I title this post COVID-19 because it has changed our lives since the last post.
On 1/25, I hiked Bear Canyon to Seven Falls. Paul and I had last hiked that way back in January 2009 shortly after we moved to Tucson. It was a tough hike, but I felt like I did better this time than in 2009.
On January 27th, Nathan went to Phoenix to visit the Musical Instrument Museum for a school field trip.
On 1/30, I went to the Tucson Botanical Gardens.
On 2/1, I went to the Ladies Luncheon at church. Afterward, I joined my friend Greg Lyons from church on a hike at Redington Pass. It was my first time there. I hiked down to the water, but I wasn't able to hop along the rocks in the water bed with my camera. It was a beautiful area, though, and I hope to return to get more pictures.
On February 2nd, I participated in the Parade of Flags at church for the first time. I represented the Apache Indians.
We went to the Tucson Gem and Mineral show at Kino on 2/8.
Bella turned 12 on February 11!
Nathan had his 10 year pediatrician appointment on 2/12. He weighed 68 pounds in the 38% and he was 54.5 inches tall in the 45%. All else checked out fine.
I went to Tohono Chul Park, Tucson Botanical Gardens and the Desert Museum on 2/13.
I joined our church's junior high kids for a "hike" at Sabino Canyon with Greg Lyons and Wendi Miller Benedict. We took the tram all the way up to the top and then got off at one of the stops to play on the rocks by the water.
Paul and I celebrated our 17th anniversary on February 17th (golden anniversary, sort of speak) at Vivace.
I hiked the Sunset Vista Trail and took pictures of the poppies and other wildflowers at Picacho Peak on 2/19/20.
Nathan had off school 2/20 & 2/21 for Rodeo Days. We went to the Wildlife World Zoo on 2/20.
On 2/27 I went looking for wildflowers on Tangerine Road, Lambert/First, Tucson Blvd between Grant and Ft Lowell, Saguaro National Park and I made a stop at Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens.
I returned to Picacho Peak on 2/28 to hike the Sunset Vista Trail again to photograph the wildflowers.
I went to the Phoenix Zoo on 2/29.
I did my first portrait session on 3/1. I took high school graduation pictures of Olivia Espinoza from church at the Ventana Canyon Golf Course. It was a beautiful location and Olivia is a natural behind the camera. She really came up with most of the poses which made my job a lot easier. We both thought the pictures came out really nice.
I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens on 3/5.
I went to the Desert Museum on 3/9.
I went to the Tucson Botanical Gardens on 3/12.
The end of the 3rd quarter was 3/13. Nathan ended up with a 91 in History/Geography, 87 in Reading, 100 in Recitation, 93 in Science, 93 in Math, 91 in English Language, M for Art, M for PE/Health, E for Music and M for Latin. His quarter average was a 92.5. We didn't know it at the time, but Nathan was not going to be returning to school for the rest of the school year. COVID-19 happened and the school decided to do E-learning for the 4th quarter.
I went back one more time to Picacho Peak on 3/14 to hike the Sunset Vista Trail and take pictures of the wildflowers.
Nathan got baptized at Sun & Shield Baptist Church on 3/15. I went to their church to see him get baptized and it was probably the proudest moment of motherhood.
I hiked Sabino Canyon on 3/19. The bridges had a lot of water flowing over them. I walked through the water on several bridges before deciding to turn around. The water was flowing pretty high and fast so I didn't want to chance it, especially because I didn't see many other people crossing the bridges.
We took a wildflower drive on 3/21. We went up Oracle Road in Catalina and Oracle, to Peridot Mesa to see the poppies and to Bartlett Lake. The wildflowers were not as plentiful as the super bloom yesterday, but we were still able to find some.
I went to Pima Prickly Park on 3/27.
We did another wildflower road trip on 3/28. We went to Tangerine Rd in Oro Valley to Oracle Rd and then to Oracle State Park. We had never been to Oracle State Park before. I hiked a couple of trails while the boys stayed in the car. They had some irises there and I got to see a couple of deer. I wanted to see Mariposa Lilies, but I don't think they were blooming yet.
I hiked a little to see the wildflowers at Catalina State Park on 3/30.
I met Connie Lyons from church at Ft Lowell Park on 3/31 to take pictures of the ducks. Connie recently retired and she wants to learn more about photography so I told her she could go picture taking with me. I also made stops at Bach's Cactus Nursery, Pima Prickly Park and Oro Valley Hospital.
I went back to Tangerine Rd, Oro Valley Hospital and Pima Prickly Park on 4/2 to take more flower pictures.
I went to Reid Park on 4/3 to photograph the ducks and then took a drive through Saguaro National Park.
I went over by Oro Valley Hospital and Pima Prickly Park to photograph flowers on 4/4.
I photographed ground squirrels at Arthur Pack Park and flowers at Bach's Cactus Nursery and Pima Prickly Park on 4/7.
I went to Bach's Cactus Nursery and Pima Prickly Park on 4/9.
Easter was 4/12. Nathan got an Easter Basket full of goodies from the Easter Bunny and I hid a bunch of eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt.
I went to Pima Prickly Park on 4/13.
On 4/15, I went to Bach's Cactus Nursery, Pima Prickly Park and Saguaro National Park.
I went back to Pima Prickly Park on 4/17.
I went to Pima Prickly Park and Saguaro National Park on 4/20.
I went to Pima Prickly Park on 4/22.
I finally bought a cactus from Bach's Cactus Nursery. I thought I had bought an Argentine Giant Big Bertha. It bloomed 4/23, but ended up not being Big Bertha. Big Bertha is white with a red underside. The cactus I have is white with a green underside. It bloomed several flowers at once that day, though, and I had just bought it within the last week.
I went to Pima Prickly Park and Saguaro National Park on 4/27.
I went to Bach's Cactus Nursery and Pima Prickly Park on 5/1.
It was Western Day at Sun & Shield Baptist Church 5/3.
I went to Saguaro National Park on 5/6.
Mother's Day was 5/10. Paul got me 2 dozen roses and cooked food on the grill for me. Nathan got me a HUGE card.
I went to Bach's Cactus Nursery and Saguaro National Park on 5/12.
On 5/15, Nathan and I went up to Mt Lemmon to look for ladybugs and to meet my friend Greg Lyons from church. We didn't find many ladybugs :( Greg was camping up on the mountain and invited a few friends, including Dawn Davis from church and her kids. Nathan and I zip lined for the first time! I had to bribe him with Pokemon cards, but he ended up doing it twice!
The next day, Nathan had a swimming lesson. My friend Alisa Celentano from church offered to teach him. I think the first lesson went really well.
I bought several more cactus plants at Bach's Cactus Nursery - Argentine Giant Big Bertha, June Noon torch cactus, Apricot Glow torch Cactus and a Flying Saucer. The first cactus I had bought that was white with the green underside decided to bloom again the morning of 5/19. My Apricot Glow torch cactus also bloomed that morning. I took a few quick pictures before we headed out of town for vacation.
5/21/20 was technically Nathan's last day of school. The school froze the 3rd quarter grades with the chance to improve them by completing all at homework and showing extra effort in the 4th quarter. Nathan ended up getting a 99 in History/Geography, 95 in Reading, 100 in Recitation, 100 in Science, 100 in Math, 99 in English Language, M for Art, M for PE/Health, E for Music and M for Latin. He made high honors - 98.8!
We did a last minute trip to Utah on 5/19. We headed to Zion National Park first. On 5/20, we hiked the Riverwalk, up until the part where you had to start crossing the water to get to the Narrows. We weren't prepared to do that so we thought maybe a future trip we would attempt that. On 5/21, we hiked part of the dry canyon near one of the car tunnels. Another highlight that day was seeing a family of big horn sheep climb down the rocks and cross the road. Later that day, we went to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. 5/22, we stopped in Red Canyon and I did a little hiking. From there, we headed to Bryce Canyon National Park. We saw pronghorn antelope and prairie dogs. Paul hiked the Navajo Loop trail to Wall Street. It is a series of switchbacks which go down into the canyon. It is intimidating from the top so Nathan and I chickened out at first. When Paul got back up, he convinced me to give it a try. I went down and honestly it wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be. On 5/23, we went to see the Mossy Cave waterfall which is part of Bryce Canyon. From there, we went back to Red Canyon and I did a little more hiking. On 5/24, we left Bryce and stopped at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park where I hiked 3 miles to see the petrified wood. Then we did a 6 mile family hike at Cave Creek Recreation Area to see the waterfall there. 5/25, Memorial Day, we went to Lake Powell. We also made a stop at Horseshoe Bend. We stayed the night at Jacob Lake. The hope was to visit the Grand Canyon North Rim, but they had it closed due to COVID-19. So 5/26, we drove through the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, briefly stopped at Lee's Ferry and then made our way home.
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Thursday, January 23, 2020
It's 2020!
