RAAM-Lull before the storm

We arrived in Oceanside today. The motel is so cute! Looks like an old mission. Views are fabulous!! Smells are heavenly!

Tonight we have a team meeting and tomorrow starts the inspections, official team pics, more meetings, strategies and rules so we don't end up with any time penalties.

I hope to be able to blog every couple days... hope being the operative word.

Sleep... hope to be able to do that for a few minutes everyday. :)

Bobby going over spread sheets and strategies

Oceanside Marina suites-view from the room balcony

Memorial Day weekend camping

I love to listen the the sound of the wind as it blows through the tops of the pine trees, watching the kids play in the dirt and throw pinecones, sitting in a chair and not being bothered by what isn't getting done, starry night skys, and crackling night fires, family and friends.

For years we went camping Memorial day weekend, Labor day, 4th of July, Easter, and every other time we could find an excuse. The last 5 or 6 years has not been that way. Bobby's work schedule and other obligations have made free weekends far and few between. Recently he changed to a day shift job, YEAH! Consequently, he has weekends off :) So when the kids wanted to go camping Memorial Day weekend, we could!

Steph & David met us there from NV, and my parents from Prescott, Alli, Kyle & Macy, and Steven and Meghan, & Deek boy.

It was fun and so relaxing!

Random photos from the weekend-

Dereks 19th birthday

Macy and Uncle Steve takin' a nap

we did put a hat over Macy to keep her out of the sun.

The boys shooting. Bobby is trying to figure out why Derek can't hit a pigeon.

I think he finally fit a couple

Macy girl in G'ma C's trailer

My sister and I always have some crafty thing to do, this year she brought felted wool and we made these adorable baby pincushions. The one in back will be a cupcake when its done. We also embellished the pins. Fun!!

In all the years we have been camping, never, have we ever gotten a flat.

Well, this years we forgot the spare... so we got a flat :(

Pin cushion project

A few months ago there was a Sewing and Crafts show at the Coliseum. I don't usually go, but got some discount tickets from a friend at church. One of the booths had some great wool stuff, I bought a couple kits :)

These pin cushions are from the pattern "Pennies and Posies" by Attic Heirlooms. The pattern has the "Pennies" pincushion on a c clamp type thing attached to a table. The one at the show was on an old rusty bed spring which, of course, I loved!

Ebay was the best place for the springs so I picked up some rusty and a few not.

They were really fairly quick to make and I love they way they turned out!

The softer colored one is a gift, the darker one will live in my sewing room :)

NAU Graduation 2010

On May 7th, Alli graduated form NAU... we are so proud of her. It was tough- while she was in school she got married, moved from her hometown, had a baby, bought a house and has

another one on the way. Many times she would call- sick to death of her stupid biology class...saying that she was done, I'd tell her she had to tell her Dad. She never would...lol! Im so glad she finished, we are so very pleased with the young lady that she is today and all she has accomplished.

Congrats Alli! You rock!

Kyle, Macy, Kathy

Alli with the NAU Lumberjack

BBQ after graduation at Greg and Janets

Alli & her cousin John, he graduated the same day

Macy checking out the yummy cake Johns wife, Sarah, made

Bobby, Alli, Kathy

Meghan, Steven, Alli, Derek

Cards for Connor

April 23 & 30

The 23rd and 30th were the nights Rachele from The ink boutique and I hosted the Cards for Connor classes. Had around 18 people participate, and raised just over $1,000.00. We hoped for more- reach for the stars, right?- however Im super happy with our results.

You can donate here.

See the cards Rachele designed for the class here.

Thank you so much to my friends, and Racheles for all the support. We had a great time.

If you have not read Connors blog yet, please do- he is an inspiring 12 year old!

Pat Tillman run, Prom

April 17, 2010

At ASU they have an annual Pat Tillman run, started after Pat Tillman-an ASU football player enlisted in the military and was killed over seas. The first few years there were a few hundred runners, its now gone to almost 30,000 run/walkers.

This is Derek's 3rd year, Chris' second, and Kati's first. The little boys did the kids run. I met the kids at ASU and took care of the littles while Chris and Kati ran . Bunches of fun spending time with the kids :)

Saturday night, Derek and Britt went to the High School prom...adorable couple, I think :)

Nathan in the kids run giving Sparky the sun devil a high 5! He was sooo excited!

Cute runners, huh? I think so!

Trav, Derek, Wes

Britt, Derek ready for Prom

Ya know- we did not teach him that- he came like that...lol

Poor flower girl

April 7, 2010

Every year Kyle does a musical with his Joseph City high school choir. I've missed it for some reason or another the last couple years and was determined to go this year.

Alli called a couple days before I was to leave and said Macy needed a "poor flower girl" costume . Cool! A trip to Hobby Lobby! It was so fun, haven't made a kids costume in years.

Last year she was the voice of the "crying baby" in Seven Brides for 7 Brothers, this year a poor flower girl in My Fair Lady. Wonder what she will be next year...

awe....

Macy acted her part well!

Taking notes on what she will do differently next year :)