Happy Easter

The weather was poor but the family Easter celebration was great. The house was full, busy and loud...just as it should be on a holiday. We missed the people who couldn't make it but had lots of family fun. I will post more photos soon but for now I need a long soak in the bathtub!

Happy Birthday, Felix

Dale's grandson Felix turned one today and we got to celebrate with him. It was so fun to watch him explore his new toys, interact with the guests and enjoy his first cake. Dale took lots of photos and I "borrowed" this one for my blog. Happy birthday to Felix!

Finally Spring

 It finally feels like Spring and I am enjoying it as much as possible. Tomorrow we get rain then the temperatures will fall again for a few days but today was Spring. I made a trip to Des Moines and loved opening the sunroof and windows. Dale suggested patio dining so we had an appetizer and drink on the pond at Jordan Creek after a walk around the walk around the pond. The sunshine was warm and welcome!

Ice Cube

It's been a cold winter and there is plenty of proof. On Thursday my yard was still mostly covered with snow but the sun had come out enough to allow me to loosen this huge ice cube! I slapped together this outdoor winter decoration in December and it's been frozen most of the time since then. The rain would fill the old synthetic pot I had used and it would hold the water then freeze. A couple of weeks ago the pot finally split about an inch from the bottom. Now there is a huge ice cube with evergreens and red sticks stuck into a smaller bucket with bricks for weight. I hope it melts quickly cause it's looking kind of silly at Easter time.

Mmmmmm, Pasta Night

Marley and Jill

 I was completely entertained and content when Jill and Marley came to visit for a couple of days. Jill and I knitted, sat in our jammies and ate lots of white food. It wasn't too healthy but it was yummy, even the Moscato. Marley cracks me up when she tilts her head to one side when I ask a question and I burst out in laughter every time she does a jump straight up in the air to look on the counter top. We were perfectly content to stay in the house for a full forty hours before getting dressed for a little shopping. I think it was a perfect visit.

With the Boys

Look at these adorable boys! I was lucky enough to spend a part of my Friday with them. I offered my time so that Ashley and Kaley could have a girls lunch. I had so much fun. The boys entertained each other and it was very little work. Having Fridays off is wonderful. Getting to have lunch with my grandson and great-nephew on a Friday is just perfect.

This is one of my best forms of exercise this winter, walking with Lincoln and the race car stroller at College Square Mall. He has fun. I get exercise and we both benefit. I still prefer walking outside but it's been a good winter activity.

Saela's Shower

 Aw, a new baby is a wonderful reason for a family celebration. My mom has always loved babies. I remember that from my childhood and it has not changed. It was so fun to see her with her newest great-grandchild, Saela. I love seeing them together.

 Saela posed beautifully with her mommy (my niece, Kaley) and both of her Grandmas. Saela looks so much like Kaley that I am even more excited to watch her grow up. She is a well loved child.

 How fun to see everyone getting so excited about a brand new baby in the family. Saela got lots of photos and lots of snuggles. She cooperated very well with everyone taking a turn to hold her and love her.

The shower was the plan but the entire day was lots of fun. Ashley and Briana joined me for the road trip and we added a few things like visiting Grandma Alex, my brother and Cookies Etc. We also arrived early to help Sandi and Molly. They had most of the work done but it was fun to have extra time to hang out. Sandi is having fun in this photo, really!

Colorado

The weather cooperated so we decided to take a more northerly route home from Arizona. In all of my trips to and through Colorado I had never visited the southwest part of the state. I was quite impressed with Durango and our Saloon dinner. We missed Mesa Verde due to timing but there were other impressive sights as well.

After a patio lunch in Pueblo we headed toward Colorado Springs. I was anxious to show Dale Garden of the Gods. It was my first experience with gorgeous red rock formations and I still think it's beautiful. It's got great trails and accessibility also. It was a beautiful day for a walk and photography. Colorado is a gorgeous state!

We decided it was worth the drive to check out the Air Force Academy also. The chapel had impressed me on my first trip to Colorado Springs but we got an extra bonus when we witnessed a 5 pm work out that seemed chaotic but I am sure it was highly organized. Hundreds of people exercising with lots of noise was an interesting surprise.

Grand Canyon

Since we were so close Dale wanted to make a stop at the Grand Canyon when we left Sedona. I had visited the canyon when I was twelve and although it wasn't on my list, I didn't mind going. It was more impressive than I remembered and I am glad that I took the time to visit again. It was fairly close to sunset when we arrived so there were long shadows and low light but we did see one of the best sunsets of the trip. 

Since the road toward home went directly through the Grand Canyon National Park we stopped to look and photograph again in the morning. It was a treat to see the canyon again in the morning light. Dale snapped this photo of me with my iPod. I was enjoying being able to connect with family and friends with photos while I was away. Of course I always needed to wait for the wifi connection at the McDonald's in the next town to send the photo. Maybe someday I will enter this decade and get a smart phone.