11/5/19 I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens and Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens.
Tulla turned 13 on 11/9! Our dogs are getting old! Bella turns 12 on 2/11. They just had their 6 month vet appointment and the vet didn't say anything was wrong with them. We noticed Tulla has gained weight since changing her food to deal with a minor incontinence problem. We are now feeding her less of that. They both seem to have one or two cysts on their body, but we aren't going to biopsy them or anything at this point. Tulla had one a year or so ago and it turned out to be benign. They both got their teeth cleaned this time, but soon they are probably going to be too old to handle the procedure. Paul and Nathan went to see Arctic Dogs at the movies that day.
We went to a NASCAR race in Phoenix on 11/10. Hamlin won that day. We sat in the stands this time as opposed to on the hill.
I went to the Reid Park Rose Garden and the Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens on 11/14.
I attempted the Hunter Trail at Picacho Trail on 11/16. Paul and Nathan went with me, but they didn't make it very far. They knew I wanted to try and make it to the top so I kept going. I ALMOST made it. I stopped just below the bridge near the top. I decided to turn back because I knew I had a long way down, I was getting tired and my family was waiting for me in the car. The trek down was hard on my knees. I don't have a lot of knee problems, but that was a rough hike. Not sure I will attempt it again, but it would be nice to make it to the top. Maybe I could try the trail on the other side that also goes to the top. It is longer, but not as tough as the Hunter Trail, or so I have heard.
I went to Sabino Canyon with Sandy Kaiser at church on 11/25. We hiked all the way up the tram route and back down. She is older than me, but I had trouble keeping up with her! I got 20k steps that day!
Nathan and I went to my friend Wendi's house for Thanksgiving (11/28). I think Nathan enjoyed playing video games with her son Logan.
I went to the Reid Park Rose Garden and the Reid Park Zoo on 11/30. Then Nathan and I went to see Frozen 2 at the movies. He said it was better than the first one.
I went to Reid Park Zoo on 12/5.
Nathan got his brown belt in Taekwondo on 12/11. He got a certificate, too.
We took Nathan to Air Time on 12/14 to celebrate his birthday. We got him a Minecraft cake since he wanted a Minecraft themed birthday. When we went to pick up his cake at Safeway, he came out of the store carrying Buddy, a HUGE stuffed animal dog. So my baby turned 10 on 12/15. Double digits!
I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens and Green Things Nursery on 12/16.
We checked out a Christmas light display on Devotion St near River and La Cholla on 12/20. They had the lights synced to music.
I went to Winterhaven on 12/21 with Sandy Kaiser and Lisa Wabick from church. My family didn't want to go with me :( That is OK, us short girls had fun.
Christmas was low key with just the 3 of us. Later that day I decided to take a drive. I went through Saguaro National Park. It rained that morning so I saw a full rainbow and got some pictures of it. Then I went to the Desert Museum. I was surprised at how many people were there on Christmas Day!
I went to Catalina State Park on 12/27 to photograph the snow on the mountains.
We decided to go hunting for snow on 12/28. We headed toward Sonoita. We didn't see much snow so we went toward Bisbee. There wasn't much snow there either so we ate lunch there and left. We headed to Ramsey Canyon. There was plenty of snow there! We made a cowboy snowman.
We didn't do much for New Year's Eve. I took some pictures in the desert with a New Year's headband on a cactus. They actually came out pretty decent. We watched the ball drop in New York on TV.
On my birthday (1/2) I decided to go to Sabino Canyon. I hiked some trails I hadn't done before and saw Sabino Dam. Paul and Nathan bought me a birthday cake. Hard to believe I am 45! I think I MAY be getting arthritis and I am going through peri-menopause, but other than that I feel great. I lost weight last year and did a lot more hiking and exercise. Last year I went down from a size 12 to 8. In the last 4 years, I have lost 20 pounds. I want to lose 20 more to get down to a size 4, what I was in college. I think this is going to be harder. January has been flying by and I am not doing that great. My diet and exercise has been intermittent, but I just try to do it when I can.
On 1/4/20, I went to Saguaro National Park East. I had never been to the East one before. It is a one way narrow road that takes you in a loop around the park. It is hillier than the west side. I would like to go back in the Spring to see some flowers blooming and to maybe do some hiking.
We went to Pastor Joiner's funeral on 1/7. Pastor Joiner was diagnosed with cancer about 3 months prior. It spread quickly and he passed away on 12/21. He was my pastor for the last 10+ years. He was my spiritual leader and mentor. I looked up to him more than anyone else. He founded our church over 60 years and pastored it up until he got sick this year. Pastor Joiner dedicated Nathan as a baby and Paul was baptized on his first Father's Day (June 2010) at New Testament Baptist Church. Over 900 people attended the funeral. I will really miss him.
I went to the Desert Museum and drove through Saguaro National Park West on 1/9.
We went to Phoenix to celebrate my birthday on 1/11. It is kind of a tradition to go to Phoenix for my birthday every year so I can get my free pizza at Grimaldi's, go to Portillo's and go to one of the zoos or something there. This time we went to Phoenix Zoo. I made friends with a mandrill.
I went to Nathan's 2nd quarter honors assembly on 1/15. Nathan made honor roll again! Never has he missed making honor roll. I am so proud of him. He got a 96 in History/Geography, 86 in Reading, 99 in Recitation, 95 in Science, 95 in Math, 95 in English/Language, a M (meeting the standard) in Art, M in Music, E (exceeding the standard) in PE and an E in Latin. They have a new Latin teacher this year and Nathan is doing a lot better in that class. Nathan's teacher said that she could tell a difference in Nathan the 2nd quarter. That he seemed happier and was doing better in class. In fact, she told me that he was Chick-Fil-A's student of the month this month for displaying the habit of honor. He gets a free kids at Chick-Fil-A and he got a certificate. Paul told me that he is doing really well at Master Club (Awana) at church, too. They say he is well behaved and like a sponge when it comes to learning the Bible. After Nathan's honors assembly, I went to Christopher Columbus Park and Sweetwater Wetlands. I was looking for the bufflehead duck that was recently seen there, but no luck.
I went to Sabino Canyon on 1/18. This time I walked up the tram route to about stop 6 or 7 (I think there are 9 total) and then walked back down. I got 18k steps that day!
Tulla turned 13 on 11/9! Our dogs are getting old! Bella turns 12 on 2/11. They just had their 6 month vet appointment and the vet didn't say anything was wrong with them. We noticed Tulla has gained weight since changing her food to deal with a minor incontinence problem. We are now feeding her less of that. They both seem to have one or two cysts on their body, but we aren't going to biopsy them or anything at this point. Tulla had one a year or so ago and it turned out to be benign. They both got their teeth cleaned this time, but soon they are probably going to be too old to handle the procedure. Paul and Nathan went to see Arctic Dogs at the movies that day.
We went to a NASCAR race in Phoenix on 11/10. Hamlin won that day. We sat in the stands this time as opposed to on the hill.
I went to the Reid Park Rose Garden and the Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens on 11/14.
I attempted the Hunter Trail at Picacho Trail on 11/16. Paul and Nathan went with me, but they didn't make it very far. They knew I wanted to try and make it to the top so I kept going. I ALMOST made it. I stopped just below the bridge near the top. I decided to turn back because I knew I had a long way down, I was getting tired and my family was waiting for me in the car. The trek down was hard on my knees. I don't have a lot of knee problems, but that was a rough hike. Not sure I will attempt it again, but it would be nice to make it to the top. Maybe I could try the trail on the other side that also goes to the top. It is longer, but not as tough as the Hunter Trail, or so I have heard.
I went to Sabino Canyon with Sandy Kaiser at church on 11/25. We hiked all the way up the tram route and back down. She is older than me, but I had trouble keeping up with her! I got 20k steps that day!
Nathan and I went to my friend Wendi's house for Thanksgiving (11/28). I think Nathan enjoyed playing video games with her son Logan.
I went to the Reid Park Rose Garden and the Reid Park Zoo on 11/30. Then Nathan and I went to see Frozen 2 at the movies. He said it was better than the first one.
I went to Reid Park Zoo on 12/5.
Nathan got his brown belt in Taekwondo on 12/11. He got a certificate, too.
We took Nathan to Air Time on 12/14 to celebrate his birthday. We got him a Minecraft cake since he wanted a Minecraft themed birthday. When we went to pick up his cake at Safeway, he came out of the store carrying Buddy, a HUGE stuffed animal dog. So my baby turned 10 on 12/15. Double digits!
I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens and Green Things Nursery on 12/16.
We checked out a Christmas light display on Devotion St near River and La Cholla on 12/20. They had the lights synced to music.
I went to Winterhaven on 12/21 with Sandy Kaiser and Lisa Wabick from church. My family didn't want to go with me :( That is OK, us short girls had fun.
