Back in Arizona - Part 2

Holly has been waiting for us to come so she could hike Camelback Mountain.  It is one of the most popular hikes in Pheonix since it is so close to the city.  I'm not sure why she thought climbing a mountain with her 52-year-old somewhat out of shape mother was a good idea.  I almost chickened out when I got there and saw all the signs warning that it was an extremely difficult hike but my family promised me that we would go slow and encouraged me to try (when I say "family" I mean Holly and John, Katie just laughed at me).

I can't say it was fun and there were a couple times I really, really wanted to quit but I'm glad I did it. 

We got up super early to beat the heat and crowds and although waking up before the sun comes up is not my idea of a fun vacation, I'm so glad we did.  The trail was still super busy and it got really hot coming back down.

Not sure why I am smiling while the girls look concerned.

The trail was only 2.5 miles but it was 1,420 feet elevation gain.  The sign said it was like climbing to the top of the Empire State Building! 

There were a couple parts where you had a handrail or cable to haul yourself up and lots of climbing over boulders.

Pretty much every time there was a flat rock, I sat down and rested.

Almost there!

The summit!

Notice I am the only one sitting down.  It was a combination of exhaustion and fear of heights!

He's still my favorite hiking buddy.  John could have done the hike twice as fast but he was so patient and encouraging and let me take as many rest stops as I needed.

I was almost dreading going back down more the climb up but despite being a little rough on the knees,   it went really well.  

Katie loved all the bouldering.  She's like a little mountain goat.

I went down on my butt a lot.  I am not a mountain goat.  

After our hike, we picked up Chick-fil-A and ate a park.

Next up was to visit the Desert Botanical Garden.  It was on Holly's list of things to do while she's in Arizona.  It's kind of expensive to get in but my thrifty daughter found out it was free on the second Tuesday of each month.  Unfortunately, my thrifty daughter didn't know you needed reservations to go on free days.  

Katie found a lizard on our way out.  

Rain was forecasted for all day Wednesday, so we just slept in late, played cards and sat in the hot tub.  

Katie really thought it was cool Holly had a tv in her bedroom.

Our good friends, the Beltmans, were also on vacation.  They texted that they had breakfast at this really good restaurant (Another Broken Egg) and they saw there was a location in Mesa so we went to check it out.  

It was super good and they had the cutest coffee cups.  

That night we went to Organ Stop Pizza for supper.  John and I had been there a long time ago with my folks and this was Holly's third time there.

You wouldn't think an organ spinning around and rising up onto a stage would be that entertaining but it really is quite a show.

He even played two of my requests - "Barbara Ann" for Holly and "Under the Sea" (complete with bubbles coming down from the ceiling) for Katie.

She was mesmorized!

Back in Arizona - Part 1

I know, I was just there.  But this time I brought John and Katie with!

We caught an evening flight out of Seattle and got into Pheonix about midnight.  Unfortunately, I had picked up some sort of stomach bug the night before.  Fortunately, I was okay on the plane.

A very wise lady once told Holly and I that you should always have fresh flowers, chocolate, and a magazine waiting for your guests.  Last month she had a home decor magazine for me and this time it was a people featuring some of my favorite royals!

I was feeling much better the next morning but still didn't think I should be out and about so the girls and John went to church and then walked around and got lunch in downtown Gilbert.

Holly had taken me to get prickly pear ice cream at Topo (which means "mole" in Spanish) at this cute walkup food stand when I was there.  They also have burritos so they decided to try them out for lumch.

They all said it was the best burrito they ever had.  Apparently they put Fritos in them.  I was super sorry to have missed out.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing by the pool.  John got to make his Sunday afternoon phone call to his mom in the sunshine!

Monday was deemed "Sister's Day".  The girls went to a water park and left John and I behind.

They had a great time.  Spent the entire day there so they came home tired and hungry.

John and I walked to Walmart and got steaks to grill for supper.

John also got sunglasses because he ALWAYS forgets his sunglasses when we got on vacation!  I liked these ones but I couldn't quite talk him into them.

After supper Holly wanted us to experience this fun churro place she had found right next to her hospital.  They make your churros fresh when you order and then fill them with all kinds of fun stuff.  

We tried salted caramel, chocolate, and (my favorite) Bavarian cream.  It's a good thing we don't have a Duce Churro Cafe in Lynden.

Some stuff that happened in March

John went to Palm Springs on a golfing trip with his buddies.  I'm so thankful he has good friends that like to golf but aren't super good at it and that one of those friends has a house in California!  Thanks Pat and Arnold - maybe one of these days I'll get to go there too!

John took this picture of Mount St. Helen's on his way there.  Super cool.

I finally got some new bar stools.  When you sat on the old ones, you could feel the springs poking your behind however when Katie found out I threw them on the burn pile, she was so upset.  She said she never got a chance to say goodbye.  That girl; she is the most sentimental kid I know.  I hope she's not a hoarder someday.

My mom sent me a Woods (my favorite local coffee place) card "just because".   Sometimes you just need a nonfat almond mocha in the morning.  And when mom pays for it, it tastes like love in a cup.

Sam spent his Spring Break in San Diego with his roommate.  The weather wasn't as warm as he would have liked but he said it was better than Iowa and Micah's mom was a pretty good cook so overall I think it was a good trip.  The only pictures I got was of Olliver the cat who apparently really liked Sam...either that or Sam just really like him.

He'll be home in about six weeks.  I can't believe the year went by that fast but I am seriously missing my boy and can't wait to have him home.

I was going through some drawers trying to purge stuff and came across a little notebook.  I paged through it and found this.  My grandma had written all of her kid's birth weights in here.  I sent it to my mom and she said she never seen these.  Ten pounds!  Seriously Uncle Dick?!!  You're lucky you were still the "golden child" after making your mama push your big self out.

Katie started tennis.  She plays doubles with her friend Savannah.  She LOVES it.  Doesn't she look just the cutest in her little tennis skirt?  

Lynden Christian doesn't have enough girls to have their own team so we combine with Lynden public.  I must say it was pretty weird ordering green and cold stuff!  

Meanwhile back in Washington, a Valentine's Party and some new plantersI

While I was in Arizona, John and Katie had way too much fun.  They declared the week I was gone "Shrimp Week" and decided to eat shrimp every day since I don't like it so I never make it.  As soon as they dropped me off at the airport, they headed to Costco to stock up.

Katie really likes Mr. Rutgers way of preparing shrimp so one night he came over for supper.  I was happy to see they had some vedgies too!

Katie went to a dressy Valentines Party while I was gone.  John sent me a picture of our little girl looking all beautiful.

The two of them also went up to Mt. Baker skiing one day...

and axe throwing in Bellingham with the church youth group.

When I got home, the coffee ladies (and their hubbies) came over for a potluck Valentine's Party.  Our theme was "Red" so everyone had to wear red and bring a red food.  We had lasangna, baked spaghetti, ravioli, spinach salad with strawberries, Ceasar salad (in a red bowl), and bread (no red there).  

Ryan was available for kisses.

Thanks Katie for painting the kissing booth while I was gone!

John took kissy pictures of all the couples.

Some got into it...

more than others!

Darren and Penni, why don't I have a picture of you guys??!

Once we got the east side of the house/garage all done, I thought it looked a little bare so John custom made me some planters.  I can't wait to get some pretty stuff in them this spring!