Old Tucson with the aunts

Old Tucson was on the list that Aunt Jen and Aunt Jan wanted to go to; however before we could go there, they ended up watching a lot of shuffleboard.  Dad and his partner, Lynne, did GREAT this year.  They ended up third out of 32 teams.  This was the scoreboard from one of their games - dad's team was yellow.

 His stats for the year were 7 wins and 4 losses - very good.  He has improved greatly each year.

 Old Tucson - it's a place just down the road that many years ago was used as a movie set.  The original set of buildings burned down several years ago and they have been rebuilt.  It was a fun place to go.

 These are a couple of outfits from Little House on the Prairie.  Aunt Jan said it was as close as she's ever going to get to Laura.

 We took a stagecoach ride....

 and watched some stunt men.  I was even able to get a picture of this guy as he fell from the tower after he was shot.  How talented am I??????

 Don't let anyone tell you that Aunt Jan can't drive a car any longer.  She just "raced" around that track.

 

Your dad is one of the most talented men I know.  He can "work" on his computer with his eyes closed.  Hope you're impressed!!

We're off to the "Hog Pit" Barbaque for dinner with some park friends tonight.  Bet you all want to come along.  Amy, the sauce they use is awesome.  We'll take you when you come down.

Lots of love to all of you,
Gramma and MOM

Going through Old Files

I was going through some old files in preparation to giving the park newsletter files to the new editors and found this wonderful video.  It was taken when you, DeAnn were pregnant with Katie.  Amy took it just before one of Holly's recitals, I believe.  I LOVE it and smile everytime I see it.  Enjoy!!!

Amy, you don't take a lot of pictures but you done good.

Back to work - enjoy your day!

Love, Gramma and MOM

Here They Are

Aunt Jen and Aunt Jan finally arrived.  Ever since we made their reservations at Thanksgiving time, we've been waiting and planning for their arrival.

 We did some fun things while they were here but thought I'd start with our "going to eat" experiences.  I think this was Aunt Jan's favorite place that we ate.  I have to agree with her that they do have good cheeseburgers.  Actually the only items on "In & Out Burgers" menu are hamburgers, double hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries, soda and shakes.  That's it.

 The "Elbow Room" is actually a dark, windowless bar that has good food cheap!!!  I think we went there with Marv and Judy for spaghetti one night.  I like their spaghetti ($4.75 for all you can eat) and I like their fish fry on Friday nights ($5.95 for all you can eat).  It's a unique place that was very popular at one time and still is on Friday nights, in particular, plus the food is good.

 Rachel's is another local breakfast place that we used to frequent a lot; however their breakfast special is not as good as it was.  Now we go to Pappy's just down the street but I failed to get a picture of that.

 Aunt Jen loves chili dogs and we had taken her to Wienerschnitzel before so we had lunch here one afternoon - as you can see by the sign - 5 chili or corn dogs for $5.00.  Can't beat that, can you?  Amy, we even ate outside in their little eating area with all the birds.

 One of our last nights in Tucson, we went to a steakhouse that we had not gone to before.  Aunt Jen saw a flyer for it so off we went.  Food was good; service was OK.  I don't think we'll be doing back there, however.  We have better steakhouses closer.

Before we took off to go back to Phoenix, we took them to Jack-in-the Box for breakfast.  They have a great supreme croissant with ham, bacon, cheese and egg.  Very good.

 When we were in Phoenix, we went to Tortilla Flats which was a little community at one time in the Superstition Mountains.  There is still a restaurant and a couple of gift shops there - mainly a tourist stop now.  It's about a 14-mile drive from the city on a beautiful, windy mountain road.  They have a restaurant there that serves very hot chili.  Last time we were there, Aunt Jen decided just to have a chili dog - not the straight bowl/cup of chili.  She thought she was probably braver now in her old age.

 but just in case, she ordered a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich in addition to the chili.  She was not able to eat the whole cup - good thing I didn't bet on her.

 They have dollar bills on the walls and ceilings with people's names and addresses on them.  A unique, fun place to go and as I said, the scenery coming and going is gorgeous.

