JENNIFER'S BIRTHDAY!!

Feburary 28 is our first-born's birthday...The years have soared by and Jennifer is a beautiful woman.  We celebrated her birthday a little early on Sunday evening with a family dinner.  She requested mexican food, and Dairy Queen provided the ice cream birthday cake! 

Her niece Cailyn helped open birthday cards and presents...

Nephew Landon was cheering from a distance...

Jennifer has learned to be flexible, rolls with the punches that life dishes out, and is an independent individual.  Her life has not been smooth sailing, but the choppy waters have certainly made her stronger as a person. 

 We are very proud of you, Jen.  Happy Birthday, dear Jennifer...we are so happy to be celebrating with you in Arizona this year!  We love you!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARIZONA!!

Celebrating a Centennial Birthday is a big deal...and we have been planning for Arizona's Centennial for the past year in the Library at Skyline where I work.  Starting in 2008, we have encouraged and promoted the ONEBOOK AZ program which promotes the idea that Arizona residents should ALL read one book together during the same year.  My favorite ONEBOOK was the 2008 winner,  These is My Words by Nancy Turner.  Turner's book was based on the diary of Sarah Prine (her grandmother) who wrote of her family's move to southern Arizona in the late 1800's.  Check out this website for information about the 2012 ONEBOOK AZ selection: http://www.onebookaz.org/ Since 2007, this organization promotes reading of Arizona-related books leading up to 2012 for the Centennial celebration.

Starting in the Fall of 2011, the wheels in my head were turning, and I began to collect tidbits here and there for displays in the Library.

 In January, we assembled lots of signs and posters, including a timeline of Arizona's history which we hung on one wall in the library earlier this month. Our Student Council painted some great signs to hang outdoors on the buildings to generate some enthusiasm. We set up a nice book display table of a great collection of Arizona-themed books.

 My co-workers and I planned a "birthday party" complete with balloons, cookies and lemonade for the big day.  Invitations were delivered to mailboxes on Feb. 1st, and we received some great compliments from many faculty and staff members who came to celebrate with us on the 14th!

On Feb. 14, my staff and I were dressed in our "Arizona" shirts, ready to host the party in our magazine room of the Library. Here are Colleen (center) and Holly (left) who are amazing and hard workers...we make a great team! Even after living in Arizona for most of my life, I am still learning new things about this beautiful state.  I am anxious to go and buy the Arizona postage stamp that was issued on Statehood Day...it looks like a beautiful stamp!
Can you name the 5 C's of Arizona??  If not, I have a book just for you!

ROAD TRIP!!

Time to share some memories from our recent road trip!  Did you know it is 2019 miles from Orlando, FL to Gilbert, AZ?  Jennifer's Nissan Altima was packed as the picture shows...

but what you don't see is the 2.5' square area in the backseat where "mama" parked herself for those 2,000 miles.  (Actually, I did get to drive a couple of times, and, Jen gave Vince a few rest breaks.)  I enjoyed my backseat view...and it was nice and cozy too!
Here is Vince making sure all the car's fluids were up to snuff...

We had good weather for the entire trip, EXCEPT for the Florida panhandle.  THAT was an experience I won't soon forget.  We were tuned into the weather news as the rain was coming down in torrents...there was driving wind, and Vince was only able to see the road because of the yellow reflective markers. He was about ready to pull of the road, driving only 40 mph on the Interstate.  Fortunately, our guardian angels helped us safely through the storm! (There were tornado watches and schools being closed in the exact geographical area where we were driving.)   I tried to snap a few pictures from my backseat view...

Here are the choppy waters (there were "white caps") as we crossed the bridge over Mobile, Alabama Bay.

We were able to drive from Florida to Gulfport, Mississippi on the first day driving.  That even included a stop to see my birthplace in Biloxi, Mississippi. 

This is the water tower on the Keesler Air Force Base where we lived in the early 1950's when my father was serving in the Air Force.
Our second day found us starting early from Gulfport, driving through Louisiana, with a stop in Baton Rouge for a Starbucks...."really, mother, a picture now?"  Vince enjoyed a piece of crumb cake there for a treat!

We drove over the great Missippi River, by-passing New Orleans, and on into the state of Texas....the HUGE state of Texas.  The end of our second day found us stopping in Boerne, TX, west of San Antonio.

Once in New Mexico, the boring scenery of west Texas blended right into the boring scenery of NM.  However, between rest stops, and plenty of snacks, we were listening to a great audio mystery book in the car, so the time passed by enjoyably. 

It was VERY windy and COLD in TX and NM; Jen and I were dressed for the weather.  I can't say the same thing for my husband who decided the only wardrobe items he would pack for the trip were shorts and t-shirts...in January!  He loves the cold weather!! 

With the trip west, we gained some hours.  We had originally planned to stop for another overnight in Las Cruces, NM, but arrived there by 2:30 pm.   So, we voted to keep on truckin'...and arrived safely home to Gilbert, AZ by 10:00 pm on the third day of driving.  Tired and weary, it was great to get home!

The next day, everyone came over for pizza to welcome Jennifer back to Arizona!  Even Sancho and Diego (Alissa & Alan's cats) made a special picture for Jennifer!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAILYN!

Today is our granddaughter's 3rd Birthday!  Wow!   It seems like yesterday when she was just a wee little one.

Cailyn is always a little "shy" when they first arrive at our house, but once inside, after giving Mimi and Grandpa hugs, she runs to give her doll, Bella, a big squeeze. Bella lives at our house.  Cailyn loves tea parties and "snacks".

Cailyn, at 8 months, showing us "how big, so big" she is!  When Cailyn comes to visit, she enjoys pretending with play food, lots of swinging and sandbox time, plus using stickers and markers on paper.

Her first taste of cake on her 1st birthday has resulted in a real "love" of cake, cookies and vanilla ice cream.

By the time Cailyn celebrated her 2nd birthday, there was a new little guy in the family.  Cailyn is learning to be a wonderful "big sister" to her brother.

Cailyn's loves shoes (what a girl!), and is learning to leave barretts and ribbons in her hair.  Over the past few months, Cailyn has practiced jumping and perfected her somersault! Cailyn is always delighted when Aunt Alissa and Aunt Jennifer are here to play (& Uncle Alan too)!!

Cailyn loves playing with her shopping cart and farm.  She recites her ABC's verbally and in sign language...and is teaching Mimi and Grandpa sign language too! ;-)  She loves singing and I believe her favorite song is "Frosty the Snowman".  I love hearing her little voice!

Cailyn, HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY, sweetie!  We can't wait until we can celebrate with you at your party on Saturday!  We love you!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LANDON!!

It's hard to believe a year has flown by already!  I'll never forget the "surprise" phone call I received on Feb. 3 just before leaving for work. Mike said there'd been a "change in plans" and Landon had made his unique entrance into the world at home, safe and sound! 

What a joy Landon is!  He's a hugger and very cuddly! Landon's smile lights up a room, and I only see him "fuss" when the spoon doesn't get to his mouth quickly enough. 

Landon has been through alot this past year, and we are thankful each day that he is a healthy and thriving baby!

We can't imagine life without you!

Landon John Michael Ruggiero--Mimi and Grandpa wish you a most wonderful 1st Birthday. May God Bless you always!