Special Time with Bailey

We love having Bailey come visit and she comes every summer. This year was special as she flew all by herself. Wow, pretty exciting for all of us. I was a little tense, so we got to the airport at 8:00; her flight was scheduled to arrive at 9:30. Kevin and I went to the gate and were told the flight would be there at 10:00. I didn't want Bailey getting off the plane and not seeing us but Kevin said we had time to get breakfast, off to McDonalds for coffee and a bite, we no more finished and we hear my name being called over the loud speaker, her flight got there at 9:17. Yikes, I ran all the way to Gate #1 and there she was - oops. Later at home I noticed a tag on her luggage that said "Late Check-in" so I guess I wasn't the only one running late. Bailey said the flight was good, she sat by a woman and her child. Upon arriving we headed to the Spectrum Mall. First stop was at GameStop to get games for Bailey's DS lite.

Then on to the Pet Shop where Bailey found and fell in love with a little puppy. Bailey tells me he is only $899. and she could come and visit him........time to move on.

Bailey loves the water so most days were filled with trips to the pool and the beach. She should be a fish, she swims like one and everyone is so amazed at how well she takes to the water.

after the big waves, Bailey standing on shells that were washed in and pictures of life in the tide pools.

Bailey at the Ocean Institute, Moon Jelly Fish are behind her. Bailey was able to touch some of the sea life at the institute, she had a good time.

Bailey loves the to swim we spent a lot of time in the pool and spa.

It wouldn't be a Bailey trip without Chucky...

These are the shells that Bailey found at Laguna Beach

Kevin and Bailey at Dana Point

There were 4 days where the tide was so big that they didn't allow anyone in the ocean. This was one of those days..poor Bailey she so wanted to go catch that wave. I know the waves will be there next year when our Sweet Bailey comes and visits us again.

We love you Bailey and can't wait till your next visit; more kisses than you can count. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Our Visit with Mark and Bonnie 7-4-09

Rio Grande River, Old friends and Sunset over our neighbors house

Mark and Bonnie have been our friends for many years, in fact Kevin and they were friends before me. It is always good to see them and this was there second trip to NM. We just love to sit and visit with them. They arrived on the third and we enjoyed pizza and conversation. Then on the fourth we watch a thunderstorm and "Green Chilie Stew". The fifth it was breakfast at Guadalupe's and then off to Taos. So much to catch up on. Good friends, good food....Good times.

Camel Rock on the way to Taos and Sunset next to our home

Rio Grande River and Storm moving in

.Landscape, clouds and the Rio Grande

Awesome trio in Taos Plaza and Bonnie in front of Rio Grande River

a cat we saw it weighed 20 pounds and clouds so beautiful

So until next time we say,"Here's to Good Friends and Good Times."

4th of July.....Independents Day

This flag was made by General John Fremont's wife: Jessie Benton Fremont.

Flag that was flown in the Square and Kevin.

July 4th, Independents Day....have we forgotten the real meaning of this day? Is it all about a day off, fireworks, partying? Don't get me wrong gatherings are wonderful, but how many remember what we are celebrating? Kevin and I don't go out on the fourth we stay in where we are safe. This in itself is sad. Too many people party and then take it to the road. This year our friends Mark and Bonnie were here. It is always good to see them and catch up on all the latest. So we sat out on the back veranda and watched a thunderstorm, saw a few fireworks from our neighbors and talked. On the 5th we drove to Taos to see Kit Carson's home. As we walked through it and looked at his life as an American hero I couldn't help but be impressed by this man. Then there it was our flag; the story is that in 1861 Kit resigned as an Indian Agent to serve his country in the Civil War, tension was running high at the start of the war. Accourding to the legend, Southern sympathizers met in the Taos Plaza to raise their flag. Kit, Ceran St. Vrain and others nailed the American flag to the pole. They hoisted Old Glory, and guarded it around the clock. The Stars and Stripes have flown day and night in Taos Plaza ever since. Thanks to Kit, Taos is one of only seven locations in the United States where this is allowed.

I love history and enjoyed seeing Kit Carson's home with our friends. I am proud to be an American and I for one will never forget what it means when I see fireworks.

50 Caliber Hawkin Rifle, muzzel-reload, weighed: 10-11 pounds and the shotgun Kit carried.

Kit was never educated but was a Colonel in the army.

Little Friends

Home in the fern
When we were home at Easter I observed a bird building a nest in my fern, this was very cool as the fern is right outside our guest bedroom window. We arrived back in New Mexico June 19th and low and behold there were three babies in the nest. Such fun watching them grow. I research to see what they were and found we have a family of Cassin's Finch.

The male Cassin's Finch stays in its female-like plumage during its first breeding season. It sings like an older male and may give the false impression that both sexes sing. The Cassin's Finch is an accomplished mimic, often adding the calls of other species into its own songs.

The Cassin's Finch craves salt, and is often found visiting mineral deposits on the ground. It eats: Buds, berries, fruits, seeds, and some insects.

