Miles2Go

Flash Class Photos

2012-02-02T10:07:00.001-07:00

These photos were taken at 3pm so there was diffused reflected light from the window.
The light was bounce off the ceiling in the left photo. Notice it cast a shadow on her forehead under her bangs.
In the right photo, the light was bounced off the wall (actually the window with diffused light).
There are no shadows under her hair. I prefer this light.

B-14

2012-01-31T22:54:00.003-07:00

Melissa called this morning to tell me that the pregnancy test she took was POSITIVE!! Great NEWS!! We are SO excited!! Always thrilled to anticipate another precious baby to love. This will be Baby #14 and that makes 2 babies due this year! It's going to be an AWESOME YEAR!!

Happy 61st Birthday!!

2012-01-31T22:22:00.007-07:00

January was a hard month for Greg. His health was poor and he spent 6 days and 4 nights in the hospital during this month: 2nd, 20th, 23rd-25th. Finally, Dr. Bob Mead took over his case and admitted him to West Valley Hospital in Litchfield and ran every test imaginable and got his blood pressure and meds under control. All tests were negative (which is a positive thing ??!!) so the prognosis is favorable. The prescription is: diet, exercise, lose weight, and eliminate stress. So here he is, on his 61st birthday, eating his apple - because we all know, "an apple a day keeps the Dr. away."

25 Pounds

2012-01-30T21:00:00.001-07:00

January 2012 - The Year of New Beginnings

I started the HCG Diet two days after Thanksgiving 2011. On January 9th (40 days later) I had lost 25 pounds. Now I've just completed 3 weeks of the 6-week Stabilization Phase of the diet. So far I have maintained that weight loss and do not anticipate any difficulty completing the full 6 weeks of Stabilization. On February 18th I will be able to start another 40-day HCG weight-losing phase. I have 55 more pounds to lose but 25 is a great start!!

I took this photo of myself (don't you just love bathroom mirror photos!) before going to Courtney McAferty's wedding reception on January 21st. This will be my first comparison photo.

Final PS-CS5 Project (WordArt)

2011-12-13T23:34:00.002-07:00

Just finished my last class in PhotoShop CS5 for this semester. Intermediate PS begins in January.
Can't Wait!!

Here is what I turned in for the WordArt Assignment:

Bowl of Fruit

Arboretum

Coming To Town

O Christmas Tree

GREAT GATSBY!!

2011-11-07T11:48:00.000-07:00

When I saw this photo of adorable little Enzo I knew I had to scrap it. Seriously! Can a baby be any cuter?!!

I don't know which layout I like the best. I really like what's happening with the water on the dark border but don't know if the dark border is too much for the rest of it. What do you think?

PS-CS5 Project 2

2011-10-25T23:40:00.001-07:00

AFTER
(GLAMORIZED)

BEFORE

AFTER
(COLORIZED)
GREAT GRANDPARENTS - MINNIE & MARTIN SESSLER

BEFORE

AUTUMN in FLAGSTAFF - 8 October 2011

2011-10-09T16:43:00.002-07:00

Can you believe this weather?!! I don't know about you but I'M LOVING IT!!! I'm so excited it's FALL and we're enjoying cooler temps!!

Greg and I drove to Flagstaff for the day, yesterday, because the Weather Channel reported the fall leaves were at their peak this weekend. Well, I'd give them a week or two more (unless it snows again!). The aspen leaves at the top of San Francisco Peak were still green. We did enjoy seeing the snow that still blankets the high ground! (It snowed in Flagstaff on Thursday--3 days ago.)

It made me think of the early winter of 1856 and the handcart companies of Willie and Martin that were caught in the snow in the Rocky Mountains as they were trying to get to Salt Lake City. I'm so happy that we live in the 21st century when traveling to Flagstaff takes 3 hours in our climate controlled auto and I can wear sandals to the snow and my toesies won't get frostbitten.

