In Like a Lamb...Out Like a Lion

Been busy with family this month...such a blessing!

Bryon and family were here the weekend of the 9th, 10th and 11th. With the weather being wonderful the kids were able to have some fun in the sun out back.  We enjoyed the days grilling, visiting good friends and eating some more. (Our family is good at that!) Here are a couple pictures I was able to snag..



Kary and Me



Sunday the 11th Moe and I had a great visit with my cousins and Uncle Ernie over at the "Mesa Funny Farm".  We enjoyed a great afternoon of barbecue, reminiscing, and fun. Here are couple pictures from that afternoon.



Uncle Ernie





Uncle Ernie, Kary, Me, Duane & Merilyn





Jim & Kary Vest, Connie & Duane Dunning, Bob & Merlyn Condon and Uncle Ernie in the Center  



Although the month isn't over, and Spring is here, we have had some interesting days this March.  We started mild, getting warm with light breezes...perfect. Then we had the biggest storm of the Winter just two days before the first day of Spring.  It really rained hard, the wind blew and was verrry cold for here, even frosty. Thankfully it has passed and we are back to the low 80's for a few days...ahhh.

I had the pleasure of the company of Rylee and Teeya this morning.  I barely got them to sit still for a few pictures...enjoy!

 

 

Birthday - Birthdays

February is my month...so much to do and never enough days.

Angelina

 
It began with the Superbowl and we were invited to the Meyers for the day.  We had a great time with them as usual.  Dale grilled some venison that was a wonderful treat!

Just a few days later our Jayda turned the big 7 on the 8th.  This year she and Raven traveled to NM to see Dad, Chris, Steven and Alicia, so I didn't get to see her. But that will be remedied soon.
The following week was Valentines Day and I was the happy recipient of beautiful red roses and some Dove dark chocolate...yummy!
With President's Day weekend coming in next, it was a Baseball tournament  with the Meyer's.  Saturday night Moe and I picked up Avery, Rylee and Teeya and took them to dinner, then to Field of Dreams where Levi was playing. It was a late night for all of us but we had a lot of fun.  Sunday the Meyer family with Stephanie's brother Lucas came out for more baseball, had a great grilled dinner with us at home, went back for more baseball while Angelina stayed with us. Later they came home here, spent the night and went back on Monday for the championship.  Here is Levi with his Gold ring.

 Wednesday the 22nd arrived with "Our Birthday" that means for Rylee and me! She has turned the much excited 3 years old meaning she is now a "big" girl. Moe and I took the two youngest girls to the Mall to play indoors for the afternoon while Brandy had Avery at her gymnastics lesson. We were all having fun when more family arrived.  Jarrett (Moe's nephew), Melissa and their 3 boys, Blaise, Peregrine and Brendan. The day also happened to be Peregrine's 3rd birthday as well! Getting all 5 to sit for a picture was a real trick but we did it!  Here are some pictures from the day.



Blaise 4, Rylee 3 & Peregrine 3



Such a big girl she is!



Brendan, Teeya, Blaise, Rylee & Peregrine



Later that evening I was treated to margaritas and a mexican dinner at Arriba's with my mom and dad, aunt and uncle and wonderful husband Moe. 

It was a great day! 

So that was how the month went...oh yes, I couldn't forget to add that I had my turn at hosting Bunco on Saturday the 25th! (Which happens to be my youngest sister Jaylene's birthday.) Whew! What a whirl wind it has been.

January 2012

A new year... it took a while, but we have settled down after the holidays.  Getting into a new routine without my grandangels has been tough.  I miss them not being here on a day to day basis. 
I have enjoyed doing some things around the house that I hadn't has a chance to for some time.  Getting out and trimming the trees was work but fun too. It took a few days but thanks to sunshine and my hubby we got it done. 
We had a few colder days, but back to the 70's now and I have been enjoying my afternoons with my new Kindle out in the sunshine in the courtyard.  It's quite pleasant listening to the birds and the breeze moving our flag back and forth.  While soaking up some sun and reading a good mystery.
Moe and I spent one evening and morning with the Meyer family at a baseball tournament but I forgot my camera so I missed the "pickle in the triple".  Levi was very entertaining.
Last week my mom, my aunt, and two friends had a wonderful lunch at The Olive Mill in Queen Creek.  It was wonderful getting together with good company and great food.  Here are a few pictures from that day.



Herb Garden



Venue Pavillions





Outside Dining



                           Connie, Beverly (mom), Gail and JoAnn at the entrance.

 



Nice Sandwich!





Who said you can't eat outside in January?? Looks like it was pretty nice to me!





Happy 2012!

Happy New Year to one and all.  2012 Wow!  When I was a kid this seemed so far away and here we find ourselves living it! I certainly hope that it will be a year of love and prosperity.
So I didn't quite make it...just got so busy with the holidays and kids.  It was so great to have them here.  The last few days I have spent catching up on the house and getting things put away until December comes around again. 
We had so much fun baking and getting ready. Then Jayda and Raven arrived on the 21st which really got the ball rolling. We had 3 of the grandangels that night, zero the next, 2 the next, 4 the next few and then back to 2 until Friday, plus Bryon and Chris.  It was wonderful to have them, but the quiet is back and that's nice too.
Christmas day flew by---we had presents first thing.  Then we hosted breakfast for 22.  Then more presents and playtime and dinner next door at 3:00.  We finally came home and to bed around 11:00 making for a long and loving day.
Here are some of the pictures during the last few weeks, enjoy!

Christmas Preparations

Well, I didn't quite get a post in every month this year which is what I try to do. So hopefully I will make up for it with a few this month. 

Moe and I had a quick trip to Las Cruces for Thanksgiving and although I took the camera I didn't take many pictures. Here's one of the view from Bryon and Chris' townhome.

Looking west from their backyard.










As you can see we are getting ready for Christmas now... The wreaths are hung, the cards have been sent, the tree is up, most of the gifts are bought and wrapped.  (I am  really on a roll this year.)  I hope to start my annual baking and candy making in the next day or so.  I had to test my yeast and made a batch of sticky buns, Yum!

           

Today I received a gift from my most wonderful friend who is so creative.  Moe and I purchased a new dining table and chairs to accomodate the growing family.  It has four leaves when using all eight chairs.  When my good friend Connie said she would quilt me a table cloth for Christmas I was so excited. She is an artist in fabric and I have so admired her work.  Well, it arrived today and I was in awe.  She knows how much my angels are a part of my life and it brought me to tears.

 

It is so beautiful and I can't thank her enough for all her work.  She is one great lady! Thank you Connie!

Lovely Afternoon

So we had a wonderful afternoon playing outside yesterday.  Papa came home in time to have fun with the girls too!  Hope you enjoy these pictures.

 

Teeya

 

Rylee