august 2009 - an august for the ages

I must say that this August turned out to be the busiest time in our lives, ever. It started innocently enough, a couple months ago. But, as the weeks went on, August became a monster. It's easiest to look at it as weekends, as our weeks simply consisted of preparing for/recovering from the weekends.

August started with Shannon returning from spending time with family back in MN. She returned to Phoenix the first weekend in August. The next weekend brought a trip to a familiar location, Aravaipa Canyon. The education department at the Garden planned a "working vacation" to this refuge in the desert. The weekend was filled with good conversation, great food, and amazing scenery. Two notable "firsts" took place this weekend:

The first sweat ceremony for Gabe

The first ever River Ladder Golf

The weekend after our second trip to Aravaipa we headed north to the Mogollon Rim for some camping and backpacking. Shannon took part in an "all girls" backpacking trip but didn't have to show up until Saturday morning. So, we decided to head up to the Rim to camp on Friday night. Although it was a short stay, our spot was very much enjoyed. There were all sorts of flowers, bugs and sights!

The weekend following our adventures on the Rim brought two of our best friends, Lindsay and Jared, and our trip to the Pinalenos. This was our first visit to the small mountain range south of Safford and was well worth the 4 hr. drive. My passengers can attest to the curvy, roller-coaster of a road that gets you there, but truth be told, I enjoyed the drive!

We came in on the 366 and stayed at Shannon Campground

After this dream of a weekend, we were scheduled to have a weekend at home. Not that it was void of plans, but a weekend at home nonetheless. Plans changed as Shannon was asked to host a weekend trip offered by the Garden. The weekend experience was held at Hart Prairie, northwest of Flagstaff. I was invited along as a volunteer and very much enjoyed the setting and environment. Their was plenty of fresh air, birds, and talk of aspen trees and elk.

In a single word, August was amazing. It not only brought us to parts of Arizona that we had never been to, put us in situations not yet encountered, and tested our abilities to keep our lives in order, but it helped to increase our appreciation for our life, our friends, and our love.

dream

We all have moments in life where it feels like we are dreaming. There are also those moments in life that we wish we were dreaming or we are so thankful that we actually were dreaming. Last weekend I gleefully was living the life that it feels like you are dreaming.

On thursday night when I walked through our door, getting home from yoga, I was greeted by this face.
Ms. Lindsay Mangan, my dear elusive friend whom I rarely see because of her unique field biology jobs. My wonderful husband cooked up this dream for me. I was surprised and in for the weekend of a lifetime.

Gabe's dear friend flew in as well and the four of us were on our way to funness for three full days. We traveled southeast to Mount Graham where we stayed at Shannon Campground :) at about 9000 ft elevation. It was beautiful and full of great adventures and storms. We even saw a bobcat and got hailed upon, two highlights that I don't come by too often.

This man that I love is better than what I could come up with in my dreams.

MinnesOOta

I love my 'home state'.

Over the next few days I'll try and share a picture from my week long vacation in the beautiful state. It was a fun and relaxing time, here are some of my highlights:

• Went water skiing - i can still slalom in case you were wondering like I was
• Fished and caught walleye
• kayaked
• Spent time with many of my favorite people in the world
• Ate fresh raspberries daily
• Met my nephew, Wyatt
• Ate yummy chocolate ox ice cream

Today I'll highlight our nieces and nephew that are in MN

Can you tell who had the camera at this point?

Good ol' Alaska

In June I flew up to AK to help Eric and Becca. Eric's appendix exploded and had emergency surgery - becca was 6 months pregnant at that time - they needed some extra hands. This meant that I got to spend sweet time with 3 of my sweet nieces. I didn't get many pictures, life is crazy busy when you are taking care of 3 fun kiddos.

Mari in her birthday present I made her - bakers hat and apron

Enjoying a cup full of ice cream!

Good Morning

Things that I'm loving this morning:

• Rain and Cloudy days
• The scents of the desert after a rain but especially the pungent creosote
• Coffee
• 77 degrees on the thermometer

All of this is helping to offset the attack of ants I have going on at my desk. Happy Thursday everyone.

frequent updates to catch us up on summer are on their way I promise...