Do you need a website??

Too busy to blog lately - starting a web development and design business. And of course at the very bottom of that list of priorities is redoing my site! LOL must be 'cuz I'm not a paying customer. :) Here's a screenshot of our first site. We got this job before our business site was even done! I'm learning a lot and enjoying it - using skills I've had and learning new ones.

This site isn't published yet - still under development . . . but I like the look of it and am anxious to show off our own site. Check back soon!

Herb Infused Oil

extra virgin olive oil
lemon zest
black pepper
rosemary
Barely heat the oil, pour it over the mixture, let cool
Enjoy with crusty bread

my little Arizona garden . . . just a collection of pots. I've made seviche with the cilantro, sandwiches with the basil, salad with the lettuce . . . still waiting for the tomatoes to grow a bit more and then we'll have pico de gallo!

Morning with Nana

all before we're even out of our PJs . . . we've done puzzles . . .

taken a "ride" around the house . . .

and had our morning coffee . . .

now we're ready to start our day!

Vintage Polaroid

A love that will last forever . . . beauty that stands the test of time . . . you can get pretty cheesy describing these vintage look photos. . . but I like the way the effect adds some feel and mood to the picture. By looking old, it almost makes it timeless.

Flowers for Mother's Day

My sweet husband and children surprised me with these gifts on Mother's Day. The boys also sang in the children's choir before Sunday's church service. They looked so handsome smiling up there . . . little angels. "My mother is the fifth gospel. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and my Mom. . . " They were so cute.

These tulips are for his mom who is visiting with us.

This colorful bouquet is my sister-in-laws who is visiting as well.

The first bouquet of roses I ever received was from my husband back when we were dating . . . 15 yrs later he still gets them for me. :)

few things are prettier . . .

but to a Mom . . . the kids playing happily in the living room are just as beautiful.

Focus on the Family

Nana came to visit the grandkids and the fun's already begun . . .



One last laugh before they hit the road for home . . . we always enjoy our time together.

Another Day, Another Game

"These afternoon games are killing me! Girl, you gotta protect yourself from the sun! Sit in the shade, get some huge glasses, and slather on the sunscreen. Keep that skin baby soft."

A double header today, 1pm and 3pm. Both teams played really well. The boys got some hits and some action out in the field.

. . . future Hall of Famer and a girl who only likes baseball cuz the snack bar sells lollipops . . .

Checkmate

Once a year I help run the chess tournament before summer break. I think the club has between 20-30 kids but only 14 were able to make it tonight. It was a great group. Ages range from 8 to 15 yrs old. I was impressed by the range of talent! Never underestimate a younger player. Almost anyone in that group could beat anyone. Without offical rankings, we seeded the kids and ran it Sweet 16 style with double elimination. Lots of great close games, younger kids giving the big boys a run for their money. Isaiah did great and was contending for the 3rd place game. You can see the boys enjoyed playing.

After 3+ hours of playing, there was still one game left . . . vying for third place are two brothers. . . they'll be playing this game at home in the living room . . . results to be announced at a later date. :)

the kids said he got lucky in beating out his older brother (last years champion) but I say there is no luck in chess - if you captialize on a mistake you deserve that win. . . he had a good run tonight.

and last years runner up clitched the deal and brought the big one home this year. WHOOO HOOO Mathias! Keep it up! Brawn, beauty, and brains . . . that's my boy.

First Place Winner: Mr. Ramirez

Just rename it Eliya's Blog

a playdate for the mommys and babies came along too!


then off to the park for baseball practice but we'll skip that and head straight to the park with our cousin to swing and slide . . .


and finally a late baseball game to end the day.

Paint the Day Away

I spent the day painting the guest room followed by a baseball doubleheader so I needed a bit of relaxing down time. . . munch chocolate, listen to the children quietly sleep . . . and faux paint a few photos from my recent garden walk.

. . . the contrasts in this garden are so pretty.



. . . life must have been lonely out on the ranch - but quiet and peaceful too.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Today I took a little field trip with my girl. I've been wanting to visit the Boyce Thompson Arboretum out near Superior but it's a bit of a drive for me. I'd put it off long enough and didn't want to miss the last of the wildflowers. March and April are peak. It was beautiful. A must see for locals and visitors. I only made it through a small portion of the park - stopping to photograph so many beautiful colors . . .


My girl enjoyed the flowers and got to experience the cactus first hand . . . literally! Ouch.

There is a nursery with lots of pots of lovely plants for sale . . .

I definately plan to go back and trek up the hiking trails a bit more.

Steele Indian School Park

On our way home from the airport, we stopped by this park. It had been a while since we'd been there. The buildings are had a face lift and the vegetation has matured. Roses have been planted along the fountain way . . . it's a beautiful walking park. Today was very windy and we didn't have a lot of time so we didn't walk around the lake or thru the entry garden . . . we'll go again soon. You can see a map of the park at this link.

a beautiful tower . . .


yes my boys enjoy historical architecture . . . maybe not like you and I do, but in their own way. :)


this fountain area is so fragrant with roses. I know they built a memorial to people that died when two news helicopters crashed over this park, but I didn't see it in the area we visited today.

gorgeous brick work and blue skys . . .

Missing my big boy

“You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.”
Abraham Lincoln

He's off on a three day field trip. Arizona kids in 6th grade do "Outdoor Ed" involving a zoo, watching lions be fed, running around in the pines, etc. And with no electronics at all! They are not allowed cell phones, etc. I definitely miss him and wonder what he's up too. He's growing up . . . as you can see on his "Too cool to be taking pictures like a kindergartner off to school, Come on Mom! Let's go!" face.

Visit with Memere and Pepere

We just finished up a great week of visiting. I've been a very lousy photographer. Scrapbookers around the world would be appalled. I've been so enjoying the visit I've hardly dragged my camera out. My mom though took many more pictures so we'll have those to share. :) Here are a few . . .
Greeting my sister and her son who flew in as well . . .

Playing Memory with the grandsons . . .
DJ came from behind to win . . . he was thrilled :)


Luncheon with fresh basil and tomato sandwiches and old family friends . . .

And back at the ballpark of course . . . but this time with Memere and Pepere cheering too!

A tough loss . . . we held the lead all game but in the final inning, score was 8-10 and a grand slam made it 12-10 ouch. So an extra practice tonight :( Mathias is back in the pitching line up and did great. For two batters in a row he pitched 6 straight strikes, no balls.

At one of DJs game we had to pull our stint manning the snack bar . . . Dad pitched in and helped out - it took him back to his teen years when he worked at a snack bar at the lake. I just have this bit of advice "avoid the clean up shift - that hot dog machine is miserable to clean!"

On the way to the airport - off to the big city to see their baby daughter before heading to the Maineland. I think Dad enjoyed his convention and they definitely got a crash course "Life in the Ramirez Household" I'd love to have them around permanently . . . I'll be eyeing real estate for them :) So more fun to come! I think they are in the air now . . . Bon Voyage Pepere and Memere!

Another Sample

and a final sample of the lastest Senior shoot . . . it was a blustery cold day but I'm happy with these photos . . . I hope she is. She gets them tomorrow. :)