Swimming in February

One afternoon when DeAnn and John were with us, we headed off to the pool.  DeAnn and I sat in the sun for an hour or so until John and Dad came back from their bike ride.  Then into the water - it was very warm.  Just give me a noodle and don't try to "dunk" me and I'm happy as a lark.

 John found that he could just hook his ankles on the edge of the pool, lie back and enjoy the sun.

 When John wasn't enjoying the sun, he was buggin' the ladies.  John, just leave us alone and go back to sunning!!!

So he did.  Doesn't he have a happy smile on his face??!!

Gary and Nancy came yesterday, but I have to finish my newsletter before I can play.  Judy is here now too so it should be a good week.  We all went out for breakfast this morning and I'm not sure what they plan to do today.  The Minnesota luncheon is tomorrow and then I'm "free" for the rest of the week.

I can hear the guys outside working on our razor wire fence behind our lot.  I'll take some pictures to show you.  I'm not sure - is the razor wire there to keep us in or to keep others out????????

Have a great week!!
Love to you all
Gramma and MOM

PS:  Congratulations, Miss Holly.  Can't wait to ride with you the next time we're in Washington.

SNOW

 

 

We took our kids to the airport yesterday morning.  Loved having them, even if it was a very short visit.  As you know, they went hiking on Monday; Tuesday dad and John took a nice long bike ride while DeAnn and I sat by the pool and soaked up some sun.  Because we knew the weather was not supposed to be great on Wednesday, we decided to go to the Biosphere2.  Dad and I were there years ago and found it interesting.  The tour was good; I would like to have had a little more history on it but it was still good.  While there, it was snowing like crazy.  DeAnn just had little canvas slippers on with no socks and by the time we got back to the car, her feet were VERY cold!!!!

 

We were amazed to see a snowplow on the roads when coming back into Tucson - didn't know they had such a thing down here.  Here's some pictures - it was actually quite pretty!!

 

 

Our  Chase's 6th grade band was invited to play for the MN Music Teacher's Conference in the Twin Cities.  There was an article in the Pipestone paper about them.  The teacher said it was the first time she could recall that a 6th grade band had been invited to play.  Chase is the middle trombone player.  Way to go Chase!!!!!!!!

What a good way to end my blog for today.
Love to all,
Gramma and MOM



They're here in Arizona

 

Look who we saw walking on the tarmac after getting off the plane.  We saw the plane taxiing in so decided to wait by the fence and here they came.  Long-sleeve shirts, long pants, sweatshirts and DeAnn even had her boots on.  Didn't they know they were coming to sunny Arizona????

 Arriving Passengers:

 We decided to go to a place called Schnepf Farms which I'd read about in a magazine and it was right on the way home.  It was a fun place but a bit run down - I think the owners should maybe spend a little time on cleaning the place up.  It's a peach orchard with a small petting zoo, a "pick your own" vegetable garden, hayrides, little train ride, a small restaurant and bakery. 

 As you can see, DeAnn was enjoying the pigs and goats.

 She REALLY wanted to take this little "kid" home with her!!!

 The peach orchard.

 

On the way home, we went to the Rodeo Fest at our church.  We had a cowboy dinner followed by a gospel concert by the Gate Keepers.  We thought it was going to be southern gospel but it was a lot "rockier" than southern gospel.  Our children were not all that thrilled about going to the concert but guess what - they ended up really enjoying it. 

The church also had some horses there for the kids to ride and a white carriage that DeAnn and John took a ride around the parking lot in.  DeAnn said it was her very first carriage ride.  John said he hoped she enjoyed it because it might also be her last.

 



 Today, Dad, John and DeAnn went on a hike.  I think it turned out to be a bit more strenuous than Dad thought it would be.  They came home tired and sweaty so they're all three in the hot tub now.  Then we're going to dinner.

 Love the hat, DeAnn!!

 This is a view of the area where they hiked.  Isn't it pretty??

The Rest of Washington

When I go to Washington, my dear daughter (your sister, Amy) usually has a project or two for me to work on.  She had told me she wanted some pillow covers made so on my last day there, she set me to work.  I got 4 finished, even though I am not pleased with the last one and plan to redo it this next summer.  She had some very pretty, fun fabric picked out.  Below is the before and after of the gold polka-dot.  I like this one.  I still have 2 to do but she didn't have enough pillow forms for all of them.  Now I'll just sew them when she gives me measurements and send them to her.

 

 The last evening I was in Washington, Holly has a "Sweets & Suites" concert or something like that.  It was a fund raiser for her Orchestra trip during spring break to San Fransisco.  The students served desserts (twice!!) and then played in small groups and finished with a couple of numbers with the entire orchestra.  Holly played a duet with her friend, Kendra which was a "fun" piece.

Miss Holly had to get all dressed up - her hair was all done up in curls and for a whimsical note, she wore zebra-striped shoes.

