Saturday was a great day. First Michael and I went to the temple and then we drove around the Beeline and back down Bush hwy to home. On our drive we decided to go home, change, gather who ever and drive towards Roosevelt by way of Globe. First stop of course was our favorite waterfall. This was the first time I had seen this much water plunging over the side of the mountain. It was great but there would be no hiking to the upper falls. Everything was too wet and passing to the other side impossible.

This was taken at Top of the World. The roads were in great shape and there a was a fair amount of snow. As we were driving snow began to fall. It was great. You know when you are a true desert rat when water falls and snow get you this excited.

On our way down the hill back to Apache Junction, Michael humored us and stopped so we could have a token snow ball fight and get just a little chilled. That's about all I can handle, just a little.

As we pulled into the driveway we were blessed with a beautiful sunset. This of course is facing east and minutes before the mountain was this same shade of pink as in the clouds. You know how fast light can change but you get the gist of it. It was a great day, with fun family to play with and great things to feast our eyes on and remember what a wonderous world we live in.

Home at last...

For me there is just something about turning towards home that makes me want to run back. I can travel away from home at a slow pace. Exploring and resting along the way. I told Cristal it's good to take a nap on a blanket in Flagstaff next to the old train depot. Then I pointed out the parks in Kanab and Panquige for just the same purposes. I don't know how many times in my life I have made this particular drive but on the way I stop and rest and wander off the path to explore little ghost towns ect. But I realized yesterday that when the goal is home, I've never stopped to rest no matter how tired. I don't wander off the path. I travel as quickly and pretty much in the most direct path to get here. I love exploring the world but my heart is at home with those I love.
So glad to be home.

Careening in the dark...

This morning 3:30 am, Cristal and I left for Provo, Utah. Because I'm not familiar with her car we took the more traveled route. At 5:30 am, the moon was no where to be found, I was traveling at 75+ mph, following a large semi truck that I was preparing to pass, when opps, no head lights............... Cristal was a sleep next to me. I said her name quietly the first time, while considering my options, not loosing sight of the semi's lights. The second time I said it louder and she calmly said "Don't panic just wiggle the switch". I didn't think I was panicked I was just trying to figure out if I could slow down and stop before I no longer knew where the side of the road was. The lights did come on.

THEN... as we pulled into Flagstaff, I slowed to the posted speed and only went a block before low and behold, flashing red lights. I calmly pulled over and was still trying to figure out how to roll down the window when the officer got to my window. His question was, "Do you know you are driving without head lights" Opps again. We explained what happened and that I hadn't realized that they were out since entering the city lights. He nicely did not cite me and let us continue on. It was nice that he let me keep my 24 year old record clean .

After fueling in the cold and the experiences of the last 20 minutes I was wide awake again. I was glad though because I at 6:30 or so the sun rise was a flaming red over the mountains that had snow on them. It was really beautiful.

We did arrive safely and she is now unpacking and chatting with her new room mates. The storm that we were watching never materialized and the sky was clear and it was warm when we arrived at 3:30.

Just how old am I?

A few years ago while pushing our side by side refridgerator around the kitchen, I ripped a tendon in my calf. For about 3 months I had to where a shoe with a heal to be comfortable. In November I decided that I would follow my mother's example and lift 10 blankets off the table at Rachael's work. For 10 weeks I have been dealing with pain from an over extended elbow.
First I'm old because it's taking so long to heal
Second I'm childishly embarrassed that my mom can lift more than I can
Third I must be more vain than I thought because I do not want to wear the ugly sling that restricts my movements so I'll heal faster
Fourth I'm too proud to ask for help, but since I have, I'm healing much faster.
I'm grateful for a family that loves me even though I have a gimpy arm and am requiring more help than usual.
So am I old, or just a spoiled two year old who only wants to do what I want, when I want to do it?

Out of practice...

The first Sunday of this year, I was extended a call to teach a class of Sunbeams. There are 5 three year old boys in this class. First they spend an hour with their parents in Sacrament Meeting, then we sit for an hour in Sharing time, where we sing, have a short activity, listen to talks and scriptures. Then at noon, (yes, lunch time and nap time), we are off to class for an hour. I soon started to remember why Heavenly Father blessed me with 6 girls and only 3 boys, there is definately a talent there that I lack. So I'm shooting on developing some skills. First, assess what is needed to help these young men not spill each other's blood each Sunday. Feet and fists are so ready to extend into spaces already occupied. I did remember the attention span is only twice the age of the student.
The first Sunday I had a small list:
bring knotted rope for trip to the bathroom
small bags of gold fish to take the edge off starvation
small vacume to clean up spilled gold fish
This Sunday the list expanded more:
make koodie catcher with list of songs on the inside for each 8 minute break
do not combine eating time with lesson time
(leaves too much extra time)
possibly look for small carpet squares for designating personal space
(chairs move around too much)
Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
And yes I have read the hand book, I asked the parents about the goldfish and will slowly ween them off. I never thought I would be a rule breaker till now.

Group picture taken at the beach, day after Christmas.

Jump RZR

Jumping the RZR on the way to Patton Valley, I thought a scream would add to the effect just before we landed.

New Year 2010, Gordons Well Dunes.

Adam and Gracie


Rachael and Dusty, forced me to go to the sand dunes for new years 2010, after a long night at 2 church activities, a pizza party and video from 6 to 8, and then a dance from 8 to midnight, I got dropped off at Rachael's house to nap on their couch before we left at 4 a.m. We arrived at the dunes about 9 a.m. unloaded the trailer, did a quick set up and took off for a quick ride. We got to Freeway hill and Adams tire went flat so Dusty went back to the trailer got 2 more tires and an electric impact and we changed them and proceeded on. There was quite a crowd, about normal for New Years, lots of V-8 rails, and sand cars, and fast quads. Spent some time at Patton Hill, Then resumed running the dunes, the Razor does pretty well with 3 people in it. dusty cooked dinner, Steaks! YUM on the new grill, then back to the dunes to watch the sand drags and then later to Freeway hill for a little night racing.



Mike cruising a bowl

57 Chevy Rail

Center of picture, dirt bike jumping the crowd

Saturday morning we started everything over again, ran into friends from church down vendor row, Glen Jones and company, and Roger Beckman, a customer from work, at Patton Hill. Followed a Suzuki Sidekick through the dunes to Patton hill, just had some off road tires and had no trouble cruising around. Lots of fast rails and desert cars, and some bikes jumping over the crowd at the top of the hill. Later back to camp for some burgers, then back to the Sand drags. More fast rails and bikes, it is really neat to see suspension soak up the bumps as they race by at speeds 70 mph and up.

Hold On!