THE MONSOON IS IN FULL SWING

While we were gone to Idaho, for three and a half months, the monsoons in Green Valley got with it. Plus we have had some good storms since we've been home. A couple of pictures of the clouds that form over the Santa Rita Mountains.

And then the beautiful rainbows after the storms.

When we arrived home and looked out at our patio, we were amazed at how much all our plants had grown. In the picture below you can barely see the fountain and the other plants by the Mexican Bird of Paradise.

And this pictures is after we had done some major trimming.

Bob took this picture of me at the end of April with my new little Palo Verde.

This is a picture we took, of the same tree, after we got home.

Our poor Saguaro cactus was engulfed by the Mexican Bird of Paradise.

Below is after we cut the Bird of Paradise back.

Everything in the desert is green and lush this year. It is truly amazing to see.

OUR TRIP HOME

On our trip home, we stayed in Spanish Fork the first night so that we could see Justin, Lacie and the kids. It was great seeing them and we had a delicious lasagna dinner! Below are Grandpa and Lexie. Boomer loved Max and Jake's little cars.

But Jake isn't so sure he likes Boomer playing with them.

The next night we stayed in Moab. Neither Bob nor I had ever been there. It's only about a 3 hour drive from Spanish Fork so we had the afternoon to drive through the Arches National Park.

As you can see by the picture below, a storm was a brewin'.

This picture is taken towards Moab.

And as you can see by my hair the wind was really blowing.

Just more pictures of the scenery.

This was a beautiful and interesting place, and we have already decided we will make this trip again sometime.

JULY - WHERE DID IT GO?

Katie had taken Boomer home with her so that we wouldn't have to take him to the class reunion with us. What a help that was!!! So we went to Boise to get him and while we were there we had a picnic at Katie's house. Below, Bob is getting ready to grill! Jarod, Katie and Riley came for the picnic.

Mike, Michelle, Katie and Bob in deep discussion.

One of the reasons we had the bbq was so that we could see Mike's dad, Les. It was great seeing and visiting with him.

When we got back to Twin Falls, we were invited to a picnic for Emilee's father-in-law, Byrd, and it was held at (where else) Shoshone Falls Park so here are more pictures of Shoshone Falls. You just can't go there and not take pictures!

Below are Allie and Sherry (Eric's stepdaughter and wife).

Bob, Brian, and Jeff plus others.

Kent having a cold one!

Getting ready for food!

Me and Emilee.

Emilee, Jarrod and Sherry.

Bob and Eric sharing a laugh!

R & R IN BOISE

In June Bob and I went to Boise. The first thing we did was go to Morgan's baseball game. Strangely, I didn't take one picture of Morgan! But I did get a picture of Bob with McKenna. And one of Molly

And another with Grandpa, Molly and McKenna watching the ballgame.

The next day we went over to the Capitol to see the new addition and renovation they have done since I worked there. Idaho's capitol building is one of the more grand state capitols.

Bob took a picture of me in front of the Capitol.

And I took one of him!

The picture below shows the visitor's gallery. People can go and watch the legislative process. My old office was just inside the door on the upper far left. I loved that job!

Looking down on the legislator's seats and upper where dignitaries sit.

The picture below shows part of the new addition which is underground.

Below is the entrance down into the new addition.

The Capitol side view.

And this view shows the underground new addition.