Month: June 2020

Time for an Easy Breezy hike.

Now, we stayed on the Breezy trail or so we thought. We were on the roundabout way to see the Cathedral rock. Now, somewhere along our route, we ended up on the Templeton trail. I should say “trial” because with all these trails intersecting, we couldn’t tell what was what. What we did know was that they all led UP to this:

Ok, here we are on the Templeton!

No snakes this time…just lots of mountain bikers and new agers. Not quite sure what they are praying to. Ok…back to the beauty. Here are my sweeties.

Tot was enjoying the hike this time.

That stick did her well, but we were very happy to finish because it was H.O.T!

Woohoo! Time for coffee and treat!
We decided to head to TLEQUPAQUE shopping area. The architecture alone is worth the visit. Doug took many pics as it inspires him. I love this about my honey.

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Speaking of the cross, there is a chapel inside too! We couldn’t get in, but you can see the building.

So refreshing to see this in Sedona.
The fountain is quite refreshing to see too!

Remember the bells at Doug’s past home?

Ok, so we found a cool used book store and record store. Probably spent about one hour in this small place. We ended up buying an Suessisms book. Tot enjoyed reading it while we chatted with the owner.

After enjoying the shopping, we found some shade and some hugs. I love my family..surrounded by HIS green foliage.

We tired ourselves out, and so it was the usual: Lunch, frosties and back to the room to regenerate for golf and swimming.

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My honey hubby had some incredible shots today! He has been practicing in his sleep I guess because Phil Mickelson would be proud.

Later after dinner, Tot sang a few songs on the ROCK.

We took in the view and just reflected on our time.

A few kisses for my bumby.

The time we spend together is just that. TIME. Togetherness, Intimacy, Memories, and Experiences. It takes TIME> Man, sometimes, it can be hard to be 24/7 with each other, but It makes us more HOLY to be accountable in ALL circumstances. How we react to events, each other, life…. It’s all under a microscope when we have each other always. God is refining us with this, and for that, I’m SOOOO grateful.

Look at this view.

Sweetie, thank you for making this trip possible.

Now, let’s get some sleep and enjoy our SUNDAY! Father’s Day 2020!!!

We would drive to Williams and visit Bearizona on Friday.

They have a walk through and a drive through zoo. How fun to get to see some of God’s creation. Just amazing.

The walk-through portion began with porcupines. Just this little guy. He was trying to climb down from the rock.

Success! Very big pokey guy. Off to see the raccoons.

Badgers..

And the coveted EAGLE. I wish I could have seen him more clearly. Magnificent and Majestic.

Foxes were a bit scruffy.

Oh hello little gobbler.

And this chicken had iridescent feathers. Beautiful!

Bobcat.

And then the most creative and eye-popping bird.

These bears were just sleeping as the bear cubs played.

And then…my favorite little playful critters. Otters are so fun to watch; they love to show off and play.

We are ready to drive through after the gift shop of course.

As we entered the drive through, we notices some beautiful white rams.

And some bighorn sheep….but first a sleeping arctic wolf.

All of a sudden we see some roaming bears. JUST RIGHT THERE>

We will not be rolling down our window.

The white bison enjoyed our drive by just staring at us.

American bison are huge and beautiful.

It was time to exit and we had to wait for this bear to cross.

So long Bearizona. What an adventure!! So fun!

After lunch and frosties and swimming and playing and dinner and …… We plopped into bed at 9:30PM.

Day 2 down!

Being locked up in the house for nearly three and a half months can make one a bit itchy. We were itching to get out of dodge or Scottsdale! Sedona promised to be a bit cooler, and we love visiting Poco Diablo since they have a golf course right on the grounds.

We left on Thursday morning with our car all packed up. Thank goodness we are able to bring food! (saves loads of money)

Ok, Coopy-head, to Boulder Creek you go.

And to the Sedona suite! How appropriate. Oh, sweet guy. We’ll miss you.

That face.

We scaddadle out of there because it was hard to say goodbye. Off to our hike.

When we arrived in Red Rock country, it was SOOOOO busy. Instead of Oak Creek, we headed to another shorter hike closer to our hotel. It still was wonderful.

Huckaby. I love the name. (Mike Huckabee is a strong conservative Christian who ran for Pres a few years back).

Family pic:

It was pretty darn toasty out. Like 95! So, we only walked about .5 mile to and .5 mile back. Enough to get a few exciting views

and a visit from a snake. Yes, as I headed down the mountain, I noticed a slithery sound. There he was right next to me, and guess what? He lunged right at me! Little did I know he had a little mouse in his mouth, and he wanted to protect his lunch so he flew to the other side. Wish he would have warned me. I screamed for a moment. Exciting now, then, frightening.

Tatum found a walking stick and felt quite tall.

Want a pic, Tot? We finished! Oh, dear. I just want to go get lunch.

Ok, we were all ready for some cool lunch and some goodie.

We enjoyed a nice Subway lunch and then we notice Wendy’s next door.

