update

Another week has begun.  Let's just say I was actually excited for the week to start.  And then it started and I wanted to crawl back into bed.

Rachel and I watched the first season of "Arrested Development" over the weekend.  Rachel has been a fan for a while.  I enjoyed the first season.  Awkward, yes.  Funny, yes.  Out of the norm, yes.  All good things.  I can't wait for more.

Baxter is the best dog ever.  I will shortly have a full post on the dog.

I'm going to the Easter Pageant with my ward tonight.  That will be a great way to start the Easter season off.

I invited myself to JP and Mary Ann's on Sunday.  It was great meeting Nona and Aunt Geri.  Ava is adorable.  I love her chunky cheeks.  Yes, I like that she looks like me, even with her chunks.  Her coo's and facial expressions are my favorite.

Work is work.  Some days are busier than others.  Grateful I still have a job.  Always keeping my eye out for something new - part time and all.

The weather has been divine.  It is supposed to rain on Thurs, but otherwise it's been fabulous outdoor weather.

Springtime

I love springtime in Arizona!  I spent the evening at the park with my friends at their kids.

Abigail unsure about the camera in her face!

Ellie enjoying the attention

I also got to spend time with Max and Ian.  We played tag, hide-n-seek, enjoyed the "tent," and dug for dinosaurs.

Max found a great hiding spot...under the bunk beds.

Even though I don't get paid with my Wednesdays off, I sure enjoy being able to spend time with family and friends.

Thursday night I enjoyed this little venue right in my neighborhood.

This is within walking distance of my house.  If you live in the area, you should check it out.  It's pretty good food, but definitely a great little set up with picnic benches and trees.  We also went biking over to San Tan mall area on Jenna's cruiser bikes.  Who knew biking could be so entertaining?!?

Friday after work, all the ladies went out to Salty Seniorita's.  This is a picture of Cheryl, Kelsey, and myself.  Cheryl is one of the other PAs that works at Family Doctor's.  She helps me a great deal!  And Kelsey is the PA student from Minnesota.  She's been with us for 9 weeks now.  It will be sad when her time here is done.  Even if she is tired of seeing Sinusitis.

Lost Dutchman State Park

We have had some major rain storms this past few weeks.  However, all the rain has definitely made the valley green and beautiful.  Yesterday I went hiking with Adam at Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction.  It was the most amazing day to be outside.  It was the perfect sunny weather with a cool breeze.  Unfortunately, this park is one of the many Arizona parks to be closing due to budget cuts.  You can learn more about it here: Lost Dutchman

We started hiking a little late in the day, but it was still great.  The beginning of the hike from the Saguaro parking lot.

There were all sorts of colorful flowers - red, purple, yellow, white - amongst all the variations of green!

Adam and Sarah on the trail.  I was terrified of hiking the Flatiron trail.  I'd read online that it was worse than two camelback hikes together.  It's something like a 1500 elevation change in 1/8th of a mile?!?  Yikes!  We did not do the whole trail, but did do some good distance.  Since this is the Snowbird season here in AZ, we saw quite a few 'older' people on the trail.  When a couple of the older guys said they made it to the top, it gave me the motivation to at least do it someday.  Which I am sure I will.

It was great terrain to hike on.  We even passed a small waterfall.

What a great way to spend a Saturday!

Rainy days…

What a perfect lazy, rainy day!  Today I woke up to an overcast sky.  As the day progressed the weather continued to change into a drizzle and then into a thunderstorm.  Days like today make me want to stay in my jammies, drink hot chocolate, and watch a movie....wishful thinking.

I did enjoy a nice relaxing weekend, though.  I mostly stayed around the house because I'm on 'phone call.' I did have a few friends over for dinner and skookies (thanks Muirs)!  I also watched the Aggies basketball game last night.  Rachel and I went to a friends wedding reception.

I think cooking should be my newest hobby.  I love to eat good foods.  I love to prepare foods.  I love to share the food with good company.  It must be a sign.  Too bad it takes so much time, money, and usually just myself to eat it all.  I guess I could start asking for people to come over, and maybe some donations to help the cause :)

I have officially moved my records to the Williams YSA ward.  They have been very welcoming this past month while I've been trying to decide.  I think it is going to be a good ward for me.  It's much smaller than CSP, but I have already met some great people.

My latest favorite song is Train's 'Hey Soul Sista.' I know it's being over played on the radio, but it makes me happy! Check it out if you haven't heard it yet.  Let me know what you think.

Hey Soul Sista

Happy Day!

Wednesday!

I have every other Wednesday off at work.  Today was my Wednesday.  This is how I got to spend my day.

Playing with Ava (sorry it's out of focus) and laughing at her cute facial expressions!

Making Ginger bread cookies with Max. He is quite the little helper!

Waiting for the cookies to be made... A favorite hiding place??  (Don't tell Mom!)  We played Candyland, read stories, and waited some more.

Then...

We enjoyed eating the cookies!  About that time, Ian woke up from his nap.

It takes a minute or two!

But we had fun playing with the trucks, digging up dinosaur bones, and running around the backyard.

Mary Ann made us delicious Maui Zaui pizza and smoothies!  I always get treated right when I go for a visit.

Thanks for the fun day!

A must share…

The other day I was on a date at a sushi restaurant.  While we were waiting for our order we decided to play 'paper football.'  I know I've seen paper football, but I've never actually played it.  So I'm sure it was entertaining for the on-lookers, if there were any, to watch us punt the football back and forth at each other.  We tried to be sly and stop when a waiter would come by, but I'm sure we caught a few disapproving glances.  The best was when my date got some great air on his last punt.  It not only went past me, but past the booth next to us, and landed on the next table.  Oops-a-daisy!  We slumped in our chairs and quickly scattered any evidence of paper footballs.  I can only imagine what was thought at the other table when a flying piece of paper landed in their drink or dinner. Classic.

This was probably not the best dating etiquette especially for the restaurant we were dinning at, but lets be honest, it sure was a memorable moment in my life.  I still laugh about it.