Photoshop Quiz3

2011-09-19T17:45:00.000-07:00

I made this layout for my Photoshop quiz that is due tomorrow.
It had to be 5x7, 72 ppi (resolution) and RGB.
It had to have at least 6 layers and each layer had to contain a different image: photos, text, colors or shapes.
It had to have layer styles applied and the text layer had to have a warp applied.
All layers had to be organized in layer groups.

1ST PHOTOSHOP PROJECT - Book Cover

2011-09-17T23:37:00.002-07:00

Book Cover

I know it doesn't look like much but it has 24 layers with multiple adjustments and effects. NO pre-made scrapbooking elements - it's all me!! And all done in PHOTOSHOP - not PSElements!! The colors are a little strange because we had to do it in CMYK (what the color labs use for printing publications like books and magazines). Usually we use RGB which are brighter, reflective colors. We had to come up with our own idea and own design and own EVERYTHING! It was fun but I'm glad it's done! It's due on Thursday so I get to relax for a few days!!

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

2011-09-14T23:15:00.007-07:00

Full size - click on photo

THE HEALING FIELD - 9/11/2011

2011-09-12T10:13:00.001-07:00

This was the Valley's 9/11 Memorial at Tempe Town Lakes. To view my photos, click HERE.

So Thankful For . . .: AZ SUNSET

2011-09-08T22:50:00.001-07:00

So Thankful For . . .: AZ SUNSET

Back To School - Reed

2011-08-24T19:59:00.002-07:00

Jim and Dula Hughes - A Love Story

2011-08-17T01:14:00.003-07:00

Click on photo to enlarge

NEW CAR

2011-08-15T14:46:00.003-07:00

On my birthday Greg traded in his red Lexus HS250
for this AWESOME silver Lexus RS350.
Although it is "our" car,

Greg will be the one who will drive it the most.
However -- I will definitely steal it often!!

Ragazzaccio

2011-08-13T14:45:00.003-07:00

When I read this sweet story on Amy's blog I knew I had to scrap it. I found the paper and elements (the vespa was especially perfect) in a kit, "Love In The City (collab)" sold at MScraps. I recolored the elements to match Enzo's onesie. (The originals were pink so I changed them to orange.) It was challenging getting all the photos and journaling laid out in a pleasing and cohesive way but it was a fun challenge. I haven't done many double pagers but I'm happy with the way this one turned out.

Photos and Journaling by Amy
Scrapping by Connie

Abbie - July 2010

2011-08-07T16:39:00.001-07:00

Abigail Anne Wagner - 3 mo
July 2010

In Black and White

2011-08-06T23:54:00.000-07:00

Ordained Of God

2011-08-06T00:32:00.000-07:00

LIFE IS GOOD

2011-08-05T15:11:00.000-07:00

ROB . MELIS . REED
11/2007

NEWBORN WATCHING

2011-08-03T20:27:00.002-07:00

In BLACK and WHITE - Amy and Enzo

2011-08-03T20:26:00.001-07:00

In BLACK and WHITE - Melissa and Miles

2011-08-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

2 Sundays in a Row

2011-07-31T21:00:00.001-07:00

It's amazing how just adding a little (or a lot of) dirt in the air will completely change how everything looks. The first photo is before the dirt storm blew in and the 2nd is just as the dirt is arriving. It was just a matter of minutes - as you can see the same cloud formation is beginning to break up a little - but it made the sky dark and gave it the pretty colors in the sky that only dirt will do.

South of us, our three kids and families were getting pounded with rain but it barely dampened the patio at our house. Last Sunday it was the reverse. We had a real gully-washer and the wash by our house was roaring with the runoff from the mountain. So that's two Sundays in a row that we have had wonderful rain.

I talked to Mom in Amarillo tonight and they said they haven't had any rain since they have been there. That's all of June and July!! And they are enduring record breaking 100+ temperatures this summer - all summer long!! Sounds like Arizona might have been the better choice. Who would have known?!!

Shopping With Hailee

2011-07-28T00:40:00.007-07:00

FLY-FISHING IN OKLAHOMA

2011-07-25T13:12:00.002-07:00

This one is for Sam and Mandy . . . I hope you don't mind me lifting this beautiful photo from your blog. It was perfect for a Designer's Challenge at myscrapbookart.com and I have been wanting to do a fly fishing layout all summer.

