Farkle? The BeeGee’s visit Arizona (martha)

The Bee Gee’s, Brian and Gina Stangl, visited us this past weekend. They made the great escape from the Minnesota winter.

Grandma (Jeff's sister,) and Papa (Grandpa) Stangl enabled their get-away by tending their three girls (5 1/2, almost 4 and 6 ½ months). Our weather was sunny and in the 70’s. Minnesota had snow and 7 degrees! Thursday was our first adventure…a tasting at a winery.

After that, we ate a late lunch……at Velvet Elvis (# 1 pizza in Arizona as deemed by a travel writer).

Friday morning we toured the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (hiking, botany garden and zoo).

Friday afternoon, we visited Old Tuscon Studios – the Hollywood of the West. It has been used for more than 170 films, TV shows, commercials and music videos.

Friday evening, Gina introduced us to Farkle. This is a pretty casual game played with a minimum of setup. All you need are six dice, paper/pen to record scores and a willingness to laugh...a lot..when you farkle!

Saturday, after eating cinnamon rolls, Brian, Gina and Jeff headed out to Sabino Canyon. They took the tram up the mountain, hiked to the summit and then walked 5.3 miles down the mountain. Despite warnings for mountain lions, the ONLY critter they saw was a tiny little lizard.

Jeff with his nephew and godson, Brian.

This is the trail they hiked down!

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On a somber note, the recent Tragedy in Tucson leaves us deeply saddened for the victims, our community and the shooter. It was only 5 miles from our house. We are routinely at that shopping center (same time as the shooting,) but altered our routine that day because Jeff golfed in a tournament. Please pray for healing in our community and throughout our nation.

Kneed Repair……(martha)

At the beginning of November, I hurt my knee. On Monday, December 20th,
I went in for a tune-up (surgery to repair the torn meniscus).



Now we're headed to Minneapolis-St. Paul on Friday, December 24th, to celebrate Christmas with our families. We'll be talking to you in 2011.

Happy New Year!

Snow........Hmm, what is that? (martha)

Paris is getting snow! Today, the Minneapolis Star/Tribune (newspaper )weather headline is this: "1" Snow/Ice Today (3-6" possible Saturday). Subzero Sunday?"

How about Tucson? NOPE. Come on down and escape the winter. Can you take 78 degrees? Our forecast for the weekend is 80! (she laughs) We don't miss it...at all. Like Jeff says, "We don't have to shovel sunshine."

NEW great-nephew is born!!....(martha)

A Thanksgiving baby...and as Jeff says, "He's fresh out of the box!"

Nolan Jon Lantz was born today, November 25, 2010 at 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long. Parents, Jon and Amy (Papenfuss) Lantz.

Proud grandparents (on Jeff's side of the family,) Gary and Lynne (Kraus) Papenfuss. Congratulations on the newest twig to the family tree.

The baptism of Annabelle Jane Wright...(martha)

On Sunday, October 17, Annabelle Jane Wright was baptized at All Saints Church in Durham, NC. We were privileged to participate in that special service. These are some of the photos from that happy weekend.

Julie Plaxico Wright with Annabelle before the service began.
Julie Plaxico Wright, Annabelle Jane and Mike Wright before the service started.

We present Annabelle Jane Wright to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.
L-R Bob & Nancy Plaxico, Julie Plaxico Wright, Annabelle Jane, Mike, Paula & Rusty Wright

L-R Jeff Kraus, Mike, Julie, & Annabelle Wright, Martha Berg (parents & godparents)

This was a BIG weekend. "Isn't it nap time yet?" wondered Annabelle.

We loved meeting Annabelle. She is adorable and content to snuggle, smile and gaze intently. Her parents are equally terrific.

It's a DRY heat.....(martha)

After 8,053 miles we rolled into the driveway Tuesday night safe and sound...... Or was it?

Jeff immediately cranked down the thermostat (15 degrees) to cool off the house while we unloaded the car. We worked up a sweat toting four suitcases, two storage bins, one set of golf clubs, several book bags and one garment bag from the SUV. Hmm, the house still felt very warm.

Oh, Oh. We discovered that our air-conditioning system was DEAD. Sometime during our journey to the north, it passed away. Just when we thought we were done with workman....





Jesus, Moses and Delbert helped us chill out!

Tuesday night was toasty. Wednesday night was coooooooooooool. Thursday they came back to finish installing everything. The house is done.

Now, where have I heard that before?! (she smiles)

Well, hope springs eternal.

My hero....(martha)

Jeff saved me last night. He killed a scorpion INSIDE the house. Yikes!


"Why are you calling me?" he asked.

"Well," I hurriedly replied, "you have bigger shoes! Besides, I have open-toed sandals. What if I miss (trying to step on him?) He might sting me!"

Naturally Jeff stepped up to the plate (pun intended). He squished it. Then Jeff cleaned up the critter. (He always cleans up his messes.) What a guy!

The surprise for us is that this happened in Texas. We had been expecting our first 'up close and personal encounter' to take place in Arizona. Of course, our hosts had warned us about the nightlife in Texas. Not sure we imagined this.

As I said, Jeff is my hero.