Honey (Dugg…Phonetically, the cashier got it. Aye), ordered 3 Junior frosties. Yes, they make teensy Tot size, but honestly, that was enough.

We arrived at the hotel and immediately played a few holes. We were all a bit rusty, but we had some fun. Even had some straight shots…all of us.

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Wildflower for dinner on the deck. Oh, the best is sitting outside and enjoying this view.

Hi honeyXOXO

Tot… she always has her antennae up.

After a stroll and eyeing the flying bats around the course, we enjoyed a show from Tot.

Day one. Success!

It was 6/14: FLAG DAY! Ready to go. Masks and all. They did suggest them for the service.

However, only the staff was wearing them, so we removed them so we could sing!
Tatum wanted to join us in the service, and they had no Discovery Kids anyway, so it worked out.

They gave her a little note sheet to keep up with the service. She was so focused!

Favorite song.

What did you learn?

What were some of the verses?

The sermon was about Jonah and how we all do run from God at times. Sometimes brokenness is where we need to be to be closer to God. Our recognition of our need for God each day keeps us on our needs and humble.

I run to the Father again and again and again and again.

Thank you for a great service. Great job, lovebug, on tracking with it.

It was time. Yes. We had been home for months now due to the quarantine, and it was time to take my family out on a date. Also, I like having things on the calendar to look forward to. Anticipation is 1/2 the fun! So I had “Hay Surprise” on the calendar for June 12th.
We hardly ever go out to eat, and especially with Tatum. This would be perfect!

I made an invitation for Daddy and Tot, and I told them to be ready at 5:30 sharp. Don’t they look so nice?

Open it up!

Keep going..

A Hay Happening!
Where: The White Chocolate Grill

Why: Hay’s Celebrate US!
Off we go, my two cutie pies. Coopy, you’re my third, but you must stay home.

We got there right on time.

I ordered a shrimp cocktail for us to all share, and Tatum got a bubble water with cherries.

The server loved Tot and kept bringing her cherries. This smile….

Later, we played a little HAY game. We each took a letter and went through words that would describe our family or what we’d like. Daddy had “H,” Tot had “A,” and I enjoyed the “Y” responsibility.

“Hippo” represents the hippo Tot saved money to buy at Christmas: PATIENCE. The “hat” would represent all the hats we wear as a family (we are a team!) Tot chose “apple” because they both like my apple cinnamon muffins. “Author” because we are writing a book this summer. (stay tuned for that!). I had “yummy” because that is my goal in cooking each day. “Yonder” because as we look into our future, it is bright. “Yawn” because Daddy is starting to come to bed earlier! The “yell”was for only yelling for Jesus! (that is the only yelling that should occur, right!?)

We got cut off by our delicious dinner. Tot had the kid’s salmon and it really looked pretty “un”kid! I got Caesar with shrimp, and Daddy got the Idaho trout. We were in heaven.

It was pretty silent while we ate because the food was truly delightful. Time for hugs and appreciation for US.

Now Daddy’s turn.

The laughing. Yes, this was my goal for tonight: Levity and laughter.

Thank you, family, for making the Hay Happening Happy!

Tatum is reading this summer about 30 minutes a day. She is to read 5 books for 2nd grade, and so, we are choosing books on that list.

Her first summer read is Bunnies in the Bathroom by Ben Baglio.

It’s about a 4th grade level!
Today, she read to Mama. I love watching her read. I enjoy hearing her animated intonation!

As a little girl, I was blessed to have the coolest dollhouse on earth, thanks to my mom. She made sure it was furnished with the most special little pieces, and she also made much of it. I remember going to Metrocenter to skate about 3-4 times a week. Next to Orange Julius on the bottom level, there was a little store tucked away in the corner. It carried all sorts of dollhouse pieces! I used to save my money and purchase things there. What a great memory!

Take this secretary. Look at the teeny weeny books. (This is only about 4.5 inches tall and the books are about 3/4 inch.

The drawers actually open!
Well, we unveiled it to Tatum on Monday. It’s been sitting in our closet since she was born, awaiting to be played with. Now that Tot is 7, she is ready!
Here is the front: (It still has wiring underneath the roof for lighting!)

Here it is empty inside.

My mom and I had so much fun going through each piece!
Here is the mommy and daddy.

Tatum found the baby!

She begin to fill the house.

Oh look at all the teeny weeny kitchen pieces!
My fingers are now too big, but Tot’s are just right. The silverware is the size of a pin!

It’s starting to fill up.

There were lots of pieces that needed mending, but for the most part, it’s in tact.

I found this little bag of games and magazines. Monopoly is about 1 ” by 1″.

Here is the start of all the rooms.

(love the globe! It really works)

That light will light up when I get it hooked up.

Real ceramic bathroom pieces.

(the piano is going to be fixed)

This is just the first day. We have to finish getting it all set up.

As for Tatum? She is Uber-excited to play with it!! I’m so grateful my mom kept it all for us to carry on the joy.