4th of July Long Weekend

The Phoenix friends ventured our way for a hang-by-the-pool day the end of June.  How convenient to be so close to them and instead of a 3 - 5 hour drive to visit us, it is a short 30 - 40 minutes.  It is always a pleasure to spend time with these special people.

l-r: Allison, Sue and Michelle

Seems like we had just returned from Lake Powell and it was time for another get-away.  However, I
have to mention that Larry's work has required a lot, a lot! of travel lately.  Our planned 4th of July get-away to eastern Nebraska was affected a tad bit when the "powers-that-be" required his attendance at a quarterly meeting meaning he was unable to travel with me on the 4th.  So, as I headed out for Omaha, Larry headed for Montana with plans to join me two days later. 

I disappointed myself greatly by not pulling out my camera upon arrival at niece Karyl and Travis' home in Omaha.  Larry's sister Linda had traveled over from Gothenberg and nephew Joel and Lauren were visiting Nebraska from their home in Texas - I failed to get any of those pictures.  However, the 4th of July gathering at Karyl and Travis' home was great.  Omaha put on a beautiful fireworks show which we were able to to enjoy from their comfortable back deck.  Below is Dawson with the fireworks dad Travis provided.



The 5th took me on a 1 1/2 drive to Columbus, NE, where my Aunt Jackie and Uncle Clyde live.  It is always a pleasure to be able to spend time with them and especially nice when cousin Syd and her husband Paul and cousin Mitch and his wife Roxie are able to join us. 

l-r: Uncle Clyde, cousin Syd (husband Paul in back), Roxie and cousin Matt and Aunt Jackie.

Aunt Jackie is my father's twin sister.  Their story is interesting.  Their birth mother abandonded them in Chadron shortly after birth.  Two Chadron families wanted to adopt them - but separately.  Aunt Jackie went to her family and my father went to his family.  However, what a gift their parents gave them!  They were raised in Chadron knowing they were twin brother and sister and were named Jack and Jackie.  What a gift to us as well in that we know our aunt and cousins!

Aunt Jackie's was an R.N. by profession and Uncle Clyde a physician.  Aunt Jackie and Uncle Clyde were both huge golfers which they just gave up this year.  Aunt Jackie, at 84,  still keeps busy by volunteering at the local hospital which provides her with great satisfaction as evidenced by her talking about her time spent there.







The 6th took me to Lincoln to collect Larry.  Life in Phoenix and how far we have to travel at times just within the city made the 40 miles backtrack trip to Omaha for dinner with Karyl and Travis not seem like much at all.  Gad though, can't believe I forgot to use my camera again. 

We ventured back to Lincoln after dinner meeting up with nephew Todd and friend Virginia and husband Dennis.  The reason for this gathering: friend Virginia's son Jesse's wedding the following day.

l-r: Dennis, Virginia and Dennis' son Jeff who traveled from Oklahoma for the festivities.

This is the only good picture of the bride and groom that I got.  The church was beautiful and the weather cooperated as well - was only in the low 90s with a lot of humidity but no wind!  Chelsey was a beautiful bride.

Virginia and I went to high school together which means we've been buds for coming on 40 years.  She was my maid-of-honor and I was her maid-of-honor.  Her son Michael was Larry and my ring bearer, and Larry and I are her son Jared's god-parents.  She is such a good friend...such a blessing!  I'm one lucky person when it comes to the friends and family in my life.

On the left is our ring bearer Michael (with wife Alaina) and to the right is Jared, our godson.  In the background is Virginia's nephew Crae who I haven't seen for at least 18 years?!










Below is a picture of the bride (Chelsey) and the groom (Jesse Paul) with Jesse's father Paul (left) and his Uncle Kent (right). 

This wedding gathering allowed for a reunion of sorts with friends we haven't seen for too many years.  It was fun to see Paul and Kent again after so many years (and meet Paul's wife Cydne and Kent's wife Milka).  We missed Jean and Boyd being able to attend though.

l-r: Cydne, Paul, Kent, Rachel, Cassidy and Milka.

Sunday took us back to Omaha from where we would fly back to Arizona and the opportunity to visit Larry's Uncle Ron and Aunt Lola. 

We're happy Larry's work schedule allowed us this trip to eastern Nebraska and the chance to see the variety of family and friends.  Time spent in eastern Nebraska also served to help us appreciate our dry Arizona heat.

Regarding health update: nothing to report.  I continue to meet with Dr. Paripati with blood tests monthly.  I feel good!

