critters of summer

I think I say this every year, but, "where did the summer go?" I have been off for 6 weeks recovering from ankle surgery, and the time just flew by. The pictures below are some of the critters we saw this summer.

a dragonfly hanging out on top of the camper
horses grazing on the side of the road in madera, mexico

pigs i saw at the orphanage

baby humming birds that had a nest right above our entrace way

this beautiful bald eagle showing off for me at the indian market in santa fe

Broken

Out on the beach this past weekend, I happened to look down and see something shiny and blue. This guy was stuck in the sand and was about to get stepped on by lots of kids. After further inspection, I noticed he was missing a leg and a couple of his wings were tattered. Not wanting him to get squished I had Frank take him to a safer place knowing his demise was immanent and I did not want to watch.

How often is it that I actually get to hold a dragonfly?

XOXO

13 going on ...

My beautiful blue eyed baby turned 13 this past week. Talk about feeling old. She was spoiled rotten all week long. She had her "friend" party before school let out so it was just family for her actual birthday. I caved and let her get the top of her ear pierced.

Her favoriate presents... 1. a model of the 2010 Camero, and 2. a ride in a 2010 Camero.

3 months old

now, 13

sitting in the drivers seat of a 2010 Camero

everyone always comments on how pretty she is. i think so too, even if she doesn't look like me.

no, this is not her boyfriend. this is my 16 year of nephew Ryan.

click on the picture so you can see her smile from one end to the other.

i think i will keep her.

~~~~

Grand Canyon - Mt. Zion

Father's Day

I always try to tell my girls something I remember about my childhood. Especially my mom since she is not around, but also my dad. Growing up as a kid, I remember going to my grandparents house alot. My grandparents house was nothing fancy. A three bedroom house that at one point occupied seven children. My grandmother very loving, and my grandfather while loving in his own way, was a rough around the edges kind of guy. My grandfather had a garden to be envied by all the neighbors and when it was harvesting time we had a big family party. Eating melon sliced in half with either ice cream or salt was what everyone looked forward to. I'd like to think that my love for gardening comes from him.


My dad was always in the middle of the party. He was the white guy that just fit it in. I think my grandparents saw his lovingness toward my mom and me and knew that he was a keeper. I do recall my grandmother shaking her head at times at his unique sense of humor.

I will never forget though, the time my parents took my 60 something year old grandparents to Disneyland. She needed to be pushed in a wheelchair everywhere. I spent about 3 hours visiting my grandparents after the trip. My grandfather was snoring in his recliner as my grandmother talked to me like she was a seven year old girl seeing Cinderella for the first time. She had a map circled with every ride she has gone on... once, twice and even a third time. But, she always managed to say, "Your dad pushed me everywhere. He took care to make sure I got on the ride". He took care of my grandparents, he took care of my mom and he took care of me.

My Dad and I have had our moments... the good, the bad and even the ugly. But, I think we have come to a point in our lives we can appreciate eachother. And, love eachother. I am happy we have reached this point. I am happy my kids have a grandfather who is quirky. He recently took them on a date. He picked them up and took them to Popejoy Hall for a show and then for pizza. They talked about it for days. A memory I hope they keep tucked away for the future. Sometimes memories are all we have left.

Love ya Dad. XOXO

My Dad with his Dad when he was a young boy.

As we get readyt to venture out on vacation this week, I hope to get a camping photo like this with Frank and the girls so we can put them side by side and just ... remember.

Happy Father's Day to Frank. Thank you for my sweet girls.

Before I was a Mom

Happy Mother's Day 2009. Everyday is a special day being a mom. While there are days when we want to scream or just keep our heads under the covers so we don't have to deal with the drama from our kids, I know we wouldn't give up those kids for anything.

I truely hope you enjoy your special day.

This picture is of me and my mom when I was about 7 or 8.

Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on, pooped on, chewed on or peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much...

Before I was a Mom.

me and my beautiful girls...

Making Stides for Breast Cancer 2009

What a gorgeous day to walk away cancer. A time to meet up with family and great friends. Unfortunately, it is also a time to cry, hug and remember. I am thankful for the bear hugs from my husband as I wrap a ribbon with my mom's name on it and tie it to the Cancer Dream Catcher as I cry. I am thankful for my girls who are still not too old to hold my hand and walk with me as I tell them that their Grandma Rose would have loved them to pieces. I am thankful for all the friends I met up with along the way giving me warm hugs and smiles. And, I am thankful for the few members of my family who still walk with me every year. We are soul mates in this terrible disease. Love you all...

The start of five miles of walking shoulder to shoulder with others fighting the same cause.

You always start and end under the pink arch.

Matt and Reina are always fun to meet up with.

Orville, Judy and Frank... dear friends who never hesitate to welcome us as family.

Some of my wonderful family.

Suzanne, Liz and I. Our mom's are sisters and both lost their battle with cancer. We are not just cousins, we are soul sisters in this cause. Love you guys.

Sorry it's sideways Liz. You have beautiful family.

Me and Liz.

This is Rosie... She is a family friend and was honored as Cancer Survivor of the year. I envy her passion and tenacity for life.

Come join us next year. XOXO