Mount Lemmon

April 25, 2011

We started our day in Tucson at around 2500 feet above sea level. I wanted to take the kids to Mount Lemon because in one hour you can witness incredible changes in landscape by just going up.

This saguaro cactus has an amazing amount of arms.
I think we will call him Father Abraham.

We came around a corner and all of the sudden the saguaros
were gone and all that was left was some scrub and rocks.

We literally hugged the edge of the mountain as we wound our way up.
Lots of fascinating rock formations to look at.

Incredible views.

Once we got to the top, we could see
another valley on the other side.
Only pine trees now.

As we ascended, Erika happened to look over Grandpa Jere's shoulder and notice the gas gauge was kind of close to the E side. Really close. In fact, unless we were willing to coast all the way back down, we weren't going to make it. I wondered aloud if there were any gas stations at the top.
Nope. Not a one. My father reasoned that we couldn't be the only dummies who drove up to Mount Lemmon without enough gas so he made inquiries at the little store. The rest of us took pictures in the parking lot and went and found the bathroom. Sure enough, the fire department was willing to sell us 2 gallons of gas for $20. Enough to get us back to civilization.
They had a fire in the mountains a few years ago and it was interesting to see where the wind blew. You could see where there had been swaths of fire moving through.
There is a ski area at the top of Mount Lemmon. It is about the same size as the local ski area that we all learned to ski at in New Hampshire.

The kids decided they wanted to show their Karate Kid poses.

After a good stretch of the legs, we decided to

head back down and look for a place to picnic.

I admit I kept a pretty tight rein on the kids.
We don't have poisonous snakes and bugs where we live.
Kloey was on the hunt.

She got it.

The temperature was about 65 degrees which felt COLD, believe it or not. We found a lovely spot for a picnic and ate sandwiches, chips, granola bars, and lemonade.

We made it safely back to Tucson.
What a great day complete with
adventure, fresh air, and good company.

Breakfast Adventure

My mother had planned more great kid meals than we had time for.

Solution: Fit them in wherever possible.

One morning for breakfast we surprised the kids with:

Corn on the cob roasted on the grill.

Hot dogs and beans.

Crescent rolls.

Yum-a-licious!




We have to find ways to keep life exciting.

I can report that everyone heartily ate their lunch-fast.

Arizona - He Is Risen Indeed!

Easter Sunday dawned warm and bright. I will admit that the biggest preparation of the trip was finding clothes for everyone to wear on Easter. We like to dress up once in a while. Correction: The parents like to see their kids dressed up every so often. An entire suitcase was devoted to Sunday things including suits, ties, fancy shoes, and dresses. Thanks to a wedding last summer, the boys had suits that still fit.

The pink girls LOVE to dress up.
The tall gorgeous one, not so much.

These girls are incredibly fun right now.
The next four years are going to be quite a trip
as we navigate the coming of age together.

Let's get a picture all together.

My little men!

We worshiped at Desert Hope Lutheran Church.
Afterwards, the kids decorated bags for the Easter Egg Hunt.

Nice job boys.
Like I said, she doesn't like her picture taken.
I tease her mercilessly.
The hunt is on.
Erik had left early to go help Grandpa set up the church.
I tried to get one picture of them all together.
I dressed up too.
Grandfather and grandson.
Erik helped Grandpa every chance he could.
Good male bonding time.

The ukeleles came out to play.
During the week we watched a documentary on ukeleles.
It is a fascinating instrument with an important part
in the history of American music.

Our Easter feast.
My mother is an EXCELLENT cook.

The girls made adorable table decorations.

Cora is our official goofball.

Waiting for the Easter egg hunt at home.

"Look, I found one."

Micah went low and Trey went high.

The crew that hid the eggs.
Again and again and again.
The game continued throughout the week and everyone had a ball.

Happy Easter 2010

Oh My Darlin'

We had a visitor again this past weekend.
It is working out that the sibs get together about once a month.
I couldn't be happier.

She is full of life and love.
She laughs voraciously.
And she is busy.
So many hugs and kisses.
From our very special one year old.
Who will always have a part of his heart.

Father Of The Year

This man gets FATHER OF THE YEAR award.

Today, he got out of work early.

He gathered up a gaggle of children and set off on an adventure.

My wonderful husband took our awesome 4-some and
a few others to the Museum of Science for an overnight.

I told him I would "rock, paper, scissors" for the privilege of
sleeping on the cold hard floor with 300 other people.

He said he would go, no need to wager.

Is he the best or what?

Playgrounds and Pianos

We were in for a treat.
Everyone got to perform on the piano for Grandma.
Almost everyone.

Oh my: Another flashback 2002

Erika has blossomed in the last 9 years.

After the concert we headed out to the playground to give
Grandma and Grandpa a little quiet and catch up time.

I think this is the first time Micah was on his own
with the UP and the DOWN.

Even big boys like to play.
Holding up the world.

I can't remember who was swinging Micah.
Must have been me.
Sometimes Micah does his own thing.
Totally humoring Mom here.
Another beautiful day in paradise.

Adoption Pregnancy

My three year old asked me when my baby was coming out?

My pants don't fit.

Where did that extra 10 pounds come from?

Could it be that I had three babies in three years?

Figuratively.

March 2008 August 2008
January 2010
Three babes doesn't leave much time for anything else.

Or could it be that

I am pregnant again?

This pregnancy has been very intense.

Chocolate worthy.

Late night nachos.

Lots of cravings.

Or maybe

Middle...Age...Is...Here.

After 40 something years of an incredible metabolism,

the party is over.

I am going to have to EXERCISE on purpose.

Groan.

Maybe after the "baby" comes.