Dehydrating

We tried the Bountiful Baskets program this summer.

Such a wonderful assortment of fresh and local fruits and vegetables.

I decided to try my hand at dehydrating.

We dried apples, strawberries, bananas,

melon, grapes and pineapple.

Not a bad little unit. Started with 4 stackable trays,

and 1 fruit roll up tray.

Rogan was a big help laying the fruit pieces on and taking them off.

Seems more fruit made its way into his mouth, then the bag.

In June we were thrilled to find out that Brody

would be coming home from Afghanistan for a 2 week visit.

Isn't he such a handsome soldier!!

He got put to work while he was here too.

Our huge tree in the backyard was in desperate need of trimming.

So up he went to trim and cut as dad instructed.

Amazingly he did very well. But had me awfully nervous!!

He also spent quality time with his brother.

Rogan loves time with Brody,

especially movies and sleeping together.

By far the best is watching David and Brody together !!

They get going and just crack each other up.

Sometimes they laugh so hard they cry...like Brody in the pic.

Anybody who is within earshot can't help but laugh too.

It may have been a short visit, but it was sooo wonderful!

Deaf Expo - My Mary Kay booth.

This is my 2nd year I have had a Mary Kay booth at the Deaf Expo in Phoenix.

My 2 newest consultants came and woked at the booth as well.

Had a great time!! Can't wait to do it again next year!!!!

Holy Smokes

Wowzeers! I was looking at some blogs and looked at ours, then bug-eyed at the last time I posted anything. March !! ??? I am a wee-bit behind obviously! Soooo, I will do some updating and catching up for the next few days. Stay tuned!

Happiness is ..........

Can you guess......?

What my answer is........?????

How many clues do you need........?

Happiness is .......

BEING IRISH, Of course !!!!!

Family Pics

This is probably the closest I will get to a formal family picture.

I guess one should appreciate what they have! haa haa haaaa

Christmas Eve church service.

David's parents and my parents too.

Papa, Nana & Brody.

(These are my parents Cruz & LaurA)

Christmas morning opening gifts.

This is David, Grandpa-pa & Grandma-ma.

(David's parents, Louie and Patty)

Nana & her boys!!!!!

Brothers !!!

Sooo behind....... Soo much to tell.

Brody did over-seas training in California mountain range from November to December.....

He has his mililtary drivers license, and drivers several different vehicles.

Isn't he a toughie !!! Joe Cool himself !!

Some of the training in the desert.

And of course,,, things that go BOOM !!!

"Hi Mom!"

They also train with Chinooks and Apache Helicopters The crew.

Waiting to get in the air.

What a great experience!!!!

The Holidays..... already????

Ugggggg, I swear we just celebrated the 4th of July. SIGH. Where does it all go?

Thanksgiving was good,,, quiet and calm.... we ate out and it was really nice and NUMMY!

Afterward, we took the kids to see the new Disney movie - "Bolt.

It was a nice change, but it definitely had its positives and negatives.

Positives:

* No planning or shopping --

* No prepping, thawing, peeling, or cooking --

* No dishes to clean up, etc. --

* You can be a couch potato --

* More time to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade -- Negatives:

* House doesn't smell all nummy --

(there are no "turkey cooking" scented candles!)

* No leftovers ----

* No flurry and excitment of company around the house ---

Though we had a very nice relaxing day,,,, I think next year we will

go back to our complicated, busy and happy tradition.

OurFamilySnapShot

Thanksgiving Humor

I couldn't resist!!!!! We all need a laugh now and then.....

May your stuffing be tasty,

May your turkey plump,

May your mashed potaotes and gravy

Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs !!!

Haa Haaa this is my favorite one!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving !!!!!!!

Field-Trip

Rogan's 1st grade class took a fieldtrip to the Phoenix Zoo.

This is the entrance when for the school groups.

Since I chaperoned, (and there were several parents who did),

Collin and Rogan paled around together.

A zoo just isn't a zoo without certain animals...

like the elephant!

or a Ring-Tailed Lemur sunning itself........

A veerrryyyy tall giraffe........

Two uncaged wild imps (with attitude).......

Wilder Beasts ? Gazelles ? Elks?

I forgot what they were....

Back on the school bus..... 3 lil dudes.

We had fun! But I was ready for a nap!