Well, that's it for eateries.  We did go a few other places but I forgot my camera and didn't get pictures.  And OF COURSE, we did eat at home on occasion also.  Even ate out in the patio.

Next blog, a few fun things we did.  Til, then, have a super, duper good week and enjoy wherever you are and whatever your weather is.  Sunshine and warm here.

Love to you all,
Gramma and MOM

Glen and Sue

As you know, Uncle Glen and Aunt Sue came to visit the end of February - what a pleasure it was to have them come.  Normally Uncle Glen doesn't like to travel but he seemed to be having a good time here in Arizona.  I hope he did!!!  I know Aunt Sue likes to travel.  They went off on their own most days and joined us for dinner at night; however, one day dad and I tagged along with them.

 

First we went to the Titan Air Missle Museum - I find it a very interesting place to go.  I know that you and John have been there, DeAnn but I'm not sure we've ever taken you, Amy.  We're waiting for Kurt to come with you.

 

Then we went to the ASARCO Copper Mine and took a tour.  The gentleman who lead the tour had worked at a mine before retirement and was very knowledgeable.

 

 

I somehow lost the picture of Uncle Glen and Aunt Sue in the bucket so I'll just put dad and I in.  This is an old bucket; the ones they use now are much larger.

 

 Uncle Glen gaining knowledge from the tour director.

 I think Uncle Glen was thinking that maybe he could get a job at the mine keeping their trucks in working order.  Once again, this is an older truck; the ones they use now are much larger.  When they get a new truck, it comes in on three vehicles and needs to be assembled on sight.  Another interesting tidbit is that they have several women drivers and the tour guide said that they are the "BETTER" drivers.  Go figure!!!!

 One night we went to Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse with Gary & Nancy.  If you wear a tie to this restaurant, they cut it off and then put it up on the wall or the ceiling or wherever they can find a place.  As you can see, Uncle Glen wouldn't put on the nice tie dad purchased for him.

 Glen and Sue, we loved having you.  Please consider coming back to visit us sometime.  Just think in a couple of years, you could actually buy a place down here and be with us all winter long!!!??

Stay tuned for an account of our exciting week with our next company.

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

Goodbye to the Wood's

 

 

We knew it was coming - today the Woods had to leave to go back to Minnesota.  Here's one last "coffee time" under the awning at Marv & Judy's.  We have had many good times here - happy hours, suppers, and cards.

 This was Gary & Nancy's home for the last two months.  It's a nice little trailer - maybe a little too small for two months but it still worked well.  They had an awesome view of the mountains from their trailer site.

 Hooking up - Gary needed lots of advice.

 And off down the street they went.  Looking forward to more good memories next winter.

 These are "coconut oil" legs.  Nancy has convinced Marv that he needs to rub coconut oil on his legs down here in this dry climate.  Marv says his legs are now as smooth as a "baby's butt."

 These coconut legs aren't as brown as the previous ones but she says hers are as smooth as a "baby's butt' too and besides she has much prettier toenails than Marvin does.

Now, was this information worth waiting for?  I think it was.  I'm working on paying bills this afternoon and trying to figure out what some of these companies are trying to do to me.  As soon as I finish this last call, I'm going to have a sandwich and then go check my clothes to see if they're dry.  It's a little warm here today - 87 degrees but I'm nice and cool here in my air-conditioned house. Tomorrow I need to work on my last newsletter but my office (the mancave) tends to stay rather cool so I will be fine.

Have a wonderful evening - Amy, stay calm.  The snow will melt soon and just remember that 69 degrees that is coming this weekend.

Love to all,
Gramma and MOM

Did you all know that pink symbolizes friendship and joy?  Isn't that a lovely thought?  Tell someone this week that you appreciate the joy and friendship they bring to you.  Everyone likes to hear it.

The end of Amy & Chase's visit

Before I go on with any of our "recent" happenings, I must finish Chase and Amy's visit which was the beginning of February.  How I wish they could have been with us more than just a few days - we LOVED having them and look forward to having all three of them next year - so yes, Kurt, we are planning on you being here next winter!!!!