Lake Powell 2012

We use our week on Lake Powell every other year -- therefore, even numbered years mean a week of relaxation on that incredible body of water spent with family and friends.

This year's crew included our Phoenix area sister-in-law Liz and nephew Jimmy (oops, Jim), and friends Mike & Sue (although Sue was only able to be with us for 1 1/2 days), Larry's brother Wayne and our niece Sophi traveled from the Portland, OR, area, niece Crystal and husband Doug and great niece and nephew Kennedy and Kane traveled from Kearney, NE, and niece Karyl and husband Travis and great nephew and nieces Brady, Dawson and Kealy traveled from Omaha, NE.

Larry and I and Mike and Sue began this year's houseboat week with a rafting trip which began at the base of Glen Canyon Dam and took us to Lee's Ferry - about a three hour leisurely float on the Colorado.  I used a waterproof disposable camera for these shots - sorry for the photo quality but gives you an idea of the experience.

Heading down to the rafts.
 

The water was very cold.  Glad the camera captured how clear the water is.

We were bused back to Page following the float where we met up with our Oregon and Nebraska crew.  Had to capture a picture of the fellows who pilot us out of the slip: Captain Mike & Captain Mike ha!  They were wishing Liz a Happy Birthday! 

And then, the houseboat week officially began.

 We found a perfect spot at the mouth of Gunsight.  It was perfect: sand beach, no nieghbors and deep water off the back of the boat.  We stayed here all week and loved it!

 Some people wonder how you can spend a week on a 52 ft. floating home with 17 people.  Each couple is assigned one day to cook (meaning excellent meals daily) but once your day is done, you're free to do whatever you want.  There are two jet skis, a kayak, a speed boat, a slide off the back of the boat, float toys, comfortable chairs to nap in, reading to catch up on and games.

The fellows gathered nearly daily for horseshoes or hitting golf balls.

 Mike and Jimmy taught the others how to use a compass utilizing a treasure hunt of sorts.  Sue had provided prizes for successfully following the map - glow in the dark necklaces, etc.

The girls worked on their water balloon launching skills.

 One morning, several of the crew got up extra early and headed off for Rainbow Bridge - along with a stop at Dangling Rope Marina for ice cream.

Jet skis were enjoyed particularly by the teens in our group who learned how to drive them.

But the big kids liked them too....

And after a day of all play, the majority of us chose to sleep up on top.

We were able to get a "girls" picture before Sue had to leave.

 Can't leave out the goofy guys picture.

The Nebraska crew introduced us to a new houseboat drink.

And then, after Sue left us, we were forced to drink champagne without her...this was our Sue toast picture we sent her at work ha!

 The view from our spot...

 It was pretty warm some days but the water was refreshing....

It was great to have Wayne on the boat again - it had been too long.

 l-r: Doug, Crystal, Wayne, me, Larry, Karyl and Travis

This one made me chuckle, the kids didn't always have a lot of energy first thing in the morning...
l-r: Kealy, Dawson, Kane and Sophi

We were happy to have sister-in-law Liz back on the boat after a four year break and always glad that Jimmy is able to come.

 Mike proved  his worth on the boat once again by diving for Liz's sunglasses that fell off the back of the boat!

 2012 Houseboat Crew!  Thanks for the Castaway Island t-shirts Liz!  Thanks for the Castaway Island kerchief's Crystal and Doug!

And another week on Lake Powell comes to an end.   Next Lake Powell gathering: 2014!

Larry, Mike and I stayed an extra day and this was the sunrise we were treated with the morning we left.  I love that we get to go to Lake Powell!

Regarding a health update - I don't have one.  All is going well!  Life is good!

Memorial Day Weekend

We returned from our great trip to Chile and two weeks later flew to Rapid City and drove onto Harrison with a plan to do lawn work for Dorothy in preparation for the summer.  We were gone four days (including travel) so no big projects let alone see many friends or family on this trip.

We arrived to weather but still decided a trip through the Hills would be nice while on our way to Harrison - I felt for anyone who had traveled for their first view of Mount Rushmore.  We should have had a side view of the faces from this vantage point.

Always enjoy seeing the buffalo....

We enjoyed our short visit with Dorothy and the yard work we accomplished seeings as we don't have a yard to mow in Carefree.  We also enjoyed the rain and cool temps.  We'll return in August and look forward to seeing friends and more family on that trip.

Not the best picture since I cut the top of Larry's head off - oops.  Hmmm, quality could have been better too....

Next trip: Lake Powell!!!