Day 3 in AZ

I don't know if these pictures can be seen very well like this.
We did a bit of hiking down in the wash close to Ellen and Kent's place.

I'm Back...Now we are heading to warmer weather (except we are already back)

 Had to have the plane de-iced before we left

 Our first sighting of AZ!

Yes, I have been on "blog leave" for way too long.  So now I'm back (for the moment) ...and then we all head to AZ. 

When we left home on Wednesday morning it was snowing and the plane had to be de-iced.  It was close to 70 degrees when we reached Phoenix.  The pictures are out of order, but oh well!  I really was on this trip, too.  Just don't have any pictures of me on the plane.

Graduation Party

We had a great day for Deidre's graduation and party. Rain was predicted for both events but it was so kind as to hold off until after. Wayne and I both had a good time getting ready for the event. While I cleaned the freezers in the garage, he worked on a chess table that he was building. (He's got his priorities straight!) Actually the chess set ended up being a hit. Several would stop by to play for a bit!

Wayne had the garage looking pretty good and we used one side of it to set up the food tables. Just outside the garage we had a tent set up. It was just a great day for seeing everyone and catching up a bit. I think it seemed a little unreal to Deidre that all this was for her. She was pretty pleased and is VERY happy to be finished with high school! She just sounds like a different kid this summer. I say "sounds" because she has been at Gma's and Gpa's since her party.

Wayne's Mom and Dad got to come on Tuesday before graduation. They were an incredible help--and tried to help me keep my sanity. Thank you for coming! His older brother, Kevin, came and brought Nick and Amanda. And Amanda brought sweet little Kylie! Thank you Elliott for sharing them with us! Warren and Lauren got to come for the graduation ceremony. Next year will be our turn to go to their place for graduation! And thank you, Elizabeth, for the outfit you got Deidre for her party! It was so cute on her--even without shoes!

I'll post a few pictures from that big day. Guess I'll post pictures of the guests attending graduation first! lol

Catching Up With Relatives

We got to spend a special day catching up with Marilyn a little. I was glad to get to know her a little more! We had a good evening catching up with Wayne's Aunt and Uncle, Dean and Lois, when we were in MN. Steve and Maureen were there with most of their family. David and Rebecca were there with their two. We have seen S & M at Mtg. in MN before, but have never really got to sit and visit with them. The same goes for D & R--I knew Rebecca from way back, but haven't seen them in several years. Between all our boys, four of them are all pretty close in age. When it was time to head back to the farm, they all said we couldn't leave yet--they were just getting started!!!!
Since these pictures were taken Mike and Kristina have announced their engagement! Congrats to the both of you!

Fun Times Catching Up!

Our trip to MN has been FULL! I'll try to catch up with pictures when I get back home. We arrived in MN Friday and headed to a picnic that was going on that day. It was a chance to catch up with friends and relatives in the area. They had a game of softball going in the afternoon. That game was an eye opener for Wayne. Each team was going to bat through all their players--from youngest to oldest. He looks around and (oh, no!) realized he was second to last on his team! (He can still run pretty fast--for an old guy!)
Saturday we headed to the Cities to take Marilyn back to her brother's. We visited there a while, then on to see Amanda and Elliott in their new house. From there it was on up to John and Jenny's! That was a fun afternoon. Wayne and John, (along with Warren, Jerry, and Jim) go way back. It was fun to meet Jenny--besides on FB or the blog world. The kids had a good time, too. We weren't too early getting back to the farm that night!
Sunday afternoon we headed back to the Cities for a funeral. Saw lots and lots of familiar faces there. Afterwards we went to Dean and Lois' and caught up with more cousins. Several of our boys are close in age--14 and 15. I think they all had a good time. It has been fun getting acquainted with all the kids!
Yesterday we worked at the house in town some. Today has been a nice relaxing, lazy day! Feels great! Strawberry pies are made and we'll head to Kevin and Candace's later on here.
More updates later!

Happy Father's Day, Grandpa! (and to all the rest!)

Hope you have a great day! We'll be seeing you soon! (Ready or Not!)

(Happy Father's Day to all the rest of you great dads out there, too!)

We really are still here!....I think!!!!

I think we were missed while we were on Spring Break!
This message was waiting for us when we got home!

Deidre and little Miss Cadence
It was so good to see these special people!
We miss them!

Marina and her artwork

"The boy in the red shirt" (Kyle) and Paige
They hit it off well!

All dolled up! So sweet!

Hudson and Paige
Hudson had fun with Carlin, but I missed getting a picture
of the two of them together!

Leaving Grandma's

Morgen and Kaela
Cousin entertainment!

Rod & Luanne Erickson
Congratulations!

One big happy family!

Happy Birthday, Carlin!
Thanks for the Coconut Cake, Aunt Elaine!
It was great!

Uncle Roy, Mom, Dawn Peterson, and Blanche

Daddy Rick & Caiden Man

Elaine and Stuart

Cousins are great! My son learning
how to play Poker!!!! He
had a great time!

Thanks for letting us entertain you, Paul!
Happy 50th!
Glad you enjoyed the clown!

Here come the clowns! (except I forgot to post a picture!)

Part of the tribe!

These pictures definitely aren't in order! Slideshow
wasn't wanting to cooperate, so this is what we get!
Enjoy!

Greetings to all of you out there! (If you are still there!) I wouldn't be surprised that not many are still checking this out since it has been forever since I have posted anything! I have posted a few things on Face Book--it just seems the quicker way to post, but I do like keeping up on here, too.

April flew by with a special trip over Spring Break to NE. That was such a special time seeing so many special people. We had a family reunion and six of us seven kids were there. Our cousin, Dawn, was also there. It was special to get acquainted with her (and her family). I think there were 45 of us there.

On our way home we got to stop in IL and see our other special "family"! The kids have grown so much! It was fun to see the "big" kids and "little" kids together!

Stay tuned and I will try to get caught up a bit!

Happy Birthday, Mom! 87 Years Old!

Happy 80th Birthday!

Happy 80th Birthday, Dad and Grandpa!
Wishing you a very happy year!
Love, Us

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, LEON & MAXINE!

Wish I was there to have dessert with you again!

More Catching Up!

Above--getting to spend the day with the Steufen cousins
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Nothing like a good pile of snow to dig through!
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The other morning the trees were covered in frost! I didn't get
a good picture of it when the sun was shining on them, but
they were beautiful!

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This is what water lines look like in a crawl space that
reaches 0 degrees!

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A fun game of Fill Or Bust with the Radbourne clan!
Good Hot Chocolate, too!

Family, Food, & Fun

Donna loves going to the house in town! (above)
Domino creations. (Sorry Brooke, but I love the pj's!)

Exciting life!