PEEK-A-BOO II

2011-07-19T15:17:00.002-07:00

I wasn't satisfied with the first layout I made with these pics. So here is #2.
Which one do you like?

PEEK-A-BOO BABY

2011-07-18T21:09:00.002-07:00

Q-T QUINCI PLAYING PEEK-A-BOO ON THE MORNING THAT THEY LEFT TO RETURN HOME TO DALLAS. LOVE THIS GIRL!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!

2011-07-16T15:21:00.005-07:00

Today (Saturday) Alex, Greg and I celebrated Alex's 9th birthday at the 9:30am showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part 2 in 3D at the IMAX Theater. Since it was the first showing of the day we didn't have to sit in any lines - just bought our tickets and went directly into the theater. And we didn't get there super early - just about 30 minutes before the movie started.

The movie was AWESOME!! But I am so sad that it is the last one. I have so loved each and every one of the Harry Potter movies. I didn't read the books but I am still a die-hard fan of the movies and everything Harry!! I can't wait for it to come out on BluRay. Perhaps I will have to see it again in the theater before it is available to purchase. Of course I am spoiled by IMAX. No other theater can compare in sound or picture!! Loved the 3D!!

Thanks for having a birthday, Alex, so we could enjoy a fun time with YOU at the movies!!

Wii PLAY

2011-06-25T15:17:00.006-07:00

~ June 8-9 ~

When little Enzo was born, Garrett spent the night at the hospital with Amy and Enzo. Melis came with Reed, Bailey, Alex and Adam to spend the night at our house. The next morning the kids had a fun time playing Wii together. When Melissa dropped Miles off for me to babysit, he was delighted to find his cousins were here too!

Happy 11th Birthday Bailey

2011-06-18T14:00:00.001-07:00

We had a fun time with Bailey at the IMAX watching Kung Fu Panda 2 in 3D.
And then at Panda Express for lunch.
It was a "Perfectly Panda" day!!

Happy Flag Day!!

2011-06-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Today is Flag Day so I hung my flags. I was the only one in the neighborhood to do so. I'm leaving them up till July 5th. The HOA may not like it but they can rot. We don't fly the flag enough!!

MORE PHOTOS

2011-06-13T01:03:00.001-07:00

There are more photos of Enzo on my smugmug: HERE

MEETING THE FAMILY

2011-06-13T00:56:00.003-07:00

BIG SISTER BAILEY

BAILEY, ALEX, AND ENZO

BIG BROTHER ALEX

BIG BROTHER ADAM

CUTE LITTLE NOSE

PAPA MILES

GREAT AUNT SHARON

AUNT MELIS

ADORABLE ENZO

FIRST BUBBLE BATH

2011-06-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Birth Day ENZO!!

2011-06-08T16:00:00.001-07:00

NAME:

Grant Lorenzo Miles - "ENZO" for short . . . for now.

STATISTICS:

DATE: June 8, 2011

TIME: 8:33 a.m.

WEIGHT: 7 lbs

MEASUREMENTS: Length: 19 in; Head: 14 in

100% CUTENESS!!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY - ABBIE!!

2011-05-25T11:45:00.006-07:00

Slip-N-Slide at Logan's 6th Birthday Party

2011-05-19T22:22:00.006-07:00

The kids watch warily as Kellie tries to show them how it's done.
Logan goes next but the slide is not slippery enough yet.

Morgan belly-crawls down the slide

Bailey is NOT impressed. Hailee is determined to make this work. Quinci gets a helping hand from Melis.

Hailee and Quinci think it's fun even if they don't slide too far.

Alex, Adam and Reed figure it out and make the biggest splash of all.

Alex has great form - - and faces!

HONEYCOMB!!

