Rocky Point with The Colburn's

I absolutely love the ocean! I have lived in Arizona since 1987,that's 26 years. I was born in California in 1956 and left in 1987 (not counting my college years in Idaho and Utah) so technically I still have lived the majority of my life in California (that will be changing in a few years).

My favorite,positively favorite,childhood memories are my family's annual summer beach camping vacations. Carlsbad,San Onofre and Dana Point. Thanks Mom and Dad for great times! Steve and I had started a Rocky Point tradition with our family and friends. The last few years we have been a little concerned with the unrest in Mexico and we haven't gone. I'm so glad we decided to give it another shot,thanks to Brinton for encouraging it! 

There is something for everyone in Rocky Point,the beach,the pool with two rockin slides and a kiddie area for the munchkins,hot tub,massage by the pool (Allison,Brinton and Rhonda loved that)mexican food,watch movies and eat popcorn in the condo,collecting sea shells,swimming in the warm ocean,digging in the sand,enjoying the view!

 Our cute beach babies!

 Steve and I enjoying the beach.

 Everyone and I mean everyone,even Presley, loved the slide. The common word-AGAIN!

Brinton would line em up each morning for sunscreen application! Even that was fun!

The Hogle Zoo

Steve and I just took a road trip from Mesa,Arizona into Utah in our little red Corvette. We traveled 2,050.00 miles in 7 days! We had a great time in some beautiful country. I took a few pictures along the way and I will be posting some of them over the next few days.

When we were in Salt Lake City, Utah we decided to visit the Hogle Zoo. I had visited this zoo once about 26 years ago with my Mom and my oldest son Brinton. It's a fun zoo to visit.

The Hogle Zoo was the first zoo my mother ever visited. When she lived in Salt Lake City with her sister,Theresa, she would often go to the Hogle Zoo by herself. If you know my Mom you know that she has worked as a volunteer at the Phoenix Zoo for over 21years. Since the end of 2011 I have been able to do this with her. I always thought I would like to volunteer at the zoo when I retired, but to be able to do this along side my Mom has been so special. I truly feel blessed to share this experience with her,and glean knowledge from her!

 The elephant on the bottom was born at the zoo and is maybe 3 years old. We happened to walk by just as they were doing some behavioral enrichment with her. As you can see by the pictures she would back up,lay down,stand on her head,fetch the ball and more! They say she runs the zoo!

 They have a new exhibit with a Polar Bear,seals and sea lions.

 Grizzly Bears!

 They are building a new Savanna for their giraffes that will be finished some time in 2014. Much improved over their current enclosure!

 They have many cats. This is an Amur tiger also known as the Siberian tiger. 

I love the Orangutans and Gorillas! They have a family like the Phoenix Zoo of Orangutans,this is the 2 year old daughter and below is their very large Silverback Gorilla.

Brexton and G-Mama

It was the best of times! We love it when Brexton spends the night with G-Mama and Papa! 

I picked Brexton up and we went right to the movie theater to see Jurassic Park 3D. Its been 20 years since Jurassic Park hit the theaters for the first time. What a great movie, especially for a little boy.  Brexton has officially declared it to be his all time favorite dinosaur movie,it has surpassed Land of the Lost. For me it was a joy to see this movie through Brexton's eyes and it was also nostalgic - like seeing the movie with my son Brinton,Brexton's father,20 years ago!

After a good night's sleep where Brexton and I both dreamt of dinosaurs Papa took us to iHop for breakfast,one of Brexton's favorites,then on to our next adventure the Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum. We had never been there and boy we didn't know what we were missing! Brexton informed me -"that he had never been to a museum with so much cool old stuff!"

Brexton likes to read and I was thrilled when he showed interest in a book in the gift shop that I adored when I was young,Brighty of the Grand Canyon. He got the book,a bookmark and some gold and silver in vials. He told me it was better than Wal-Mart,if you know how much Brexton loves his trips to Wal-Mart with Papa you would know he really,really liked this outing.

 They have a replica of an Indian village and mining camp.

 I did not realize that this barn and the Chapel where the only two buildings left from Apacheland studios where many western movies were filmed from 1960 to 1984. Hollywood was done with westerns by 1984 and unfortunately Apacheland burned down in 2004 with the exception of the Chapel and Barn.

Brexton loved the old mining cars and the mule packs.

 He was excited to get in what he told me was the Wells Fargo stage coach. His dad,Brinton, works for Wells Fargo.

This was the best.  The " Elvis Chapel". This Chapel was used in Elvis' movie,"Charro". They wanted to blow the steeple of the church for the movie,they removed the original and put on a fake one and when they blew it up they also lost half the roof! We walked in the door of the chapel and there was a couple Sweden, the guide and a life size Elvis at the front of the room. Brexton immediately said,"Now that is creepy!" Of course everyone died laughing,even I, who as you know is an old Elvis groupie!

Can't wait for our next adventure!