Christmas was low key with just the 3 of us. Later that day I decided to take a drive. I went through Saguaro National Park. It rained that morning so I saw a full rainbow and got some pictures of it. Then I went to the Desert Museum. I was surprised at how many people were there on Christmas Day!
I went to Catalina State Park on 12/27 to photograph the snow on the mountains.
We decided to go hunting for snow on 12/28. We headed toward Sonoita. We didn't see much snow so we went toward Bisbee. There wasn't much snow there either so we ate lunch there and left. We headed to Ramsey Canyon. There was plenty of snow there! We made a cowboy snowman.
We didn't do much for New Year's Eve. I took some pictures in the desert with a New Year's headband on a cactus. They actually came out pretty decent. We watched the ball drop in New York on TV.
On my birthday (1/2) I decided to go to Sabino Canyon. I hiked some trails I hadn't done before and saw Sabino Dam. Paul and Nathan bought me a birthday cake. Hard to believe I am 45! I think I MAY be getting arthritis and I am going through peri-menopause, but other than that I feel great. I lost weight last year and did a lot more hiking and exercise. Last year I went down from a size 12 to 8. In the last 4 years, I have lost 20 pounds. I want to lose 20 more to get down to a size 4, what I was in college. I think this is going to be harder. January has been flying by and I am not doing that great. My diet and exercise has been intermittent, but I just try to do it when I can.
On 1/4/20, I went to Saguaro National Park East. I had never been to the East one before. It is a one way narrow road that takes you in a loop around the park. It is hillier than the west side. I would like to go back in the Spring to see some flowers blooming and to maybe do some hiking.
We went to Pastor Joiner's funeral on 1/7. Pastor Joiner was diagnosed with cancer about 3 months prior. It spread quickly and he passed away on 12/21. He was my pastor for the last 10+ years. He was my spiritual leader and mentor. I looked up to him more than anyone else. He founded our church over 60 years and pastored it up until he got sick this year. Pastor Joiner dedicated Nathan as a baby and Paul was baptized on his first Father's Day (June 2010) at New Testament Baptist Church. Over 900 people attended the funeral. I will really miss him.
I went to the Desert Museum and drove through Saguaro National Park West on 1/9.
We went to Phoenix to celebrate my birthday on 1/11. It is kind of a tradition to go to Phoenix for my birthday every year so I can get my free pizza at Grimaldi's, go to Portillo's and go to one of the zoos or something there. This time we went to Phoenix Zoo. I made friends with a mandrill.
I went to Nathan's 2nd quarter honors assembly on 1/15. Nathan made honor roll again! Never has he missed making honor roll. I am so proud of him. He got a 96 in History/Geography, 86 in Reading, 99 in Recitation, 95 in Science, 95 in Math, 95 in English/Language, a M (meeting the standard) in Art, M in Music, E (exceeding the standard) in PE and an E in Latin. They have a new Latin teacher this year and Nathan is doing a lot better in that class. Nathan's teacher said that she could tell a difference in Nathan the 2nd quarter. That he seemed happier and was doing better in class. In fact, she told me that he was Chick-Fil-A's student of the month this month for displaying the habit of honor. He gets a free kids at Chick-Fil-A and he got a certificate. Paul told me that he is doing really well at Master Club (Awana) at church, too. They say he is well behaved and like a sponge when it comes to learning the Bible. After Nathan's honors assembly, I went to Christopher Columbus Park and Sweetwater Wetlands. I was looking for the bufflehead duck that was recently seen there, but no luck.
I went to Sabino Canyon on 1/18. This time I walked up the tram route to about stop 6 or 7 (I think there are 9 total) and then walked back down. I got 18k steps that day!
Saturday, November 2, 2019
It's Fall!
On 7/18, I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens and Reid Park Rose Garden.
I went to the Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens on 7/19.
We went to see the Lion King at AMC on 7/21.
Paul went to Baltimore for work 7/29-7/31. Nathan and I went to Meet & Greet at his school on 7/29. We met his teacher and brought in his school supplies.
Nathan started 4th grade on 8/1. His teacher is Ms. Bareis.
I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Green Things Nursery and Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens on 8/2.
I went to Tohono Chul Park on 8/5.
I went to Reid Park Zoo and Reid Park Rose Garden on 8/6.
Nathan started back up with Taekwondo on 8/14. He is going on Wednesdays and Thursdays as usual. So far that is his only after school activity this year.
I went to the Desert Museum on 8/19.
I went to Pima Prickly Park and Maeveen Behan Desert Sanctuary on 8/21.
On 8/26, I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens and Pima Prickly Park.
I went to the Reid Park Rose Garden on 8/29.
We went to see the movie Overcomer on 9/2. It was a great Christian movie.
I went to the Desert Museum on 9/6.
Paul and Nathan attended a mosaic glass making class on 9/7.
I went to Tohono Chul Park and Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens on 9/13.
I went to Reid Park Rose Garden and the Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens on 9/17.
I went to Sweetwater Wetlands on 9/18.
I went to Reid Park Zoo on 9/19.
Paul turned 49 on 9/20. Paul actually wanted to have a lunch date with me at IHOP. We went to dinner at Oregano's.
We tried our hand at painting on 9/21. We attended a painting event at On the Border and painted Sea Turtle Sunrise. I don't think my artistic skills as a photographer carry over to painting, but it was a good first attempt.
I went to the Desert Museum, Saguaro National Park and drove through Picture Rocks on 9/26.
We went to Funtasticks on 9/28. I won at miniature golf, but that isn't saying much since we were all pretty terrible!
I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens 10/1.
Nathan had a field trip to Tubac on 10/3. They were reenacting the Pioneer Days so he dressed up in period clothing.
We went on a road trip for Nathan's Fall Break. We tried to go to some National Parks since we get in free this year with Nathan being in 4th grade. We drove through Lake Mead National Recreation Area on 10/12 on the way to Valley Of Fire State Park. The next day we went to Death Valley National Park. We went to Yosemite National Park on 10/14 and part of 10/15. We stopped by Mono Lake on the way to Lake Tahoe that night. We drove around Lake Tahoe the next day before heading to Fairfield. On 10/17, we went to the Jelly Belly Factory to get a factory tour. Then we headed to San Francisco. We took some pictures of the bridge, the painted ladies, Lombard Street, the cable car and the Wharf. We went to the Japanese Gardens, but it wasn't as nice as I remember it from years ago. We also ate at the Stinking Rose. We went to Monterrey on 10/18. I went to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium which I absolutely loved. It is probably one of the best aquariums I have been to. Then we drove the Pacific Coast Highway. We got to see Bigsby Bridge and the elephant seals. 10/19 we went to Santa Barbara and had lunch on the pier. 10/20 we took the tram in Palm Springs to conclude our vacation.
As soon as we got back from our vacation, Paul left for Dallas for work. Then his flight back got cancelled so he didn't get home until 10/25.
Nathan made honor roll the 1st quarter! He had a 93 average. He had a 94 in History/Geography, 84 in Reading, 100 in Recitation, 92 in Science, 95 in Math and a 93 in English. He had his honors assembly on 10/29.
Nathan dressed up as an Army man for Halloween. I got camouflage outfits for the dogs, too. They had their costume parade at school. Paul took Nathan out trick or treating that night.
I went to the Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens on 7/19.
We went to see the Lion King at AMC on 7/21.
Paul went to Baltimore for work 7/29-7/31. Nathan and I went to Meet & Greet at his school on 7/29. We met his teacher and brought in his school supplies.
Nathan started 4th grade on 8/1. His teacher is Ms. Bareis.
I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Green Things Nursery and Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens on 8/2.
I went to Tohono Chul Park on 8/5.
I went to Reid Park Zoo and Reid Park Rose Garden on 8/6.
Nathan started back up with Taekwondo on 8/14. He is going on Wednesdays and Thursdays as usual. So far that is his only after school activity this year.
I went to the Desert Museum on 8/19.
I went to Pima Prickly Park and Maeveen Behan Desert Sanctuary on 8/21.
On 8/26, I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens and Pima Prickly Park.
I went to the Reid Park Rose Garden on 8/29.
We went to see the movie Overcomer on 9/2. It was a great Christian movie.
I went to the Desert Museum on 9/6.
Paul and Nathan attended a mosaic glass making class on 9/7.
I went to Tohono Chul Park and Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens on 9/13.
I went to Reid Park Rose Garden and the Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens on 9/17.
I went to Sweetwater Wetlands on 9/18.
I went to Reid Park Zoo on 9/19.
Paul turned 49 on 9/20. Paul actually wanted to have a lunch date with me at IHOP. We went to dinner at Oregano's.
We tried our hand at painting on 9/21. We attended a painting event at On the Border and painted Sea Turtle Sunrise. I don't think my artistic skills as a photographer carry over to painting, but it was a good first attempt.
I went to the Desert Museum, Saguaro National Park and drove through Picture Rocks on 9/26.
