because we see things

On Mother's Day we packed a picnic dinner and drove up to the lake that is near here. We have been there before, mostly just on the lake boating with cousins, but have not explored the surrounding area very much. So, we thought we would look for a nice spot for a picnic dinner and watch the sun go down.

There were two directions that we could choose to follow. Our driver chose the one to the right of the lake which meandered around and very soon looked like it would be taking us down near the river. We kept following it and found a couple of guys fishing. There were a couple of remote campsites but mostly the area seemed pretty desolate. We decided we would go back up by the lake. As the road winded around, the driver and myself had our eyes on the hills and dam in front of us. From the back seat a loud... "there's a gila monster!" came spouting out of the youngest girls mouth. Followed by..."there are two gila monsters on the road!" and then "stop the car!"

I handed the camera to the oldest daughter, thinking she would just lean out the window, but no...a closer view was in order. So, with cautions of "don't get too close" and "if they bite...you will die before we can get to the hospital" and "they are so poisonous" came from the daughter in the back seat. The dad and I were watching saying "that is close enough" and "quick...get a picture." She with the camera was saying... "how fast can they run?"
Not very fast.... is what I read here when I did a little research about the one we found in our garage. Slow moving and kind of lethargic. So, we figured she would be safe, at a good distance away, using the zoom on the camera. The smaller one did turn and look at her, but then proceeded to amble off into the brush.
It took a little effort to get up and over the hill.

This bigger one was more interested in getting into the grass and brush. Camera shy I guess.
So off they both went. They were in the road when we first drove up on them and as quickly/slowly as they could move they were on their way. Now, if anyone is counting, this makes 4 gila monsters that we have seen since moving here to Arizona. Four. So for everyone that tells us..."I have lived here my whole life and have never seen a gila monster"... hang around us. Because in the sixteen months that we have lived here, let me remind you, we have seen four. Four.

We followed the road back to the lake and this time took the road to the left, which brought us to an area that overlooked the lake. We carried our stuff and found a nice place to sit. Other than just a few people here and there, and a flock of vultures flying around eyeballing our sandwiches, we had the place pretty much to ourselves. After our picnic by the lake we strolled around the shore a bit. We took a few more pictures. And, why yes, the girls caught some fish! Did I think they might just try to toss them on me?

Does it look like it had been out of the water for awhile?

Do you think someone was using them as bait and left these three behind? Do my kids know that just the littlest thing they find is a perfect opportunity for a photo? Do you think it is time for a manicure?

And then, as the sun was going down, a celebration along the shore was just what we needed to end the day.

I love sisterly love. It makes a momma happy.
Oh ya! Happy.

Go ahead jump!
Jump a little higher!

Although we felt a bit like the slow moving gila monster... the dad and I managed to celebrate the sunset too.
Go ahead...jump!

disclaimer: the fish were someone's bait that they had left on the shore. they were already past the living stage...we were not the ones that kept them out of the water to die an untimely death.

for me

I was treated to a very special breakfast for Mother's day. While I was sequestered away in my bedroom, the youngest daughter was busy in the kitchen. She started the preparations the night before and finished it up in the morning. She even took a "during" photograph, thinking I might just want to see the in-between progress.

And when I was finally called out to the patio... this was presented to me. The older sister made the centerpiece and cut some fresh roses for me to enjoy.
Crepes! With homemade raspberry sauce and a smear of chocolate sprinkled with pecans. Her plating skills were very nice and the crepes were delicious!

If you have ever watched the TV show called Chopped, you will know the idea behind the show is that chefs are given a basket full of ingredients and go head to head preparing an appetizer, entree and a dessert, with those ingredients. They have just 30 minutes in each round to do so. They are judged on best use of ingredient, taste and presentation. The chef with the least tasty item gets "chopped" and leaves the show.

After tasting our crepes Rachel said, "Well Leah, you won't get "chopped" for this meal." To which Leah replied...

"But it took me an hour and a half to make it!"

A special morning for me.

for the moms

Although every day is Mother's day once you become a Mom...

It is nice to have one special day...
Just for you.
Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms I know.

Enjoy your special day!

Thank you to my three kids for giving me the opportunity to be a Mom and to be lucky enough to be called their Mom.