Cooper Update

Cooper loves to rest his head on the arm of whomever is in the back seat. We were headed out for a hike......his most favorite thing to do.

Cooper got a stuffed squirrel for Christmas. He LOVES to chase squirrels! He decided not to shred this toy. (It usually takes him about 30 minutes to destroy a toy.)

Happy dog out on the trail.......

The coyotes continue to howl at all times of the day.....especially the early morning and evening. We see them most days. Cooper knows they are "bad" but he is intrigued with them, and we can't let him outside without one of us being with him. We are still able to walk him off leash as he comes when he is called.....he's a good dog and quite a character.

The Group on the Verde Canyon Railroad

All of these photos were taken when the group boarded the Verde Canyon Railroad the day after Christmas. I blogged about the specifics of this trip in a previous post.

What do you think of Stuart's goatee?

Newly married love birds....

Randy gave me his old camera and I have been learning how to use it. I am taking a digital photography class at the local college beginning in January.

The train was great for the boys. They could have quiet time in the train car with comfy couches, and they could go outside in the adjoining open air car and take in the sights.

We had a great time just catching up with everyone's news from the past year.

Did I mention that there is a full bar on the train? And lots of appetizers. And champagne.

It was a great day!

The Group at the Tonto Natural Bridge

We spent half a day at the Tonto Natural Bridge. It was cold but the sun was out. Alex and Emily enjoy the sights.

Jake, Dakota and Wren climb on the rocks.

Jake and I......

Kristen and Jake.....

Heidi and Stuart clowning around with the camera.

The group with the travertine bridge in the background.

Christmas Day

Alex and Emily arrived from Wales. They enjoyed a game of Mario Cart Wii.

Focus guys......who is in first place?

Stuart made his famous sourdough pancakes.

Heidi made a delicious tea ring for Christmas breakfast.....her Aunt Mabel's recipe.

Randy made pots of soup and spaghetti sauce.

We all got hats and scarfs made by Stuart.

The boys enjoying a Christmas story.

Wren loved his Ninjago legos.

Alex modeled fleece wear made by Stuart.

The Chapin family enjoying all of their gifts.

Dakota loved opening presents......

Randy got some great books and a remote controlled helicopter.

Emily and Alex enjoy the fire. They were married 4 days before Christmas.

Jake and Kirsten take it all in.

The group....out for a hike in the afternoon.

Las Noches de las Luminarias

We went to the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix last night to attend this annual event. The garden opens from 5:30 to 9:30 and features a delicious buffet meal and entertainment throughout the garden. There are hundreds of luminarias all around the many paths through this desert garden.

The garden features cacti, palms, saguaro, succulents, and many other varieties of plants that thrive in a desert environment.

Also on display was an exhibit called "Big Bugs." There were 11 enormous, whimsical bugs created by sculptor David Rogers.

All of the creatures were created from fallen or found wood, cut saplings, twigs, raw branches, twine, bark and other natural materials. The sculptures weighed from 300 to 1,200 pounds and ranged from seven feet to 25 feet long.

There was a variety of entertainment throughout the garden.......mariachi, blues/Delta soul, world music, jazz, Native American flute, Spanish guitar and Appalachian.

The handbell ringers were one of our favorites.

Apache storytelling was also featured.

A fun and enjoyable evening in the desert.

New Driveway and Pump House Start

We poured the driveway in three sections. It has taken over a week due to the weather. We have to cover it every night as the temperature has been about 16-18 degrees each morning.

Adam goes over and over it to make sure he gets all the moisture out. Concrete is a pain in the neck and a very persnickety material.

We have had lovely sunny days (40s and 50s but in the sun it feels like 60s and 70s) which helps with the drying process. We won't be able to park in the garage for another week. Getting the garbage can to the street is going to be interesting tomorrow morning. It has also been a challenge keeping Cooper and Ta off of the new cement.

We are working on the pump house. You can see the water tank (green) in back of the framing.

They sent the wrong siding so we had to send it back and are waiting for a new shipment. I love the steps down to the pump house......better than having to climb over the rocks and maybe twist an ankle.

We went to a Well Workshop yesterday and learned about the geology in our area and the various tests we will need to do to make sure our water quality is good.

Electric Light Parade and More Snow Pics

Payson had its annual Electric Light Parade on Saturday. The little kids sure enjoy it.

We thought this was a clever entry.

More hiking in the snow.....so beautiful.

Randy just got the results back from his MRI and he needs outpatient rotator cuff surgery. He'll have it done in January at the Mayo Clinic and will just have to endure having his arm in a sling for 4-6 weeks plus some physical therapy. He's actually looking forward to the surgery as the pain is bothersome especially at night.