I was very excited and I took pictures about every other day. Then one day about two weeks into this adventure; I went out to take pictures and scared my little one's and off they went. I was heart broken and feared I had forced them to leave and put them in danger. One little guy stayed under the stand and I was able to pick him up and put him in the nest. He stood next to it for several hours and then moved into it for another hour or so and then he was gone. Kevin said he hadn't seen either the mother or father all day, so perhaps it was time. Still I worried, I research the babies and found that they leave the nest in about two weeks. Such a relief for me. Now I just want to see them come visit.

Taken from inside guestroom

................Dad and mom in the tree

taken just before they flew off.

The last one to go......

Happy Birthday to Allison....21

Today we went to lunch with Allison and Robbie in honor of her turning 21. She is the last of our chickadees to enter adulthood. This is truly scary stuff. Our kids are getting older. Turn around, turn around now your a young lady going into the world. It is hard to realize that now she has to make some adult decisions. Twenty-one, I remember turning 21 for me it wasn't all that. I had been married for almost 3 years and thought I was so wise. I was home at my parents and I strolled into the kitchen; my dad and a friend were at the table having coffee, I went over to my mom and pulled out one of her cigarettes and lit it. Instantly I knew I had just made a bad mistake my dad gave me one of those looks....later he simple said, "don't ever light up in front of me again." So okay a couple days later we all go out and I wrestled with should I have a drink in front of him or not...or not won. So at lunch today Allison was trying to figure out what should she order to drink at her party. Allison, make it a good one and when your with us, a sparkling wine will be fine...LOL

We love you and wish you all the best and a life full of happiness.


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Father's Day

My Dad

How do you thank your dad for all he's done for you? My dad is my hero. He fought in WWII before I was born so that I could live in a free country. He was there when I heard noise in my ear, he poured water in to float an ant out. He carried me into the hospital and stayed with me when I cut my foot and needed stitches. He praised my attempt at being an artist (a simple picture drawn on a piece of plywood covering a window) and years later when I put the same picture on a coffee cup he kept it and still has it. He stood behind me 101% when I made life changing decisions. He stood up for me. He is a man of few words, but believe me when I need correction there are words. He doesn't need to say much, just the thought that I have displeased him is enough. His smile of approval is in his eyes. He has great love for his family, grandchildren and now great grandchildren. My dad is a jack of all trades he can make dreams come true from small box puzzles, bird houses, lamps, magazine racks, furniture to trinkets he makes them all and puts love into each piece. My dad is my advisor, listener to my problems, safe place to go to, but above all my hero. So with a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat I say, "I love you dad."

Fathers are wonderful people too little understood, we do not sing their praises as often as we should... For, somehow, Father seems to be the man who pays the bills, while Mother binds up little hurts and nurses all our ills... Father struggles daily To live up to "HIS IMAGE"as protector and provider and "hero or the scrimmage"... perhaps that is the reason we sometimes get the notion, that Fathers are not subject to the thing we call emotion, but if you look inside Dad's heart, where no one else can see you'll find he's sentimental and as "soft" as he can be... But he's so busy every day in the grueling race of life, He leaves the sentimental stuff to his partner and his wife... Fathers are just WONDERFUL in a million different ways, and they merit loving compliments and accolade of praise, for the only reason Dad aspires to fortune and success is to make the family proud of him and to bring them happiness... and like OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, he's a guardian and a guide, Someone that we can count on to be ALWAYS ON OUR SIDE.

Helen Steiner Rice

Love you dad...

When is Enough, Enough?

This morning I started to read the news on the internet and there it was: More slander on Sarah Palin's daughter. When is enough, enough?

I find myself wondering why this young lady has to go through this. How many of us fooled around in the back seat of our parents cars, in our boyfriend’s car? Come on let's all be honest for a minute. How many of us parents have daughters who when they dated, it scared us to death and we hoped they would be wise and not ..........! Tell me why is the outcome so different for Bristol Palin? Yes, I know her mom ran for the office of Vice President....so what. I for one am mad as hell. Why do we let people like David Letterman and the other news channels that spread gossip get away with this. Do these people have children? How would they feel if their child was drug through the mud? David Letterman has a 6 year old little boy, how do you think he would feel if his son later in life did something and the press won't let it go. David Letterman should stop and think about it as should all of us. I know it's how he makes a living-at the expense of others, but enough is enough, let Bristol recover from the damage that is already done.

Let's look at Bristol: Bristol Palin wasn't in the news prior to the election, she didn't rob a bank, kill someone, run away, do drugs.....get the point. She simply fell in love, made love and got pregnant. She then took responsibility for what happened and had the baby, went back to school, works two jobs to support her baby and loves him.

What about the father? Where is he in the news? He walks out on her and laughs on National TV and we all just let it go. Levi Johnston you need to grow up. I can't believe that we as humans (who are said to be the smart species) can't separate mother from daughter, this isn't about Sarah Palin this is about Bristol. Will the press and Mr. Letterman continue to bash the other 4 children in this family? I for one am going to stand behind all the Bristols in the world that desire better than this from a country that says "Under God". We still live in a free country, LET OUR VOICE BE HEARD FOR WHAT IS RIGHT.