 

I had asked Chase to let me know what he would like to do here in Tucson and the second big thing he wanted to do was go to the Bisbee Copper Mine which is an underground mine about 90 miles south of Tucson.  We left bright and early with our picnic fixings and headed out.  This is one of my favorite attractions to take the grandkids too.

 

 Guess what this little car was used for?  The guide told us that the "keeper of the crap car" was one of the favored jobs in the mine.  Don't remember why any more - certainly wouldn't be my choice of jobs!

 All decked out with our slickers and hard hats with our lights over our shoulders.  You take a little train "into the mountain" as Chase said.  He informed us it wasn't exactly an underground tour but an into the mountain tour.

 This is a bicycle that the foremen would use to get around the mine.

 After our tour, we had a nice picnic lunch in a local park and then headed back north to Tombstone - the little town too tough to die.  It was the most deserted I had ever seen it.  There was very little going on so we just walked through some of the stores and then headed to the local "Boot Hill".  Chase thought the graveyard was really interesting with all of it's old grave placards.  I didn't go in since I've seen it several times before so I didn't get any pictures.  Sorry!!

 Chase said to Grampa,  "Come on, Grampa, let me show you how that game (Shuffleboard)  is played."  So after getting a hat to keep the sun off their heads, they headed to the courts.  Judy DeRuyter was kind enough to play with them since I was busy working on the park newsletter.

 This was the score when I left - Chase, you and Grampa seem to be loosing to the gals here!!!  Not sure what the final score was.

 Before leaving to go back up to Mesa, Uncle Rich and Aunt Henrietta had us over for a hot dog picnic lunch.  Here the gals are roasting hotdogs - it was a bit warm but no complaints once that hot dog was put in a bun.  YUM

 Thanks for a fun, yummy lunch.

After lunch, we headed off to Mesa arriving at dinner time.  Had a bite to eat at Chik-fil-et and then to the motel for bed.  Had to be up early to get them to the airport.  Dad and I went back to the motel, had breakfast and crawled back in bed for a nap.  Then we just relaxed, watched some movies, did a little shopping and went to Texas Roadhouse for our anniversary.
The next afternoon Dad took me to the airport for my trip to Lynden.

It was soooooooooooooooooooo fun having the two of you here.  Thanks for coming!!!!

Love to all of you,
Gramma and MOM

International Wildlife Museum

Before Amy and Chase came to visit, I asked Chase to look up on the internet things he would like to visit in Tucson.  He chose the Wildlife Museum and the Bisbee Mine.  So after church on Sunday, we headed to the Wildlife museum which starts with mounted bugs, butterflies and birds and then goes on to all kinds of stuffed animals.  We had taken him there when he was three and first came to visit; he loved it then and he loved it again now.  It's a fun place for children because there are things for them to touch as well as look at.

 Chase had read that there were turtles in a little creek that ran under this bridge so he was trying to find them.  We never did see any.

 These beautiful brass doors were the entrance.

 There are several dioramas of animals.  This was one that Chase liked.  The one below is in honor of the bison of South Dakota.

 Oh no, Chase, don't put your head in that alligator's mouth.  Don't worry - Chase's Gramma wrestled him free.  Didn't know I was an alligator wrestler, did you?

 See Chase between the legs of the giraffe.  I have pictures of him when he was three in the same position at home.  Can't wait to pull them out when we get back home.

 When we were there before with Chase, he loved this bear and would snuggle up to it.  I remember when other kids would come up to it, Chase would just glare at them as if to say, "Get away - this is my bear."  Luckily he was much more willing to share this time.

 

This is one massive "deer", right Chase?

We had a fun, fun afternoon!!! and the good times weren't over because from the museum we went to Will and Linda DeBoer's for a wonderful dinner.  Chase was so impressed with the purple cactus in front of Linda's house.  What a fun, fun evening with some of the nicest people anywhere!!!!

When I was looking at my pictures of Chase and Amy's visit, I found a video of the sky diving so will insert it here.

Have a wonderful week. 
Love to all of you,
Gramma and MOM