Somewhere in the Mojave

I love the idea of wind machines...wonder who's getting to use all this power.

And then I decided to play with the pic in Photoshop. Kinda cool!

Our nephew Luis...

...is quite the dare-devil.

The boys are having way too much fun....

....trying to empty the pool!

Trip South

I am actually hoping to get to the San Diego pics in the next couple of days....but here's a start with our hotel, the Crowne Plaza (we were on the 8th floor - as per my kids request).

My niece Maggie....

...just might be the most beautiful child....EVER.

The Derrs from Japan

My brother Mike and sister-in-law Naoko are moving with their family from Okinawa to Pennsylvania (and hopefully eventually to California) so we all went to dinner at Fugazzis the other night...wonderful salmon and the best dessert I've ever had in my life (and that's a lot of desserts). It was called 'xango', and was a cheesecake filled, deepfried canaloni thingie covered in caramel sauce with vanilla ice cream (low-fat I'm sure). I will go back JUST for that dessert!...But I digress.....We hadn't seen Naoko and the kids in 3 years and are SO glad they are getting closer to living near us. They have been in Japan for most of the last 20 years and my brother figured it was time to come back to the states (apparently not enuf crime where he lives!!!) Michael Jr. is going to be attending college in CA, so we will get to see him a bit more this next year...yea! Joshua is almost 16 now, and Sarah turned 8 yesterday. More pics to follow.

Surfer dude

Actually ...it's a skimboard but I thought the pic was cool. Here's our youngest son Wilson (soon to be 16 and driving - yikes), contemplating the next wave.

Joshua trees....

...are by far the UGLIEST (or at least strangest looking) trees on the planet (in my humble opinion). This was taken while driving thru the Mojave desert.

Beach babe

Our family just got home from a week in San Diego (DH attended a conference) and we had a great trip. I will try to post more pics as I soon as I can go thru them (all 1200 of them!!!)

Happy day after the 4th of July!!!

We had a wonderful old-fashioned fourth here.....

...went to the city park with our good friends (hi Nancy, hi Andy) wandered thru the craft booths and chatted with neighbors...had lunch- frozen lemonade and a deep fried taco thingie that was yummy ...then sat in the shade to watch Nancy's brothers band play good ole rock and roll, some folk, some country, a little bit of everything....good music...

... then home for a nap before heading to a another friends house for dessert and fireworks. Fun day!