Tractors and Tulips

I guess it's probably a bit much to ask pre schoolers to be as enamored of tulips as their grandmother is. However, their grandpa did find something for them to be incredibly excited about at tulip festival. Who would have thought there could be so many tractors at this kind of thing? Isaiah kept saying that he wanted to 'see more of the tractors'. Phinehas tried everything his brother did-from climbing wheels to trying to drive. These were way more fun than flowers! (Though I have some cute shots of them in the flowers too-those for later)Such fun for them. They also got to slide, eat brat, watch a puppet play and have a snow cone. Wow! WOO HOO for Tulip time!

Tulips ready, town ready, Festival here we come!

For those of you who just can't make it to Tulip Festival this year but are here in spirit I have a few Tulip pictures for you. this is the first time in many years when the blooming of the tulips and the festival will actually coincide. They will be simply gorgeous. The weather promises to be perfect and I have a few snapshots of pre tulip time for you. You will be missed.

Arizona Scenes:

Since our return it has not been nearly as warm or as nice as the Arizona weather. It makes me sorely regret returning at all! I am, like the rest of this place, sick of cold wet, furnacy weather. So, since I still have some lovely pictures of Arizona that I can post, I will let you enjoy them and think good warm thoughts about weather. A prize to the person who can identify that beautiful purple flowering tree! (not a big one though)

Mother's Day pair

Here's two happy moms!

Home again Home again, Lickety Split!

I knew this was going to be ashort visit. Still, the end came suddenly. Not that our flight home was unpleasant or long or anything. It just ended sooner than i wanted. Can't tell you how many times I've felt that I say good bye more than is necessary.
But all was well here, albeit cold. Buster was very glad to see us. My IPOD is working again. Just a battery problem, I guess. And it will be back to the routine this coming week with one exception: Tulip Festival! We will of course, be updating you with pictures on that front too.

white tank mountains

We went for a hike in the White Tanks yesterday. It's just a very easy walk and yet we're out of the city and feeling like we're in the wilderness. We usually head up to the waterfall. And why vary tradition? We saw lizards and squirrels. The black flies were in an abundance and everything was still blooming. Though there was an extreme fire danger because most things were dried out it was pretty green on this hike. It makes me feel less guilty about all that I've been eating (ugh)when I can at least hike. Pictures later.
We also did our Mother's Day meal last night too. Famous Dave's on their patio. It was very pleasant. Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there. You are awesome.

Sunny and Warm

Yes Folks, It's as lovely here as I was hoping! And we've checked a couple of things off my list...Sweet Tomatoes and some shopping. I took a long walk early this morning. I have started taking pictures.
There's the Jack a randa (Jacaranda) tree in full bloom.
Sauargo Cactus is blooming as are the Ocotillo!
Flowers flowers everywhere
What more can one say about napping, resting, and not doing much. You get the picture.
My biggest "Woo Hoo" so far: we arrived on time. The Southwest folks at the Omaha airport had no such luck. Their flight was pushed back more than 2 hours.
My biggest "Oh No!" : something major happened to my ipod. That is a bother.