Blooming Bush: 2017

It is 2017 and it has been a SUPER year so far for my family and me!


Super Rae (Costume given by Milne Family)

Of course, we are only a little over a week into it, but I'm hopeful that we will continue to have a great year. I have been thinking about how I really should blog more so I looked up my blog and noticed that the last time I posted was 2012! hahaha That last 5 years went by really quick! I guess it really is about time for a new post! ;)

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas and Christmas break! Here are a few of our Christmas pictures.

My new baby

I am beyond excited to learn how to operate this beauty. I love to take pictures. My entire family can testify that I am a picture taking NUT everywhere we go, EVERY. SINGLE. DAY! The only problem is that I know NOTHING about photography itself, but I am anxiously excited to dedicate myself to learning more! This is one of the reasons this year is going to rock!

My 16 year old son had a wonderful Christmas. He even got a special package from a sweet girl who lives in another state. I was very impressed with this package because it included a handmade crocheted scarf!

My 2 youngest playing with Rae's new train

Carson sporting his awesome scarf

My youngest daughter only wanted a train for Christmas and a "red" present. Well she got her train and she was in heaven!

Ilah's new music book

Ilah got a Disney Music Book of songs that she can play on her French Horn. and Libby got the same book that she can play on her Viola. Libby also got two violas (Santa accidently won 2 off of Ebay), she gave Ilah one of them, so I have 2 very happy daughters and my life will be a lot more musical this year!

Allison opening gift from the Milne family

Allison and Embry both got 3d pen things and some other toys for Christmas. They were elated!

Carson photo bombing again

Evan holding his "Dad" pen from Embry

Our Elementary age girls scraped up their own money and bought all the family members gifts from the Holiday Shoppe at their school this year. They are so sweet and thoughtful.

My gift from my 8 year old that she used her own money for

My 5 Beautiful Mermaids

I couldn't resist taking a picture of these 5 lovely girls of mine in their mermaid tail blankets from Santa. (I did not make these, the elves did.)
For more pictures of our Christmas chaos click here.

A couple of days after Christmas, my husband's family came to visit for a few days, including his 94 year old grandmother, Alice, his mom, Kerry, his sister Caitlin, and our three lovely nieces, Sophie, Ellie, and Maggie. We were also thrilled to visit with his Aunt Lauryl, who lives in town and came up to visit as well as save...err take Grandma to her house, which is a much more peaceful environment for Grandma to stay. It was so GREAT seeing them, we wish they could have stayed longer. We jammed a lot of fun activities into their 3 day visit. We went to the San Xavier Mission in Tucson, we had little Christmas gift exchange, we played games, did some shopping at the Artisans in Tucson, we went to The Sonoran Desert Museum, watched a well renowned family play called "Chocolate Cookies" the was written, produced, directed, and acted by the cousins themselves, we made and ate a Christmas dinner with smoked turkey and all the fixins, we went to Rooster Cogburn's Ostrich ranch and fed the animals, a few of us got bitten by the animals in process, nobody lost a finger and there was no blood, so it was all okay and made for some great memories. Here are some pictures.

SAN XAVIER DEL BAC MISSION

Our first experience was at San Xavier in Tucson, where we admired the beautiful cathedral. It really is extremely gorgeous and I highly recommend going there if you come to town. Some of us (not me) hiked to the big white cross on the little hill. On our way back to the car, our noses were led to the tempting aroma of authentic Indian Fry Bread, so of course we had to buy and eat some of that goodness.

Inside of San Xavier


San Xavier

The most momentous thing that happened on this visit is that Raeonna actually let Grandma Kerry hold her for the first time, even in my presence! Miracles happen!

Kerry looks as surprised as she feels that Rae is actually on her lap willingly!


The family at the San Xavier Mission in Tucson (sorry about the bad focus I am still learning how to use my new toy...)

San Xavier is currently undergoing restoration. I thought it was interesting to compare the sides of the mission when we went. The left side has been restored and the right side as yet to be. There is a huge difference that is fun to see and really helps me to appreciate the work they are doing.

Cousins on the Mission grounds

Nativity in the Cathedral

Cross on the Hill

Sonoran Desert Museum

Give them wings while they are young. Vulture wings should be okay right?!

Sophie and Caitlin

The Grandmas with all the kids and Evan because Rae wouldn't stay without him.

Grandma Fife

Rock Hounds

Bat Libby

Bat Allie

Bat Maggie

Bat Rae

Bat Embry

Bat Man

Future Geologist

ROOSTER COGBURNS OSTRICH RANCH

Embry really liked feeding the donkeys

Do you see this donkey right here? ↓ He looks innocent, but he's not. He bit me on the stomach! Then look what he did.

He laughed...He totally laughed!

He's still laughing........I really don't like donkeys.

Carson Bird Feeding

Embry Bird Feeding

Two Goats in one hole! Pretty awesome!

I had no idea how crazy scary ostriches are until trying to feed them! Man they are major scary! Like peck your eyes out, nightmare scary! I may have nightmares now knowing that these crazy things are basically my neighbors. This ranch is only 8 minutes away from my house....

Evan got bit while feeding the bunnies of all creatures! I always call him "My Energizer Bunny" so maybe it had something to do with that.

I like sheep, sheep are okay. Some of my yarn comes from them. None of them tried to bite me. I like sheep!

This goat found something tasty in someone random person's stroller. hahaha

Ducks are EVIL, one bit Sweet Baby Rae. I'm done with ducks!

Scrolling along, scrolling along, nothing to see here

Okay, okay, the Lorikeets were actually pretty fun! Everybody loved the lorikeet house except....Embry. She couldn't get out of that place fast enough!