A Camp Verde Family Day

Reason number one why we decided to head down to Camp Verde...a generator that Jeff located on CraigsList. A used one, but in good shape. YES! We finally have a generator. Now the other pictures are of our little journey through Camp Verde, mainly around the Verde River. The first picture is of an old house, that was built in the 1870s by one on the first settlers, known as "Boss." The next picture shows a capturing moment with llamas wading around in a flooded field. They were loving it and so were we looking at them! Cute. Next set of photos are of an old church, off of "S. Old Church Road"...built in 1898. Beautiful. I loved the steeple with the cross on top and the original bell. The last set of photos are of the flowing West Clear Creek, a tributary of the Verde River; with Jeff and the kids throwing rocks in it. The trees have the fresh leaves on the branches. The river water was clear, and the fish passing time by swimming along. It was a refreshing day, to get out for a drive, and enjoy the wondrous outdoors.

The Stafford Squirrel

This is "The" squirrel. The squirrel that had it's head trapped in the Yoplait yogurt cup last winter. The squirrel that likes to hop on our deck, peek in our windows to see what is going on. The squirrel that likes to mock us, and chew off bunches of pine needles from our trees. The crazy list goes on and on. I managed to capture some shots with the squirrel. He first walked up slowly to the sliding glass door, and looked in (his little nose touched the glass); then he noticed some fruit loops that the kids spilled on the deck...a perfect meal, crunchy, yet sweet. It was eating away! I think the squirrel has adopted our house and property,and uses us all the time, for its entertainment and satisfying hunger. The ongoing chronicles of the "Stafford Squirrel."

Happy Easter Everybody! Our Lord is Risen!

Oh boy! Here is what we did this weekend and it is not even over yet. Yesterday we colored the eggs and did a craft, making bugs and butterflies. The kids had a lot of fun doing that! Then early evening we went to Flagstaff for our dinner. We decided to go try out Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Oh my heaven! You talk about the BEST BURGER...WOW! As a California girl, I hold up In & Out above all other fast food restaurants...that is...until we went into Freddy's. No joke. The meat is amazing and seasoned with perfection. The fries are the shoestring fries AND they have homemade custards. Out of control. It will be a place we will take our people that come up for a visit. How did it take Jeff and I so long to go there? CRAZY. But now we know! SO...this morning we turned on Dr. Charles Stanley for our church service. Listening to the important message about today,with the Lord's resurrection. Then Jeff read a passage out of the Bible to the kids, and explained the importance of today, and that the coloring of the eggs, and baskets are just the extra fun part, but not the meaning of Easter. That all went very well. Next came the Easter egg hunt, and the kids were all over it! I love it. Now I plan on making a nice Easter dinner...a 7-Bone roast, red skillet potatoes, warm croissants, green beans. Yum.

Here are the photos from a couple weeks ago, with Mom and Pappy!

"Jaaaaackie."

Grandma with her grandkids

Pappy, the kids and me :o)

steaming up baby. oh so nicccceeeee!

Crazy to think that this was the first time Adi had rode on the train around the tracks! She never hopped on, back in October, when we had the kids' birthday party. So she enjoyed it. Jeff's steam engine is a beautiful sight. The sounds and smells of an old fashioned steam engine, in our own back yard...pretty cool if you ask me! Jeff's next step is re-routing the tracks. Don't flip out...meaning, the current loop will be disconnected and laid in a more complete loop, that is bigger, better, and meets up where he steams up. There will be no more going backwards to the loading area. A big project, but Jeff can do it...his goal is to finish it in a few weeks; because SUMMER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!





Loading of the Steam Engine and Easter Egg Hunt!

I finally got to download photos! Yippee! So the first set of photos are the loading of the steam engine day (which was Thursday), we had to get it on the truck, then drive it down to the tracks. I was in the back holding the engine and tinder. It looks awesome down on the tracks...right at home :o) The next set of photos came from Sunday. The kids got to go on an Easter egg hunt, and "mine" for gold in their mines. The idea came from Grandma Gayle. The eggs were filled with surprises from their grandparents. It was super cute and exciting to see the kids go on the hunt! Saturday was the first steam up day with the engine (some kinks are getting worked out); but very exciting. Jeff was so happy to have had his Dad around for that occasion. They did, after all, work on this engine together. On Monday, before Dad and Mom Stafford headed out, they treated me and little Samantha to Cracker Barrel. So good, so good. I go into work today, then finally have my six days off!!

frustrated.

I don't know what is going on with being able to publish a post with pictures. It doesn't happen! I have so much to show and I can't do it!

Weekend update...

I am having difficulties uploading photos to the blog, it's just not happening, and that is a shame. Why? You ask...because I have pictures of course (from when I saw my Mom and Pappy)! I dropped off the kids at my folk's house in Chino, on Friday. Mom and Pappy were there for the weekend, and they offered to watch the kids for a couple of nights. Jeff and I haven't been alone, with out children, since before Christmas time! We deserved a break, and it is so important for the marriage, I think. We took advantage of our alone time...dinners, a movie, Starbucks, relaxing. Bliss. We picked up the kids yesterday afternoon, but that was no easy task! The 40 freeway was shut down all day due to a fatal accident that morning (when I first attempted to head out to Chino). We had to go on the 17, which is way out of the way. But we did get our kids and made it back home in time for the BBQ that we had planned, with Andrew, Megan and their two girls. The visit with them went really well. That was the first time they got to meet Jeff and Kent. We had hamburgers, tots, chips and dip, chocolate cake (that Andrew baked). All yumminess. Also, it was Wii game night, with the Sports Resort. Lets just say, that I kicked every body's butt! Hey, it is my turf, and I had to show who was boss. Jeff says I always get serious with the Wii...call me "Miss Competitive." The snow is melting. The temps are really supposed to warm up as the week progresses. Exciting! Dad and Mom Stafford plan on coming out for a visit this weekend, so that will be really nice getting to see them again. I do believe they will be bringing their airstream trailer! Oh boy!

What the?!

It is snowing. It is very cold outside and it is snowing. We are supposed to get a freakin' 14 inches of snow between tonight and tomorrow morning! Fine. If the snow wants to fall, fine. But how about 3-5 inches...not 14! I hope it doesn't happen...only time will tell. Shrug...it's snowing.

613...where have you been all of my life?

Unbelievable. The constant hard work from Jeff is really paying off; AND, as you can see, yes, I too have had a part with this engine. Bring on the white paint to add to this beautiful engine. Also, you will see, the last two photos are of Kent's engine and Samantha's engine. They wanted Daddy's "613" painted on their engines too. Now that is just cuteness beyond! Seriously people. P.S. Here is the youtube link that shows the engine in action (in the workshop). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI_B6rg_3MU