Yardwork!

Monsoon rains come, then all the "stuff" starts to grow.

That means mowing, something we don't have to deal with much of the year.

But for the several months that we have consistent rain, the grass and weeds

grow at an alarming rate!

We also have erosion, caused by quick heavy downpours.

Today's adventure was to fill in a big hole by the edge of the north driveway that was

eroded out from our last big rain.

Discussing the plan with the tractor.....

Isaac has learned to use good hand signals, so Joe knows how far he needs

to go to be able to dump the dirt.

Joshua keeps Willie well out of the way1

Willie decides it's not that interesting and he'd rather rest in the shade!

Excitement's over!  Back to mowing!

(And no, Joshua is not mowing that entire field by hand.....)

Monsoons all Around!

Yes, monsoons are all around, and we have been drenched at our house.

Today, though, the downpours were all around us, but we never got a drop!

Imagination!

I love it that our boys have the room to explore and use their

imaginations!

Army men, Knights, Marbles, and Shells!

Stuck in the Mud!

Monsoons have definitely arrived, totally on schedule.

We had beautiful weather on the Fourth of July, and then the very next day the

monsoon weather moved in.

It's fast, heavy, and leaves standing water everywhere!

Since we live on a county maintained dirt road, this always presents a problem

when torrential rains do come our way.

Several years ago Joe's truck ended up in the ditch after several days of 

heavy rain, and he and David had to get the tractor to pull him out.

Last year, Rachel ended up in the ditch!

Another tractor rescue!

This year it was Jonathan's turn.  He has four wheel drive, and can usually get

through when others can't.

Not so fortunate this time!

This morning, Joe got the tractor out and since we hadn't had any more rain

in the last 24 hours, he and Jonathan were able to get his truck out of the

muck fairly easily.

But my goodness, his truck was a mess!

Not two hours later we had another torrential rain, and he decided to head

 back to Tucson immediately!

He has a plane to catch tomorrow!

Basketball Camp!

Isaac and Joshua enjoyed another year at basketball camp, put on by WASA ,

which stands for Willcox Against Substance Abuse.

Coach Downs had several high school young men helping out with the coaching.

These boys LOVE basketball!

Love this Cowboy Creed for the high school!

Update:  Isaac got his picture published in our local newspaper!

A friend laminated the photo for him.

Jonathan's Horse

Jonathan has had this horse for over a year, and the poor thing does not yet have a name!

He's simply referred to as "Horse".

He's a beautiful Bay, two years old.

So, if anyone has any great suggestions, please send them on!

Girls' Weekend - #5

Beth and I had another fabulous weekend at the La Paloma Resort!

This was our fifth year, and equally as fun and relaxing.

We ate really great food that neither one of us had to cook or clean up.

We took walks along the paths, although we went a bit slower this

year as I am still recovering from my ACL tear.

But by golly, I did walk the paths!

We had such a great time reminiscing, and watching old movies!

I had to include this last picture because it looks like I have palm fronds

growing out of my head........too funny!

 

David, Combat Medic!

We arrived in San Antonio for David's AIT graduation from Combat Medic Training.

It was so great to see him and congratulate him on his many weeks

of hard training and instruction!

Family Day was first.

We took David out and let him eat and eat to his heart's content!

We enjoyed time at the RV park watching Isaac and Joshua swim in the pool

and just relaxing.

The next day was the actual graduation.  I caught this quick picture of David before the 

ceremony even started, and I'm so glad I did. 

He looks so HANDSOME !!!!

After the graduation was over, the soldiers were marched out to their barracks.

When we connected with David again, he was in shorts!!

After another nice lunch, this time at The Longhorn Steakhouse, we dropped

him off at the airport.

Love these Krause men!

David is now stationed at Fort Polk in Louisiana!

Congratulations, David, on your accomplishment!!