We went to Funtasticks on 9/28. I won at miniature golf, but that isn't saying much since we were all pretty terrible!
I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens 10/1.
Nathan had a field trip to Tubac on 10/3. They were reenacting the Pioneer Days so he dressed up in period clothing.
We went on a road trip for Nathan's Fall Break. We tried to go to some National Parks since we get in free this year with Nathan being in 4th grade. We drove through Lake Mead National Recreation Area on 10/12 on the way to Valley Of Fire State Park. The next day we went to Death Valley National Park. We went to Yosemite National Park on 10/14 and part of 10/15. We stopped by Mono Lake on the way to Lake Tahoe that night. We drove around Lake Tahoe the next day before heading to Fairfield. On 10/17, we went to the Jelly Belly Factory to get a factory tour. Then we headed to San Francisco. We took some pictures of the bridge, the painted ladies, Lombard Street, the cable car and the Wharf. We went to the Japanese Gardens, but it wasn't as nice as I remember it from years ago. We also ate at the Stinking Rose. We went to Monterrey on 10/18. I went to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium which I absolutely loved. It is probably one of the best aquariums I have been to. Then we drove the Pacific Coast Highway. We got to see Bigsby Bridge and the elephant seals. 10/19 we went to Santa Barbara and had lunch on the pier. 10/20 we took the tram in Palm Springs to conclude our vacation.
As soon as we got back from our vacation, Paul left for Dallas for work. Then his flight back got cancelled so he didn't get home until 10/25.
Nathan made honor roll the 1st quarter! He had a 93 average. He had a 94 in History/Geography, 84 in Reading, 100 in Recitation, 92 in Science, 95 in Math and a 93 in English. He had his honors assembly on 10/29.
Nathan dressed up as an Army man for Halloween. I got camouflage outfits for the dogs, too. They had their costume parade at school. Paul took Nathan out trick or treating that night.
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Summer is Flying!
4/4/19 - I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens and Pima Prickly Park
4/8/19 - I went to Reid Park Rose Garden, Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens and Pima Prickly Park
Nathan did Lego Club on Mondays 4/8/19-5/20/19
4/9/19 - I went to Tohono Chul Park and Bach's Cactus Nursery
4/11/19 - I went to the Desert Museum and Pima Prickly Park
4/12/19 - I went to Reid Park Rose Garden, Tucson Botanical Gardens, Green Things Nursery and Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens
4/13/19 - Paul and Nathan went to the 8th annual great paper airplane fly-off at the Pima Air & Space Museum
4/14/19 - Nathan took pictures with the Easter Bunny
4/15/19 - I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens and Pima Prickly Park
4/17/19 - I went to Reid Park Rose Garden, Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens and Pima Prickly Park
4/19/19 - I went to Tohono Chul Park
4/21/19 - Easter. Nathan got the Minecraft Endodragon stuffed animal, San Francisco Lego set, a couple of books, a sketch pad and candy. Nathan made me a cool card!
4/22/19 - I went to the Desert Museum
4/23/19 - I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens and Pima Prickly Park
4/25/19 - I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens and Pima Prickly Park
4/27/19 - We went to see Avengers End Game at the movies. They killed Iron Man :(
4/30/19 - I went to Maeveen Behan Desert Sanctuary
5/1/19 - Nathan went on a school field trip to hear the TSO
5/2/19 I went to the Desert Museum
5/4/19 May the Fourth be with you!
5/6/19 - I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Green Things Nursery, Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens, Pima Prickly Park and Bach's Cactus Nursery
5/8/19 - I went to the Reid Park Rose Garden
5/9/19 - I went to the Desert Museum
5/10/19 - I went to Tohono Chul Park, DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, Tucson Botanical Garden and Reid Park Rose Garden
5/11/19 - We went to Chiricahua National Monument.
5/12/19 - For Mother's Day, Nathan made me firework art and Paul got me a massage gift certificate to L Spa. He cooked Greek chicken and potatoes and made homemade salsa for chips and salsa.
5/14/19 - Nathan had his 3rd grade music showcase
5/16/19 - I went to Tohono Chul Park, Tucson Botanical Garden and Reid Park Rose Garden
5/17/19 - I went to the Desert Museum and Saguaro National Park
5/21/19 - I went to Reid Park Zoo and Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens
5/23/19 - Nathan's last day of school. He is officially a 4th grader now! He made honor roll again for the quarter. He has always made honor roll. He doesn't like school very much these days, though. He does like summer school, which he starts soon. He won a reading award this year, too. He read the most books in his class. He also got Es (exceeding the standard) in PE and Music.
5/24/19-6/2/19 We went to Alaska! We went on a cruise in Seward and saw a lot of wildlife, but it was raining. Nathan and I fed puffins in Seward. We took a dog sled ride (not in snow), got to hold some of the puppies and interacted with their husky Georgia who took a liking to me. It rained that day, too. We walked with and petted reindeer, including young ones. We went gold panning. We met Santa at the north pole. We spent a couple of rain-free days at Denali National Park so we got to see Denali mountain out of the clouds. The last day I did a glacier wildlife cruise out of Valdez while the boys drove around looking for bears. I got to see sea otters, seals/sea lions, mountain goats, orcas, puffins and even a bald eagle sitting on a big iceberg. We've seen moose, mountain goats, caribou, eagles, seals/sea lions, etc... together on this trip. I could have done without so much rain, but still a wonderful trip.
Nathan started summer school on 6/3/19! They had to cancel STEAM kids so we put him in Minecraft for the first session.
6/12/19 - Proud of my little man! We just got his AzMERIT results. He is at the highest level for both ELA (English Language Arts) and Math. He is level 4, 2553 out of 2605 for ELA and level 4, 3588 out of 3605 for Math. The school did better than the district and the state in both areas and Nathan exceeded the school average in both areas!
6/12/19 - I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens and Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens.
I decided to help Sue Lamberson with crafts at VBS this year. I convinced Nathan to go to VBS, too. We will be going 6/12/19-7/24/19.
6/14/19 - We went to see the Secret Lives of Pets 2 at the movies. It was at least better than the first one!
6/15/19 - We went to Vivace to celebrate Father's Day
6/19/19 - I went to Tohono Chul Park
6/21/19 - I went to the Desert Museum
6/22/19 - Paul and Nathan went to see a Dog's Journey at the movies
6/24/19 - I went to the Reid Park Rose Garden, New Testament Baptist Church to photograph the barn swallows, Green Things Nursery and Lowes to photograph the flowers
6/29/19 - We went up to Mt Lemmon to see the ladybugs. They were everywhere up by the ski lift! We ate lunch at Iron Door.
7/2/19 - I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens
7/4/19 - The boys went to San Diego Air & Space Museum while I walked around Balboa Park. Then we went and ate in the Gas Lamp Quarter and walked by Seaport Village. Then we did our picnic lunch at the Maritime Museum on one of the boats. We could have watched the fireworks from there, but we walked to the end of the pier and watched from there. The next day we went to the beach on Coronado. We first went to the dog beach, but when one of the dogs peed on Nathan's sand creation we moved further down the beach where dogs aren't allowed! The next day the boys went back to the beach by Hotel del Coronado while I went to San Diego Zoo. Nathan found 5 sand dollars! Our last day we went to church at Shadow Mountain Community Church to hear Dr David Jeremiah preach.
7/13/19 - We went peach picking at Apple Annie's
4/8/19 - I went to Reid Park Rose Garden, Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens and Pima Prickly Park
Nathan did Lego Club on Mondays 4/8/19-5/20/19
4/9/19 - I went to Tohono Chul Park and Bach's Cactus Nursery
4/11/19 - I went to the Desert Museum and Pima Prickly Park
4/12/19 - I went to Reid Park Rose Garden, Tucson Botanical Gardens, Green Things Nursery and Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens
4/13/19 - Paul and Nathan went to the 8th annual great paper airplane fly-off at the Pima Air & Space Museum
4/14/19 - Nathan took pictures with the Easter Bunny
4/15/19 - I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens and Pima Prickly Park
4/17/19 - I went to Reid Park Rose Garden, Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens and Pima Prickly Park
4/19/19 - I went to Tohono Chul Park
4/21/19 - Easter. Nathan got the Minecraft Endodragon stuffed animal, San Francisco Lego set, a couple of books, a sketch pad and candy. Nathan made me a cool card!
4/22/19 - I went to the Desert Museum
4/23/19 - I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens and Pima Prickly Park
4/25/19 - I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens and Pima Prickly Park
4/27/19 - We went to see Avengers End Game at the movies. They killed Iron Man :(
4/30/19 - I went to Maeveen Behan Desert Sanctuary
5/1/19 - Nathan went on a school field trip to hear the TSO
5/2/19 I went to the Desert Museum
5/4/19 May the Fourth be with you!
