Yee Haw!

Our good friends, the Norvolds, just happened to be in Arizona the same week we were there and we enjoyed hanging out with them one day.  They took us to a restaurant in Scottsdale that they had been to many years ago called  Pinnacle Peak Patio.  It is an authentic cowboy place with large wooden picnic tables covered with red and white tablecloths, sawdust shavings all over the floor, a couple rattle snakes, and live music every night.  Their brochure says they are the world's largest western steakhouse with seating for 1800 inside and 2000 outside.  Many famous people have eaten there including some presidents.  Here is another bit from their brochure: 
"Pinnacle Peak Patio is renowned for its delicious mesquite broiled steaks, casual western atmosphere, and its "NO NECKTIE POLICY." This "no necktie" tradition was started one night when a Phoenix executive came in for dinner. The original owner, wanting to keep the atmosphere in his restaurant casual, told the executive, "Either you take that tie off, or I'll cut it off." The executive did not take heed and was appalled when the owner pulled out a butcher knife and promptly cut off the offending cravat.  Wanting to be recognized as a victim of this absurd policy, the executive demanded that his tie be prominently displayed for all to see. The necktie was stapled to the rafters along with a business card identifying its victim. Pinnacle Peak is very serious about its "no necktie" policy and over the past 48 years has cut over a million ties from unsuspecting customers."

Since we knew about this tradition we went to Goodwill and bought some ugly ties for our night on the town.

And sure enough, the waitress said "no city slickers" and cut them off~ thankfully she used a scissors and not a butcher knife!

These food pictures are for Rachelle :)  Landon ordered the Cattlehand 24 oz. porterhouse- he had already eaten part of it.

I ordered the Half Chicken and that is exactly what I got!  We also had salad, beer batter fries, cowboy beans, and thick-sliced wheat bread.  I really wanted to try a cow pie for dessert but was too stuffed.

Cow butts on the stalls in the ladies restroom!

So if you are ever in Scottsdale, you should check it out- and don't forget to wear your tie!

Brother scores with Christmas gift!

My brother, David, had my name for Christmas this year and I have to show you what his gift to me was ~

It's a denim apron that has "petals and thistles" along with a barn and windmill painted on it ~

is that cool or what?

AND Ethel gardening gloves, a pruner, tea and chocolate!  At first I wondered how he knew I would like all these things- duh, he reads my blog! and I'm guessing he had a little help from his wife, Chris, who is a fellow blogger (Ruby in The Garden and Ruby in the Kithen).  So, thanks, Dave and Chris!

Lounging by the pool...

Aahh, Arizona was nice.  Nice to get away.  Lest you feel too jealous, you should know that the temps were not scorching, not sure if it even reached 70 degrees.  But except for one day the sun was shining.  We spent time at the pool/hot tub a few days.  It was warm in the water but chilly getting out!  I tried my darndest to get a sunburn but was not very sucessful.

What a welcome home!

At the airport before we left Mesa, Arizona on Christmas day.
Happy campers...

Boarding the plane from the behind....

Above the weather...

What we came home to...

One has to wonder.. why do we live here, anyway??

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go....

I'm leavin' on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again, Oh babe, I can't wait to go!!  As I was sitting on our bed watching my husband pack his suitcase, I felt myself finally starting to relax and it felt good.  For lots of reasons the last month or so has been really stressful for me, thistle-y actually.  Mostly little things, some hard things, even got pulled over on the way to school/work one day for expired tabs.  After forking out $150.00 for the fine and tabs, the next day the car decides to not cooperate and refuses to move.  Grrr.  I need a vacation!  Here is where I will be in a few hours..........

Whooo Hooo!  Arizona or Bust!

Let's play dress up!!

What young girl doesn't love to play dress up?  I have some great memories, even still have some of the dress up things I had as a little girl and Leanne enjoyed them too as well as many of her friends (even the boys occasionally)!  Here's a few memories....

Grandma Kathy sewed these matching dresses for Leanne and I...

Getting ready to go on a date with Daddy...

Isn't she precious???

A dress-up tea party for friend Em's birthday...

Leanne as one of yes, 11! flower girls for her cousin Michelle's wedding...

Another dress-up tea party....

Leanne was flower girl for her aunt and uncle- they had a beach wedding...

Again for her other aunt and uncle- they had a Christmas wedding...

American Girl Doll birthday party with friends...

In a restroom at Tortilla Flats near Mesa, AZ.  All the doors were painted (and not very private!)

And aren't these some lovely ladies????  I had to put this one in-this is one of my all time favorite photos and I love to share it....

Just last week, Brian and Leanne attended the Alternative Winter Formal- it is for 9th-12th graders and put on by our youth group.  This was the day before, they were trying out their duds...

Another bunch of lovely ladies... (if you click on the photo it will enlarge)

Now this is more like it!

Isn't she precious???

Mom and Dad even dressed up a bit!

Brian and his friends- handsome, indeed!

I have lots more dress up photos but this is all for now!  If you ever get the urge, I have two large containers of dress up stuff!

Again?

Leanne and I couldn't believe our eyes when we came up the road to our house today around 5:00 pm.  Directly in front of our house (a quarter mile from the accident four days ago), were several patrol cars, a firetruck, an ambulance.  My jaw dropped and my heart sank.  The knot in my stomach formed again.  I may have said a swear word.

The outcome of this accident, however, was not tragic, THANK GOD!  We learned a little later it was one of our neighbors- she had lost control, went into the ditch, and hit the trees with the passenger side.  We heard she was okay!  I hope so. 
I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

SEATBELTS SAVE LIVES!!!!!

Please wear your seat belt EVERY TIME you get into a vehicle and don't move an inch until all are buckled up.  Bill and I were both working from home today and this afternoon witnessed something very awful, another accident at the intersection south of our house.  I was mixing up a cake in the kitchen when I heard a loud noise and the power went out. I looked up and saw out in the field a huge billow of snow and dust and a pickup.  I knew the pickup had left the road and taken out the electrical box.  I didn't see the other vehicle yet.  We were there within minutes.  Three men were involved, two were thrown from the vehicle and were lifeless when we approached them.  I placed my blankets on the men.  Our neighbors were also there.  We felt incredibly helpless while we waited for emergency workers to arrive.   Bill was able to talk to the one man who was responsive and was able to call his daughter and let her know what was happening.  We are most certain the two who died were not wearing seatbelts.   What a very sad Christmas it will be for their families.  A similar accident happened at the same intersection about two years ago, someone ran the stop sign, and one woman died that day too.  I'm not sure when the knot in my stomach will go away but it has put life into perspective once again for us.  Please drive carefully and BUCKLE UP!!

One flew the cuckoo's nest.......

It was just yesterday that Landon was born.....

And then he graduated.....

And we left him at college.......

And we miss him, by golly, so we made a trip up to the great white north to visit....

It was kind of a long drive up there.......but we did have some good music and had a dancing finger contest (ask Leanne) to pass the time.

Landon gave us a short tour, short because there are only a few buildings, about 500 students.  We got to meet some of his friends and he showed us his "spot" in the library where he studies.....

The three amigos.........this is my new favorite photo!

He misses having a car so we took a drive to a grocery store to get him a supply of snacks......

He's keeping his room pretty tidy, the whole floor was visible and the hamper actually had dirty clothes IN it and not AROUND it....

I was impressed.

It was really good to see him, R.J. thought so too!  It is nice to know he is happy, healthy, studying hard, doing well in his classes and having a good time!  So good day, eh!