ANYBODY, ANYTIME!!!

There's only one October, and our boys are gonna be there! That's right, our D-Backs have clinched their spot in the post season!!! We were on the edge of our seats watching the end of the game tonight, and Papa Grande made it interesting as usual, but we are celebratin' now!!! Next step: go for the best record in the National League and capture the NL West title, then it's off to the post season we go... for sure!!! Time to bring home more hardware, boys! Go D-Backs!

Ignacio Bike Week

So, last week at this time we were driving home after the complete blast that was Ignacio Bike Week / the Four Corners Rally. Such beautiful rides and scenery (with a few notably bumpy roads), and so many bikes! Zach invited us to go (he had been the last 2 years with his dad) and we were in a group of about 20 bikes, some staying in cabins and the rest of us camping. Our butts were aching after the 12 hour ride up to Durango, CO, but that got better over the 5 day trip. I think Thomas put something like 1300-1400 miles on the bike, and I was on the back for all of it except the trip home on Labor Day (I drove the chase vehicle with Zach's somewhat altered bike on the trailer in back). Cannot wait to go again next year (hurry and get that bike fixed, Zach)!!!

Check Her Out!

Ok, ladies and gentlemen, we are so proud of this girl! While in Phoenix for a D-backs game a couple weeks ago, we dropped by to see Kiley's new Skechers Store at the new Tempe Marketplace (awesome new shopping district). And when I say Kiley's new store, I mean she is the head honcho, and she fits there so perfectly! So, next time you are in Tempe, swing by and support this amazing woman, she so deserves it! We love you, cutie!

Western Caribbean

Ok, we've been back for like 3 weeks now, so we're a little late in getting this posted, but our cruise to the Western Caribbean was a blast! We sailed on the Carnival Liberty for 8 days over those pristine blue waters thanks to Grammy! Thomas and I snorkeled on the second largest barrier reef in the world, then ejoyed the sun at Uvero beach in Costa Maya. In Costa Rica we visited the sloth sanctuary (with adults and babies) and hiked/rowed through the rain forest during (gasp!) a rain storm! We visited the pirate village of Portobelo in Panama, with its coral forts (original canons!) and Black Christ Church, then cruised over to the the Gatun Locks of that well known Canal. When it was time to debark the ship, we has some time in Florida to ride on a fan boat through the Everglades and see some 'gators. Plenty of time at sea on this cruise, too, so there was loads of opportunity to have fun onboard!

Something Happy!

Many people have been saying they want to see happier things from us, since the pictures of Thomas' accident. Although the accident is not something we will forget any time soon, I agree with everyone! So, this is a little update on Thomas, about 2.5 months after his roll-over.
Back to work full time (actually has been since about 1 week after the accident), Thomas just got the official go-ahead from his doc to live his life at 100%, despite the still-broken (1 inch apart!) collar bone! He was basically told by his doc, with backup from the orthopedic surgeon, that he could live his whole life with it separated as long as he doesn't have discomfort or other problems. He is still getting x-rays and going for follow up visits periodically, though. This picture was taken a little over a week after the accident.

So what did the other guy look like?

Yes, Thomas looks bad, but at least he's still functional after a little fight with the work truck! We went by the towing company's yard today to see the SMA truck, which was not towable and had to be hawled away from the scene of the accident. Gordon and Zack got all of the equipment, etc., out before it was taken away, and the instruments are all still functional. Here's the "other guy:"

"I think I rolled the truck..."

Indeed, Thomas did roll the SMA truck up on Airport Rd. yesterday... one of the most frightening days of my life and one of the most painful of his. We are so fortunate that he is in such "good" condition. He's got a broken collar bone (the same side he broke before), some mean road rash to the scalp, a very nicely scraped shoulder, and some pretty extensive bruises and scrapes. Despite it all, he's standing right behind me at this time telling me what to type! Now, without further adieu, some pictures of the injuries that many have actually been asking to see!

Still white here...

Ok, school was back in session as of Tuesday, and we were all back at work... but it is still white as can be!!! It snowed a teeny-tiny bit yesterday, but it's mostly just iced-up snow on the ground, now. But, this is so unusual for our little part of AZ, for those who are thinking "this is nothing!!" I cannot remember a time here in Safford when it snowed and didn't melt within a few hours of stopping (or melt as soon as it hit the ground)!!! We have Icicles and the trees are all white!!! I took some pictures this morning, but I don't have my camera at the moment, will post pics later.

Let it SNOW... in Southern AZ

A snowy day in Southeast Arizona is always a treat!! The last time we had close to this much snow down in the valley was in the spring of 2001. Talking to Grammy, she said the last time she had seen this much snow here was in the 60's when they recieved 2 feet plus of snow. When you get that much snow around here it is usually followed by a flood, which it was in the 60's. We'll just have to wait and see if the little Gila turns into the Mighty Gila in the next couple of weeks!! But for now we are really enjoying the snow. The schools were closed for a snow day, so Nicole got the day off. I called my boss this morning and asked if surveyors get snow days, and on my way to work I really thought that surveyors should get snow days. =( Lucky for me though, the electricity in town went out, so we couldn't even do office work, and I got to come home to a snowball ambush by the whole family. OUCH!! We built snowmen and sledded (tried to sled) and drank hot chocolate. The snow started last night at about 7:oo PM and didn't stop until about 1:30 Pm today, but it looks like this is just a little respite in the storm so we may see some more snow yet!! Total accumulation all around Safford is 8 to 10 inches at this point. Awesome!!

Happy New Year!

Back to the grind today, but the Holiday Break was wonderful! Lon, Leone, and Jennie were down, arrived on Friday, December 22. Saturday the 23rd, Thomas and I took a drive with the 3 of them up the mountain to see the snow (as if they don't have plenty in Minnesota). And, guess who happened to meet us at the top... Josh and Jordan (with cigars, of course)! Beautiful day on the mountain!

Christmas Eve, Thomas and I hosted a breakfast at our house for everyone, then that afternoon we took all the gifts to Mom and Dad's to open... yes, I know, that's what we usually do Christmas Morning, but I was scheduled to work Christmas Day... then a good ol' game of Uno Attack! Oh, and a visit from Sants, of course!!!

Well, got home on Christmas Eve and had a message from the hospital telling me they were putting my on call for the next day... WOO HOO! So Thomas and I were up early Christmas morning, cell phone in tow, to head to his Grandma's house... Good to see everyone! Then we headed back to my parents' house so Thomas could make Christmas Morning breakfast for everyone... apparently everyone likes the way he does breakfast! It was actually pretty nice to have Christmas day to just relax and have fun! We spent plenty of time swingin' the new Golf Clubs Thomas got for Christmas... I think we could all use a little improvement! We also had a mini trap shoot behind the house... just did all the stuff you can do when you have nothing else you have to do!

The Johnsons left on Tuesday, and I spent the rest of the week being lazy while Thomas had to work! I think it got to him, because Thursday night he actually answered the phone when the hospital called, which led to me working on Friday!

Went to the Hinton house for New Year's Eve... poker and visiting, too much fun! And, here we are... 2007!