2011-05-15T23:35:00.004-07:00

MAY 2011 - When I noticed bees buzzing around a corner of our patio roof I called Kevin-the-Bug-Guy to come take care of it. Several hours after he sprayed I noticed a sticky substance dripping out of the wood. I called Kevin and he said that bees use their wings to fan the honeycomb to keep it cool and solid. With the bees gone and the hot sunshine, the honeycomb will melt and drip. This must have been a large hive because honey has been dripping everyday for a week!! I hose it off everyday but it's NEVER-ENDING!!

COMPOSITE - Hi-Tech at the Bus Stop

2011-05-09T18:34:00.001-07:00

Phoning, Texting, Computing, Rockin out w/Tunes

TRIPTYCH (3 photos)

2011-05-09T18:26:00.002-07:00

Triptych of photos taken at Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

Triptych of photos taken at Sedona.

Sedona Panoramas

2011-05-08T20:55:00.005-07:00

7 May 11 -

Greg and I drove to Sedona this afternoon to take some photos for the last project in my Intermediate Digital Photography class. It was windy, dusty and the sky was boring (no clouds) but I took the photos anyway. This is a triptych (3 photos) and a panorama of some of the landscape of Sedona.

Happy Mother's Day!!

2011-05-08T00:04:00.007-07:00

To all the Mothers in my family - Happy Mother's Day!! I love you!!

Salon Savy

2011-05-01T18:28:00.008-07:00

iPhone Photos

Melissa cut Hailee's hair as part of her testing out of Zone1 at Kohler Academy. She shortened the length, added light layers and face framing. Hailee was cooperative, patient, and a very good little model. Melissa worked like a pro - like she had been doing this forever. I'm happy that she is doing what she has always wanted to do. I hope it will always be fun for her.

Bridge At Tempe Town Lakes - Panorama

2011-04-19T18:47:00.000-07:00

Today our photo class went to Tempe Town Lakes to photograph panoramas. Here is one I took of one of the bridges that crosses the lake.

SUPER HERO - ALEX!!

2011-04-17T23:18:00.001-07:00

SPRING COLOR PALETTE

2011-04-16T15:48:00.000-07:00

HUMMIE'S WORLD is making a "Nature's Color Palette" book and has requested photo submissions from it's members. Here are the photos/palettes I am submitting.

PLAYING DIRTY

2011-04-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

LOGAN AND MORGAN PLAYING IN THE MUD IN THE BACKYARD - 2009

A Little DIRT

2011-04-13T00:12:00.001-07:00

Logan and Morgan were having a GREAT time romping around in the slippery slimmy mud out by the fruit trees in the backyard. But when they got hungry and wanted to come in for lunch they couldn't understand why Mom said, "NO WAY!!"

Cancer Chronicles

2011-04-12T01:16:00.000-07:00

After 6 months of treatments my cancer is ERADICATED - - hopefully.

Pretty Lady!!

2011-04-08T19:58:00.006-07:00

I wish I had looked this great when I was 7 months prego with my 4th baby!!

Pretty Lady!!

Time To Take Down The Bird Feeder

2011-04-08T13:40:00.014-07:00

I bought a bird feeder. I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed. What a beauty of a bird feeder it was, as I filled it lovingly with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food.

But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue. Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table .. Everywhere! Then some of the birds turned mean. They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. And others birds were boisterous and loud. They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food.

After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore. So I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio. Soon, the back yard was like it used to be .... Quiet, serene.... and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.

Now let's see - - Our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care and free education, and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen.

Then the illegal's came by the tens of thousands. Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families; you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor; your child's second grade class is behind other schools because over half the class doesn't speak english.

Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to 'press one ' to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than 'Old Glory' are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties.

Just my opinion, but maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder.

If you agree, pass it on; if not, just continue cleaning up the poop.

Hummmm!!

2011-04-07T23:22:00.002-07:00

This pretty little Broadbill Hummingbird was humming around at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, today, April 7th.

Down-Under

2011-04-07T22:36:00.001-07:00

Today we learned how to make panoramic photos in my Intermediate Photography class. We are also working on a large project - shooting a body of photos and publish them in a book. My favorite place to shoot is at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. My good friend, Cari Updike, introduced me to the Arboretum three years ago and I have gone every year since then.

