8-31-11

Me: The boys were trying time exposures on the camera outside at night while "writing" out their signature in the air using the torch light on their mobile phone.

 

Me: Picture Project

Pulled these boxes out of storage today. They are all FULL of photos. Old photos, really old photos, picture albums, year books, newspaper clippings, and other memorabilia that we've held onto for years. My project is for us to sort, condense, save the good things but also eliminate the unnecessary as best as possible. It's a lot of stuff and it's hard to throw away much of it.

Does this mean I'm a hoarder? 

8-30-11

Martin: First flowering of a young protea in a friend's garden.

Me: That's me lifting weights. My parents started me young.

8-29-11

Me: View of Manhattan Island this morning.

photo by Bob

8-28-11

Me: Happy Anniversary!!!

It's our 12th year anniversary today! I'm looking forward to Bob getting home tomorrow so we can celebrate. 

12 years ago today we had the most beautiful day on the top of Heavenly Mountain overlooking Lake Tahoe. What an amazing place to say "I do!" I love you, honey! xoxo. 

8-27-11

Me: The Winona Riders!

That's our team name - clever, yes? :-) Anna and I had a great day and a really fun time racing the Barn Burner together. It's 100 miles of dirt and rock road that has plenty of climbing and some really fast down hill. Anna started the race and rode the 1st 25 mile lap like mad before she tagged me for my turn. I pedaled my 25 mile loop as hard as I could and then handed the bandana back to Anna for her 2nd lap. An hour and 45 minutes later Anna came in looking strong and tagged me for the final loop. Legs burning, I gave it my all and was stoked to cross the finish line as the 1st place women's duo team! Woo hoo! :-) Our overall time was 7 hours and 3 minutes. We were happy!

The whole Barner Burner experience is pretty cool. It's 2 nights of 1000 racers + their families camped in RV's and tents in a beautiful meadow surrounded by mountains and pine trees. Then a full day of racing excitement followed by an outdoor BBQ, celebrating, awards and topped off with a campfire and smores. My favorite. Around 50 of our biking friends from Phoenix raced it too, making the event even better. Just wish Bob could have been there. Next year!

8-26-11

Me: I went to Flagstaff for another weekend of mountain biking. This time to race in the 3rd annual Barn Burner event. About 1000 riders compete in this 100 mile race in various categories of solo, duo and 4 person teams. Bob did it last year with his buddy Scott Adams (& they did great) but this year Bob was working so Anna and I teamed up to race the women's duo division (more on how we did later). Heidi (in photo) raced on a co-ed duo team. This was Heidi's first race since breaking her back a year and a half ago and she did awesome! So this was an emotional and triumphant day for her. Way to go, Heidi!

PS: We had great weather except for the afternoon thunderstorm that rolled through evidenced by the mud all over Heidi.

8-25-11

Me: Ace Hardware Dog

Harley loves to help me shop at the local hardware store (especially since the cashier hands out treats).

8-24-11

Me: Ocotillo at sunset.

8-23-11

Me: Umm...it's 114 out. What's up with that?!

I guess we're in The Dog Days of Summer!

3 day forecast: 114, 112, 111 with a low of 91.

8-22-11

Me: Browsing through some old photos and came across this classic: My Dad with my brother, Monte in downtown Chicago on a cattle buying trip. Dad was probably in his early 30's here and looking stylish. 

8-21-11

Me: Bob and I raced the Absolute Bikes mountain bike event. Bob placed 3rd in his division and I placed 1st. The rest of the weekend we enjoyed the camping and hanging out with friends.

8-20-11

Me: Flagstaff Rainbow

Headed north with the camper again. Cool temps and rain! :-)

8-19-11

Me: Egg-in-a Hole

Here's a fun and easy dish I've been making Bob and I for breakfast.

Warning: It's yummy!

Found the recipe on The Pioneer Woman's website. Try it.

8-18-11

Me: Bob's parents left this afternoon right before a huge dust storm (a Haboob) hit Phoenix. This is the pretty sunset that came after the storm.

Thanks for coming out to visit us Pat and Bob. We had a great time!

8-17-11

Martin: This web was above the driveway early this morning and had caught the dew.

Me: Pat and Bob making their delicious homemade salsa while working around Harley. Bob's folks have been on the go since they arrived, helping us with all kinds of fix it up projects and crafts.

8-16-11

Martin: Here is where the snake lives. It doesn't roam around the house - especially with the cat about. He curls up inside the little dome on the right with his head near the opening and becomes active at night. The little box on the bottom shelf is the gecko's home.

Me: Bob's Birthday Bash!

Tonight we celebrated Bob's birthday at his favorite restaurant, "Joe's Crab Shack". Bob and his dad both ordered the Snow Crab Steam Pot dish requiring bibs. Ha. Bob and Bob were love'n it.

8-15-11

Martin: Kitty paw.

Me: Happy Birthday to BOB!!!!!

This photo is too hilarious. Harley is just waiting, hoping, praying that I drop that cake or at the very least some frosting drips over the side. 

Harley and I picked up the birthday boy tonight along with Bob's folks, Pat and Bob. We're so excited they'll be spending a few days with us!

8-14-11

Martin: Donald at the local park.

Me: "I've been bad, Mom. I really like this toy so I tore all the stuffing out of it. Sorry."

Love, Harley

8-13-11

Martin: Adrian's python after a meal.

Me: Bob flying over the Rocky Mountains. We have some friends down there somewhere doing the Leadville 100 (a grueling 100 mile mountain bike race at 12,000 ft). We're eager to hear how they all did!

8-12-11

Martin: This is a healthy climber.

Me: Cornfields to cacti. South Mountain sunrise.

8-11-11

 Martin: Adrian in the initial stages of setting up his salt water tropical aquarium.

Me: Doggie Pedicure

Harley wanted to show off her newly trimmed nails.

8-10-11

Martin: Flower in the garden.

Me: I bought a new kitchen rug and Harley is sure it was purchased just for her (and she's right). Harley loves to hang out in the kitchen (especially when Grandma Pat is here) because she knows that when she lays or sits on the rug real nice she is likely to get a good treat. Funny dog.

8-9-11

Martin: The boys had nothing better to do so the cat became the entertainment.

Me: City at Sunset

8-8-11

Martin: Interesting little moth that I found in the front room.

Me: We were all a wee bit tired after Saturday's mountain bike event.

8-7-11

Martin: Very young Kookaburra looking for a feed.

Me: Bob and I joined some friends for the Flag to Grand Canyon mountain bike event on Saturday. 65 miles to raise money for Toys for Tots. Perfect weather and a yummy BBQ afterwards. Sunday we mountain biked again - the Barn Burner pre-ride. Came back to Phoenix completely beat!