A Skyride of Happiness!

 On Saturday, we took Ashley up on the sky ride at the Snow Bowl. We always enjoy taking this (when we can), and the kids absolutely love it! Ashley, Samantha and I rode on one chair lift, and Jeff and Kent were on another, behind us. The one picture, looking back, I tried to capture them. If you zoomed in, you could see my boys :o) Fortunately we did not encounter stormy weather, while riding it. Because that has happened to Jeff and me riding that thing; and that sucked! So the sky was filled with clouds and drama, but we missed the actual storm. That evening we took Ashley to have dinner at the Cracker Barrel. Yes. Yes it was tasty. I had my haddock, and she had country fried steak. Jeff had his breakfast, as did Kent; and Sami had herself some grilled cheese. Yesterday was a steam up day with the train, a couple of rides around the property, and then Ashley and I ran to the grocery store for my shopping week. Last night we just hung out, playing on the Wii. The Sports Resort and Super Mario Brothers. This morning was my workout with my trainer, so Ashley came along and worked out as well. Then we grabbed a really delicious salad at Wendy's and a large iced tea, and headed home. So we are home, just relaxing now. I have some laundry and some vacuuming to do, nothing to crazy. For dinner...I have a pork roast in the crock pot slowly cooking with some green chili sauce; for some shredded green chili pork burritos, or quesadillas. Oh yeah!

Pumpkin Muffins and a Glass of Wine!

Ashley, Samantha and I headed into Flag to go to a couple of stores, yesterday...Tuesday Morning and Cost Plus World Market (I love that store)! It was just a nice paced day, and we enjoyed each other's company. When Jeff came home from work, we had dinner, and then we all took an evening walk around our neighborhood, and part of the 1920s old route 66 (since it is right down the road from us). Once we put the kids down for bed, and Jeff was watching his "Bigfoot" TV program; Ashley and I whipped up a batch of pumpkin muffins, and opened up a bottle of wine. The pumpkin in these, are amazing and moist! We just relaxed with our wine and chilled out in front of the TV until bed time. Good times

Ashley Is Here Visiting!

Ashley arrived on Tuesday afternoon and we have had fun since! Let's see...I took Ashley to my workout with my trainer...that was fun like always. Then we had lunch (her treat) at Red Lobster YUUUUUUMMMMMMM! We spilt the lunch, so not too bad on calories. We have been playing Super Mario Brothers on the Wii...and we are awesome! I laugh so hard playing with Ashley...because, well, lets be honest...she dies a lot ;o) Today I took Ashley to Freddy's. We shared a Freddy's Original Double #1. You may be thinking shared?! Yes. That way, we were able to have our single vanilla custard in a waffle cone!

So mouth watering :op Ashley says she could have that again! We got her hooked. We plan on taking her to the Cracker Barrel this weekend. Oh yes.

So to be continued with her visit with us!

 

 



The mural in Kent's room!

 So the mural that Nana and I started a couple of weeks ago (she helped me get started), is now finished! I may add a few things here and there, but for the most part, it is done! The scenic outdoors...all that we love...cabins, lakes, pine trees and aspens, camping, mountains...PURE BLISS!

Kids at a Birthday Party & Another Great Evening at the Canyon.

 Yesterday was Kent's and Samantha's friend's birthday party. Bryton turned seven years old. It was a carnival themed party, and the kids had a blast. I also participated in some games...such as Bingo, and yes, I did win. After the party, the kids and I headed home so we could grab Jeff, and we headed for the Canyon. We had dinner in Tusayen this time, and regretted it. We ate at the Yippee-Ei-Yea Steakhouse Restaurant. The building is super cute and inside is even nicer. But the food was way over priced for getting Denny's type food. EXPENSIVE. They also already include a 15% gratuity (which I understand, due to the Europeans never tipping); but our waiter sucked! He didn't deserve a 15% tip! So word to the wise...don't eat there unless you want basic food with a high price. Jeff and I were like, why did we even bother, when we know the food in the Canyon is WAY BETTER. We live and learn people. Live and learn. So after that meal...we drove to the East side again (further out this time). We went to the Grand view lookout, but not where the people go. Oh no...we hiked a trail that had me searching for air, and my legs were burning. But once we got to the top..the most amazing view I have ever seen at the Canyon, and very, very steep...like look over and die! It was so great! I love our trips to the Canyon. We have a pass...so we can go anytime, and why not? It is after all in our back yard :o)

First Day of 1st Grade!!!!