This windmill is in the Down-Under (Australian) exhibit. This is a vertical panorama.

This is another panorama of the Down-Under.

LOVE is all you need

2011-04-06T19:51:00.005-07:00

Freshly bathed, contented baby Abbie wearing a new Spring outfit from Nana Miles.
I love the smell of babies right out of the bath! Can't get better than that!

Daffodils

2011-04-04T16:53:00.000-07:00

My Visiting Teacher(s) came last week and gave me some asparagus-looking things wrapped in a paper napkin.
She said, "These are daffodils. Just cut off the ends, put them in cold water and they will bloom."
So I did. And they did.
This is a photo of my blooming daffodils.

IT BEES A BUMMER!!

2011-03-29T17:57:00.003-07:00

It's that time of year - the temps are rising, the desert is blooming and the BEES are buzzing. Every year at this same time we are visited by those pesty yellow and black striped convicts of the insect world.

Our home must be in their flight path cuz they always stop here to rest in the native Ironwood tree in our front yard. The Queen Bee and her Court ball up in a huge black pulsating mass and send out scouts for water and food.

Ideally, after they have rested for a few days, they move on. But sometimes we get a fat, lazy Queen Bee who doesn't really like to travel, and who decides to put down honeycomb roots for an extended visit. That's when we have to call AAA African Bee Removal to come rescue us from the bees . . . or rescue the bees from us. How ever you want to look at it.

So - this is Day One of their visit. In 3 days Nana and Papa will be here for the weekend. Queeny had better be outta here by then or she will be toast!! And I'm not talking honey-butter on bread!! Ya know what I mean?!

Nighty-Night Abbie

2011-03-27T22:07:00.001-07:00

Going

GONE

Sweet Abbie - bathed and more than ready for sleep.

TINKERBELL

2011-03-16T00:14:00.000-07:00

Hailee was all dressed up like Tinkerbell and loved her pretty magic wand

- until she spied three blue & pink plastic fly-swatters.

Everyone knows three are better than one!!!

BEST BUDDIES

2011-03-15T10:43:00.001-07:00

Morgan and Adam are best buddies! Here they are all wrapped up

in Nana's white fluffy towels after a swim in the pool.

Photographing Drama Students

2011-03-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

In my Intermediate Digital Photography Class we are working on Studio Lighting Photography. On Thursday we photographed several students from the Drama Department. This student was really fun to photograph. He said he liked to play crazy, evil characters. He had great expressions and crazy eyes!!

5 FAVORITE THINGS

2011-03-12T12:47:00.001-07:00

What would I do without my gadgets? I really don't think I would know what to do with myself if you took away my music, phone, computers and photos. But then again, perhaps I would finally learn to play a musical instrument (flute and violin), write more letters (an ancient form of communication), get a library card and read real printed books and have to actually live in the moment and capture memories in my mind and heart.

Second thought - please don't take away my favorite things!!

Kellie & Autumn - July 4th, 2009

2011-03-07T20:46:00.000-07:00

Top - Florabella Textures III - Twilight II

Bottom - Original

Miss & Miles 2010

2011-03-06T23:42:00.000-07:00

Playing around again with Florabella Textures III. Having too much fun.

Chardonnay & Whitewash

Sangria & Brushed Sky

Original

The Wagner Family - 2010

2011-02-27T01:02:00.003-07:00

I love this photo of Kellie, Daniel and the kiddos. I also love the red brick and white trim of the house.
It feels like New England - maybe Pennsylvania - certainly NOT Arizona!!
Look what happened in 8-1/2 years of marriage!! WOW!!

KELLIE - 2002

2011-02-26T22:08:00.000-07:00

Here is beautiful Kellie on her 18th birthday, Feb 4, 2002.

