last night we hada social which was baby shower for 2 babies and Happy Birthday Joannah . Baby showers are VERY USA and I dont think we Brits really get them

Last ni

My passport

Well my passport arrived today Only a week late !!!!!!!!

They are back

Well the travellers eventually arrived home a little weary and without luggage. Mike jumped in the hot tub and sam in the shower!!!They had worn the same clothes for 2 days !!!!
Great to have them back even though mike leaves tomorrow for a big Lifeshapes summit in Colorado.

At Nigel and sue's

This is a photo of all of us (except me taking the photo _at nigel and sue's this evening . we had the Tingleffs from denmark and Mal and Phil from Charleston. Nigel made a curry which was fantastic . Felt like a family reunion .
Mike and Sam are stuck in toronto due to bad weather (will it ever end ) this trip seems to be one battle after another . Home tomorrow all being well.
Still not got my passport will ring the emvassy again tomorrow!!!

Great Book

Just finished a great book my sisiter left called "my sisters keeper " I have read it in a day it is soo good and brings up allsorts of things to think about . I am going to go out and buy another by her called "the Pact" I have also cleaned the house thoroughly !! feels good

The saga continues

Well Mike and sam got to chicago and then hit problems again!!!! The security person at Chicago decided That Mike needed a letter from me notarised to say i had allowed Mike to take sam on this trip. This pose several questions
1 why did noone tell us !!!
2 what state is the world when you have to have permission to take your own son anywhere!!
3 who thinks anyone could force a 15year old to do something against his will, especially at6'2''
4Why was it not ok for sam just to say i want to go and I am coming back
5No where else in the world mike has travelled with sam, has this happened

Anyway they persuaded, I spoke to the officials and emailed thank goodness for tecnology
Then problems again a blizzard ,white out conditions in Moncton ,meant the plane from montreal and therefore returning to Montreal was late meaning they would miss the last flight out to (in the middle of nowhere )Moncton
Finally after much prayer, and me standing by a Fax machine !!! they are now on a flight to Moncton and should land shortly hurrah!!! This conference had better be worthwhile!!

Who ever said or thought international ministry was glamorous needs to travel with mike sometime!!!

Didn't go to Canada

Well after a nail biting finish with the whole Passport scenario I didn't get to go on the trip to canada with Mike --bummer!!!Mike too ,was really dissapointed but Sam saved the day by going instead and us all feeling like that was a good decision . Sam gets to travel for 12hrs to the frozen waste lands of New Brunswick !! and then travel 12hrs back via Toronto and Chicago .
This is a picture taken ealier this year but it is to give an idea of what they are like travelling together great fun and good company

Mike has arrived back safe and well, but my passport has not arrived I wont be able to go to Canada with him tomorrow if it doesn't come in the morning ARGHHHHH What a pickle Mike doesn't really want to go without me but has to anyway !!!
My trainer continues to work me hard I am aching today!!!
Sam had great fun in the "Hummer "on the road trip saw Beverly Hills downtown and uptown, slept on the beach in San Diego , visited the University of California and took hours of video which i have yet to see !!!

I have managed to keep them alive

This photo is for helen and Betty to prove I have not killed the plants YET!!!

flowers

These are my gorgeous poppies that Iwe planted this week . The colours are very striking against the brown stucco walls that are everywhere, Arizona is very much "what shade of brown, dirt or sand would you like"!!!

Today is presidents day I dont know which president or if its all the presidents rolled into one but Jack Bower from the tv show24 ptrotects them all. We love the series 24 ,
Mike has missed several and will have to catch up!!!
I think today as a holiday mainly seems to be about sales!!!
Sam is doing a 24hour drive to LA then San Diego with the youth team !!! iI am sure he will have some good photos when he gets back . They are making a video

Sundays

Well its Sunday Morning, sunny and quiet , watched 'in her shoes 'last night, a really nice movie probably one for the girls !!! lots of Shoes and sister stuff , nice to watch after seeing my big sis this week . Our house goes from being really full to being really empty in a moment good job I am adaptable!!!
Off to Joy sunday service and then will do the TOM Huddle at nigel and Sue's later .
Will also go on a bike ride and explore bits of Anthem i have not seen yet so looking forward to that .

