Superbowl and Zoo

Last night's Superbowl wasn't exactly a nail-biter.  The Seahawks embarrassed the Broncos 43 - 8 much to Mikel's chagrin, but we had a great time hanging out with the Stewart family anyway!

Poor pup Prince is a food thief, so he was relegated to the backyard.

 The Stewarts have a great home for entertaining.

Lauren & Joseph

Kelly -- my gym buddy!

 Touchdown!  (aka "so big"...)

 Thank you for having us, Stewart fam!!  We always look forward to spending time with you.

********

This morning, Nolan and I joined a couple friends at the Phoenix zoo.  I met these ladies through the website MeetUp.com, and it's been great seeing different parts of the city with them and getting to know their families!

Sarah and her kiddos met us there first thing this morning

Kylene

Hayden

In the cooler temps, all 5 of the giraffes were out and visible -- a rarity!

 Today's zoo theme was "No Animal Will Look at Us".

 Okay, this gal did.

 I like these African Spotted Dogs.  Their markings look like calico cats.  They're usually super lazy but today they were pacing and even coming down to the river to drink.

 We've changed our tune since MN and now kind of live for these overcast days!

 Pelicans

 Not looking...

 ... not looking...

  -- Oh, hi!

 Not looking...

 ... not looking...

 ... not looking.  :)  (Kristina and her gang joined us by then)

 You guessed it....

 ... More not looking.......

 Kristina, Makenna and Luke.  Expecting her 3rd in June -- busy mama!

 Extra happy because I just heard from our realtor that the home sellers accepted our counter offer on the inspection details.  Victory!

 Are you looking??

Time for lunch and then head home.

 Nolan thought touching this tree and pulling leaves out of the hole was the most fascinating part of the zoo.  ha!

I love having an annual pass to the zoo just for days like this.  We only saw about 1/2 (if that) of what's there, but we'll catch the rest next time.  Thank you, Sarah, Kristina and kiddos for meeting us there.  It's always great to see you!

First Haircut

Both of my guys needed haircuts today.

One needed it worse than the other; I'll let you decide which.

Before shot

 Waiting our turn

Then it was Go Time!

 

 Cartoons and a steady stream of Smarties helped to distract.

 After!

 So handsome

 The only female stylist in the place walked past, and Nolan invoked his best move: cramming his whole graham cracker into his mouth and acting like he's gagging.  Such a charmer.

 Dad's turn

 - and because Nolan was beating me up and there were no other patrons present, I opted to let him explore a little.  

Lesson learned: There is nowhere more disgusting to allow your crawler to roam than the floor of a men's barber shop.

 Case in point: stained shoeshine rags mixed with strangers' hair trimmings.  

Much hand/face/body-wide wiping took place after this adventure.  When I couldn't take the yuck anymore, N and I strolled down to Starbucks while Mikel's haircut finished up.

*****

 Looking good, fellas.  I'll claim you both!!

Scottsdale Moms Blog

Okay, you guys.  HELP.

I don't know what I've done.  I know it's going to sound trivial - please don't judge me - BUT.

There's this great, widely-read local blog Scottsdale Moms Blog.  I've followed it for a while, and it's been a great read!  A few weeks back, they issued an invite for local moms to "apply" to be on their team of contributors.

I forget what made me do it.

But I created this page with 2 slightly edited versions of my previous posts and sent the SMB editors the link.

If you see it, the "ninja parents" bio was indeed still there when I sent it.  That was embarrassing.  Thanks a lot, auto-fill template.....

Anyway, time went by and I heard nothing.  Zip.  I thought, "Whew. Good.  That was stupid."

Then this came.

Well, crap.

Since then, I've literally thought every day about what on earth I'm going to write about every month.  A short post once a month...  Shouldn't seem so daunting. But I'm rather drawing a blank.

If you read the bios of these gals who contribute, they're all fancy.  Serving on boards and committees, parenting multiples, navigating schools and real discipline, writing for different magazines...  They have so much to pull from!  

Me?  Let's just say: my days aren't THAT.

I could write about:

- nap time (boring)

- the evils of molars (boring)

- gym workouts (boring)

- three-legged crawling (okay, cute but not write-worthy)

- wiener dogs (except no)

? ..............

