Piano for Elena

Elena had her first piano recital. It is truly remarkable how well she has done in less than a year of lessons. She plays both hands and even composed a song for me for Mother's day. If only I could figure out how to add the clip. She was not even nervous and did not make any mistakes on both of the songs that she performed. And I can brag about her all I want because she is my sweet smart little angel. Congratulations Elena, we are so so proud of you!!

And thankyou to her wonderful teacher Jessica Hart who is just 17 years old. Her other students were so good I could have listened to them all day. I could hardly believe the talent coming out of that room. I am so thankful for music as it is a big part of our lives. Dan and I want all of our children to be involved with music more than anything. I am a big supporter of marching bands and school choirs. How fun. I hope my kids will be as gung ho about it as I am!

Happy Mother's Day

Well I've been doing some experimenting with my new camera. The bouquet that Dan bought me for Mother's Day from his scout fundraiser was the BIGGEST bouquet he has EVER got me. It was so lovely and gorgeous that I took probably 50 pictures. Its been a hoot trying out the different tones and programs on my new camera. These 3 pictures are: black/ white, sepia, soft and the picture at the tippy top is in vivid.

Anyway- Happy Mothers Day to everybody. :} I had the privilege of chatting with my parents, and Grandma and mother in law tonight. It was great to hear from them and how much I miss them all.! Can't wait to go to Canada in July. I often think about my mother on Mother's day and how much I miss her. In honor of my mother I decided to post a few of my favorite remiscents:

Although it mortified us girls- my mother was a true blue trekky, she had the whole costume, went to the conventions and even got to meet her favorite in person- counsellor Troy. She excelled in the arts of yoga, tai chi, and tae kwon do. She created flower gardens in our yard that flourished into the garden of eden every summer. She was my girl scout leader for 6 or 7 years and did I mention she was a custom seamstress and did professional needle work. Needless to say she was very multi talented and had so much ambition and drive. If she wanted to try something new, she would and she excelled at everything.

Be it bittersweet I miss her and I am thankful for the 17 years that I had with her on this earth. I am also truly thankful for the many other mothers in my life that I have had the privilege of knowing and honoring.

And who do you think that beautiful lady is at the top of the page- you guessed it, thats my mother when she was in her 30's.

Oh what do you do when its hot outside?!

Well we've been wanting to check out Tempe town lake for the longest time and we finally got there. It has been 100 degrees every day for the past week so fresh cold water is what we needed. This is the biggest spray park in the city and is it ever fun. -But crowded- and you have to watch your kids CLOSE.
We had Sam's club pizza for a picnic and lounged out in the shade for a bit. It is strange how you can feel cold in 100 degree heat if you are soaking wet and there is a bit of a breeze. It is great. We decided this summer if we are going to be outside it will only be in the water!!

We also decided that IF we had a yard we could probably set something up with grass and sprinklers and play structure with a slide that would be just as fun. Maybe we will get a house SOON!!

The desert can be beautiful!

Well don't laugh at me too much because I've got the wrong date on my pictures again and can't figure out how to GET IT OFF!! Dan finally agreed with me that it is time for a new camera. We have had this 3 megapixel digital for 6 years and it is finally going in the trash where it belongs. So the next time I post you will see much sharper better defined and clearer images with no big fat yellow wrong date written on the sides.
Hopefully it won't be like rocket science for me to figure out the new camera that we are picking up at best buy tommorow! Wahoo!
As for these pictures, they were taken at Broyce Thompson Arberetum. What a lovely sanctuary. We spent the day in the demonstration garden and didn't even know that it was only a fraction of the entire park. We thought we'd seen everything and were informed that we still had a couple miles left to see.
Well, we thought maybe another time as it was getting late. If you think you can't grow anything in Arizona- You are Wrong! With enough care and water anything grows here, how amazing it is. My favorites were the giant aloe vera plants, lilies and all the wildflowers I don't know the names of.
Anyhow, it is worth the one hour drive from Casa Grande and we will probably return soon. If you have a state park pass like we did, you'll get in for free otherwise the prices seem a little steep.