Simple Beauty is Timeless

Once upon a time there was a little Peonies plant. It was planted in the garden of Frank and Buela White. It bloomed there happily for over 42 years. It grew to be about the size of a wheel barrel. When their children , grandchildren and especially their great grandchildren came for a visit or to help with the yard; they always left with a flower from grandpa's garden. This made everyone happy. As the years past and the children grew, time snuck up on this dear couple too. Without the gardners to tend to the yard, this house was no longer a home and was soon sold. A piece of the plant was taken to a new home far accross the valley. It was not happy at first with it's new home. This made the new gardner very sad. After awhile the plant settled into it's new home and began to make an effort to grow. It has bloomed for the last several years. The interesting thing is there are only two flowers every year. I have named these two beautiful flowers Frank and Buela. I look forward to seeing them every year. They don't stay long but I enjoy every minute of their visit.

Memorial Weekend at San Rafel Swell

This is Black Dragon Canyon in the San Rafel Swell

Kalli down near the pools
Taking a break in the bottom of the canyon. Mike, Chad, Kalli & Ben

This formation reminds me of a huge ship.

Kalli just chill'n

Shelly and Chad, super dusty and dirty

Mike & Chad

Ben , Kalli & Chad on Ben's " Danger Ranger"

Chad

Mike our navigator

Cute smile Kalli, are ya having fun yet?

Mountain man Beautiful desert sunset

There were beautiful blooming cactus everywhere, along with wildflowers. It was so pretty and unexpected.

Bridget Mae is 6 Months Old ( 16 lbs & 27 inches)

Amazing News

Mike started a new job today. After 9 1/2 months our prayers have been answered. He works for Moog Medical Devises . He is doing a job that he is well qualified for and that make him really happy. It was like getting ready for a child's first day of school around here this morning. Lots of nervous jitters. Everything went well so I'm sure he will go back tomorrow...hahaha!

I have to say Mike has weathered this storm better than I have. It has been tough at times but he has always kept plugging along trying every networking strategy possilbe. He was pushed out of his comfort zone quite forcefully early on but he stepped up and did what he had to do for his family. He is a good example to all of us!

Two Tickets to Paradise

We were invited to go to Bucerias Mexico with Chris and Cynthia Walker on April 24, 2010, for 7 days. They had this beach house at no charge through their Alphagraphics connections. We had some Sky miles so we could not pass this up. Mike was still on his extended vacation ( haha) so we thought what the heck lets go! There were times when I was without words to describe the beauty that I seen. I also saw some of the saddest living conditions as well. This is a journal of our adventure. I can't tell you how much good this trip did for Mike and I. We have had a hard road for awhile. When we walked through this gate everything in our life changed for seven amazing days. Thank you Chris & Cynthia 1

This is the back yard area. You follow that path to the beach and the big house were we stayed for 4 days. We stayed our first 3 nights in this smaller house on the property

This is how I spent everyday. Laying in the sun with a book, sunglasses and a hat. Pure heaven! When I got hot, I got wet. When I got hungry I went in the house and got something to eat. If I was tired I took a nap. I just doesn't get any better than this. This vacation was a dream come true for Mike and I.

Dining on the beach was really neat

Evening shots and sunsets. Some of my personal favorites

I love these shots

Those are Cynthia's legs. The evening was such a great time just to set and chill. I LOVED every minute of it.

The house and our private beach area. There is a roped off area in front of each property

Our beach looking south and then north.

Me testing the water

Cynthia's favorite fish taco's place

Preparing to walk down the beach to our house

Down town Bucerias.

Getting on a boat to go snorkeling at the Marietta Islands. Ours looked a lot worse than this one does. This was parked next to our boat.

Cynthia in the cutes chair. It had it's own visor

Mike and Chris enjoying a beverage AKA Cocoa Light for Chris

At the El Dorado Restaurant after snorkeling at the Marietta Islands

I am more comfortable behind the camera, so I had Mike take a picture of me to show I was with him !

Self Portrait

Interesting statue on the boardwalk

This stream came from the mountains and ran to the sea

Statue on the Boardwalk

Really old Catholic Church in Porta Vallarta

This guy was stacking stones for tips? People do crazy things for money

Sand Sculpting on the beach

Sand Art... The Last Supper. Click on the picture to make it bigger and look at the details.

Cynthia and I in front of the Sand Art in Porta Vallarta

I was so nice to see Mike relax a little bit. That is our house behind him. Sweet I know!!

Mike and his new hat

Taking a minute before we went to the airport.

The view from our kitchen window. I would certainly do more dishes by hand if I could see this everyday.