Rye's the Guy in the Hospital Bed

Rye got sick one day, so Keeley took him to the doctor.

They performed an emergency appendectomy that very evening.

Here's Rye with Nooma, a gift from Makenah to Rye.
After Makenah got out of the hospital last year from being very sick herself, Nooma was on her pillow at home with a sweet, loving note from her mom. So, she took this little tiger to be Rye's friend and consolation in his hospital sickness.

Rye was at Mercy Hospital, which is a beautiful facility.

This is myself and Mike.

The surgery was performed with three small incisions -

New surgical technology!

Amazing.

He was a GREAT patient and is doing really well.

A Little Fireman

This is Jagger at his little Maricopa school activity.

It was a perfect night for Jagger, as it was all about firefighters.

Just like his daddy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAKENAH RAE

Makenah is officially 15

September 24, 2009.

What a great day.Jagger loved the whole birthday scene.

Blowing out someone else's candles was right up his alley!
Makenah's lavender cake and 15 candles.
Just like she ordered.
Pretty, if I do say so myself.

Happy Birthday to Me.

As you can see from the candles on the cake, I'm getting younger all the time!

Keeley made a wonderful carrot cake - she makes the best.
Don't know why we didn't get a picture of the four of us who went out together, but we didn't.
These were taken the evening before my birthday actually.
Jenni, Keeley, Paige and myself went to a movie and saw
Julie/Julia with Merly Streep and Amy Adams
VERY ENJOYABLE movie.
On my birthday itself, I went to a AZ Department of Peace meeting,
so that's why we celebrated together the night before.
It worked!

Lily, myself, Keeley

Myself and Mike (he's GREAT)

Mike made the spaghetti we ate before we went to the movie -

deicious! He's good at many things from being a dad and husband,

just an all-around good guy..

Goodbye to James Aubrey Sweet

James Aubrey Sweet, who was as sweet of a person as his name,

left 22 August 2009, at 72 years of age,

a dear and good friend to many.

This picture was taken last Valentine's Day at the state capitol -

James is in the light blue shirt.

Will Smith, Myself, and Brandon Hodges at James memorial service

held in downtown Phoenix
in the high rise apartment complex where James lived

overlooking the Heard Museum.

Will and Brandon



Will and Brandon,
Two great guys!
They were the most beautiful ones there - Stylin'!

SWIM TIME! Let's Partay!

We had a swim party at Keeley's house last weekend, Aug 22nd. It was for the grandkids, and they were all there except Jamey's boys and Tyler. Everyone felt so bad Ty Ty didn't get to come, as she was looking forward to it so much, and hadn't seen her cousins in a long time since she's been gone to California with her Gammie Bette. WE MISSED YOU, TYLER.

This is Brittney and her neighbor (can't remember her name).
I can't tell who this is on the trampoline. Grandkids!
Okay, I can tell Makenah, and I think Reagan is in front of her

Ashlinn,m Tyson, and Rye (with their suckers courtesy of Amie and Blake)

Mike, Trevor and Merick (I think)

Trevor - he LOVED the jacuzzi.

Annikah, Makenah, Ashlinn, and Tyson.

Annikah, Makenah, Ashlinn, Rye, and Tyson again.

The party was from 5:00 to 8:00 and we didn't leave Keeley's until 10:00.

THANKS KEELEY AND MIKE!

We had a great time at your wonderful pool!

Trip With Jason, AB&C to St. George, Utah

The end of July, I went with Jason, Ashlinn, Brittney, and Chase to St. George, Utah to see an outdoor play, Footloose. This amazing arch is part of a new highway being built to bypass the Hoover Dam getting into Las Vegas. Once it's finished, it will take considerably less time to reach Vegas, AT LEAST a hour less, and many times even more than that - as sometimes to get over the dam is 2 - 3 hours. Not that I go to Vegas often, I don't. But to see what man can do was amazing and impressive. Truly remarkable. The two photos still don't give the massiveness of the arch or the gigantic chasm it is going over. There are people on top of the arch, workers going back and forth at that height. Amazing in every way.

