Tinme to Catch Up

WOW, It has been almost a year since I posted anything so figured I had better start trying to catch up. This past summer I made a trip to visit Susan in California. Then she and I went on down to Arizona to visit family we hadn't seen in years. Stayed with Aunt Arva for several days and had a great time. Arva took us to the cemeteries to see a lot of our relatives sites. Hadn't been there since we buried Grandma Birdno in 1965. Saw Ron and his lovely wife, Lorene and also Tammy. Went to Church in Safford and saw the new Gila Temple. Beautiful.

We then went to Phoenix and stayed with our cousin, Karen, for a couple of days. I hadn't seen her since 1968 but after a few minutes, the years just fell away and we had a great time. Also got to spend some time with Ashley. All in all, a great trip.

Stayed with Susan a few more days before returning home and we had such a good time. One very important thing occured while I was there. She got me to really thinking about my life and my inactivity in the Church. Thought a lot about that on my 2 day drive back home and after I got home. I finally came to the decision that I needed to go back to Church.

We have a very small Branch here in Castle Valley. The first time I went, I realized I knew most everyone there! They were all the people (friends) we have met at our valley pot lucks. Iwas so comfortable. I have really enjoyed going again. I am now a Visiting Teacher and am working on going to the Temple.

Rick is still really into his jeeping. We not only own a jeep but a samari as well. He has a lot of fun with the people he has met doing this. They not only do jeeping, but maintain the trails, run aid stations at some of the marathons that are run around here and in general have a good time together.

Reid got his masters this past summer and is now working for the National Weather Service. His first posting is in Riverton, WY and we were able to go there for Christmas. First time since we moved that we were with one of our kids for the holidays. Really enjoyed it.

Ashley is still in Phoenix and is still working at the Hyatt Regency in Scottsdale as a massage therapist. She has gotten some really good reviews by customers and is really happy.

We are really proud of both of our kids, as you can tell.

I'm still quilting some and reading a lot. Susan and Arva turned me onto a few new authors and I am really enjoying them. We have a quilt show here in Moab this weekend and I have 4 quilts in it.

Susan will be here this next weekend for the blessing of a grandson so I'm going to Scott and Cara's to not only attend this, but to also have our cousin, Gina, do my hair and to visit family and friends. I'm having lunch next Saturday with Donnay and Nedra. Just wish Julie was able to come too. But she is still teaching and living in Idaho.

I'm going to try to do a little better about keeping this up. But since I found facebook, I do most everything there. Love to all our family and friends.

Antelope Slot Canyon

On May 17th, we went to Page, Arizona with our good friends Neal and Annette. We did a tour of the Antelope Slot Canyon. It was incredible. Rick and I will certainly be going back and doing this again. The next time, we will take the photographer's tour as it is longer and they keep other groups out of your way so you can take your photos.

If you should decide to go, remember to take a hat as you have falling sand a lot from the winds above and also something to cover your camera up with so the sand won't get into that.

This is just so worth going and seeing. The pictures really don't do it justice.

New Post...At Last

OK, so it's been 5 months since I last posted. I found facebook and figured people would keep up with me on that. However, several friends have informed me I need to do both so here is a new post for you all.

I just spent 4 days with Scott and Cara and we went through some of Mom and Dad's papers and pictures. Here are a few. This one is of Uncle Wayne, Uncle Miles and Dad.

Here are Dad, Susan, me and Mom in Grandpa and Grandma Birdno's front yard in Thatcher, Arizona.

This is my mother.

This is my Dad.

Beautiful Sunset

Last night we had one of the beautiful sunsets that we love so much. Took a few pictures to share with you. You will find a few more in our flickr under clouds.

August - Where Has the Year Gone?

Well, here it is August and I haven't even started my August Button-Up Quilt. That's what happens when you have a sore back and the last thing you want to do is bend over a cutting board! Hopefully will get it dones soon.

This year has just zoomed by. I guess the saying "Time flies when you're having fun" is true.

Rick still goes jeeping most every weekend and is still really enjoying it. The poor jeep has received a few battle scars but then, that's why we bought it so the FJ wouldn't! He has also been working a lot lately. But the bonus checks are surely nice.

Me, well besides all the household duties I am still quilting some. Also, since I got this laptop computer, (had for a whole week now), I find myself on the computer more. Not only checking emails and facebook, but it came with my two favorite games - Spider Solitaire and Mahjong. I enjoy sitting and playing these. I've also been doing a lot of reading this year. I go out onto the internet and find my authors and then print out a list of their books in the order they were written. I started with the Zane Grey collection I inherited from my Dad and when I finished them, I started on my Robert Ludlum collection. I'm about 3/4 done with it now. I plan on doing this until I have reread all my books. Should take a couple of years or more. But I'm enjoying rereading them. It has been so long since I read most of them they are like reading for the first time.

We have certainly enjoyed our porch this year. Have sat out on it many times watching thunderstorms. We have used it much more than we ever did the small one on the house in Maple Valley.

Clouds at Sunset

While living in Maple Valley, rain was, well, just rain. Here in Castle Valley, it is an event!

Today we had rain, lightening, thunder and the temp. dropped from low 80's to 69! I spent most of the day sitting on the front porch.

This evening, we got clouds again and it made for a really nice sunset. I took a bunch of pictures and you can see them all on our flickr site. Hope you will enjoy the sunset with us.

It's JULY!!!!!

Can't believe this year is half over already. Don't know where it went, but they say time flies when you are having fun so we must be having a blast!

Today is Canada Day. Yes, we remember as we lived there for two years. But more important is Independence Day. One of my favorites. I love this country and am proud to be an American.

Several family birthdays this month so to all of you hope you have a great day.

Friday (July 3rd) Rick is going jeepin' to Elephant Hill in Canyonlands. He is really looking forward to it. Sorry Scott and family can't go (that's what having a job will do for you.) Hopefully he'll have as good a time as he usually does. Then on the 4th (Sat.) the jeep group is going to Moab Rim. I'll probably spend the time in my sewing room as I have several projects to do.

I joined facebook this past month and have really enjoyed connecting with old friends. Have found several from high school and what fun to see what they are all doing now.