 The Watch Tower was designed and built in the early thirties to provide a wide view of the Grand Canyon. I loved the architecture of the building and being able to climb the stairs to the top. It was another fun surprise find along the way. I am glad that we made the stop at the canyon; both days.

Sedona

Sedona has been on my short list of places to visit for years. It was part of the draw for choosing the race in Phoenix this year; Sedona and warmer weather. Sedona was absolutely beautiful but I have to admit that the gorgeous rock formations are not much different from other places where I have visited beautiful red rock formations. The biggest difference was the location of the town and the opportunity for food, lodging and shopping right there in the midst of the beauty.

It was a great stop on our trip. We did not stay over night but we did have a patio lunch with a breathtaking view. I am glad that we visited Sedona in the off season. The locals say it gets crazy busy with traffic backed up for two hours during the busier seasons. It was a wonderful stop and it shortened my short list.

Phoenix Favorites

 It's always a treat to visit a different season. We left winter briefly and visited late Spring and early Summer weather. It was a treat to enjoy the green growing plants and bright oranges and flowers.

 Garden Outside of the State Capital Building

 Palms near the Capital Building

 Roses are even more gorgeous in March.

A little time to swim and enjoy the sunshine was a big favorite!

 The saguaros cacti which are found in the Sonoran Desert, but not as photographable as I had hoped.

Of course we found some very yummy local food as usual. Oregano's was my favorite. Fajitas was good too. Thanks to a co-worker for the recommendations. We also drove across town for a donut that was recommended on our favorite road food website. It was yummy but not remarkable. The food is always a fun part of the exploration!

Blue skies, sunshine, short sleeves and flip-flops are always a favorite!

The ONE Shot

 If there was one great shot that I really hoped to get on this vacation it was a saguaro cactus at sunset. I did not succeed! There were many along the roadside near Phoenix and there were many in people's yards but to find one standing unobstructed on safe public property at sunset was a challenge that would have required a much longer stay. There are street lights in this grouping and at times it looks like the palm trees are growing out of the cacti, but this is the best that I could do this time.

Arizona Baseball

 Baseball was certainly a highlight of this trip. Sitting in the sunshine on a bleacher watching baseball and sipping a beer in March felt really great. It felt like summer! I didn't get to put my toes in any lakes or oceans on this trip but I did walk barefoot on the grassy hills for spectators in the outfield area. It was a Spring Training game between the Cubs and the Indians. It was a lopsided game but I didn't care.

 Although it was interesting to see a Spring Training facility, I am always anxious to visit the MLB parks. Arizona Diamondbacks play in Phoenix. It's too early for a game and when we read the website they said that tours were not available this week. We headed downtown anyway to just get a look at the exterior but got lucky when a wonderful young woman who was working in the restaurant that was about to open invited me go out into the dining area that is open to the field. She said to take my time and look around. It was almost like having personal access and I loved the surprise treat.

Sing Praise

"All the earth worships Thee; they sing praises to Thee,

sing praises to Thy name."

We saw so many beautiful sights on vacation that they almost became ordinary. This sign at the Grand Canyon with a verse from Psalms gave me a reminder that all of this beauty is amazing creation and that it is good and right to give praise. I am in awe of creation, even the gorgeous rocks!  

Road to Phoenix

Our destination was Phoenix; specifically Phoenix International Raceway but we saw lots of sights on the road to the race. (And on the way back but that's another blog post.)

We drove through parts of Oklahoma and the length of the Texas panhandle. It was a fun surprise for me that we were traveling along the old Route 66 quite often. It was worth pulling into the small towns just to see the old signage. While choosing our route we look for new territory and for me the panhandle of Texas was a draw. We found some new things and enjoyed the regional foods.

 Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo Texas was right on the route and since we had seen it on TV it seemed worth a stop and a chance to stretch. I did sacrifice a pair of shoes when I misjudged the mud but it was a worthwhile pause along the road.

 New Mexico was a new experience for me. I had never visited there as an adult and it was fun to explore a bit. Dale always likes to stop and photograph the state capitals. We made it to Santa Fe just as the sun was setting. This sculpture of children stands near the entrance of the state house.

 I loved the pottery and the peppers. We spent quite a bit of time strolling through the old town area in Albuquerque and I really enjoyed  being there.

 We started our journey a half a day later than planned so we moved fairly quickly to make up time and get to Phoenix. We slept in Oklahoma the first night, then New Mexico the second night before entering Arizona for the last stretch through Flagstaff. I cannot get enough of these trucks that were along the road. They may be my favorite photo of the trip. We did pause south of Flagstaff to enjoy a sunset before we got settled in closer to the track for the big race.

Race day temperatures were perfect and the sky was overcast. I normally love a sunny day but when you are sitting on the bleachers in the desert, nobody complains about a few clouds. We actually had seats in the shade with a great view. Our seats were high...very safely out of the path of flying car parts if there had been issues. It was a very pleasant day with enough time left to try a great restaurant, Oregano's, recommended by a friend who lived in Phoenix. So much delicious food to explore!