"I don't know why she swallowed the fly". That's what comes to mind when I try to explain how I abandoned this blogs monthly postings. So, feeling guilty that I started a new blog and am spending much time with it, I will try to update this family blog at last.
I'll start with July. Ellen and Mark took a fun vacation to Disney World in Florida. Wasn't it sweet they thought of us melting back here in Arizona? Of course no place is perfect and I'll bet their weather was very humid with a lot of showers.
Larry played with Luke's souvenir before he even received it. He's just a boy at heart!
I love my new Disney cup kids. Thanks from everyone!
During the summer our weather includes clouds which is a big treat, dust storms, and beautiful sunsets.
Here's a samplling of photos.
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| Here comes the dust |
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| We'll hate leaning up! | |
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| It's nearly here! |
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| It really is daytime! |
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| This is more like it. |
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| neighborhood sunset |
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The summer days for the grand children included a lot of fun. Here at our house there was swimming, computers, baking, blocks in the toy room and a lot of fooling around!
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| Bruce's family visits |
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| puzzle marathon |
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| Howard took the kids to a movie 10 times! |
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| Brayden |
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| Sophie |
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| Luke |
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| Yummy |
We took a trip to the wonderful museum in Mesa, Az.
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| ARIZONA NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM |
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| 3 STORY STORM ERUPTS EVERY FEW MINUTES |
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| SOPHIE & BRAYDEN ON TV |
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| PANNING FOR GOLD |
A friend of mine produces barrel races and we took the kids along to our first race. When I asked them weeks later what they remembered it was the rider who fell off her horse. I couldn't figure out how the timing was done until Luke explained about the electric eyes on either side of the arena. They time the racer as they pass and the timing is quickly posted.
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| I'll bet that hurt. |
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| nice! more men need to compete. just saying |
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| Why don't the horses fall over rounding the barrel? |
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| Knocking the barrel over is a disqualification for sure. |
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| Our Sophie was born knowing how to pose for the camera! |
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| Larry took over 800 photos. Wow! |
In August Larry and I visited the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. It's a great place for birds too. So
I am posting my favorite shots of that day.
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| focus on our state flower of the saguaro cactus |
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| with focus on the nesting dove |
A gift store is available as well as a store to purchase plants. The Garden can host events and frequently have music nights to attend. Here is the link. www.dbg.org/
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| prickly pear cactus fruit |
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| I really should look up dragonflies to know their specific names |
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| Larry and I usually stay close enough to see each other which explains why most of the shots of him are framed with leaves. |
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| Garden shop wagon of plants for sale |
Now for the bird photos.
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| Finch |
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| finch |
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| 3 finches |
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| Quails drinking |
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| Cactus Wren |
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| White Winged Dove |
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| lots of lizards run around |
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| Thrasher |
Larry took hundreds of hummingbird photos last year and they are all so wonderful it's hard to decide which to put in the blog. He has faithfully taken care of their food and they should pose for him!
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| The finches steal their food all the time. |
This post would not be complete without a visit to the riparian park in Gilbert, AZ
www.riparianinstitute.org/riparian.cfmWhenever we visit my blood pressure must automatically go down. It's another world in this large metropolitan area. Very quiet, calming and entertaining.
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| Someone didn't get invited. |
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| Okay, which foot are we starting on? |
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| Deep in thought taking a sun bath. |
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| Lots of dogs walk their keepers there. |
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| He's always facing the other way it seems. |
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| Ah, to soar like the birds. Wouldn't that be wonderful? |
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| A gathering of European Starlings |
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| Larry found the lovebirds this visit! |
In September, 2011 we celebrated 2 birthdays. Eunice turned 89 and Eileen reached medicare age. Yea!
Eileen chose the patio at the sushi restaurant, Kona Grill. Eunice's celebration was at IHOP close to the great grand kids.
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| Guess you had to be there. |
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| Ellen |
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| Howard |
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Brayden uses chopsticks
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| These four shared the birthday dessert. |
Shortly after school started Brayden and Connie had "Donut Day With Dad". They attend the same school and the dads work so Larry had the honor of attending.
In late summer soccer started for Sophie and Brayden. What fun! At Sophie's first game the 2 teams kicked the ball down the field, rounded the corner and started up the field on the neighboring game. I'm sure everyone heard us laughing.
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| Brayden has an arrow over his head. |
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| This might have been his favorite part of the game. |
