Slight Interruption

A slight interruption to my blog:

Last Friday, we woke up to this:

 snow in the desert.  I really do have to admit that it is pretty but quite unusual.

 This was taken looking out our backyard, across the apartment buildings at the snow on the mountains.

 Just a couple of blocks down, there's an apartment complex that has an unobstructed view of the Catalina Mountains.  It was beautiful but by yesterday it was almost all gone.

What I think is beautiful; however, is creating havoc for our dear Amy and her family.  They have had more snow, blowing and cold to last them for many, many years.  Hang in there, Amy.  March is almost here and then comes April and tulips and daffodils and Spring!!!

Love to you all

Gramma and MOM

Christmas in Phoenix

We were so blessed to be able to spend five days with our family in Phoenix over Christmas.  What a wonderful time we had.

Will send along more pictures later.  My computer has chosen to "act up" today.

Happy New Year
Love,
Gramma and MOM

LaFiesta de Tumacacori Mission

The Tumacacori Mission is about an hour south of Tucson.  We have been there several times but have always wanted to attend their December Fiesta.  We read in the local RV paper that it was being held last weekend and they were having a procession and mass at 1:00.   (We were so disappointed when we got there and realized the paper had the wrong time; the mass was actually at 10:00 so we missed it.)

This is the mission church; it is slowly crumbling but the National Park Service says they do not repair things but let nature takes its course.  We had a very nice tour of the mission church and grounds - very interesting.  This is from the early 1800's.

When we first arrived we watched a local high school mariachi dance group.  Those gals could really twirl those skirts - they had different groups all afternoon. 

 Loved this row of pots in their granary.

 This was the mission's cemetery.  The round building to the right was the Memorial Chapel.  The king of Spain decreed that all funerals were to be held in this building rather than the Mission Chapel.  This was to lessen the chance of diseases spreading, particularly smallpox and measles.

 They had a very small museum on the grounds and you both know your dad, he likes to read everything.  Fine by me - they had some very comfortable benches for me to sit on.

 The side of the Mission with the bell tower.  The building dad is standing beside was used as the school house.
This is a very interesting site; our guide explained that much more of the site was excavated but because of budget constraints, they are unable to show them safely so they just cover them up again with sand which preserves the ruins.

It was a great way to spend the day.  When the sun was out, it was perfect but a little cool when it went back under.  However nothing like the cold of South Dakota.  We stopped at a little Mexican place for dinner on the way home - Taco Bell.

Have a good week.  Now that I have so little to occupy my time, maybe I can be a little better at doing my blog on a regular basis.  Sorry.

Much love to all of you,

Gramma and MOM

My Fair Lady, Granddaughter Holly

Hello out there in "Blog Land".  I've been getting a few comments about the fact that I haven't posted in a bit of time.  Well...….  I've been busy. 

Now, if you don't want to hear or read about a Gramma bragging about her granddaughter, it would be best if you just clicked out of this video now...

 I tried to download a video for you all to enjoy of Holly's September POPS Concert but for some reason, it wouldn't work.  This was Holly's last POPS concert and it was the best of her 4 years.  At the Concert, the band and orchestra dress up to compliment the music they play.  This year it was Broadway shows and movies such as Fiddler on the Roof, Sound of Music, LesMeserabe, Beauty & the Beast, and several others.  The music was fun and they did just a very good job.  Here's our Holly with Grampa - Holly is a character from Fiddler on the Roof.  Love her hat!!

 Before Holly left school in May, she auditioned for Dordt's Fall Musical which this year was My Fair Lady.  We were all excited when she landed the role of Eliza Doolittle.  She had 5 solos which she aced even though I had not heard her sing in many years.

This is the "street girl" Eliza (cockney accent and all)  ready to go on stage.  We asked why her face was so clean if she was portraying a street urchin - she said they didn't have time to get her cleaned up before she had to be back on stage.

 We were not allowed to take any pictures during the performance but I did get one during curtain call.  They got a standing ovation both times we attended and the entire cast certainly deserved it.  It was a long play, about 3 1/2 hours but so fun.

Below are some of the guests who came just to see our Miss Holly.
Her Great Uncle Glen and Aunt Sue

 Grampa and Gramma

Great Aunt Bonnie

 Holly and her co-star, Zach who played Henry Higgins and did a fine job.  His comment after this picture was:  "now I can shave off this mustache."

