Although we had a fair amount of snow this winter, it was not nearly enough to replenish the water deficiencies, and already late May, we have fire restrictions. Despite it being so dry and unusually hot, pretty flowers are popping up almost in defiance. The bursts of color adorn and enhances the rather beige landscape.
We hosted a few families on Sunday evening, and Bob cooked up pounds and pounds of chicken breast for our salad bar.
Before heading back home to Flagstaff, we picked up groceries and lunch at Trader Joe's and headed to Watson Lake for a picnic and hike. The lake was spectacular. What a fun place and so close to home.
It is hard to believe that Bob and I have been married for 22 years already. Where did the time go? To celebrate, Bob planned a lovely overnight trip to Prescott. He found a quaint hotel downtown, a wine tasting room, and a great restaurant for a tasty meal.
Bob and I went out for lunch after a long meeting at church. Since we were close to a famous cookie store, we assuaged our guilt for not including the boys in our lunch plans by picking up treats. Noah immediately set out to create his own improved version of his cookie. It did not take him long to master the process and create a few dozen delicious treats.
Big trash day around here can be interesting. We all scout the piles to uncover hidden treasures. Noah and Lukas found this car and set out to fix it in the hopes of selling it.
It is fun to have the entire family back together, and we often find ourselves in the kitchen cooking. On the menu: Chinese Egg Rolls and Lukas' Fried Apple Rolls. Tasty!
Lukas set up the sewing machine as soon as he got back home from Arkansas. He had a project to complete for a young man who had waited patiently for Lukas to return from college so that Lukas could make this custom sling bag. Fortunately, all the materials were on hand, and the clips, those Lukas 3D printed for a personalized fit.
Lukas and Noah's music teacher in Michigan is a dear friend. For Noah's graduation, much like she did for Lukas', she spent long hours embroidering a beautiful momentum of this significant achievement. Now, Noah has no excuse for forgetting his graduation details.
Lukas, Noah, and Bob arrived home tired but happy after an eventful backpacking trip with brother/uncle. Fortunately, the weather cooperated to help dry out camping equipment.
Bob, Lukas, Noah, and Joel headed out for backpacking after all the birthday celebrations in MO. They have tales to tell for a long time about this trip, so ask! Wading through knee-high grass, chiggers, significant changes in elevation, interesting conversations, Red Lobster biscuits cooked in the camping oven, rain, and hitching a ride when there was no Uber to be found.
With all three children in town a few grandchildren, this was the perfect photo opp.
