Grandma and Papa in Phoenix

Spring Break Places to See

Faraway Ranch. Bonita Creek. Fort Bowie Ruins. Cochise' Stronghold. Hrmph? Vrst? Oost! Eest! Walking in Rhyolite Canyon, in Chiricahua Nat'l Monument.

Jason, Callie, and Vincent Hanson (7), from Kansas City visited us for the President's Day weekend. If I haven't explained, Callie and I became dear friends about 17 years ago as children. We lost touch for over a decade. We've been back in touch and getting together as often as possible for almost the last two years, in wonderfully random cities. San Francisco, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Lake Vermilion, Hayward, and now Phoenix.

Selah wanted to do everything Vincent did, and be everywhere Vincent went. So fun to have a constant friend.

Bianka's 8th Birthday

Our wonderful neighbors celebrated their youngest daughter's 8th birthday on Sunday. There was a brinca-brinca ("jumpy-jumpy"), loud music, three pinata's, loads and loads of homemade food, cake, cupcakes, fruit cups, juices, sodas, and a selection of beer and tequila (mainly for the men who sat like true patriarchs watching the party), and all this on a Sunday evening before school. I think there were at least sixty people there. I asked Ana how many parties they went to every week, considering the number of people in their family. She said it was their fifth party that weekend.

Hiking at Dreamy Draw

Finally, Good Weather

After endless disgusting hot summer months and then a very wintery cold December, we have finally made it to.... the reason we live in Phoenix. For us, this fair weather inspires long bike rides with good friends. Today it was with the Shapiros and Josh and Adriana. We made it to Beardsley Boulder Pile for an afternoon climb and then met up with the McDaniels for dinner at Carolina's. Near 50 miles and Selah didn't have one accident. And I don't mean the vehicular kind.

Selah and Milly

Opening Gifts On Christmas Day

The 'Heinz 57' family got together for Christmas day. We Mathi were there. Blair and Melissa came with their three boys, Chase (15), Chandler (almost 13), and Chapman (8), as well as with Melissa's grandparents Di Di and Mamaw. Matt, Andrea, and John were all there, too. Finally, the great hosts, Granny and Grandpa created an unforgettable holiday dinner. There were many blessed events: Chase held Selah. Chapman taught Selah how to use her new tools. Chandlerengaged in deep dinner table conversation. Di Di talked with the younger men about his time in the military and gave his wisdom about the current economic and political situation in America. The women discussed family, food, jobs. The highlight for me was watching Selah during the present opening. I could only post a short clip of her enchantment, but it is enough to melt your heart.

Christmas All The Time

The Very Merry Mice. Try this Hullabaloo Move.

Ole King Cole Don't Smoke No Mo

Granny's Taking Me To The Zoo Tomorrow

Christmas in Clovis

The Mathi joyfully spent the day with Tom and Rachel in Clovis, New Mexico. They talked of new things and old. They ate good sandwiches and dip. They walked through a windy field and chased the "fairie dogs." The Howards then went to a Christmas party and stayed out late dancing. Meanwhile the Mathi did a tour of Clovis. They ate at the local Pizza Hut out on Prince Rd. The Pizza Hut was remarkable for its heavy wood furniture, stringed beer flags, and its over abundance of flatscreens. After dinner, the Mathi family joined the majority of the locals for the traditional Saturday night ritual of "picking out a movie" at Hastings. But they didn't pick out a movie. No. They left without having accomplished that feat. Instead they visited the city zoo. Five minutes until closing. The hyena was pacing. The bald eagle was balding. Santa was fleeing the scene. Everyone else was sleeping. So, the Mathi went back to Tom and Rachel's to watch the Grinch. Selah Mathis was characteristically moved by the Grinch's situation. She was righteously relieved by the "way it all worked out." And so, they fell fast asleep. In the morning, the two small families ate a large trucker-sized breakfast at the diner down the road. The old friends parted in a parking lot, knowing that they would soon see each other again.

Fall In Minnesota

Down By The Bay