In Loving Memory.....

Today would have been my Dad's 94th Birthday.  He has been gone for nine years now, but I love the sweet memories of him. 
Kyle would have turned four the day of Grandpa's funeral.  Through the years we have talked of Grandpa, but I really didn't know his feelings about what he remembers of Grandpa until I found this writing in his school papers last year. 

A Friend you've never truly known

Grandpa, I feel I never got to know you, but somehow I know that I was close to it.  It's like one of those really annoying puzzles.  Where it suddenly all makes sense., but then when you're putting it together, you find you're missing the most important piece of all, and it'll never look like it's supposed to. 
I almost had you figured out, then you left and took the last piece with you.  They say a picture tells a thousand words, but I would've preferred a video. 
It reminds me of one of those corny murder mystery books when the stupid detective is about to put two-and-two together, then swish!  The book is snatched away from you when your mom finds out you haven't done your homework. 
I know it isn't your fault that you had to leave, but you really left me hanging.  Stories, pictures, and memories won't replace you being here, my Grandpa, my would-be friend.
Sometimes it really seems like you're still alive, but then a crushing wave of reality washes away the thought as soon as it comes.

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.

Christmas in AZ

This ole guy was quite amusing. He wanted me to take his picture!

The tall part with lights is a cactus

 

It seems different to see christmas lights on cactus and palm trees.

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.

Fun On The Farm

While we were in MN we had a great weekend catching up with these folks!

Checking out the hayloft

Carlin taking the bunch for a ride in the Gator

Say Cheese!

Last year when we were in MN we got to spend some time with these folks.  It was so much fun to get to see them again this summer and catch up some more.  They got to come spend the weekend on the farm with us.  We went to a parade and a water show while they were there.

Same place, next year!

A Little Sweetheart....

I'm doing random catching up here. When I saw the pictures from when we stopped to see this special family, I had so many I didn't know where to start! So I thought I would try creating some collages.

Biking

My three guys!

Ready to ride! 

Loaded and ready to head to the starting point--26 miles away!

The cool breeze coming from the tunnels feels GREAT

Light at the end of the tunnel

Taking a break

Waiting for our cheese curds and sweet potato fries.
Sounds like a high energy snack, huh?!

On our way to MN, we stopped in WI and biked a 26 mile trail.  Three years ago we had biked the same trail.  It was really fun to see how much the boys had changed since then.  That summer when we last biked the trail Carlin was just a little shorter than me.  This year he is a couple inches shorter than Wayne.  He was among the last to finish last time.  This year he was the first one back.  This year Kyle is just a bit shorter than me.  Last time he had a single speed bike.  His bike this year was much easier!
The country side was beautiful.  The temperature was about 66 when we started.  It did warm up and got a bit humid.  When we would get close to the tunnels we could feel the cool air from the tunnel coming down the trail.  The last tunnel felt great.  The ceiling drips water and we were pretty hot and sweaty so it felt really good.  (There isn't much order to these pictures and I was getting annoyed trying to figure it out!)