Fourth of July 2008

We were up at my mom and step-dad's house for the fourth this year, which is where we usually spend this holiday. We were joined by Joanna, Paul and Stella (my sister and her family) and Pat, Jen, Emily and Caitlin as well as Jen's mom, Peggy (my step-brother and his family). The kids got some swimming in before the monsoons started. Unfortunately, just as I was heading out to take some pictures of them in the pool, Pat was making them get out as he has just seen lightening. So we got them all inside and it did rain for a bit (and got incredibly muggy!) We then got the BBQ and cooking underway and enjoyed a great meal of burgers and brats and all the fixins'. Then we waited until 9:00 to all troop out to our chairs set up on Drammy and Papa's driveway (this is what the kids call Mom and Fred). We watch a great fireworks show here each year from the Tucson Country Club. Unfortunately, each year we forget what time this show actually STARTS! It starts at 9:30 but for some reason we are out in our chairs promptly at 9:00 and then think they are not doing the show since there are no fireworks at 9:00...or at 9:15...this year for some reason I KNEW they started at 9:30 so as my mom went in at 9:28 to call the Tucson Country Club, I said, "I know they are going to start in 2 minutes" which they DID! We seriously have to leave ourselves a note next year not to freak out because they don't start until 9:30!!! Anyway, it was a great fireworks show as usual and we had the BEST seats on Drammy and Papa's driveway.

Posting some photos below: The five cousins (Emily, Stella, Nick, Savannah & Caitlin), John & Pat grilling the burgers and brats, the girls with their sparklers, Nick plugging his ears (he HATES loud noises!), Caitlin and then the group watching the fireworks show.

Fourth of July 2008-continued

American Idols Concert; 7-01-08

For those of you "American Idol" fans.....Savannah and I have gone to their concert these past two years and when I asked her if she wanted to go again this year she replied, "Mom, it's our tradition" (and I think it's very cool that my fourteen year old actually wants to go to a concert with me!) Just a few pics of us and two of our favorites...(not the greatest pics...taken with my point and shoot).

A Weekend at the Cabin

We spent Father's Day weekend up at my brother's cabin. He and his family have a place near Flagstaff and we are fortunate to be able to spend time there with them and get out of this crazy Tucson summer heat! It's also fun in the winter because we usually get snow and the kids love to have snowball fights and build the occasional snowman. We left almost 100 degree weather down here and enjoyed temps in the mid 80's up there during the day. Believe it or not, it actually got down into the high 30's at night. My sister and her family also joined us and then those of us from Tucson headed back Sunday to spend time with our Dad and step-mom.

I'll post some pictures from the weekend. This first set are Savannah and my nephew Jack and Savannah and their dog, Lovee. The next one is my nephew Mitch, who as you can see, had a run in with a metal putter a few days before our trip. He and my sister-in-law, Angela, were at a friend's house and he and her son were outside on the putting green when Mitch accidentally got whacked in the head. Thank God it missed his eye (but barely!) and also he's got a hard head and is one tough cookie. My brother was out of town so Angela spent several hours in the ER and Mitch ended up with six stitches. So now he's had stitches in his forehead and staples in the back of his head (on another vacation...our yearly San Diego trip when split his head open jumping off a couch...at least we got to see cute firemen and EMT's that time!) :-)

The next two pictures are all of the cousins having dinner together and then the guys heading off to golf eighteen holes on Saturday. John and Nick had a great time on the course so thanks to my brother, Jon, for setting it up. And thanks again for another fun weekend in the pines!

Cabin Pics

Yes, that is Savannah in the hammock, relaxing in the beautiful, cool pines...and yes, she is TEXTING! Aaah...typical teenager. Also Stella and Mitch and Jack with his Mama...he had an issue with a mud puddle during his golf outing, as you can see by this photo.

More from The Cabin

I was sitting outside on the front deck one morning taking some pictures and this bird flew into the yard. I put my long lens on and got a few close-ups of him.

Micki and Carl's Engagement Session ~ June 11, 2008

Yesterday I met up with Micki, Carl and their beautiful Golden Retriever, Charlie. They chose Trail Dust Town for their e-session and I think it was the perfect spot! We spent about an hour and a half taking pictures and considering in was about 102 degrees yesterday, they were very good sports. Charlie was very well behaved and actually enjoyed having his picture taken, I think. A big thank you to C.J., Micki's nephew, who came along and hung out with Charlie when we were taking pictures of just Micki and Carl.

One thing I can say about this couple is they are REALLY in love. They are so loving and affectionate with each other and it really warmed my heart. I'm really looking forward to their wedding in October.

Thank you Micki and Carl (and Charlie!) for a fun afternoon. We got some amazing images! Here are a few to wet your appetite before I get your slide show done.

Have a great weekend!