Friday, February 4, 2011

Desert Scenery

We have had a very busy but relaxing three days here in the desert. The temperatures have been dropped significantly. The lows have been 20 to 28 degrees with highs in the 50’s. Mike & Pat, John & Brenda and Glenn & Sylvia left Tuesday. That just left Mike & Janna, Jim & Ellie, Rod & Deb and us out here. Once we gave Mom & Pop’s hugs we decided to take a short four-wheeler ride. The scenery was beautiful and we had a great time. The wind started picking up and we knew it was time to head home. Here’s a few pictures from our ride today.

Loved this photo as we were looking up from a Dry wash

We both thought of our four kids looking up at these Saguaros

Just one of many beautiful mountains out here

We called this Saguaro the bunny Saguaro




These are the first Gambel quails we have seen this year

We woke up early Wednesday morning so we could ride with Mike & Janna to Phoenix in their motorhome. They thought they had found a nice cargo trailer and were going to look at it and buy it. Hence, the reason for taking the motorhome. Well the trailer wasn’t quite as nice as the owner stated and his pictures lied too. They didn’t buy the trailer so we headed over to Costco to pick up a few items. On the way home Mike let me drive their motorhome. It sure does drive nice.

My first time to drive a motorhome

Gina said "I could get used to traveling like this"

Once we made it back home we went down to their house for Happy Hour. I grilled some new kind of sausage from Louisiana and it was very tasty. It had been a long day and we were both tired so we all said goodnight and headed home. A special thank you to Mike & Janna for a wonderful day.

We woke up Thursday to a very cold 20 degrees. The only good thing was the wind had stopped blowing. I rode with Rod to dump trash and to refill a propane bottle. Once we got back Gina and I took a short hike up to the top of a small mountain. I was really proud of her since she didn’t even take a backpack to put rocks into. It was just a hike to take in the beautiful views.

We hiked to the top of this mountain

On top of the mountain looking back at our home

The view looking East while we sat on top of the mountain

Gina had a great time climbing the mountain

After we got home Ellie came over and invited us down to their home for Happy Hour. Once we made it back home we both settled into bed. Gina was reading a book and I watch two episodes of “Fringe” on the computer. Another wonderful day spent with the best of friends.

Happy Birthday Maw Maw Sue!! Gina and I both hope you have a wonderful and blessed day.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Happy Birthday Sis, Spending The Day With Friends

Sunday morning started off with Gina making homemade blueberry muffins. They smelled and tasted wonderful. We then delivered warm muffins to everyone that was home. We stopped by Mom & Pop’s for a few minutes before their son Patrick arrived. Pop’s sure was excited about going four-wheeling with his son. I cannot wait until Sunday to read his blog.

Once we made it back home Gina changed clothes and left with Rod, Deb, Jim, and Ellie to spend the day in Quartzsite. While they were gone I walked down to Mike & Janna’s to drop off a hose and ended up spending the afternoon with them. I think all we talked about was solar power. Around three o’clock Mike and I went to the Bouse Community Park and got water for our trailer. Well being that his Jeep sits lower than my truck it wasn’t flowing very fast.

Mike and I trying to fill my water tank

We tried using my built in water pump but it didn't seem to be doing any better. We finally just let the water gravity drain into our tank while we enjoyed happy hour with everyone.

Our view looking east at sunset

Our view looking west at sunset

Rod & Deb, Mike & Janna stayed and visited for a while so I built a nice fire to keep everyone warm.

Gina, Mike, Janna, Deb and Rod

No one seemed to be hungry so I decided to grill Pork Sausage as an appetizer for everyone. Before long it was dark and everyone decided to call it a day. Gina enjoyed her day with friends in Quartzsite while I enjoyed spending time with Mike talking about solar power. It was just another fantastic day in the desert.

Here's a sunrise for you Sis, Happy Birthday!!!

Gina and I woke up to a beautiful sunrise and since today is my oldest sister's birthday we reminisced about all the good times we have shared and enjoyed with her.  She and I are extremely close being that I am the baby of the family and she's the oldest.  Not only are we close but our two families are extremely close too and have enjoyed a lot of fun together. So here’s to you Sis, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Thanks for being the best sister ever, I Love You.

Me and my sister at the Grand Canyon


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Fun In The Desert & Celebrating Ellie's Birthday

We are having a blast here in the desert. Our days have started each morning with me starting a fire. Then Gina and I sit outside watching the sunrise.

Our View out our back window as the sun comes up

Finally around ten o’clock we decided to take a ride on our four-wheeler. We didn’t make it very far before I dropped Gina off on some hill so she could search for more special rocks. I then went riding through the desert by myself. Finally around one o’clock we made it home so Gina could begin cooking chicken & sausage gumbo for Ellie’s birthday meal.

Gina had arranged that happy hour and dinner would be at our place so we could all celebrate Ellie’s birthday together.

Everyone enjoyed some great conversation. We even had two guests. Dave that watches Emmi for Mike & Janna and Frank who is boondocking not far from here.

Jim & Ellie (the birthday girl)

Mike & Pat (aka Mom & Pop's)



Dave

Frank

Finally, around five o’clock we all ate Gina’s gumbo, Pat’s seven layer salad, Brenda’s cornbread muffin and Sylvia’s southern fried cornbread. It was now time for dessert.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLIE!!
(thanks for letting us celebrate it with you)

Deb made red velvet cupcakes and Janna made a frozen margarita pie. However, first we sang Happy Birthday to Ellie while we watched her blowout her candle. Deb’s cupcakes were divine!! Janna’s pie tasted great too. It was getting late so most everyone left to go home. Since Rod & Deb and Mike & Janna stayed I decided to build a fire and we all sat around enjoying some wonderful conversation. Gina and I had a fantastic day spent with friends.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.