Florabella Textures III - Scratched Opal

BEFORE & AFTER

Florabella Textures III

2011-02-26T13:24:00.001-07:00

AFTER
FlorabellaTexturesIII - Angelfood

I have been dreaming of the new Florabella Textures III. For a month I've followed the promos leading up to their release. But when they listed a $20 discount on Facebook I finally took the plunge. It wasn't a huge plunge - with the discount it was only $60. That is money well spent when you can achieve results like this!! And this is just the first of 42 textures!!

Can you guess what I will be doing?

BEFORE & AFTER
Edit blemishes, eyes, teeth before running the action to apply texture

THE WAY TO A MAN'S HEART

2011-02-14T13:20:00.002-07:00

If you think the way to a man's heart is through his stomach - think again.

Click image to enlarge

Hailee's Baptism

2011-01-29T21:17:00.003-07:00

Hailee is wearing the dress that Kellie and Melissa were baptized in.
Hailee was baptized by her dad, Daniel Wagner.

Hailee's Family:
Kellie (holding Abbie), Morgan, Logan, Daniel (holding Autumn) and Hailee

Greg, Connie (holding Miles) Logan, Melissa, Kellie (holding Abbie), Alex, Morgan, Hailee, Logan,
Daniel (holding Autumn), Amy, Bailey & Adam

A Simple Act of Kindness

2011-01-24T06:42:00.001-07:00

My friend, Cynthia, stopped by this morning and gave me this lovely rose in a Martinelli's bottle. It made me feel happy to see it next to my bed. It brightened my whole day. I just had to blog about it.

Thank you, Cynthia!! You made my day!!

(click on photo for larger view)

Kickin Back with Sock Monkey

2011-01-03T22:56:00.004-07:00

Melissa and I were in ~~Walmart~~ Target one evening before Christmas when she suddenly gave a little gasp and exclaimed, "Look at those CUTE slippers!!" I looked, and reaching for these adorable sock monkey slippers, agreed with her, "These are SOOO CUTE!!" She gave my slippers a disgusted glance and said, "NOT THOSE!! THESE cute little black Sara Jane slippers!"

It's just a matter of taste. (Melissa would say that SHE has some - - taste that is.) But I have learned that when you reach a certain age, you exhibit a high level of maturity when you throw style and taste to the wind and buy and wear your sock monkey (or pink pig or floppy-eared dog) slippers. Besides being very liberating - - my grandkids love me more in sock monkey slippers! And, afterall - - it's all about the GrandKids!!

The Miles Kids - Christmas 2010

2011-01-03T16:52:00.005-07:00

I can't believe how grown up these three are getting!!
Bailey is 10, Alex is 8 and Adam is 4!!
When did they get to be so old?!!
I guess while I was sleeping.

Christmas Day 2010

2011-01-03T12:29:00.001-07:00

Papa's in heaven surrounded by six of his little sweethearts!!

Dog-pile on Santa!!

It Snowed in Las Sendas!!

2010-12-30T14:13:00.004-07:00

RARELY does it ever snow in the Arizona desert. It has only happened a time or two - or three or four - in the 33 years we have lived here. So when it DOES happen we are all giddy with delight!! For just a few minutes it snowed in Las Sendas (our community in Northeast Mesa). I ran for the camera while dialing the phone.

Me - Kellie! IT'S SNOWING IN LAS SENDAS!!

K - OHHHHH!! IT'S SNOWING?!! Hey Daniel - It's SNOWING in Las Sendas!! Let's drive up!

Me - It's already melting. It's not even sticking.

K - OHHHHH!! I wish it would snow here!! (Kellie's house is about 5 miles from us)

Rinnnggggg - (It's Bailey)

B - Nana! Is it raining where you are?

Me - IT'S SNOWING IN LAS SENDAS!!

B - WHAT?!! MOM - It's snowing at Nana's (she gives the phone to Amy)

Amy - Hey! There's a big white cloud over you guys. Is it raining?

Me - IT'S SNOWING IN LAS SENDAS!!

Amy - OOOHHH!! That's AWESOME!! We can see it!!

Rinnnggggg - (It's Kellie)

K - IT'S SNOWING HERE AND IT'S STICKING!! The kids are running around looking for their shoes so they can go outside. QUICK!! Get your shoes!! Get out there and play in the snow before it's gone!!

