Okay, so it's been awhile!

There has been a lot of work going on for the two living in our house for the past week or so. It seems to consume our lives if we let it. We did take time to head out to the Coyotes game Thursday night - and they won.

Yesterday it was time to take the kids to the vet for their regular checkups. You know how that can be - taking cats where they don't want to go! Gracie didn't handle it with much grace, but Jake surprised us by being relatively calm. Of course the vet reminded us that he is getting older and they mellow with age. They both have also gained some weight. That dreaded middle age spread! Now we get to look for "light" food for their culinary morsels.

Quiet Day in the Office

Gracie kept me company today while I spent time at my desk typing recipes. Thankfully she slept! Those of you who know her know what she can be like if she is needing attention!

Steady Rain

This morning there is a nice steady rain falling. It is great for us, but not so good for our visiting Snow Birds.

Baby It's Cold Outside!

We've had record breaking low temperatures here the past few days. We lost some flowers in pots and possibly our line of trees we planted a year ago in the back yard. We are blaming it on visitors from Maryland. Family friends Olen and Ruth are here on a westward bound vacation. The last time Ruth was in Phoenix about 18 years ago it snowed! Sounds like a pattern to me. Kendall and I were able to have dinner with them last night. It was great to see someone from home and catch up on their lives.

Stampin'

Once a month I get together with a group of friends to make different projects - cards, etc. Yesterday was the day!

15 Seconds of Fame

I stopped by one of the hospitals this morning on my way into work to donate blood. As I was reclined, doing my thing, a TV crew shows up to film some footage and do some live interviewing. I didn't see myself, but I understand I was recognizable and quite the arm/hand model!

Happy New Year!

A very Happy New Year to our friends and Merry Christmas to my family gathered in Maryland today to open their stockings!

A few glimpses of Christmas before I took them all down today. It will be back to the regular routine tomorrow when we go back to work and Kendall's parents head home to Kansas. Donna is feeling well enough to start out on the trip and is anxious to be home again.

A Quiet Get-Away

We took some time for ourselves and checked into a Bed & Breakfast for a night. While we were 'gone' we also had a very nice dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. It was relaxing to watch movies and have breakfast delivered in a basket to our room.
http://www.maricopamanor.com/

She's Discharged!

Yesterday was a day spent in surgery and many hours in recovery as the dear mother was a little stubborn about wanting to wake up. This resulted in a little extra monitoring and attention from the hospital staff over night. She is a new woman today and came home to us early evening. She is now resting comfortably in front of a warm fire and taking phone calls from well wishers.

A Day at the Hospital

...and it wasn't because of work. No pictures, even though I thought there were many 'bloggable' moments today. Kendall's mother wasn't feeling well since yesterday afternoon, so after a trip to an Urgent Care Center and being told to go to an Emergency Room, we headed out about 9:15 this morning. She is resting tonight in a hospital bed with lots of good pain meds and surgery scheduled for the morning to take out the culprit - her gall bladder. Keep her in your prayers for a speedy recovery.

Christmas Day

We had a lovely Christmas Day!

We had a traditional holiday meal with turkey and all the trimmings.

Gathering for the feast.

The afternoon was spent napping and the evening relaxing and playing Stock Ticker. Brock was the big winner!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is a traditional meal of homemade pizza and then opening gifts. Grandma and her boys
Grandma reading a Christmas story.

Brock enjoying his cool new shades!

Kendall and Holden shooting a round of pool.

It was cool enough in the evening to have a fire in the fireplace in the basement.

Christmas Will Soon be Here!

Happy Birthday to Julie and Josh! Here are some scenes of what we did on your birthday. Kendall's extended family spent time with us as we celebrated Christmas with those in town. A moment of pending disaster as the fountain didn't turn on when we added the chocolate and flipped the switch. Kendall and his Dad trouble shooting. Luckily it was fixed and all was well

Christmas punch was a hit.

The dessert table pre-party.

...and during the party.

Darcie at trying the meatballs.

It was a fun filled evening!

Christmas Lights

Last night we went to Glendale Glitters and wandered through the lights and vendor booths. I'm sorry I didn't get very good night shots with my camera.

In Arizona we decorate our palms.

On the way home we drove through other neighborhoods with fabo lights.

And then our own neighborhood.

South Pacific

Last night we went to the dinner theater for a lovely date night and saw South Pacific. The theater is all decked out for Christmas.


No, I didn't take my camera in illegally - this is from the theater's website. It was a good production. I had never seen it on the stage before.

The Farewell Tour

Today was Kendall's last race before going into retirement from racing.

Here he is coming by where we were located in the pit in case he needed us. This race was shorter so no need for gas.

Some interesting jumps in what is usually an arena for horse shows.

The finish line.

And he goes out on top! First place AGAIN!

The moon was really pretty over the mountains as we got in the truck to head for home.

We Went to a Fight and a Hockey Game Broke Out

Well, at least that's what it felt like!
There were a lot of punches thrown at the game last night, but we came away with the winning score. Hockey seems appropriate as we are in the deep freeze here with temps in the 30's at night and only in the 50's for the past 2 days. It should be back to close to 70 today.

Anne Murray

Last night we went to Anne Murray's Christmas Concert. She spent the first half of the show doing her hits from the past 30+ years and then the second half doing Christmas songs.

Her band and backup singer have all been with her 24+ years, one guy since 1969. Quite impressive!

Mini Golf in Arizona

On Tuesday Lois, Dad, Kendall and I played 2 rounds of golf.

On this hole our balls were really close after our first shots!

It was a beautiful day to be outside.

Thursday Kendall and Dad went back to play the other 2 courses after Thanksgiving dinner. See Lois' Blog for Thanksgiving pictures.

Family Has Arrived

Family has arrived for Thanksgiving week. Mom, Dad, Lois, Julie and Asa are here from Maryland, Ohio and Florida. Pa and Asa playing with trucks and cars.
Asa helped decorate cookies for the kitchen Christmas Tree.
When you're almost 2, the water has to be colder than in the 50's to not dip your toes in!
"Hi!"

Bunko Hosted

This Saturday was my turn to host Bunko. Thanks to Kendall's mom for a great Peach Glazed Pork Chop recipe dinner was a hit!

Some roses I picked up to spruce up the kitchen. They reminded me of my wedding flowers.

Sun Rise, Moon Set

This was the scene as we pulled into the race Sunday morning. The sun was ready to peep up over the mountains as the moon was thinking about going to bed.

Another Win

Another race in the desert. At the start line. This is called a Land Rush start where they all take off at once and see who gets to the corner for the first to get the advantage. Kendall was there this time!

Coming into the pit area. It was a timed race and no need to fuel this time, so no pit stop. Just lots of dust!

It's all in who you know. This handsome fellow gave the lady a ride back to the trailer from the finish line.

Yes, first place again! And no, it's not the same picture re-posted. Notice this time there is no plaque in his hands. They didn't have it and will have to get it sent out.


A flat tire on the trailer on the way home. These guys are getting good at changing these things.

Chocolate Cake

Today I attempted to make Mom's famous Chocolate Cake, and it was a success! I must say it was quite the intimidating process. Kendall was my assistant - after all he watched Mom make it twice and got hints when we were home in October. Can't wait to see if tastes as good as it looks!

AzHHA

AZ is the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association. Tonight I was one of the 13 graduates of the class of 2006 of Emerging Healthcare Leaders from around the state of Arizona. It is a 10 month program with LOTS of reading and an all day meeting once a month to discuss topics related to leadership and healthcare. Hence the name! Kendall was nice enough to sit through the dinner with me.