Emily + Phoenix = Yippeeeeeee!!! (Part 1)

 As her plane landed, she overheard some guy on his phone saying, "Just laned in your hot desolate barren land"...or something to that effect.  Having never been to Phoenix before, she was all giddy when she heard that!  And after a PERFECT spot on meeting at the airport, we headed straight to Scottsdale to get a taste of the Old West.  

 This isn't the only friend she made...can't tell you how many people came up to her to tell her how cute her shirt was.  Clearly I would have to agree!

 After doing a little shopping in Scottsdale (stripes and polkadots and solids oh my!), we met the family back at Robertos for dinner and then headed home for a mean game of Ticket to Ride.  

Is it my turn?

And even tho I was honest about my cheating, I still won fair and square.  

Honestly.

 Then I did the unthinkable to this girl and made her hike Camelback.  She has all the pics on her camera, (so I'll post them when she sends them to me hint, hint).  Being a half marathon runner and all, she led the way and had no problem getting up the mountain.  I was huffing and puffing and mentioning my shin splint the whole way.  But we sang our hearts out all the way to the 7-Eleven at the top.  People loved our singing.  They loved it!

After the treacherous 3 hour climb, we treated ourselves to a heavenly pedicure. 

 Then dinner with Jer at the Pita Jungle....I'll have the rice to drink please.

 Then shopping at Charming Charlie....hey, let's go upstairs to check the price of this purse. 

I seriously had this girl laughing to tears.

And we need to head back to the top of that mountain for my brain.

 See? Real tears running down her face laughing.  We were out of control!

 We had tooooo much fun!

 And she showered me with gifts, like this St. Paddy's banner, the amazing scarf and fabulous bracelet you see pictured here!  Thank you!!!

Emily, I adore you beyond what words can say!!! You have been with me through some of my toughest days and I just can't even begin to say how much you helped pull me through.  You are the most sincere listener, you give the kindest most thoughtful advice, you are always positive and hilarious and crazy talented on top of that! And when it comes to the definition of fun you and I are on the same page and that does not involve bungees or heights or crazy water sports:)  I love you a bazillion times over and I'm so glad you got to come have a girls weekend with me!!!  It was the best ever!

Bree's New Do...

Jamie does it again!  And all we can say is WOW!!!

Love it!

Troy and Tiff visit

Oh man did we have fun with these guys!  We took them to the park with some friends for a heavenly day...

 Jon couldn't thank me enough for the meal...

 Aren't they the cutest brothers ever?

 My kids had no idea these things actually moved....thank heaven the cousins come so we can turn on the magic.

 Conner!

 Kaitlyn's first train ride...awwww!

 The ONE Chance Only Slumber Party!

 Cruisin around the Scottsdale in the Trolly yeah!

 Merry-Go Round at the Train Park

Loved our puss poppin, gas expelling, game playing, dart gunning, late nighting weekend with you guys!

Come Back Soon!!! 

Nikki!

I have no idea how I neglected to post this little pic!  Nikki was here a few weeks ago and it was so good to see her again.  It was just like old times, maybe even better because we knew we only had a few days so we squeezed lots of stuff in.  Loved our date night with Gma and Gpa Mumford, you playing your heart out at ticket to ride, lunches, park day, family dinner and late night talks.  

We miss and love you so much, Nik!!!  

Valentine's Eve

 It was the night before Valentine's when the doorbell rang..and what to our wondering eyes should appear but a yard full of hearts and a bag full of treats!

Whoever you are out there you absoulutely made our night!!!  

Thank you!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S EVE!!!

Luke's Valetine's Party

 The kids in Ms. Robyn's class recited a poem and sang, "You Are My Sunshine". 

Luke did an amazing job and I was lucky enough to sneak in from my class to see it!

 Then they gathered round to pass out valentines and I snuck back to my room.  Within minutes Luke was in my room, big crocodile tears and all wanting me to come back.  It literally broke my heart!  So I grabbed another teacher who was sweet enough to cover for me and I went back and helped him pass out the goods.  

 And then look who came to the rescue!

 Oh yeah.  Jer was working from home (which just happens to be right down the street from preschool) so he told his boss he'd be a little late for his next meeting and he raced down to Luke's class and saved the day.  Luke has THE BEST DAD around!!!  

Thanks Jer WE LOVE YOU!!!

 Luke loved having him there and it made his whole day.

 Decorating cupcakes wasn't so bad either:)

I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be an amazing Valentine's Day!!

It was adorable, sweet, Ashley's birthday and we hit her favorite spot, Chipotle. 

We beat the crowd, made picture taking friends for the night, ate the most delish cupcakes and did not succeed at scaring Jamie (it WAS a good plan, Sarah!).  6 of us were thanked for waiting in line while 1 of us scored us some amazing seats. We watched the perfect 2 thumbs up movie (which did not prove anything), and on the side we did some amazing fact finding and catching up.  

And I nearly made it through the night without pulling a 'Camie'.                              

Nearly.

Ashley we love your crafty, creative, stylish, running, witty, book reading ways!!

Thanks for letting us party with you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

  

James Bday Celebration!

He showed us how real BBQ is done at Famous Daves. 

It was a cozy, tight night all around and it could not have been more perfect. 

James you can pick out ranch, attract dead bunnies and tell funny stories like no other.

And your one heck of a scout leader I might add!

HAPPY (Belated) BIRTHDAY!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Visit Yahoo!

 My big regret was I did not take nearly enough pics!  

But we played hard. From soccer games to car shows to shopping to baking to gameing it up, it was non-stop fun.  They even got to hear Jake's debut sacrament meeting talk.  I guess I should also mention they helped him practice it and gave him all of their inside tips on how to fly up there.  

He LOVED having them here for that.

(When we were in Cali for Christmas, grandma took us to the movie, We Bought a Zoo. There was a line in there about how "it only takes 20 seconds of courage" to do hard things and Jake remembered that on the way to church and it somehow made the daunting task of speaking in front of all of those people seem do-able to him:) 

 Luke followed grandpa around everywhere.

 Could have played all night!

And he could have dazzled them with his many talents all night.  

Come back soon Gma and Gpa!

WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Luke's Preschool Deal

 I am way behind on posting mainly due to the fact that at the beginning of January I started a new job. I'm teaching pre-school part time and I'm really loving it!  But that decision of mine meant that Luke would have to come with me and do preschool at a new school.  And he did not like that idea one bit.  I tried to prep him for a few weeks before it started and he would literally melt down if I even mentioned the name of the school.  He was not going.  So we made a little deal.  If he went to school and was brave we could take a ride on the train.  He was sold.  First day in Ms. Robyn's class was a piece of cake.  And he still loves it.