5/6/19 - I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Green Things Nursery, Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens, Pima Prickly Park and Bach's Cactus Nursery
5/8/19 - I went to the Reid Park Rose Garden
5/9/19 - I went to the Desert Museum
5/10/19 - I went to Tohono Chul Park, DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, Tucson Botanical Garden and Reid Park Rose Garden
5/11/19 - We went to Chiricahua National Monument.
5/12/19 - For Mother's Day, Nathan made me firework art and Paul got me a massage gift certificate to L Spa. He cooked Greek chicken and potatoes and made homemade salsa for chips and salsa.
5/14/19 - Nathan had his 3rd grade music showcase
5/16/19 - I went to Tohono Chul Park, Tucson Botanical Garden and Reid Park Rose Garden
5/17/19 - I went to the Desert Museum and Saguaro National Park
5/21/19 - I went to Reid Park Zoo and Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens
5/23/19 - Nathan's last day of school. He is officially a 4th grader now! He made honor roll again for the quarter. He has always made honor roll. He doesn't like school very much these days, though. He does like summer school, which he starts soon. He won a reading award this year, too. He read the most books in his class. He also got Es (exceeding the standard) in PE and Music.
5/24/19-6/2/19 We went to Alaska! We went on a cruise in Seward and saw a lot of wildlife, but it was raining. Nathan and I fed puffins in Seward. We took a dog sled ride (not in snow), got to hold some of the puppies and interacted with their husky Georgia who took a liking to me. It rained that day, too. We walked with and petted reindeer, including young ones. We went gold panning. We met Santa at the north pole. We spent a couple of rain-free days at Denali National Park so we got to see Denali mountain out of the clouds. The last day I did a glacier wildlife cruise out of Valdez while the boys drove around looking for bears. I got to see sea otters, seals/sea lions, mountain goats, orcas, puffins and even a bald eagle sitting on a big iceberg. We've seen moose, mountain goats, caribou, eagles, seals/sea lions, etc... together on this trip. I could have done without so much rain, but still a wonderful trip.
Nathan started summer school on 6/3/19! They had to cancel STEAM kids so we put him in Minecraft for the first session.
6/12/19 - Proud of my little man! We just got his AzMERIT results. He is at the highest level for both ELA (English Language Arts) and Math. He is level 4, 2553 out of 2605 for ELA and level 4, 3588 out of 3605 for Math. The school did better than the district and the state in both areas and Nathan exceeded the school average in both areas!
6/12/19 - I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens and Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens.
I decided to help Sue Lamberson with crafts at VBS this year. I convinced Nathan to go to VBS, too. We will be going 6/12/19-7/24/19.
6/14/19 - We went to see the Secret Lives of Pets 2 at the movies. It was at least better than the first one!
6/15/19 - We went to Vivace to celebrate Father's Day
6/19/19 - I went to Tohono Chul Park
6/21/19 - I went to the Desert Museum
6/22/19 - Paul and Nathan went to see a Dog's Journey at the movies
6/24/19 - I went to the Reid Park Rose Garden, New Testament Baptist Church to photograph the barn swallows, Green Things Nursery and Lowes to photograph the flowers
6/29/19 - We went up to Mt Lemmon to see the ladybugs. They were everywhere up by the ski lift! We ate lunch at Iron Door.
7/2/19 - I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens
7/4/19 - The boys went to San Diego Air & Space Museum while I walked around Balboa Park. Then we went and ate in the Gas Lamp Quarter and walked by Seaport Village. Then we did our picnic lunch at the Maritime Museum on one of the boats. We could have watched the fireworks from there, but we walked to the end of the pier and watched from there. The next day we went to the beach on Coronado. We first went to the dog beach, but when one of the dogs peed on Nathan's sand creation we moved further down the beach where dogs aren't allowed! The next day the boys went back to the beach by Hotel del Coronado while I went to San Diego Zoo. Nathan found 5 sand dollars! Our last day we went to church at Shadow Mountain Community Church to hear Dr David Jeremiah preach.
7/13/19 - We went peach picking at Apple Annie's
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
It's April already!
We left for New Mexico on 3/15. We went to Round Mountain Rockhound Area. I thought we were going to ruin our car going on that long rocky road! The next day we went to White Sands National Monument. We weren't sure we were going to make it. It was snowing when we left the hotel that morning! On the way there, we had snow, sleet and rain. As we got closer, the highway was at a standstill probably because of an accident. We decided to turn around and take another route. We finally arrived and the precipitation stopped just in time for us to enjoy a couple of hours there. It was cold and overcast, but it was very cool to see the white sand. The next day we went to Rockhound State Park to once again hunt for rocks. Paul and Nathan are really into rock collecting these days. From there we drove to Safford, AZ. We stayed in Safford that night and ate at a restaurant where they had corned beef and cabbage for me for St Patty's Day! The next day we went to the Gila Box Riparian National Conversation Area. Then we went to the Black Hills Rockhound Area to once again look for rocks (fire agate).Then we decided to make a stop at Roper Lake State Park. The next day we drove around Roosevelt Lake. That night we were supposed to all go to a Dodgers vs Indians spring training game. I opted out so the boys went. The next day they decided to do another Dodgers game during the day while I went to Wildlife World Zoo. That night we went to a Cubs vs Dodgers game where they tied. On our last day of spring break, 3/21, the boys went to Legoland in Tempe and I went to the Phoenix Zoo.
We went to the Thunderbirds Air Show in Tucson on 3/23.
Nathan had his Radiant Royals lunch with the art teacher on 3/25 for being an outstanding art student in the previous quarter. That day I went to Tohono Chul Park, Tucson Botanical Gardens and Green Things Nursery.
Paul did a quick trip to Chicago for work 3/26-3/27.
Nathan had his Awards Ceremony on 3/28 for making honor roll in the 3rd quarter. He got an 89 in History/Geography, 90 in Reading, 96 in Recitation, 96 in Science, 96 in Math, 90 in English, M for Art, E for P/E. M for Music and M for Latin. After his ceremony, I went to the Desert Museum.
On 3/29, I went to Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens and Bach's Cactus Nursery.
We went to see Paw Patrol Live in Phoenix on 3/30. Nathan is getting a little old for Paw Patrol, but he still enjoyed the show. We ate lunch at Grimaldi's and dinner at Portillo's!
New Testament Baptist Church celebrated its 60th anniversary on 3/31. It was also Pastor Joiner's 60th anniversary as pastor because he started the church 60 years ago! They researched on the internet and could not find a record of anyone who has pastored a church that long! They had a big celebration planned and invited all past members to church that day. It was a packed house. It was supposed to be a 2 hour event, but ended up being closer to 3 hours. Paul and Nathan went with me even though they are going to Sun & Shield Baptist Church now.
Nathan was supposed to start a new Lego Club (Jedi Engineering with Legos) at Leman on 4/1. I guess the April Fool's joke was that they decided to postpone it a week. So he will be doing Lego Club Mondays 4/8-5/20. This is the last week of brain stem. On April Fools, I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Reid Park Rose Garden (they just opened up again, but not much was in bloom yet) and Reid Park Zoo.
We signed Nathan up for the FLIGHT program at Casas Christian School this summer. Session 1 starts 6/3 where he will be taking Knex Bridge Building, Everything that flies and glides, Robotics and STEAM kids. Session 2 starts on 6/17 where he will be taking Basketball Skills, Forensic Frenzy, Dynamic Earth and Minecraft. Then Session 3 starts on 7/8 where he will be taking Archery, Craft Craze, FLIGHT Champions and Passport to Adventure. FLIGHT ends on 7/19 so he will have a couple of weeks off until he starts 4th grade on 8/1!
We went to the Thunderbirds Air Show in Tucson on 3/23.
Nathan had his Radiant Royals lunch with the art teacher on 3/25 for being an outstanding art student in the previous quarter. That day I went to Tohono Chul Park, Tucson Botanical Gardens and Green Things Nursery.
Paul did a quick trip to Chicago for work 3/26-3/27.
Nathan had his Awards Ceremony on 3/28 for making honor roll in the 3rd quarter. He got an 89 in History/Geography, 90 in Reading, 96 in Recitation, 96 in Science, 96 in Math, 90 in English, M for Art, E for P/E. M for Music and M for Latin. After his ceremony, I went to the Desert Museum.
On 3/29, I went to Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens and Bach's Cactus Nursery.
We went to see Paw Patrol Live in Phoenix on 3/30. Nathan is getting a little old for Paw Patrol, but he still enjoyed the show. We ate lunch at Grimaldi's and dinner at Portillo's!
New Testament Baptist Church celebrated its 60th anniversary on 3/31. It was also Pastor Joiner's 60th anniversary as pastor because he started the church 60 years ago! They researched on the internet and could not find a record of anyone who has pastored a church that long! They had a big celebration planned and invited all past members to church that day. It was a packed house. It was supposed to be a 2 hour event, but ended up being closer to 3 hours. Paul and Nathan went with me even though they are going to Sun & Shield Baptist Church now.
