ben and Lizzy to Dairy Queen to celebrate their last night of Religious Education for the school year. They are always goofy when they are together. The last picture is the other three, Markie, Alex and Bella. Markie loves Ben to death, and they play together well, Markie will play with Alex when everyone else is at school. Bella and Alex have quite a bond, they have their own little language, and Alex loves to steal Bella's toys. Although Bella has her own ways to get back at Alex, he hates it when she touches his hair. Anyways, Kim and I are grateful that our kids get along so well. We spent a lot of time with our cousins when we were young, but in 1979 we moved to Az from NY and have not really seen them since except for a handful of times with a few of them. I do hope to keep in better touch with a few of my cousins now that I have re-bonded with them. Funny how you can be raised across the country from your cousins, but so many things in the way you were raised were similar. Hopefully our kids will always be close to their cousins.

Mom's Day

Mom's Day was Sunday. I got beautiful jewelry, each child picked me out a beautiful necklace from target, so I have three new necklaces. When I put on the one from Markie, which he gave me Sat. nite because he could not wait til Sunday, he said, "Mommie, you look gorgeous." Very sweet. Anyways, my folks came up for the night since they were flying out for Cabo in the morning, my dad's heart is all better with his new medication. All of a sudden I was hosting a bbq for everyone at my house. Fun, fun, fun. Not very relaxing for me, but oh well, such is life. Anyways, Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there, hope you had a relaxing day.

My trip to NY

Well, unfortunately my Aunt Carol lost her 7 year battle with ovarian cancer this past week. She was 69 years old. I had not seen her for 8 years, but always felt close to her. We spent a lot of time at her house and played with her boys, our cousins, a lot until we moved to Az in 1979. Aunt Carol always kept in touch with us through the years and she was a wonderful lady with a deep faith. I made a quick decision to head to Lewiston, NY to go to the funeral. I am glad I did. It was heart wrenching to see my Uncle Tony suffer through the services. They were happily married for over 40 years. My Uncle Tony is the spitting image of my father, esp. in his suit. My folks couldn't make the trip, my dad had heart trouble earlier in the week and could not risk the travel. Anyways, the top picture is my uncle Tony and I at his house later in the day and the other picture is me and my Uncle Edward. They are my dad's two older brothers. The craziest part of the whole day was that I met two of my great uncles, my grandma's (who died when I was 7) brothers. ( twenty years younger than her, they had 13 kids in their family) Amazing! I did not know any of my great uncles were even alive. You have to understand, two of my cousins I had not seen since 1979. Reminiscing with my cousin Tony (Carol's son) about riding skateboards being pulled by others on bikes, and playing in the creek by my house. (30 years ago) I really can't put into words what this was like, all of my dad's family being together for the day. Amazing. I am glad I was able to be there, it was a sad day, but I was glad to be a part of it.

God bless Aunt Carol as she is now enjoying heaven pain free.