 Her dad who came the second weekend.  Never did get a picture of mom

 Friends from Gramma's church - John and Deb

 Grampa

 A special friend, Sam from Michigan

Her favorite Haan cousin, Chase

Holly had special friends and family that drove many miles to see her from Wisconsin, Michigan, Washington, Ohio as well as Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota.  Some of them drove all day to get to Sioux Center in time for her evening performance and had to leave again the next morning.  It was worth it is what I heard people say.  I only got pictures of those who were at the same shows we attended.

Well, I did it.  Next blog I'll tell you about Chase or maybe I'll flip back to our summer.  Have a great week!!!

Love,   Gramma and MOM

A Birthday and the Tulip Fields

Yesterday was Peter's birthday and according to him, it was a good day.  We began with breakfast at Three Flavors.  DeAnn and I split a 6-egg omelet while Peter had 3 eggs, hashbrowns, lots of bacon and toast.  He spent the morning reading his book in his favorite recliner in his favorite cottage.  The afternoon was spent at Grandparent's day with our very favorite 4th grader, Miss Katie.  In the evening Grampa took all of us out to Jake's Barbecue and then came home, had a little wine and played our "Tucson" game.  We were all too full to even eat our birthday pie.

 As long as I have a picture of Grampa at the Tulip Fields, I'll include a few more pictures.  We spent our last day "on the road" in Mount Vernon at the tulip fields.  It was a beautiful, sunny day and we enjoyed it very much.

 Upside down hanging tulips

 A purple gem among the white flowers

 They had a small pasture with several alpacas - we're trying to convince John to get a few for their pasture - cutest things.

 The mountains with snow on the top in the background

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!!!

Have a great week!

Love, 

Gramma and MOM

Springtime in the Desert and Spring Fling

It is spring time in the desert - a beautiful time of blooming cactus and wild flowers.  I stole both of these pictures from friends but it shows what beauty we have here in Arizona.  My daughter says that Arizona is nothing but brown, and barren.  WRONG!!!!

 Every year in March our park has their last big fling.  There is a catered meal, entertainment and usually dancing for those who choose to do so.  This year's theme was Senior Prom - several couples came all dressed up - this was about as good as it got for the Haan's but we did look pretty classy.

 Our dear friends, Cal and Delores from Minnesota:

 Some of our best buds:  Gary and Nancy

 Our new next-door neighbor with her dress from her favorite store - GWI.  She is also from Minnesota and we have enjoyed having her next door to us.

 Tucson and card playing friends:  Rod & Bonnie from Minnesota.  Gee maybe we should just move to Minnesota where a lot of our friends seem to live in the summer.

Better get with the program.  I am supposed to be clearing my things out of the mancave so Peter can start putting storage things in.  Always sad to see him doing that but it has to come sooner or later.  Off to Washington on Sunday afternoon.

Have a terrific week!!!!   Just as an added note;  Our wonderful, dear, sweet, loving granddaughter had her FINAL exam for Nurse's Training this morning.  She is truly one in a million!!!  Love you, Miss Holly!!!

Love to all:
Gramma and MOM

Tuesday Bagels and Coffee

Every Tuesday morning at 7:30, the Sweet Chicks from our park meet for coffee and goodies at Panera Bread.  Sometimes we have bagels; sometimes we have Bear Claws or Pecan Carmel Rolls or Egg Sandwiches or Scones or whatever...................... and coffee.

There can be anywhere from 8 ladies to over 20 and we have a wonderful two hours of fellowship and finding out all kinds of things about each other.  My dear husband says that we gossip but we don't.  I have found that this group of ladies have a lot better things to talk about and share than gossip.  In fact, if you want to hear the gossip of the park, just go to the Rooster's Breakfast which is also Tuesday morning but at 7:00am or to men's coffee.

We often don't leave until 9:30 and occasionally even a little later.  I have come to really enjoy their ladies and their friendships.

I have to finish some bookwork for a committee that I'm a part of here in the park and then I'm going to start on some fun projects.  Right now, we are planning to leave the park either the 15th (after church) or the 16th of April.  Then the adventure begins.  Will tell you about in my next blog.  Have a good week everyone.

Love to all,

Gramma and MOM