Hike. Swim. Eat.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! We enjoyed a perfectly lovely, not so ordinary day with our eldest son and his family joining us for the next few days here in Sedona. We hiked in the morning, played in the swimming pool in the afternoon and enjoyed a St. Patrick day buffet at the golf club for the evening. The children were well tired out and are now sleeping soundly while the rest of us watch NCAA basketball and read our iPads, etc.  😊

Open arms

Nothing warms a grandparents's heart then the way a grandchild greets with wide open arms... Just the way God feels about us when we run to Him. God's arms are open wide and He desires us!

Everywhere you look

Everywhere you look here in Sedona you want to take a picture. We have come to this area for a number of years and, therefore, I have taken a lot of photographs of these popular views. The view photographed here is the well known "cathedral rock" and I know I am also needing to come back at sunset to get the magnificent evening light. But on this little hike a few days ago, I snapped these pictures - it was hard to stop. Before this trip I said that I really did not need any more pictures of these red rocks... But everywhere you look.. They just say "one more picture, please." Oh well. 

Then and now

We have been enjoying good family time, another brother and wife have joined us now. We have so many others that we are missing but each time we gather is cause for good laugh and good memories. We are tomorrow's memories.  We viewed many old pictures, slides that have now been scanned and we viewed them on the television monitor via the computer. It was a fun walk down memory lane and  occasionally I would take a picture with my cell phone of the picture we were viewing on the tv monitor.  Think about that for a moment.. The original photograph taken and developed into a slide. Then years later scanned, now available in the computer, viewed on the television screen as it became our large monitor and then I could take a quick picture with my iPhone and post it here. Who would have thought that was possible years ago? 

Three brothers, one sister and the rest of us lucky to be the in-laws! 

(Missing two brothers and two sisters)

Separate tables

Another lovely day, nice hike, great meal together followed by some games... Separate tables for the men playing rook and the ladies playing dominos. I am so blessed to be part of this family. 

Little hike. Sweet time. Good laughs!

Yesterday we enjoyed a nice easy hike in Fay Canyon. Lately I have read articles about the mental as well as physical benefits of walking outside in nature. I agree wholeheartedly! And being with loved ones is also a benefit as we have spent wonderful evenings together listening to family stories, laughing, learning about ancestors and also events that took place in the early years of my spouse's childhood.. Oh, so rich, so beneficial, so much fun! And more to come as more family members join this weekend and next week. I can't wait!

Never too old

Well, I decided a year ago to give the game of golf a try.  It isn't all that bad because the golf courses are usually a beautiful place to spend some time. I wish I had started sooner, maybe I would be more skilled. None the less, here in this gorgeous environment I gave it a whirl.. Sometimes I actually hit the ball in the preferred direction!!  And today I made two bonafide long successful putts! Someday, I may even keep score! But until then, I will just keep trying!!

A perfectly lovely blue sky day

A tip for good health... A brisk hike, fresh air, blue sky, great views and a loving companion. 

Family time

My husband is one of eight children so family gatherings, even if they are just a part of the family, can be a big group. Today 10 of us gathered here in Arizona from Canada and Minnesota to enjoy being together. We have lots more family we wish could also be here but we will take what we get when we get it!

Friendship

 My husband and his friend Joel have been friends for over 60 years. For the last 20 years they have also been our neighbors and are very close friends. Today we had the fun of meeting together here in Sedona and enjoy a hike in this beautiful area. Of course, we had to take pictures!

Sunday silence

 It was a sweet silent Sunday morning in our condo facing the serene view of "bell rock" and the "courthouse rock."  And we spotted this little hummingbird sitting for a long time at the tippy top of the evergreen tree outside our balcony.  With many views of the changing clouds, we continued to relax and feel quite blessed for this time.

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We can't imagine

In memory of my dear friend, Carol, who is now experiencing things our minds cannot imagine.  

Today...

Today we took a hike... But my heart was heavy. Today my friend died.  She fought a battle with a tough illness and I thought about how much she would have appreciated the ability to take the hike we took. I appreciated it in a deeper way today.  My dear friend had a deep faith and I firmly believe she is now whole once again and praising her Redeemer. But today my friend died.

A day in the sunshine

 Today was just a day of sunshine.. And we went to the driving range with our golf clubs to see how rusty our golf swings are! I am still so new to the game and despite the ridiculous nature of hitting a little ball with a golf club in the direction (and distance) you desire, I am determine to persevere. No matter I am a poor golfer, I am a happy one!   We followed our little golf outing with lunch in Old Cottonwood and then back to the condo to actually go swimming!! on March 2nd! How lovely.
And a special hello to Vicki! Glad you like that I am blogging, I am not even sure why I decided to start posting again. I don't think too many folks even know I have posted over here, but it is kind of fun. I am getting a bit tired of Facebook.. (And I know I post there a lot).  But since I figured out how, with my iPad, to post while on vacation, here are a few posts.  So hello!

Minnesota snowbirds

 Now that we have achieved the happy status of retirement, we have officially joined the ranks of "snowbirds" ....folks known for traveling south for warm air and sunshine.  Our destination of choice has been the dramatic and beautiful Sedona, Arizona; it's dramatic views and tons of hiking trails, fresh air, great restaurants...  We have a fantastic view from our condo and we feel very fortunate indeed.

A grand surprise at the Grand Canyon.

 As we were traveling towards our destination in Arizona, we stopped to visit the Grand Canyon... And while walking on a path towards the parking lot I thought I recognized someone!! I did, a sweet girl who grew up in my neighbor, same age and played with our sons, went to the same private high school as the boys, was one of my cheerleaders, her parents are close friends, etc. etc!! She and her husband were visiting the area from the state of Washington, while we were here from Minnesota. To say it was a fun greeting is an understatement.  And the views of the Grand Canyon.. Amazing.

It's good to have a hobby...

 For most that know me, they know my hobby/passion is genealogy. I could go on and on about various ancestors whom I never met except via their paper trail. My dear friends listen kindly. And my dear hubby agreed to a two day stop in Salt Lake City where the largest genealogy library is located. (No, to clarify, I am not a member of the Mormon church.) Here in this amazing facility are rows and rows of cabinets holding reels and reels of microfilm... Along with lots of books, computer terminals, etc.  I happily spent a day and a half doing research while hubby went skiing. A very good trade off for both of us! Did I have any break-throughs in research? Well, not too much, but one significant find was that the sister of my great-grandfather died as a child. I have wondered about her and now I know that she died of croup at the age of 6. Sometimes these finds gives one pause.