Turkey Travels

Things have been so consistently busy here that we don't seem to be able to blog as often as we'd like so you probably won't even notice our hiatus but we're setting off to get to know the road between here and California a little better.

We are setting out to camp on the beaches of California, experience a biking wine tour, and indulge in turkey dinner campfire style. I'll miss the turkey comatose, family and friends, and football but we are excited to celebrate Thanksgiving and travels together.

We are wishing everyone a happy thanksgiving and safe travels; we hope to get in touch with you all soon!

We love and miss you

cool weather, down comforter, scarves

These are the things bringing me joy the past few days. I think our fall weather has finally arrived. Last week we were still getting into the 90's and it wasn't feeling very fall-ish. But I'm in full fall mood swing and baking everything pumpkin that comes my way.

Last night I made a pumpkin pie with ice cream, it is very delicious. I've also enjoyed many pumpkin cookies, pumpkin coffees, and soon pumpkin muffins. The thing I learned this weekend about cooking with pie pumpkins is this:

If I were on iron chef and the ingredient was pie pumpkin I would loose because it would take me the entire time to cut the darn things open and pick up the seeds off the kitchen floor.

Enough said. My favorite season has arrived in AZ!

Dia de Los Muertos

The Garden had their Dia de Los Muertos Festival this past weekend and we decided to check it out. We were not disappointed. The Garden was filled with great music, tons of crafts, family altars and a whole lot of colors. It is very interesting to see a different cultures celebration of something we tend to shy away from. Death is embraced in the fullest and there is definite beauty in their sculptures, carvings, and altars. I found it interesting that skeletons, skulls especially, are viewed as beautiful. The only time you really see skeletons in mainstream is during Halloween and they are used to frighten. The skulls used in the Dia de Los Muertos celebration are used to express a variety of emotions but for the most party they are happy, often smiling. I would suggest checking out a Dia de Los Muertos Festival if you ever have the chance.

Welcome Heinrich Paul Ward

We have a new nephew that we cannot wait to meet some day!

happy healthy henry

with a package of love on the way

14 days, 2 sore knees, and 6 toenails later...

...here is our grand canyon story.

Hiking in on gabe's birthday I had to try and do something special that involved little materials and even less weight. So many of you contributed to this "grand" birthday experience and that is what made is so special. Gabe received over 20 birthday messages throughout the day and the toughest part of our entire trip.

Our first day, hiking down, Hermit's Rest trail was more of a challenge than I ever imagined it to be. I knew hiking the canyon was going to be difficult physically but I had no idea what it could do to your mind. The second day, while walking on blister covered feet is when I realized; this canyon does two things to people.

1. she will chew you up and spit you out

2. she will chew you up and swallow you whole


I was definitely feeling her chew but was hoping I could hold on to the edges of her throat and pull myself out of this place.

While we were in the depths of it though, these thoughts seemed to fade more and more with each passing hour. The views you get from being with in the canyon are incredible. The walls, sky, river, and ever changing colors of all of these things left us speechless many times.

We spent 3 nights in the canyon and met more people than we expected along the way, each on their own planned journey. One night we were able to sleep under the stars, the other nights rodents came out too early in the evening for us to feel comfortable with not setting up tents. Each night those rodents made sure to make their mark one way or another though.



We were able to sit and relax in cool water twice during the trip which was a huge bonus surprise. Gabe did an awesome job planning this trip, we ate well, had a great route and made great memories with great friends.

I'm glad we all were able to go with option number 1.

Grand Canyon Teaser

Here's a little sample of the canyon, more to come...

Midwest Treats

Is it really the middle of September already? I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling this way...

Gabe posted on our adventurous august and September has proven to be just as fun. Labor Day weekend we were able to spend time in ND with family and friends (we always love being able to do that). Gabe was in Brent and Angie's wedding as a groomsman and I was able to sit back, relax and take in the great weather and company. (I was able to go running one morning as well and let's just say the first thing out of my mouth about ND landscape isn't going to be that it's flat any longer).

We got a behind the scenes tour of the Dakota Zoo from Grandpa Jim Gorgeous Snow Leopard -- Jerry I think?

Gabe was put to work -- lets just say it's a good thing we don't milk cows for a living

I tried to get a smooch-eroo from this beauty but it didn't happen

Thankfully I was successful with this handsome one :)

This is Simon, Jim and Kathy's new kitten, he is so stinkin' cute!

And another cutie niece of ours, getting her birthday present a little late -- oops!

And of course it wouldn't be a trip to ND without shooting something, pretend or not. Gotta love the target practice Scheel's provides, we had to try our hand at it. Again probably good we don't depend on these skills for our survival. I definitely would be the gatherer!

North Dakota in its beauty