Spring in the Desert

We've been having an absolutely incredibly beautiful spring here in AZ. The Palo Verde trees are still in bloom and are very impressive! This shot is from a neighborhood yard. Iin fact the owner came out to see what I was doing taking pictures of their 'house', but I assured her I was just enjoying their blossoms and she wished me a good walk and went back into her house!
Found some pretty, beach-colored candles, so our spring has included a few new arrangements with two of my favorite things -- shells & candles. I was able to use some of the shells that I brought back from Ireland last summer, although they are not in this shot.

Quail are abundant in our neighborhood, but I seldom see one this 'high up' LOL They are usually scurrying along the ground. I love this shot.

Then there is the 'ballerina' cactus. I really thought this cactus looked like it was wearing a tutu! Maybe doesn't translate as well in the photo, but is fun to think about anyway :)

Where Did March Go?????

March was full of family == it was great! Jen, Seth, and the kids got to come over for several weeks so the rest of the family could meet Isaac. Papa and Uncle Thom couldn't wait! We did a lot of things, but I think Granny and Papa's favorite time was in the morning when the girls were just getting up and we could snuggle....and at night when it was time to wind down....I think Granny got some of her favorite snuggles then! But here are a few shots from some of our outings as well as the quiet home time. Here's Cailyn trying out her next 'bike'.....you can tell she has a whole story going on in her head! Talk about a wild ride!

There Was great Papa Time! Looks pretty cozy

Like Papa like Granddaughter?

Uncle Thom gets to meet Isaac......Isaac knows a good uncle when he meets one....they got along famously :o)

There are those times when a girl just needs to be alone....Cailyn is often in her own little world....love to know what she saw or was thinking at this moment!

Newest Addition to the Family

Meet 'Mr. Moose'! We are having so much fun with him, he's a great passenger!
He rides along quietly, never says a thing, yet evokes smiles from passersby of all ages.
Papa even noticed a lady driving behind him the other day and she was taking a picture of Mr. Moose as she drove! In a parking lot today, I noticed a group of senior adults staring at the back of the truck as they walked by, and then they started smiling and I realized they were 'interacting' with Mr. Moose. :o)
He really has a friendly face, wouldn't you agree??

Not a Picture-Worthy Lifestyle!

Having been over a month since our last entry, I've figured out that we don't really lead a picture-worthy life ! If you're wondering what we're doing, just look back through the blog and you'll probably see almost the same activities from a year ago.
So.....I decided to default to family pictures so give everyone a chance to look for any family resemblances along the way. I found yet another box of pictures from Great-Grandpa Luke - some I don't remember ever seeing before -- so I've created a little walk through the Luke family's past.
I have no idea how old I was in this picture, but, yes, this is Granny as a VERY little girl!

Here is Great-Grandpa Luke with his little brother, Richard. I see some similarities between the blondie here and our little blondie overseas - do you?
Here is great-grandpa Luke as a kid -- maybe 11 or 12? I wish I could zoom in on the pins he's got on his sweater!
and here is our very own 'secret agent' -- who knew?? She could have starred in a 007 movie, for sure! This is great-grandma Luke for those of you who don't 'recognize' her LOL

Merry Christmas Family! Happy Birthday Jesus!

One of our favorite family traditions was 'suitcase kids' and whenever we went to the playground at grandma-pa Lukes' dad always had to carry you like 'suitcase kids'!
Christmas 1980 was a special one with all our family at our California house! Jennifer LOVED her play phone! What a cutie!
Thom got started playing 'Santa' very early....delivering a package to great-grandma...his assistant, Grandpa Luke, is in the background getting the next delivery ready :o)
We always laugh at the memories of our Christmas in Montana....dad giving us all a 'driving in the snow demonstration'.....snowmobiles.....sledding down a favorite hill.....snow forts.....Princess Bride....and great times.
Love you all!

Special Christmas Thoughts

As we put up our tree for another year (thanks Thom for being our "tree-master"!) it looks like any other Christmas tree at full glance. But....hanging on this tree are many special memories and reminders of what Christmas is all about, and how special family is!


















This Snoopy ornament is from Dad Luke's collection and hangs on our tree in remembrance of him. It holds precious memories for me because we gave these to him and he always had them sitting on the coffee table. He didn't hang them on his tree because the cats thought it was their personal playground!!















We also have great memories of early years with our two kiddos :o) Those hand-made school ornaments get more precious with each passing year. Interestingly enough, they don't always hold the same memories for you kids as they do for us LOL









But the hand-made kiddo ornaments didn't stop when ours grew up! thank goodness!
These 2 special ornaments were created by our 2 lovely grand-daughters and hang with special honor on Granny and Papa's tree.








Then we have the special places reminders, those places of ministry and memories that remind of us God's love, good friends, and beautiful scenery.

May God richly bless all who travel through our little blog!
Merry Christmas!

Why I Love Walking at the Zoo!

I can expect the unexpected! Who would've thought I'd see 'cow-milking' going on!













Or 'rough-riders' speeding through the bushes










Giant ( and I DO mean giant!) birds! This is a Marabou Stork, and it's wing spread is 7-10 feet! If Hannah stood on her daddy's shoulders, that's how wide this bird's wings would spread!











He was very impressive standing guard on his look-out perch.


























Cactus blooming/growing in the sunrise were a gorgeous surprise as well.