Nathan was supposed to start a new Lego Club (Jedi Engineering with Legos) at Leman on 4/1. I guess the April Fool's joke was that they decided to postpone it a week. So he will be doing Lego Club Mondays 4/8-5/20. This is the last week of brain stem. On April Fools, I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Reid Park Rose Garden (they just opened up again, but not much was in bloom yet) and Reid Park Zoo.
We signed Nathan up for the FLIGHT program at Casas Christian School this summer. Session 1 starts 6/3 where he will be taking Knex Bridge Building, Everything that flies and glides, Robotics and STEAM kids. Session 2 starts on 6/17 where he will be taking Basketball Skills, Forensic Frenzy, Dynamic Earth and Minecraft. Then Session 3 starts on 7/8 where he will be taking Archery, Craft Craze, FLIGHT Champions and Passport to Adventure. FLIGHT ends on 7/19 so he will have a couple of weeks off until he starts 4th grade on 8/1!
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Spring has Sprung!
On New Years Day, we got snow in Tucson. I went to Sabino Canyon to photograph the snow on the mountains and the valley floor. The trams were not operating at the time so I ended up hiking all of the way up and back down. It was a great day, though, because it was very beautiful.
I turned 44 on 1/2. On 1/5, we went to Phoenix to celebrate my birthday. We ate lunch at Grimaldi's. Then Paul and Nathan went to Legoland in Tempe and I went next door to Sea Life Aquarium. Then I went to Butterfly Wonderland. We finished the day with dinner at Portillo's.
Nathan had his annual vision exam on 1/8. Dr Barry left the practice so we saw the new person at Envision Eyecare. He said Nathan's eyes look really good. In fact, he said since Nathan isn't having any problems with his eyes or vision, that he doesn't really need to wear his glasses that he got last year.
I went to Sweetwater Wetlands and Tohono Chul Park on 1/9.
The next day I went to the Desert Museum and to Christopher Columbus Park.
I went to Tohono Chul Park on 1/11. I also got an email from Nathan's Art teacher, Nichole Perry. "Good evening! I just wanted to send a quick note home to let you know that Nathan has been doing well in art class. He demonstrates excellence by being ready for class quickly and by being respectful. Nathan is invited to join me for the Radiant Royals Lunch that will be held at the beginning of next quarter. I will add the dates and time for the lunch into my newsletter when we are a little closer to the end of this quarter. The purpose of this email and the lunch is to highlight the positive character attributes seen in my class by the scholars and to encourage them to continue doing the right thing. I am proud of him and enjoy having him in class!"
Nathan had his honors day assembly on 1/16. He made honor roll. He just missed making high honors. He got a 97 in History/Geography, 91 in Reading, 96 in Recitation, 96 in Science, 97 in Math, 94 in English, M for Art, M for Music, M for P/E and M for Latin.
On 1/18, I went to Reid Park Zoo and the Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens.
We went to Whitewater Draw to see the sandhill cranes on 1/26. Afterward, we had lunch/dinner in Tombstone.
Nathan had his annual pediatrician appointment on 1/29. He weighed 56 lbs which is only 1 pound more than what he was last year. He was 52.5 inches and last year he was 50 3/4 inches. He is only in the 20th weight percentile, but she is not concerned about it at this point. Even his height percentile has gone down to 45%. At one point he was in the 69th height percentile (4 years ago). I hope that doesn't mean he is going to be short like me! Everything else checked out good. Muscles seem stronger this time around, no more major stomach problems and no more cysts on his head.
Nathan got his purple belt in Taekwondo on 1/31.
Nathan started Brain Stem Club again at school on 2/1. He meets on Fridays until 4/5.
On 2/2, we went to the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show at Kino Stadium.
I went to the Desert Museum and then to photograph the wildflowers on Tangerine Rd on 2/8.
On 2/10, I went to the Asian Lantern Festival at Reid Park Zoo after church that night.
Bella celebrated her golden birthday on 2/11!
I went to photograph the wildflowers again on Tangerine Rd and at Picacho Peak State Park on 2/12. Nathan also graduated speech therapy that day!
Valentine's Day was depressing because Paul didn't get me anything, not even a card.
We went to the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show at the convention center on 2/16.
We went to lunch at Wild Garlic Grill to celebrate our 16th anniversary on 2/17.
On 2/19, I went to Catalina State Park to photograph the snow on the mountains.
For Rodeo Days, we went to California. We drove there on 2/20 and stayed at the Castle Legoland Hotel for a couple of days. On 2/21, we went to Legoland and Sea Life Aquarium next door. Nathan liked the hotel. He had his own little area in our hotel room with bunk beds, his own tv and Legos to play with. The next day, we went back to Legoland in the morning so Nathan could do the Lego robotics. Then we drove to La Jolla to see the seals and sea lions. There were tons of them there, including a lot of babies. That night we stayed at the Hilton in San Diego. On 2/23, I went to San Diego Botanic Gardens while the boys went digging for gems. The next day we drove back home, stopping at Anza-Borrego State Park to see the wildflowers.
I went to Picacho Peak State Park again on 3/1 to see the poppies and other wildflowers. This year was a super bloom in the southwest so the flowers were amazing.
We went to Peridot Mesa to see the poppies there on 3/2. We also drove around San Carlos Lake to see the Coolidge Dam.
On 3/6, I went to see a person's yard between Grant and Ft Lowell by Tucson Blvd. The whole yard was filled with African Daisies. Then I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens (tulips, daffodils, irises), Green Things nursery and to Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens.
So I have worked hard since the 2nd week of January to lose weight. I have been doing 10k steps/day and haven't missed a day. I have been trying to eat better, too. I finally weighed myself on 3/9. I was 147. At my highest on 1/5/16, I was 161. So I have lost 14 pounds! I still have a long way to go. I want to get down to about 120 lbs which means I have at least 27 more lbs to go. I am excited, though, because I can already tell a difference in my clothes. I have gone down 1-2 sizes in my jeans.
We took the 2.5 hour drive to see the wildflowers at Bartlett Lake on 3/9. They had white, pink, yellow and orange poppies! We also got to eat at Portillo's on the way back!
This Friday, 3/15, starts Nathan's spring break. We are driving to New Mexico for a few days and then we are going to make our way to Phoenix to go to some spring training games.
The end of May/beginning of June we are going to Alaska!
I turned 44 on 1/2. On 1/5, we went to Phoenix to celebrate my birthday. We ate lunch at Grimaldi's. Then Paul and Nathan went to Legoland in Tempe and I went next door to Sea Life Aquarium. Then I went to Butterfly Wonderland. We finished the day with dinner at Portillo's.
Nathan had his annual vision exam on 1/8. Dr Barry left the practice so we saw the new person at Envision Eyecare. He said Nathan's eyes look really good. In fact, he said since Nathan isn't having any problems with his eyes or vision, that he doesn't really need to wear his glasses that he got last year.
I went to Sweetwater Wetlands and Tohono Chul Park on 1/9.
The next day I went to the Desert Museum and to Christopher Columbus Park.
I went to Tohono Chul Park on 1/11. I also got an email from Nathan's Art teacher, Nichole Perry. "Good evening! I just wanted to send a quick note home to let you know that Nathan has been doing well in art class. He demonstrates excellence by being ready for class quickly and by being respectful. Nathan is invited to join me for the Radiant Royals Lunch that will be held at the beginning of next quarter. I will add the dates and time for the lunch into my newsletter when we are a little closer to the end of this quarter. The purpose of this email and the lunch is to highlight the positive character attributes seen in my class by the scholars and to encourage them to continue doing the right thing. I am proud of him and enjoy having him in class!"
Nathan had his honors day assembly on 1/16. He made honor roll. He just missed making high honors. He got a 97 in History/Geography, 91 in Reading, 96 in Recitation, 96 in Science, 97 in Math, 94 in English, M for Art, M for Music, M for P/E and M for Latin.
On 1/18, I went to Reid Park Zoo and the Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens.
We went to Whitewater Draw to see the sandhill cranes on 1/26. Afterward, we had lunch/dinner in Tombstone.
Nathan had his annual pediatrician appointment on 1/29. He weighed 56 lbs which is only 1 pound more than what he was last year. He was 52.5 inches and last year he was 50 3/4 inches. He is only in the 20th weight percentile, but she is not concerned about it at this point. Even his height percentile has gone down to 45%. At one point he was in the 69th height percentile (4 years ago). I hope that doesn't mean he is going to be short like me! Everything else checked out good. Muscles seem stronger this time around, no more major stomach problems and no more cysts on his head.
Nathan got his purple belt in Taekwondo on 1/31.
Nathan started Brain Stem Club again at school on 2/1. He meets on Fridays until 4/5.
On 2/2, we went to the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show at Kino Stadium.