These little baby days aren't exactly rivetting...

What have I done?

Ideas welcome.  But send prayers.

You can also send money if you want, but that's a different post.

Nana and Papa

It was so wonderful having my parents even for just a few days last week!  They came at the perfect time.  I was feeling a little sad after Carolyn left, and my mom and dad swooped right in and perked us all back up.  :)  The timing was also great as my mom (the World's Best Realtor) was incredibly helpful in giving some in-person guidance, as my days had some rather lengthy new-house-related to-do lists.  

We are so very thankful for family who supports us, encourages us, crosses the distance to visit us, and who we love so much.  

Mom, thank you for the cooking, the laundry, and the realty guidance.  They ALL meant a ton!!  

Dad, thank you for the words of perspective and the park playtime.  You're awesome.

To you both: Thank you for picking up the grocery bill when our credit card was on freeze status.  :) Thank you for treating us to sushi.  THANK YOU FOR COMING.  Can't wait until next time ---- hopefully in a new home!

WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

Carolyn visits!

I met Carolyn when we were entering the 7th grade.  She and her family had just moved back to the U.S. after 4 years spent as missionaries serving in Moscow.  We endured middle school together, then attended the same high school, during which we set an all time record for spending a night on the most back to back to back weekends at each others' houses; We were heartbroken when someone went out of town and we had to break the streak!  I wish I remembered what that number was.... something like 10 or 14 or something.  

After that we were roommates at OBU for 5 years.  People cautioned us left and right about living together, and while no two people can live in the TINY dorm rooms/apts we did and never have differences, it was in college that our friendship really blossomed and became something we both know will endure our whole lives long.

Last fall, Carolyn's husband Andy called me and asked if I would be up for a visit from her.  I was like UH --- Y.E.S!!  So he and I schemed together, nailed down a weekend and he purchased her flight -- presenting the info to her as a surprise on Christmas day.  Andy, I know this was technically Carolyn's Christmas gift, but it was a major gift to me too!  Thank you from us both --- and thank you, Mikel, for taking the weekend off to watch Nolan so us girls could hang.  You guys are keepers.  :)

*****

Reunited after 2.5 yrs!

 Sorry C - I had to include bc it makes me laugh!!

*****

It was a lovely weekend of "normal" with a dear friend :)

We went for a little hike.

finish & flash!

On Mikel's day off, we all payed the zoo a visit and enjoyed the most perfect weather.

 Nolan loves the zoo!

That night, we grilled out and played a few rounds of Ladder Golf.  

Khaki added an extra challenge by swiping the balls every time we tossed them.....

Ha!

"My dad dressed me."

On Sunday, we attended church, and then Carolyn and I got to leave the boys at home and head out for a while on our own.

First stop ----- Starbucks and pedicures.  Both more enjoyable with a good friend.

After that, I drove C up by the new house, where we attempted to hop a little fence onto the golf course and get a gander at the awesome back yard.  I don't have any pics of the blessed event, but it went like this:

- Hop over the rod iron fence onto the golf course.  No problem.

- Walk the cart path to the house and enjoy a look.

- Return to fence and find it much harder to clear from this side...

- I attempt it first.  I fail.  My tennis shoe ends up stuck between two of the rods and I dangle backwards.

- I pray no golfers come along.
- C attempts to lift me up and over.

- We make it out alive, albeit with some serious bruises to show.

So research shows: That little fence is more effective than one might have thought at deterring wanderers.  Good to know.

*****

Nolan loooooves Carolyn.  For the first 24 hours she was here, he just sat and stared at her - whipping out that little dimple to pile on the charm.  He was mesmerized -- and who wouldn't be?!  She's lovely!  It wasn't lost on him, that's for sure.

*****

Going out and about was awesome, but my real favorite was the chance just to return to "college" and lounge around with my friend.

So easy - so natural - so valued.

This was more like it.

*****

I love you, Carolyn, and I am so thankful for this weekend together!!!!!!  It was good medicine for the soul.  I am thankful that no matter where life takes us or how different our paths might look, we can come together and click instantly into place.  You are wonderful, and I am lucky that you're my friend.

Now, come back with Andy!!!