 Can't leave out my bestest buddies out there:  Sam is just goofing around and was trying to make faces while I was trying to take his picture but I got a good one.  Sam is a WONDERFUL!!!! little boy.  He invited me to visit his 3rd grade classroom - what a treat!!  Love you Sam

 Then there is Lady Katie.  What a delight.  Wish I could have brought you home with me but daddy said no, you had to stay in Washington.

That's it for today.
Love to all,
Gramma and MOM

HONK!!

As you all know, I just returned from a trip to Washington to see this amazing young lady perform in her school's Spring Musical, HONK.  Holly, you are such an amazing young lady and I love you to the moon and back again a trillion, million times.

 

This is the headshot that the photographer does of all the cast.  Isn't she beautiful?

 My two favorite granddaughters!!!!!

 In the play, there were several ducks, chickens, geese, Honk the ugly swan and a couple of cats.  This young man has been in other productions with Holly (I always forget his name) but he is great.  He played a tomcat to perfection.  I just had to get a picture of him with our Lady Katie.

 Oh by the way, Aunt Amy, did you know that Katie is no longer a princess?  She is now called Lady Katie and her mother is the Countess.

 Here's my two girls with a very special lady, Auntie Grace.

 By the end of the play, the house looked like a greenhouse - there were two more bouquets downstairs. 

I talked with several people at the play and they would ask who I came to see and I was so proud to say, Holly Hiemstra.  Lots of people knew her and told me how good she is on stage - of course, I agreed!!  It was an unusual play but a fun one BUT then I say that every year.

By the way:  now to brag about my grandson, Chase.  His 6th grade band was asked to play in the Twin Cities today for a teacher's conference.  Unfortunately we had to miss his band concert which was earlier this week.  We made it for his vocal concert in December but was happy to hear that his Grandpa Ken and Grandma Mary were there.  We're so proud of you, Chase.  Hope you enjoyed your visit to the Twin Cities with your band group.

It is 4:00 on Valentine's Day - the temp is 64 with beautiful sunshine.  Lots of people are out and about with their shorts and t-shirts on. 

Girls, your father outdid himself for Valentine's Day this year.  When I got up this morning, there was a single red rose with baby's breath and greenery sitting on the table along with candy and a Valentine cookie.  He would have taken me to breakfast but it was coffee and donut day.  However, he is taking me to a nice restaurant for dinner with Uncle Rich & Aunt Henrietta and some friends.

Well, that's it for today.  Tomorrow I'll try posting some additional pictures of Washington to show you all the work DeAnn had me doing.  No rest for mothers!!!

Love to you all,
Gramma and MOM

Dad Went Hiking

Yesterday Dad went for a hike to Finger Mountain - you can see it in the picture below - well they didn't actually go to the summit - only about a third of the way.  They hiked for an hour and a half and then turned around and came back down and had lunch.  Dad said there were 21 of them this month which is really good.  Uncle Rich was supposed to go but Aunt Henrietta had a doctor appointment so he had to cancel.  Dad really enjoyed the hike.

 

 

 

 That's Tucson in the background.

 Dad said this rock reminded him of the story of Moses striking the rock to get water for the Israelites.  If you look closely, you'll see water at the bottom of the rock.  He said that there wasn't a stream or waterfall, there was just water coming from the bottom of the rock.  Way cool!!

This was my favorite picture that he took.  Isn't it pretty?  To make it larger, just click on the picture.

Now, you may be asking what was I doing while Dad was hiking?  I had a terrific day with Linda and Judy Roelofs.  I started by having coffee and a bagel at Panera with the Sweet Chicks from the park; then Linda picked us up and took us to one of the venues from the Tucson Gem Show.  It was for "wholesalers" and their friends.  I really enjoyed my day looking at beads, cheap jewelry and some very expensive jewelry.  What made it really special was the company - I love spending time with my friends.
Thank you so much, Linda, for taking us on a special trip.

Guess what - in about 24 hours, I will be "touching down" in Bellingham and two very special ladies will be there to greet me.  I am so excited.  I have my boarding pass and my suitcase laying on the bed.  My clothes are still drying on the line but I'M READY!!!!

Have a good week
Love to all,
Gramma and MOM

New Floor in Arizona Home

 

Looking in the back door - before and after

 

 Down the hallway from the dining area/kitchen area:

 Our bathroom - didn't have a before picture.

 The living room - didn't think about taking a picture until most of the furniture was gone.

 Dad also put up all of our new shades - looks so nice.  They're all the same now rather than 4 different window treatments.  I do have to get an area rug in front of the chairs but haven't had time to go look.

Dad wants to have the guy come back out - he has some questions on a couple of spots but over all, we think it's beautiful.

We've been learning a new card game on Saturday afternoons - "Hand & Foot".  So instead of cleaning this afternoon, I played cards.  Time to go in the house now and thaw out some hamburger for spaghetti.  Anyone care to join us?

Have a great Sabbath day tomorrow!!!!
Love to you all,
Gramma and MOM

PS:  I fly out in five days.  Amy, wanna join me?