I went to the Desert Museum and then to photograph the wildflowers on Tangerine Rd on 2/8.
On 2/10, I went to the Asian Lantern Festival at Reid Park Zoo after church that night.
Bella celebrated her golden birthday on 2/11!
I went to photograph the wildflowers again on Tangerine Rd and at Picacho Peak State Park on 2/12. Nathan also graduated speech therapy that day!
Valentine's Day was depressing because Paul didn't get me anything, not even a card.
We went to the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show at the convention center on 2/16.
We went to lunch at Wild Garlic Grill to celebrate our 16th anniversary on 2/17.
On 2/19, I went to Catalina State Park to photograph the snow on the mountains.
For Rodeo Days, we went to California. We drove there on 2/20 and stayed at the Castle Legoland Hotel for a couple of days. On 2/21, we went to Legoland and Sea Life Aquarium next door. Nathan liked the hotel. He had his own little area in our hotel room with bunk beds, his own tv and Legos to play with. The next day, we went back to Legoland in the morning so Nathan could do the Lego robotics. Then we drove to La Jolla to see the seals and sea lions. There were tons of them there, including a lot of babies. That night we stayed at the Hilton in San Diego. On 2/23, I went to San Diego Botanic Gardens while the boys went digging for gems. The next day we drove back home, stopping at Anza-Borrego State Park to see the wildflowers.
I went to Picacho Peak State Park again on 3/1 to see the poppies and other wildflowers. This year was a super bloom in the southwest so the flowers were amazing.
We went to Peridot Mesa to see the poppies there on 3/2. We also drove around San Carlos Lake to see the Coolidge Dam.
On 3/6, I went to see a person's yard between Grant and Ft Lowell by Tucson Blvd. The whole yard was filled with African Daisies. Then I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens (tulips, daffodils, irises), Green Things nursery and to Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens.
So I have worked hard since the 2nd week of January to lose weight. I have been doing 10k steps/day and haven't missed a day. I have been trying to eat better, too. I finally weighed myself on 3/9. I was 147. At my highest on 1/5/16, I was 161. So I have lost 14 pounds! I still have a long way to go. I want to get down to about 120 lbs which means I have at least 27 more lbs to go. I am excited, though, because I can already tell a difference in my clothes. I have gone down 1-2 sizes in my jeans.
We took the 2.5 hour drive to see the wildflowers at Bartlett Lake on 3/9. They had white, pink, yellow and orange poppies! We also got to eat at Portillo's on the way back!
This Friday, 3/15, starts Nathan's spring break. We are driving to New Mexico for a few days and then we are going to make our way to Phoenix to go to some spring training games.
The end of May/beginning of June we are going to Alaska!
Friday, December 28, 2018
Another Christmas on the books!
Paul and Nathan went to the Cops and Rodders car show on 11/3/18 where Nathan participated in the pinewood derby again.
I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens and the Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens on 11/8.
Nathan had a field trip on 11/9 to the Asarco Mine. I went back to Pima County Cooperative Extension Garden to see the monarch caterpillars and also to Green Things Nursery for my first visit.
On Veteran's Day (11/12), Paul took Nathan to Legoland in Tempe, AZ.
I went to Reid Park and the Reid Park Rose Gardens on 11/13.
Nathan got his picture with Santa on 11/17. Nathan made his Christmas list: XBox 360 console, XBox 360 games, Legos, Nintendo Switch games, candy, Pokemon EX, GX and Break cards, Pokemon Pikachu stuffed animal, etc...
Thanksgiving (11/22) was low key as usual. Just the 3 of us at home.
We went to Madera Canyon on 11/23. Not many hummingbirds this trip. We did see some turkeys that made it through the Thanksgiving holiday, though!
We went to the U of A vs ASU football game on 11/24. U of A was winning most of the game and then lost it at the end 40-41.
Paul took a vacation day on 11/27 so he and I had a rare day without Nathan and we chose to go to the Desert Museum.
I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, back to Green Things Nursery and to the Pima County Cooperative Gardens on 11/29.
I went to Tohono Chul Park on 12/10.
I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens and Tohono Chul Park on 12/11.
I went to Reid Park Zoo on 12/13.
12/14, Nathan celebrated his birthday at school. I brought in Pokemon favor bags. His teacher thought I should go up to see a drawing that he did on the American Revolution. She said it was really good, frame worthy. She said normally she wants them to color them in, but his was too good with just the drawing. I took a picture of it and I have to agree that he is really talented.
Nathan turned 9 on 12/15! His birthday theme this year was Pokemon. He wanted to go to Peter Piper Pizza for his birthday. Mommy beat him at air hockey and his car racing game, though! LOL
His birthday questionnaire:
1) Favorite Color - Green/Teal/Aqua
12/21 was National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. They also dressed up the day before in their ugly Christmas sweaters at school. I bought Nathan a cool sweatshirt one that says Dachshund through the snow with a picture of a Dachshund. We also went to Winterhaven on 12/21 to see the Christmas lights. Nathan is the only kid who doesn't like to see Christmas lights :( Paul and I enjoyed it, though.
Paul got the flu right before Christmas that lasted for days. Nathan also had a cold with a cough and a cold sore on his lip. I was the only healthy one which was a first. Nathan opened up all of his gifts on Christmas morning. He didn't get his XBox, but that is because he just got his Nintendo Switch earlier in the year. He did get new games for his Nintendo Switch, though, including an Arcade Pac, Pokemon Lets Go Pikachu, Minecraft (not the story mode) and Mario Kingdom Battle. He got books, drawing paper, cars, Lego sets, a remote control piranha, etc... I got Paul (and Nathan) the Apollo Shuttle Lego set, a large print Bible, a stuck together cactus ornament, a hand painted ornament with an ocotillo, etc... He and Nathan made me a wall hanging saying I love you more with the love being a heart full of shells. They made handmade wall hangings for his teacher, Grandma June and GG this year, too.
Nathan finished the 2nd quarter on honor roll. He was SO close to high honor roll. His average was 95.17 and he needed 95.5 or higher for high honors. His cumulative GPA for the semester was 94.17. 97 in History/Geography, 91 in Reading, 96 in Recitation, M for Art, M for P.E., M for Music, 96 for Science, 97 for Math, M for Latin and 94 for English.
It's almost time for New Years Resolutions so I looked at last years:
1) Lose weight. I need to lose 30-40 lbs. Cook more at home. Try new recipes. Walk 5k-10k steps/day. Do the elliptical every day. Walk Tulla when it is nice out. Drink less Starbucks. Drink more water. Eat only one piece of chocolate/day.
2) Start scrapbooking. Scan/take photos of momentos. Scan great-grandparents' birth certificates. Start with Nathan's baby book.
3) Work on clutter. Go through papers in office. Get bookshelves for scrapbook room and organize that room, including going through the travel papers. Get quilt made from Nathan's baby clothes. Get custom bookcase in Nathan's room.
4) Clean e-mail
5) Spend more time with Nathan
6) Go to Chicago for GG's 100th birthday
7) Find a new doctor. Get a skin cancer test. Go to a vein specialist for my leg. Get shoulder checked out. Improve cholesterol and triglycerides.
8) Go through pictures. Sell pictures. Get pictures on walls.
9) Get new furniture. Patio set, kitchen set, entertainment center and coffee table. Refurbish hope chest from great-grandparents. Epoxy garage floor.
10) teach Nathan to swim, ride bike and tie shoes.
11) Give personalized Christmas gifts next year. Photo books? Get an outdoor nativity.
12) volunteer
13) Spend less time on computer. This is a tricky one, though, if I am going to be working on pictures and e-mail.
14) Read the Bible & pray every day
15) Relax more!
16) Do not complain on Facebook
17) Go to bed by 10
Well, as usual I did not accomplish many of my resolutions. I did just get bookshelves for my scrapbook room and for Nathan's room. I didn't do a custom bookcase in his room like I wanted, but at least for now I bought two small bookcases for his books. I went through a lot of his toys and stuff in his room and got him to agree to donate a lot to our church. Oh, and Paul is now going to a new church. He decided he wanted to go to a church closer to where we live. He is going to Sun & Shield Baptist Church. Nathan and I still like New Testament Baptist Church so for now we are going there. I have actually made an effort to try and get to know the members better and feel even more of a pull to stay. Anyway, back to the resolutions. We did go to Chicago for GG's for her 100th birthday. I got my shoulder checked out. It was frozen shoulder and an inflamed rotator cuff. After getting a cortisone shot and doing 3 months of physical therapy, it is finally feeling a lot better. I can't say I have accomplished more than that from last year's resolutions. I would like to say I will try again this year, but let's be realistic. That is a lot to accomplish in one year. I think I am going to start with one thing at a time. The first thing on last year's list was to lose weight. That is going to be my main focus this year. If I can accomplish that, I will move on to my other resolutions.