 Today was the day. Finally we have reached another school year. It was an exciting morning! We got Kent all dressed (well, he was already dressed before I could help him). We then had breakfast, brushed teeth, hair, put shoes on, and back pack...then out the door! I chatted with the bus driver this morning, letting her know that I would be taking Kent to school today and be picking him up; but starting tomorrow...Kent will be taking the bus to and from school! It makes sense. They come to the house to pick up and drop off. So I was actually struggling between the bus and/or me taking him (because I like picking him up too) but...the bus won. How many kids do you know (in today's world) that get picked up right outside the front door? Exactly. When we arrived at school..the whopping, just over a mile away distance...I walked in with Kent, and Samantha, to his new room. The picture of the front entry way, is his building. That is also the library. I got to meet Mrs. Grantham and her aide, Mrs. Lacy. Sweet lady, that Mrs. Grantham. I hope to see and hear of good things this school year. She immediately told Kent to find his name tag, to where he will be sitting. I didn't get a good picture of Mrs. Grantham, but in one, you can see her in the back ground, wearing a cream colored top. Then I went to the morning assembly. It was so cute to see all of the kids. It truly is one small school, and I love it that way. Picking Kent up after school, he was excited and happy after his first day. Telling me about his lunch (a burrito, watermelon, pudding); and who he sits next to;  seeing all of his friends again; which of his classmates didn't return, and who was new. There are 18 students total (including Kent). He had a great first day. YES!

An early evening at the Grand Canyon

Yesterday, when Jeff got off work, yes, it was a Saturday, we decided to go to the Canyon for some vista views and dinner at the Bright Angel Lodge...because we can :o) So we had our dinner, hung out only briefly at the South Rim...then took a drive to the East View points...where we had to walk through the forest to get those cool views. There were no other people around because we were trucking it through the land. It was awesome! Like our own little spot at the Grand Canyon. On our drive home, the sunset was on fire and so gorgeous...so pictures were taken! It was a pleasant way to spend our Saturday evening with the family.

Christmas in August.

What am I talking about? Some of you already know...others...I am talking about creating my new Christmas CD for this year, to have readily available to sell BEFORE Christmas arrives. It is actually kind of difficult to play the Christmas music on my piano, with it being Summer and all...but an artist has to put in the time, in order to have the music available at the correct time! Ahhh. That is my little update with my Christmas music. Also, I am trying to get this CD all ready for the big Autumn Yard sale I plan on having here, at the house, on September 24th, a Saturday. I am pretty excited about this!!!

Back to School Shopping...OH MY!

 Okay, let me give a TREMENDOUS THANK YOU TO MY MOM, and DAD AND MOM STAFFORD! You three made back to school shopping so easy and painless. I got help from my Mom today for Kent's back to school needs..back pack, pants, shoes; AND Dad and Mom Stafford sent me a check to cash for Kent's back to school shopping...which went to shirts and pants...and a "little treat for myself" (that's what Dad said for me to do, and like I would say no? Exactly.)...I got some Bath and Body works "Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin" hand soaps :o) Thank you, thank you, thank you guys! What great parents/grandparents to help us and Kent out this school year!!!!!

So the day went like this...Mom and Nana arrived after 10:00am, and I showed them around the house, all the improvements. Then we headed to Flag to run a couple of errands...before heading to the great Cracker Barrel for lunch. Once again, a great lunch and Pappy made sure Nana would treat us...so thank you Pappy and Nana for lunch! It was so worth every one of your cents :o) Of course we walked the country store, and I got spoiled there by my Mom...she bought me a purse I have been eyeing for a long time now, and a nice shirt for when the weather gets cooler. So very sweet. Then off to JcPenney! That is where we did our complete shopping for Kent. Backpack, shirts, pants, shoes...YES! The kids also got "pillow pets." Grandma went and spoiled them that extra mile...so that is what the kids are holding in the picture. Everybody needs a pillow pet for crying out loud! After the JcPenney shopping...we headed to Bath and Body. That is where I bought the hand soaps for the house and Nana bought me the BEST SCENTED CANDLE IN THE WORLD! It is called "Salty Caramel." Oh my heaven! I just wanted to lick it out of the jar! I have the candle lit right now and I want to eat the air, it smells that insanely good! Nana also bought the acorn design candle holder for it...so it looks great! Thank you so much Mom, Mom and Dad Stafford and Nana! I was spoiled and so were the kids. I realize it...so thank you.

Ah...Just Work It Out and Paint Something!

 The first picture (taken by Mr. Kent) shows me working out on the ball...which leads to the second picture of the kids "working out" on their bouncy balls! They were imitating me...and all I could do was laugh and take that picture. The third picture, the kids are proudly displaying what they had painted today. We went to Michael's and I let them pick out wooden pieces to paint...so Samantha chose a princess crown, and Kent chose a skeleton (it was out for Halloween). A good project for them to do at home.

August Days!

This is the time of year (besides the Fall) when you will see lots and lots of yellow everywhere. Thanks to the monsoon rains and good old summer warmth. August is one of the most beautiful months up here. The photos show the meadows are carpeted with little yellow flowers...the natural sunflowers are scattered around our yard, just smiling for their pictures to be taken...they actually look happy! I also took a picture of Jeff cleaning out his steam engine before a steam up. Yep...that is black soot blowing out of the front of the engine. A photo opportunity. Finally the kids and Jeff next to the engine, on this beautiful August day.