Some of the scenery we saw driving in Zion's National Park near St. George, Utah. .

The beautiful staircase going up to the Tuachan outdoor amphitheater where we saw Footloose.

Brittney, Me, Chase, Ashlinn overlooking St. George

Ashlinn, Chase, Brittney, Jason waiting for Footloose to begin.

The play was awesome - singing, dancing, humor, romance - really fun.

Second Trip to Cayon Lake

We went to Canyon Lake again the very next week in June. This time Annette came with Annikah, Reagan, and Trevor and her two nieces. Mike also came with Keeley and the kids, and I rode again with Mase, Jenni, Makenah, and Jagger. Another GREAT day!
Mike and Mase

Tyson (Blake's and Amie's boy), Rye, and Chase

THE GROUP

Reagan, a nice, Annikah, Makenah, Tyson, Rye, Lily, Chase, another niece.

(I'm sorry, I don't remember the niece's names.)

I think Trevor is in the back playing.

Jagger is in the front. Once again, he LOVED being at the lake.

Mike, Keeley, Me, Mase, Jenni, Annette

Jenni and Mase

Very sweet....I love this picture.

It was another really fun day.

Cindy and her family came to town.

Cindy, Gayland, and a lot of their family came in June. They stayed with Blake and Amie.

This is me and my great and dear friend, Kyra.

Kyra wasn't well this time, so we couldn't go out like we usually do. Maybe next time!

We hope.

Merik, and Tyson

Jake (Tyler's boy) and Rylie (Colette's girl)

Tyler and his ittle girl, Leah Elizabeth.

Daniel and Gina's little girl, Jacey Raye.

Colette and Kenny's new little girl, Sage Kenly.

Canyon Lake in June 2009

Makenah caught a fish!

Mase, Lily, Makenah, and Rye

are out in the water fishing with a makeshift stick and fishing twine Mase put together. Amazing, it worked! They caught a good 30 fish and let them all go, but had a great time pulling them out of the water! This is the first time we went to Canyon Lake in June. I rode with Jenni, Mase, Makenah, and Jagger, and we met Keeley, Rye, and Lily there. It was a beautiful day in every way, even the weather only in the 90's.

Jenni and Jagger hanging out. Oh, did Jagger love this lake trip! His first.


Jenni and Jagger again. Don't know why I don't have pictures of me or Keeley, but I don't. There's another lake trip we made the next week with more pictures.

Makenah Graduated Too!

Back in May Makenah also graduated from Maricopa Wells Middle School and officially started High School last week. It's been a long time since I've updated this blog (obviously). So, here goes. I love this picture of Makenah and Mase, even though it's on its side and I don't know how to turn it around. I did try. I'm putting in on the blog on its side because it's a special picture to me.

Jenni, Makenah, Paige and myself at the graduation. This graduation took the cake when it came to NOT being put together well. We stood outside (even though we were on time) for over 45 minutes on a very hot May day in the blaring sun before being allowed into the school. Poor planning, okay VERY poor planning on the school's part. Once the graduation was over, all the kids were sent to their classes without being able to mingle with the audience. Makenah (BRIGHT Makenah) slipped away, went through the library, and returned! Thus, we got pictures with her. We were so proud of her smartness!

Jenni, Makenah and Mase.

It was a beautiful day.

Ashlinn Graduates from Eighth Grade

Jason, Wendi,

Brittney, Ashlinn and Chase

on Ashlinn's Graduation Night

Jason bought her the beautiful roses - went perfect with her dress!

Myself, Ash, and Brittney

Myself, Jason and Chase

Jagger is Two!

Mase, Jenni, Myself, Makenah and Jagger

Jagger turned two May 2nd and they brought him to the Shamrock Farms Dairy Barn and took him on tour. He loved it! I was working that day, so it was an extra fun day for me.

More Hollyhocks

Hollyhocks by back patio.
They were beautiful at Easter and for a few weeks.
First time I've grown them at this house.
They gave a lot of enjoyment to anyone who saw them.




This shows the difference between a normal Hollyhock and the fancy ones.