Autumn - (squealing with delight) - OHHH!! It so cold!!

I dialed Melissa.

Me - Hey! IT'S SNOWING IN LAS SENDAS!! And Kellie just called and it's snowing at her house. Is it snowing at your place?

Miss - Not yet!!

Me - Well get ready!! Grab your camera! Put Miles' shoes and coat on 'cause it's coming your way!!!

The Kids Courtyard Casa - looks so pretty with snow!

Just starting to gather.

Here in the desert we get excited over a teaspoon of the white stuff!! Pitiful - I know.

These beauties will have to be covered tonight.

HEARTS TURNED: 35 YEARS - Wedding Announcement of Connie Sessler and Gregory Miles

2010-12-20T02:46:00.000-07:00

HEARTS TURNED: 35 YEARS - Wedding Announcement of Connie Sessler and Gregory Miles

Christmas JOY

2010-12-19T21:39:00.001-07:00

This is how pure JOY looks!!

Around In Circles

2010-12-09T23:41:00.001-07:00

We went to the park in Las Sendas the day after Thanksgiving. Garrett brought kick balls and bicycles so we all had a fun time in the sun. Garrett hopped on a bike and rode it backwards all around the field. Crazy guy!!

Christmas Photo List

2010-12-06T11:08:00.001-07:00

To all my Foto Friends - Here's a Holiday List of Photo-Ops:

1. Something Red
2. A list
3. The Christmas tree
4. Presents wrapped under the tree
5. Something warm and tasty
6. A candy cane (or many)
7. A wreath with a red bow
8. Stamped and addressed Christmas cards
9. Santa Claus
10. Away in a manger
11. Ribbons and bows
12. Something sticky
13. Reindeer
14. A decked hall
15. Silver bells
16. A hippopotamus
17. Under the mistletoe
18. A cup of cheer
19. Toys in every store
20. A winter wonderland
21. Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
22. Holiday greetings
23. A shining star
24. Children, sleeping
25. The number “25”

Can you add to it?

Quinci - The Reason

2010-10-27T16:55:00.008-07:00

This is a layout I did using a designer's freebie and playing for a chance at a $10 coupon at her store. This is the first time I have worked with a freebie and actually used every single element in the freebie to create a layout. These colors aren't my all time favorites but it was interesting to try something different from my usual style. Of course, Quinci's photos made it all worthwhile and FUN. Cute Girl!!

Sessler Family Photos

2010-09-26T15:23:00.000-07:00

I've edited a few Sessler photos and have added them to my Hearts Turned blog. You can see them by clicking on this link: Sessler Photos - 1951-1954

So Thankful For . . .: Beautiful Quinici

2010-08-07T14:51:00.000-07:00

So Thankful For . . .: Beautiful Quinici

Memorial Day 2010

2010-05-31T22:02:00.010-07:00

We celebrated Memorial Day 2010 at our home with a barbecue and swimming. Those in attendance were Greg and I (of course), Garrett, Amy, Alex, Adam (Bailey was in Utah visiting cousins), Logan, Melissa & Miles. Kellie was sick so she and her family stayed home and Rob, Melis & family were at home in Tayhaus (that's "Texas" in Arizona talk). We had a great time with all who were there and missed all who weren't.

Garrett cooked the burgers and established himself as the reigning BURGER KING!! Unfortunately he sacrificed his beloved grill in the process. He was so determined to cook the perfect burger that he decided to BYOG - bring your own grill! He loaded his propane grill into the back of his pickup and headed to our house. On the way - on the freeway no less - a gust of wind blew the grill out of the pickup. And YES, the tailgate was closed!! Luckily there wasn't anyone behind Garrett or anywhere near or this story could have had a very bad ending. However, there was a police officer in an unmarked police car who put on his flashing lights and stopped traffic for the few minutes it took Garrett to run out and drag his battered grill back to the truck. So to make a short story shorter - he used our grill after all and produced the best (and for Garrett, the most costly) burgers I've ever tasted!