I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens and the Pima County Cooperative Extension Gardens on 11/8.
Nathan had a field trip on 11/9 to the Asarco Mine. I went back to Pima County Cooperative Extension Garden to see the monarch caterpillars and also to Green Things Nursery for my first visit.
On Veteran's Day (11/12), Paul took Nathan to Legoland in Tempe, AZ.
I went to Reid Park and the Reid Park Rose Gardens on 11/13.
Nathan got his picture with Santa on 11/17. Nathan made his Christmas list: XBox 360 console, XBox 360 games, Legos, Nintendo Switch games, candy, Pokemon EX, GX and Break cards, Pokemon Pikachu stuffed animal, etc...
Thanksgiving (11/22) was low key as usual. Just the 3 of us at home.
We went to Madera Canyon on 11/23. Not many hummingbirds this trip. We did see some turkeys that made it through the Thanksgiving holiday, though!
We went to the U of A vs ASU football game on 11/24. U of A was winning most of the game and then lost it at the end 40-41.
Paul took a vacation day on 11/27 so he and I had a rare day without Nathan and we chose to go to the Desert Museum.
I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, back to Green Things Nursery and to the Pima County Cooperative Gardens on 11/29.
I went to Tohono Chul Park on 12/10.
I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens and Tohono Chul Park on 12/11.
I went to Reid Park Zoo on 12/13.
12/14, Nathan celebrated his birthday at school. I brought in Pokemon favor bags. His teacher thought I should go up to see a drawing that he did on the American Revolution. She said it was really good, frame worthy. She said normally she wants them to color them in, but his was too good with just the drawing. I took a picture of it and I have to agree that he is really talented.
Nathan turned 9 on 12/15! His birthday theme this year was Pokemon. He wanted to go to Peter Piper Pizza for his birthday. Mommy beat him at air hockey and his car racing game, though! LOL
His birthday questionnaire:
1) Favorite Color - Green/Teal/Aqua
2) Favorite Toy - Legos
3) Favorite Show/Movie - The Grinch
4) Favorite thing to eat for lunch - Peaches
5) Favorite thing to wear - ?
6) Favorite Game - Pokemon
7) Favorite Snack - Breakfast Bars
8) Favorite Animal - Turkey Vulture
9) Favorite Song - ?
10) Favorite Book - ?
11) Best Friend - ?
12) Favorite Cereal - Frosted Mini Wheats
13) Favorite thing to do outside/place to go - Kickball, Frisbee w/Dad, Dave & Busters
14) Favorite Drink - ?
15) Favorite Holiday - Easter
16) What do you like to take to bed with you at night - Tons of stuffed animals
17) Favorite thing to eat for breakfast - Frosted Mini Wheats
18) What do you want for dinner on your birthday - Peter Piper Pizza and Birthday Cake
19) What do you want to be when you grow up - Engineer
20) Favorite thing to do at school - Art
21) Food you don't like - Anything that hurts his stomach since his stomach has been hurting this past week
22) What is something you are good at - Kickball
23) Favorite Food - Peanuts
24) Favorite Vegetables - Carrots
25) Favorite Dog - French Bull Dog & Wiener Dog (Dachshund)
26) Favorite Reptile - Sea Turtle
27) Favorite Bird - Turkey Vulture
28) Favorite Pizza Topping - Pepperoni and Green Peppers
3) Favorite Show/Movie - The Grinch
4) Favorite thing to eat for lunch - Peaches
5) Favorite thing to wear - ?
6) Favorite Game - Pokemon
7) Favorite Snack - Breakfast Bars
8) Favorite Animal - Turkey Vulture
9) Favorite Song - ?
10) Favorite Book - ?
11) Best Friend - ?
12) Favorite Cereal - Frosted Mini Wheats
13) Favorite thing to do outside/place to go - Kickball, Frisbee w/Dad, Dave & Busters
14) Favorite Drink - ?
15) Favorite Holiday - Easter
16) What do you like to take to bed with you at night - Tons of stuffed animals
17) Favorite thing to eat for breakfast - Frosted Mini Wheats
18) What do you want for dinner on your birthday - Peter Piper Pizza and Birthday Cake
19) What do you want to be when you grow up - Engineer
20) Favorite thing to do at school - Art
21) Food you don't like - Anything that hurts his stomach since his stomach has been hurting this past week
22) What is something you are good at - Kickball
23) Favorite Food - Peanuts
24) Favorite Vegetables - Carrots
25) Favorite Dog - French Bull Dog & Wiener Dog (Dachshund)
26) Favorite Reptile - Sea Turtle
27) Favorite Bird - Turkey Vulture
28) Favorite Pizza Topping - Pepperoni and Green Peppers
On 12/20, we went to see The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and Ralph Breaks the Internet.
12/21 was National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. They also dressed up the day before in their ugly Christmas sweaters at school. I bought Nathan a cool sweatshirt one that says Dachshund through the snow with a picture of a Dachshund. We also went to Winterhaven on 12/21 to see the Christmas lights. Nathan is the only kid who doesn't like to see Christmas lights :( Paul and I enjoyed it, though.
Paul got the flu right before Christmas that lasted for days. Nathan also had a cold with a cough and a cold sore on his lip. I was the only healthy one which was a first. Nathan opened up all of his gifts on Christmas morning. He didn't get his XBox, but that is because he just got his Nintendo Switch earlier in the year. He did get new games for his Nintendo Switch, though, including an Arcade Pac, Pokemon Lets Go Pikachu, Minecraft (not the story mode) and Mario Kingdom Battle. He got books, drawing paper, cars, Lego sets, a remote control piranha, etc... I got Paul (and Nathan) the Apollo Shuttle Lego set, a large print Bible, a stuck together cactus ornament, a hand painted ornament with an ocotillo, etc... He and Nathan made me a wall hanging saying I love you more with the love being a heart full of shells. They made handmade wall hangings for his teacher, Grandma June and GG this year, too.
Nathan finished the 2nd quarter on honor roll. He was SO close to high honor roll. His average was 95.17 and he needed 95.5 or higher for high honors. His cumulative GPA for the semester was 94.17. 97 in History/Geography, 91 in Reading, 96 in Recitation, M for Art, M for P.E., M for Music, 96 for Science, 97 for Math, M for Latin and 94 for English.
It's almost time for New Years Resolutions so I looked at last years:
1) Lose weight. I need to lose 30-40 lbs. Cook more at home. Try new recipes. Walk 5k-10k steps/day. Do the elliptical every day. Walk Tulla when it is nice out. Drink less Starbucks. Drink more water. Eat only one piece of chocolate/day.
2) Start scrapbooking. Scan/take photos of momentos. Scan great-grandparents' birth certificates. Start with Nathan's baby book.
3) Work on clutter. Go through papers in office. Get bookshelves for scrapbook room and organize that room, including going through the travel papers. Get quilt made from Nathan's baby clothes. Get custom bookcase in Nathan's room.
4) Clean e-mail
5) Spend more time with Nathan
6) Go to Chicago for GG's 100th birthday
7) Find a new doctor. Get a skin cancer test. Go to a vein specialist for my leg. Get shoulder checked out. Improve cholesterol and triglycerides.
8) Go through pictures. Sell pictures. Get pictures on walls.
9) Get new furniture. Patio set, kitchen set, entertainment center and coffee table. Refurbish hope chest from great-grandparents. Epoxy garage floor.
10) teach Nathan to swim, ride bike and tie shoes.
11) Give personalized Christmas gifts next year. Photo books? Get an outdoor nativity.
12) volunteer
13) Spend less time on computer. This is a tricky one, though, if I am going to be working on pictures and e-mail.
14) Read the Bible & pray every day
15) Relax more!
16) Do not complain on Facebook
17) Go to bed by 10
Well, as usual I did not accomplish many of my resolutions. I did just get bookshelves for my scrapbook room and for Nathan's room. I didn't do a custom bookcase in his room like I wanted, but at least for now I bought two small bookcases for his books. I went through a lot of his toys and stuff in his room and got him to agree to donate a lot to our church. Oh, and Paul is now going to a new church. He decided he wanted to go to a church closer to where we live. He is going to Sun & Shield Baptist Church. Nathan and I still like New Testament Baptist Church so for now we are going there. I have actually made an effort to try and get to know the members better and feel even more of a pull to stay. Anyway, back to the resolutions. We did go to Chicago for GG's for her 100th birthday. I got my shoulder checked out. It was frozen shoulder and an inflamed rotator cuff. After getting a cortisone shot and doing 3 months of physical therapy, it is finally feeling a lot better. I can't say I have accomplished more than that from last year's resolutions. I would like to say I will try again this year, but let's be realistic. That is a lot to accomplish in one year. I think I am going to start with one thing at a time. The first thing on last year's list was to lose weight. That is going to be my main focus this year. If I can accomplish that, I will move on to my other resolutions.
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