Sometimes it's just fun to watch the kids play.

We visited with friends Monte and Melissa at their new place.  It was great to meet the grandkids and to watch the family have fun together. (no names, this is the internet after all!)

Big sis didn't mind striking a pose.  We were swapping curly hair stories and talking about the job of big sisters!

Full of energy, this little cowboy will be a heart breaker! 

Grandpa is building a new home, which means there's plenty of wood for building on a smaller scale.

Yes, brother and sister getting along and working together.  

Roping practice with coach Mom.

Got him!

Grandma, can I get down please?

Determination!

An unusual life's work

There's a peaceful place just off of highway 278 at Cullman, Alabama.  The Benedictines call this home and Brother Joseph spent his life crafting replicas of significant Christian historic buildings from around the world.  He never visited most of these places, but he crafted them based on pictures and descriptions that he found in books.  Click here to learn more!

Brother Joseph utilized materials that were given to him or discarded by others.

Even in the rain, the gardens were stunning.  

Michael the Archangel

The grotto was dedicated in 1934. Some of the buildings were crooked: I couldn't decide if was that's the way they were constructed or due to age.  Either way, the replicas are fun to look at.

29 crosses stand for the 29 students of St. Bernard that died in World War I.

The grounds included a small chapel and cemetery.  

Butterflies!

At the Tucson Botanical Gardens in the butterfly magic exhibit.  A little bit of the rain forest in Arizona.

The kids were so much fun to watch.

A day in the desert aboretum

I think that this is a variety of agave.  I was told that they bloom once and die.  

Barrel cactus

The needles are so tiny, they almost look soft.  But don't be fooled!

This reminded me of Cousin It from Addams family!

My friend Jeanne

This cactus looks like an anenome and has brightly colored flowers with waxy petals.

Barrel cactus

Like my Mom, I could watch the birds for hours.

Very effective signage!

these little guys were everywhere

She sat for hours!