Other holiday highlights included a short overnight trip to Flagstaff on Friday-Saturday for Greg and I. We had dinner with Mom & Dad/Nana & Papa at The Sizzler and talked a little while longer in our room at the Embassy Suites.

And last but not least, Melissa got a new Nissan Sentra that was part of a kick-bum sale that Nissan was having for Memorial Day!! Greg said it was the best deal he has EVER made on a car. And that's really saying something!!

Baby tricks on this day included Miles (21 months) shooting (and making) baskets in the basketball hoop on the patio. (He'll be playing with the Suns next.) And 4-week-old Abbie is rolling over and scooting all over her bed. Watch Out World - this little lady is going to get up and go!! So, as you can see, we had a very memorable holiday.

my boy Miles

2010-05-24T23:52:00.000-07:00

Mr. & Mrs. Miles

2010-05-23T01:06:00.006-07:00

We had the honor of attending the Temple Wedding of Erica Lee & Eric Miles on Friday, May 21, 2010.

Sacred Covenants were made; Sacred Promises & Blessing were received.

The creation of the newest Eternal Family!

Congratulations Eric & Erica!!

More photos here.

Abigail Anne

2010-05-09T23:56:00.002-07:00

Our precious little Abby is here. What a joy she is already! Did you know that her name means "Source of Joy"?! I didn't ~ until I looked it up just now. She is appropriately named!

Kellie and Abby spent the day with Greg and I today (Mother's Day). We enjoyed holding and loving her for several undisturbed hours. What a great Mother's Day it was!

Waiting Impatiently

2010-04-26T22:02:00.004-07:00

One week from today (May 3rd) Baby Girl Wagner will be born (that is if she doesn't get anxious and decide to come early). She will be our first May baby. She will share her birth month with Nana (Peggy) Miles and Drew Farrel Miles (both born on May 7th) and Sharon Miles (May 19th). We are all excitedly awaiting for the days to pass. Oh! The wonder of a newborn babe fresh from Heaven!!

At One Glance

2010-04-17T22:39:00.006-07:00

Daniel and Kellie ~ May 2006

Easter Egging

2010-04-10T17:17:00.002-07:00

It was a beautiful Spring day for our picnic / Easter egg hunt in the Wagner's neighborhood park. It was Autumn's first time to hunt for eggs. She caught on immediately and soon her basket was brimming with brightly colored eggs. She was delighted to discover that the eggs were filled with CANDY!!

Masked Beauty

2010-04-10T16:31:00.000-07:00

Hunting Eggs

2010-04-06T01:00:00.002-07:00

For more photos click: here

Happy Easter!!

2010-04-02T09:38:00.001-07:00

More Spring Flowers

2010-04-01T23:27:00.001-07:00

More Arboretum Photos

2010-03-28T22:23:00.001-07:00

More Springtime in the Desert photos - here.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum - March 2010

2010-03-27T22:55:00.004-07:00

Here is a sample of the 400+ photos I took this morning at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum west of Superior, Arizona. The wild flowers were abundant due to the unusually wet weather we have had in the desert this winter. I will post more as I have time.

CuteBoy

2010-03-25T23:20:00.003-07:00

There's never been a cuter baby than Greg was at 9 months.

I guess he really was the original, the one and only . . .

CuTeBOy!!

Happy St. Paddy's Day

2010-03-17T01:01:00.003-07:00

When Irish eyes are smiling tis like a morn in spring

With a lilt of Irish laughter you can hear the angels sing

When Irish hearts are happy all the world is bright and gay

When Irish eyes are smiling they steal your heart away

Sunbathing Beauty

2010-03-14T13:11:00.005-07:00

Little Miss Quinci - 15 months - loving the sun while big brother, Reed is fishing in the pond.

Gone Fishing!!

2010-03-13T23:06:00.000-07:00

This reminds me of old times when Rob and Garrett would fish in the ponds in Sunland Village.

But Rob didn't wear rubber gloves back then!

Raining on Sunday

2010-03-07T22:45:00.000-07:00