Cote Receives the Priesthood

Last night April 18th 2013,my father's birthday,Cote received the Aaronic Priesthood and was  ordained a Deacon in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints by his father Brinton Colburn.He was surrounded by many who love him and in spirit by those unable to attend in person. We are so proud of Cote for making this commitment and for being worthy to do so. He is our first grandson to take this step,what a great example he is to his younger siblings,cousins and friends. 

We love you Cote!

 Meet the Colburns! What a beautiful and happy family!

 Proud Grandparents myself and Steve, Wilford and Sharla Taylor,Allison's parents.

Beautiful Grandchildren

Steve and I are so blessed to have 14 beautiful,happy,healthy grandchildren between our two families. Just wanted to post some adorable pictures I have taken lately of a few our our blessings!

 Cash is an adorable little boy!

 Montana was getting ready to give her baby a bath and apparently a bakers hat is necessary to complete this task.

 Montana and I picked up Nixin from Allison and when we got out of the car Montana ran over to give Nixin a big hug! So stinkin cute!

 Nixin loves to collect the chicken eggs when she is at G-Mama's and Papa's. She also loves Cutter and Piper and you can see they are glued to her when she is here.

Jenna just sent me this picture of Montana after she dressed herself. Everything is on backwards but she is still looking extremely proud!

One of My Favorite Things!

Its no secret that I love horses and I love to ride! I can thank my parents for that, if I haven't I need too!

My first experiences riding a horse were when we would spend time in Panaca,Nevada with my grandparents,James and Lois Wadsworth,my mother's parents. Among other things my grandfather was a farmer and they always had a few horses around. My brothers,my cousins and I would take turns riding around Panaca. I didn't really know how to care for a horse,saddle  horse and I'm sure I didn't ride very well but I was in love. 

Somewhere along the way I became horse crazy and drove my parents crazy because I was quite persistent in my begging for a horse. My dad,trying to make me be responsible,gave me an assignment to find out what they would eat and how much it would cost so I made a trip to the feed store. I also needed to find out what else was needed such as tack and brushes and the cost. Of course, I was happy to do this because I hoped it would convince my parents that we did indeed need a horse.

I'm pretty sure my mom was the one who actually convinced my dad that we needed a horse and all of my research was to make me work for it. Then one day,I believe I was in the 7th grade, my Uncle Leo arrived in El Cajon, California all the way from Panaca, Nevada with two horses,my yearling Kawitchee and Paul's 4 year old gelding, Apachee. He sold us these two horses for 1 dollar each and I have been hooked ever since.

Over the past few months I have been lucky to find some new trails to ride with some great friends!

 Yes I know this is a dorky picture but I'm he one who always takes the pictures so I'm never in the pictures. I snapped this one today and its hard to take a good picture while you are actually riding like I am here. I was the only one on this ride wearing a helmet -safety first!

 Todays ride was to Pott's Canyon. This is Toy and his dog Sally. Look how green our Arizona desert is right now!

 Marla on Red and Teri on Big Jim, two of my neighbors.

 Just a taste of the beautiful scenery!

 Dee Patrick riding the creek. That was fun for us in AZ,not a lot of water opportunities here. 

 We rode to Cottonwood,tied the horses and had BBQ hot dogs for lunch!

 These two collages are out of order but this is one of Teri's and my favorite rides to Coon Bluff. The top picture is of some of the wild horses. The bottom picture is Big Jim in the river and a bald eagle in the tree. Teri has since found the nest.

 Toy cooking hot dogs at Cottonwood and his daughter Devan in the tree.

 Bill and Marla Patrick, my neighbors and our hosts for the ride.

 My friend Mary and her horse Cali and my boy Santannah after we had crossed the river at Coon Bluff.

I would say I am a lucky girl to have had my dream of owning a horse realized at such a young age and  again as an adult! 

A Merry Christmas 2012!

I love Christmas. Its true that the holidays can be hectic,commercial,expensive and exhausting! Do we get uptight,frustrated and exhausted? That is one scenario but there is another.............

Celebrating the birth of our Savior,Jesus Christ, families coming together,participating in family traditions,acts of service,time spent together,finding the perfect gift for a loved one and seeing their joy,children and adults that still BELIEVE and love!

 Steve opening gifts before the mayhem begins,bring it on!

 Brexton was very excited to open his iPod touch and he very excitedly informed me that we got him the right one!

 Cote's custom headphones.

 Princess Nixin and her new jacket.

 Cowboy cooler!

 Jenna and Trey moved to their new home two days before Christmas. Montana was having a hard time sleeping in her new room. Jenna said she slept great Christmas night with her new glowlight from Grandma Ina and Grandpa George!

 Yes my mom is holding her new Furby and I love it! Cote and Brexton in their new Volcom hoodies,a tradition.

 New bike for Allison,pink cowgirl boots for Presley,new wagon for Harlee and Montana,lucky horseshoes from Jenna.

Cash so loves his puppy dog sleeping bag,Crew's new bow and arrow,Harlee's 1st Christmas,Miller's favorite dragon and Mallory.