Arizona Trip Day 3 & 4

Like I said in the previous post. We got sick from the food at the wedding. This made for a VERY low key 3rd day. We didn't go too far from home at all! We did however venture to AZ Mills Mall to do a little shopping. I got a new pair of shoes and Sarah and John found some treasures as well, mostly for the babycakes but it was fun! We were all so sick and tired that we went to bed early.

To make up for the day that we were sick and it being our last day we got up super early on Fri. We headed for a hike up South Mountain. It was a nice hike and I am glad that we went early before it started to get too hot!


Sarah, John, and I atop South Mountain


We then headed to tour the Arizona Cardinals Stadium! It was amazing!!! I had a great time! We had a great tour guide who knew a ton about the stadium and made it fun. It was the best $7 that John spent! Thanks for paying by the way!!! Brenda's husband had gotten us lunch so we ate on our way to the next stop.


Inside the stadium

The turf that rolls in and out

We got a tour of the locker room!

Me inside the locker room--too bad we couldn't go in the Cardinals!

Leaving the locker room, heading to the field

We then headed to see where the other Arizona teams play. We snatched a look at the Diamondbacks stadium and tried to see the Suns but couldn't get in. It was fun though to see parts of AZ that I never saw as a missionary. We then headed to the Mesa Temple and visitors center. I wanted to show Sarah and John where I had served for part of my mission. It had changed a lot but it was still fun to see. We even drove by the apartment on our way to Queencreek!

The Diamondbacks Field

The Temple

Queencreek was my favorite place on my mission. While I was there it was a rural farming community. I have been back a few times since my mission but this time I could hardly believe what I saw! I was amazed at the growth. We used to have to go about 30 minutes to do any shopping----there is now a Target in QC!!!! If only we had had it! But I know that I wouldn't have like it as much if it was the way it is now. One of the things that I loved was it being away from things. We had the chance to see the Reed Family or what is left of their kids at home. They were super good to me while there and it was fun to visit with them and let Brian show Sarah and John his blacksmith skills. He even gave us all diamond rings!!!

We then headed to visit the Oberlys. It was fun to be able to visit with them and catch up for a bit since we didn't have much time at the wedding. We were tired from our full day and headed home to get ready to leave in the AM. It was a much needed vacation!!! I hated being sick and too a few days to recover once home, but it was fun to visit a place that I love and maybe just maybe will end up in again!

Thanks Brenda and Don for your great hospitality! It was fun to meet you Don and great to see you again Brenda!

Arizona Trip Day 1 & 2

We had a great time in Arizona! I can't possibly tell all that we did, but I will give it a try! We flew out Tuesday afternoon. We had an okay flight though it was a bit bumpy. John wanted to sit in the very back and since it wasn't a full flight we had our choice of seats. We will not sit in the back again! This is a photo of Sarah and I on the flight there.


We went to get the rental car. We decided that since I knew the area and it was cheaper if we had one driver, we wouldn't put Sarah and John on. It was super funny what happened!!! I was at the counter and the guy was flirting BIG time with me! It was fun and in the end we got a free upgrade! He even came out to the garage to make sure that we got a good car! Too bad that he had a super ugly mullet, I might have asked him to be my date for the wedding! That night we took it easy. We went the Brenda's house got the GPS system which was awesome and headed to dinner with Trenton (the groom). We then watched our weekly biggest loser! It was fun to find out that our friend Brenda and her husband watch too! So we had a fun time watching and meeting her awesome hubby!


Our awesome car!

This is Brenda's pet tortoise Ted. It was super fun to see him and play with him. We took it easy the morning of the wedding. Slept in, read, played with Ted and watched TV. We ran a few errands before the wedding and then headed to the wedding and reception.

This is Mr. and Mrs. Oberly. The wedding was held at a gorgeous country club. It was fun a beautiful place to have a wedding. We enjoyed a Mexican/American wedding. Which meant that it was late getting started, but the food was good. There was even a mariace band! Although we were all sick the next day. And didn't go too far. We left early because we were all tired but the party lasted well into the night! Glad we could be there! Sarah even ended up helping to serve cause they were short handed, and I translated for her. Fun times!!

A picture of the cake

Sarah and I at the wedding

Breast Cancer Walk

This past weekend a few of my friends and I participated in the Breast Cancer Walk. This was to help raise money for breast cancer research. It was a lot of fun, wasn't too cold, and was well worth it! We will be doing it again next year and hope that we can raise more money and have more team members! Thanks for the fun time!


Our Team--Keep 'Em Real


Mackenzie

Haylie

Wendy

Me, Kenz, Wendy

October Celebration!

Just a few pictures from the October Birthdays/Conference celebration! It was fun and the day we got together it had snowed in the mountains and there were still fall leaves....it was pretty to drive to mom and dad's.


Mountain Snow and fall colors


Pretty View


The kids!

The Fam

The Abu's

Lilly and Jarom

Funny Story!!

Yesterday we had the whole family together for lunch. It gets a little crazy with all of the grand kids around cause they all want attention from their favorite aunt (that's me!) and I don't always get to spend one on one time with them. I did however get to have a moment alone with Lilly, Mandy's daughter and she is hilarious! We were outside looking for her hair bow that she had lost and as I was looking around the yard she says, "I found it!" So I run over to where she was to make sure she indeed had found it. Well she had placed a piece of grass on her head and said, "Here is my bow!" I couldn't help but laugh! I went back to looking for the bow and again she claims she had found it, this time it was more grass. This went on a couple more times, with grass and leaves! I finally sent her into the house to show her mom what she had found. Of course it brought more laughs and giggles. She thought she was quite clever in "finding" her bow!!

Imaginative is all I can say!!! Needless to say we didn't find the bow outside.......her dad had had it in his pocket the entire time!!! Thanks Spence for allowing me to have a great experience but it would have been nice had you filled me in before I scoured the yard multiple times!!!

Sporting Events!

This week I was able to go to the games of my niece and nephew. They both did very well and I am proud of the efforts that they are making on their teams! Josh made a touchdown at his flag football game and Kylie stopped many goals at her soccer game, while playing goalie. They both work well with their teammates and are doing well in the sports that they have chosen to play! Thanks for letting me come.....I enjoy cheering on the sidelines!


Goalie!

Go Team!

Run!!!

Go Team!!

New Hairdo!!!

Here is the new hairdo! I didn't plan on going so short since it seemed as though the votes were for keeping it long...but I am happy with the new cute and needed a change!

Coming Soon....

Pictures of the new hairdo are coming soon......