jam packed

This weekend was full of fun and not so fun adventures.  

Friday night started off with my car acting up while I was driving home from the prison.  Thank goodness my radiator will be replaced sometime this week (crossing my fingers).  That night was great, though.  Josh and I went to Godiva at Chandler Mall and picked out all sorts of delicious chocolates to try while we wandered around the shops.  Then we played games with his grandma, Virginia.  Josh won all the games, but I'm sure he cheated somehow.  It was a most enjoyable night.

 

Saturday we had Kristen's birthday BBQ.  I really just went and enjoyed myself.  We laughed, watched the soccer game at the park, talked and talked, and watched the boys flying the kite, and talked about school (surprise, that's all we talk about). Cadence (Pulley's newest baby girl) was so sweet.  I loved just watching her smile and giggle.  

 

Derik flying Talmage's kite.  

 

Kelly, Cadence, Me, Kristen, Molly, Jenna, and Mimi

Cadence somehow got in the picture without her mother Chelsi.  There was plenty of food and treats to indulge myself in!  And just great company to hang out with.

I unfortunately had to work on my thesis paper (deadline in coming way too soon) and the usual cleaning and laundry.  And seasonal allergies and headaches are most unpleasant when you have things to accomplish.  I love springtime, but I hate all the pollen that sets my allergies off.  There isn't enough medication in all the world to make me feel better.  

This morning was our visiting teaching brunch.  I love getting together to get to know the girls we visit better.  And food tends to be a great way to bring us all in.  Plus we get a great lesson to uplift us.

All in all, it was a great weekend.  

I'm getting really excited to come to UT next week, too!  It will be great to see some family and friends, and share in Heidi's wedding day!

The weekend was pretty good.  I watched "Australia" on Friday with my friend Ty.  Hugh Jackman is an attractive cowboy!  Saturday I actually worked on my thesis (something I should be doing right now), prepared my Sunday School lesson, bridal shower dinner, and then ice-cream and party hopping with John, Jared, and Scott.  Sunday was the "Going Away Party" for Dave and Crystal.  Ryan Hardy made delicious Hawaiian chicken.  Yesterday I got to leave an hour early from work, so I stopped by JP and MA's.  I went to the park with the boys, then out for sushi at Sushi Eye and frozen yogurt with John H, Justin, Travis and Melanie.

 

Crystal's Bridal Shower was dinner at Nando's in Mesa.  It was pretty good food, and great company.  

 

Going away party for Crystal and Dave!  Higley, the dog, was given to Crystal as part of the proposal from Dave.   Higley has gotten big over the last few months.

 

Higley didn't listen to me quite as well.  He just wanted to play!

 

Max, Ian, and I went to the park yesterday.  We had a pretty good time playing in the sand, chasing each other, and going down the slide.... Until the cat came!  Max was playing in the bushes when a neighborhood cat darted towards his direction.  All I could hear was panic in his high-pitched scream as he was trapped within the area of the bushes.  Once he got out he ran towards me saying "Mama, mama, I want my mama."  I tried calming him down and explained we can go home to mama or stay at the park.  "I no go home.  I want mama.  No stroller."  With gasps of air between phrases!  We stayed at the park, but Max's eyes were always searching for the cat.  Eventually I couldn't handle having him stay right by my side, so it was time to head home.

 

Ian didn't mind the cat!  All he wanted to do was climb up the stairs and then climb down the stairs.  Occasionally, I could  get him to go down the slide with me.  The rush always brought a big smile to his face.  But he would then go back to climbing the stairs.  "Up, up, up!" he'd say as he climbed.

Weekend Update!

 

I went to Oakland, California for Heidi and Patrick's wedding this weekend.  I met up with Natasha (my old roommate) and we had a great time!  Here is a picture of the Oakland temple with me trying to be artistic. 

 

Heidi and Patrick after they were sealed in the temple for time and all eternity!  It was a wonderful experience.

 

Us girls together at the reception.  Heidi, Crystal, Natasha, and Me!

 

Natasha and I went to Big Basin Nat'l Forest on Saturday with her friends, Jeff and Nicky, who let us stay with them.

 

The Redwood are so BIG - we could even fit inside!

 

Another one of me.  Natasha and I also explored some of Oakland shops. 

I talked my cute friend, Josh, into picking me up from the airport (rather late) with the incentive of a smoothie.  Well, it worked out great for me, because Josh made the smoothies, too.  Good thing he knows what to do.  Fruit smoothies are the best!  Definitely enjoying the blender (Thanks JP and MA).  I just relaxed and enjoyed being back home.  

wide open space

What is it about walking past fields of green and smelling wild flowers?  A couple friends have been so kind to let me stay at their house while I work at the prison (it is a much shorter drive than from my house).  City life is so stimulated with flashing signs, crowded streets, a variety of loud noises, neighbors, cars, and more cars, that I forget how to appreciate the simple things God has created for us.   After work today I went walking through the neighborhood.  The crisp air was refreshing.  The evening sky was streaked with purple, blue, crimson, orange, and pink, with the most perfect white puffy clouds and airplane trails!  Past the many fields through the distance was  Superstition mountains range.  The birds were chirping and the crickets singing.  The smell of farming mixed with wild flowers mildly struck the Olfactory nerve.  Children's laughter floated through the air.  It was a sweet reminder of the more important things of life.

craving something sweet

After work on Friday, I was really wanting to bake something delicious, like cinnamon rolls.  I held out until Saturday morning.  When I started rummaging through my cupboards, I really didn't have all the ingredients that I needed.  I have been obsessed with this baking website as of late, so I started sifting through some of her recipes.   I found this tasty one.  I had to make a few adjustments to the recipe, but I think it turned out alright.  Next time I will definitely need a bunt cake pan (or something like that) so the middle is cooked thoroughly.  Here's my version of a Blueberry/Blackberry creation!

 

Starting off...

 

Finished product!

 

Mmm, tasty!