Almost an Eagle.

They say to watch the quiet ones. I'm here to tell you, there are those who live large and in charge and those who quietly play in the back ground. If you watch this quiet one, you'll see all kinds of achievements.
The latest venture that just needs some paperwork was Jordan's Eagle Scout project.

A group in our neighborhood are going on a humanitarian aid trip to Peru to help vitims of a 2007 earthquake. Jordan was in charge of collecting things to send, such as eyeglasses, small toys, electronics and scrapbooking supplies. Apparently there are ladies who make and sell cards.
I was surprised at how many women were willing to give up ALL there scrap stuff in lou of digital a sad moment for me to hear :) but I'm happy at there generosity.
He did not collect as much as he'd hoped and I understand difficult times are with us but I learned a moto as a young single Mum with barely enough food " share what you have with others, and you'll always have enough to go around" I know that is true so I urge you to help where it is needed and promise you will feel the love if it's ever your turn in need.

I couldn't help it.

This guy is just so stinking cute.

Hobbs is pretty cute too :)

Outdoor Project.

We are very aware of the fact that we live in a dessert and despite many years of effort, we have come to accept that we suck at growing grass.
So we decided that little by little we would get rid of our back yard grass :)
I was in fear of living the next 10 years in a state of construction and so we agreed to do this in phases.
We started out shutting off 1/3 of our sprinklers, removed grass and built planter boxes for vegetables and herbs. It was important to me that it looked good even without vegetation since it would be a miracle if we could grow anything.
A few fruit trees were planted and then the work began.
HOBBS Dug up all our trees about 3 times, we have replaced them all. Our veg garden now has a little fence around it and our dog is only allowed within 10 feet thanks to a zapping collar. After waiting a couple of months to complete the pathways, it is 100 degrees outside after all, I was seeing the end of the road.

Then one sunny morning I woke to this!!!




Jordan who couldn't sleep the night before, decided to load all the bark onto the weed blocking fabric and voila!! and almost finished 1st phase of our going green by getting rid of green project.

Persistent.

Jordan has been working for weeks to get his transmission out of his p...finder.
He finally dropped it and surprise surprise it was so caked in dirt. He now accepts that 4 wheeling up to your mirrors in mud is a bad idea.

Gin gan gooley gooley gooley....

I mean who makes this stuff up?
Of course it was scout camp, where old, fat, men in shorts, tell tales of Indians and sing songs of travelling in bean tins and bras. Much to the delight of our 10 year olds who really went to shoot something!!
BB Guns,
Bows,
and
Boats
Oh My.








So if you want to see Ronan get excited, hand him a gun.

In search of snow.

No I'm not done with the summer sun yet but when it hits 100 degrees outside, it's fun to go in search of something rare. SNOW!!
We took the Snowbird tram, usually reserved for die hard, skilled and dumb ski/snow boarders. I only dropped off this mountain once before realizing I was none of the above. I think my descent was mostly butt to ice whilst praying but on this lovely occasion we went the civilized route. On foot :)

The Tram itself (or cable car to those who need translation) goes straight up the mountain. It's just over a mile and takes about 9 minutes to get to 11,000ft.


So these pictures are real not an airbrushed back drop and yes we did find real snow which is just as cold in July as it is in January.

We had dinner at a little Mexican Joint and yes I am wearing a hoodie, I mean 75 degrees is pretty chilli after you get used to HOT!!

Sometimes I feel a bit guilty sharing the pleasures of my life but today I just say, I have a guest room if you want to visit :)

HAPPY 4th of July

No really it was fun :)
We drove to Idaho, Sun Valley for the special little blessing of Cordell Washington Hill, (what a cool political name and appropriate time of year to be blessed)

A road trip is not my first choice for the day since all around me I hear of balloon launches, fun runs and parades. I'm not sure who came up with the term "funrun" seriously? is there such a thing?
Anyway, when we arrived up there we had an immediate change of heart. I mean how can you not.
2 boats, many toys, a beach and food.





It was so worth it, we had a blast with family and Maren's extended family.
Let the party begin:)


I know it may come as a shock to some but despite being raised and growing up in England, I have done allot more growing up in the US and so I celebrate today with my fellow Americans. I am grateful to be in a free country where I can worship as I choose, where I can work and achieve and ultimately choose for myself and my family. I pray this country will stay true to the values it was founded on and we will continue to strive for freedom from government intervention.