Sundays

Well its Sunday Morning, sunny and quiet , watched 'in her shoes 'last night, a really nice movie probably one for the girls !!! lots of Shoes and sister stuff , nice to watch after seeing my big sis this week . Our house goes from being really full to being really empty in a moment good job I am adaptable!!!
Off to Joy sunday service and then will do the TOM Huddle at nigel and Sue's later .
Will also go on a bike ride and explore bits of Anthem i have not seen yet so looking forward to that .

Helen and betty getting a pedicure

my beautiful feet

my feet after being worked on and pummelled by the beautician!!

Say goodbye

Just put my sister and Betty on the BA flight going to heathrow . they definately look more tanned and relaxed than when they arrived thats what sunshine does? We have had 12o days without rain beating all the records!!!
We all went for a pedicure this morning hence the photos !!!!
Mike is doing well in NZ and Australia was very good. He has been able to link up with Paul and Laura in Auckland but now he is on the South island . He saw lots of Kangaroos on the golf course but didn't get any photos !!!

some of the amazing rocks at sedona

Jeep Tour at sedona

This is us after the pink jeep tour in Sedona Great fun and Lots of red rocks

Me and Helen at sedona

Can you spot the family likeness

Helen's visit

Went out to Cheese cake factory for a meal. Had a loveley time with my sister (back Left and her friend betty) Did pink jeep tours and other touristy things . they go home tomorrow

My sweet purple bike that i ride through the tsreets of anthem on Please note colour cordinated basket on the front

Sam and his lovely girlfriend Taylor after school today watching tv ,before meeting all their friends and going to See Pink Panther

This is the study now it has been paited red and beige and clearer for those who saw it before

Not sure when mike gets to Australia but he is definately on his way , the weather here is begining to get hotter , yesterday when I cycled to my trainers and it was really warm, it is a six mile trip which is really lovely and keeps my heart going but with a head wind it is exhausting.
Sam down loaded the second series of LOST for Mike's trip and the series Monk .
Sam downloaded for himself 12 videos of Jack Johnson !!! he loves this music and plays it all the time( I blame Mal and Libby for this, though i really like it too ) .The cast on sams hand has broken slightly but we fixed it with Duck tape, I am sure the American Medics will love Me !!!!

Mike leaves for Australia and New zealand

This is making making several conference calls and working hard before leaving!!!

Well this was our second Super bowl an USA institution and I am still not any clearer on the rules Last year all i could remember was Paul mcartney playing and this year the only bit will be the Rolling stones (who are looking very good for 60+) Super bowl parties are basically lots of snacks lots of adverts and lots of people somewhere else in the house perhaps the garden all chatting and a few watching the game. Now it may be that thats how we in phoenix, who are British do it!!!We went to gareth and Lizzies round the corner and they hosted it very well, its fun but a bit strange !!!
Anne and Angus have been staying with Nigel and Sue have decided we should add to our Blogg 2 features
What would sally Do!!!!
Where is Mike !!!
Wait and se if we take them up on this idea

Well Mike is back again -- Sam is off on another youth weekend-as a leader-- The Tingleffs have arrived from Denmark all safe and well if 4hrs late!!!!We have been house hunting for them to rent and eating ice cream they are especially enjoying the warmth after the cold of copenhagen.
Mike and I went to see Match Point a very good tense and well acted film a bit deep too but then it is Woody Allen. It is set in London so it all seemed very familiar , so did all the characters.

Finished decorating the study very pleased with it all just got a couple of things left to put up , looks really different and of course still need to go to IKEA

These are some shoes that Mike got sent as a gift from the church in Oklahoma, he now gets paid in shoes !!!! They are very cool they must have noticed that Mike loves shoes particularly pumas, libby and sam have the same obsession !!!!

He is off to Omaha tommorrow( keep earning those airmiles!!)

Sam and I are going to paint the study- not sure how good sam will be with one arm - lets wait and see .