Our Arizona Retreat

A few months ago, my mom decided that she wanted to take all of her available children, their spouses, and her granddaughter somewhere over President's Day weekend because it coincided with the one year anniversary of my dad's passing.  We eventually decided to go Arizona for a few days.

Everyone but Taylor drove down in my mom's suburban last Thursday.  Taylor flew down after work that day.  We spent that first night with the Sorensens.  We got up and going the morning of the 14th with a full day ahead of us.  We started off at the Gilbert temple open house.  Since it was the second to last day of the open house and we didn't have tickets, it took us longer to get through than we anticipated, but it was worth it.  Every time we walked into a different room, Leila would stop and say "Woah, beautiful!"

From Gilbert, we rushed over to the Mesa temple where we wanted to go through a session with the Sorensens.  The Mesa temple is where my parents were married and sealed to each other for all eternity almost 30 years ago.  Being there felt like a fitting way to honor my dad's memory.  I am so grateful for the example my parents set by being married in the temple.  And I am grateful for the blessings of the temple that will allow us to be a family forever.  This knowledge has sustained me in the year since my dad died.

After a powerful temple session, we headed to Matta's for what proved to be a very long, frustrating dining experience.  But eventually we were all fed and we made our way to Remy (Taylor's dad) and Cindy's home for the night.  While we were getting ready the next morning, Jason took Leila across the street to a park for a little bit.

Then we were off to Eden for two days of relaxing at my grandparents' house.  We ate lots of yummy food, rode the four-wheelers, went to Pima Freeze, went to church (where we were sitting in the cultural hall and Leila kept wanting play basketball because she saw the hoops; goober), took a drive out to Pond #3 (creative naming, huh?), explored Red Knoll a little, and just enjoyed being together (and the warm weather).

Someone didn't want to leave the "beautiful mountain"

Leila absolutely loved playing with the two dogs.  They are both bigger than her, so I was surprised she wasn't terrified.  Most of my down time was split between watching her play with the dogs and taking her to see the horses.  She sure loves her animals!

Walking to the horses

Monday morning, Jori and Annie drove back to Phoenix where they would fly home and the rest of us loaded up in the suburban to start our trek home.  Along the way, we drove through Petrified Forest National Park and made a few stops.

Overall, it was a nice getaway.  It was certainly an emotional time for all of us, but it was nice that we were able to spend it together, minus our favorite missionary (who remembered and honored Dad in his own way)!

I can hardly believe it has already been a year since dad died.  And yet, in so many ways, this has been the longest year of my life.  Many days were long and hard but time did continue to march forward.  I am grateful for all of the great memories my dad left me with and I know that my family will continue to make good memories over the coming years that we can share with him at a future time.  I miss him fiercely, and always will, but above all else, I am grateful that he is my dad, that he loves me, and for the wonderful Christ-like example he set for us all.  Love you forever Daddy!

Let the Games Begin!

For as long as I can remember, my family (especially my mom) loved watching the Olympics.  Somewhere along the way (the first I recall was for the Salt Lake games in 2002), we started a tradition of having an international dinner the night of the opening ceremonies.  The tradition continued this year as we kicked off the start of the Sochi games last night.

Our spread this year included ginger beef (Canada), beef stroganoff (Russia), insalata verde (Italy), stuffed mushrooms (USA), aebleskivers (Denmark), pao de queijo (Brazil), fried bananas (Brazil), chicken curry (Thailand), gyoza (Japan), mamaliga (Moldova), tiramisu (Brazil), and Sidral Mundet (Mexico).  We had to bring in another table because there was so much food!

Cabela's (A Winter Escape)

Winter is really, REALLY rough on me and this one has been hard on Leila too.  Too much time trapped inside our boring house.  So, yesterday afternoon we made a break for it and ended up wandering around Cabela's for a while.  I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier!  Its all inside but Leila could walk around and look at all of the animals and the fish.  She was in heaven!

Murder Mystery at Camp Floyd

After spending most of the last month cooped up and battling various forms of a cold that just won't go away, not to mention Leila's first ever ear infection, I was going completely stir crazy and needed an excuse to get out of my house, preferably without my daughter (as much as I love her).  So when I heard about a murder mystery party happening at Camp Floyd (a state park not too far from our house), I signed me and Jason up!  Now, not only did I have plans to get out of the house, I tasked myself with making period costumes for us to wear in the meantime.

So yesterday we got all dolled up, left Leila with Aunt Annie and headed off to see what I'd gotten us into.  We spent the first while sipping "Valley Tine" Root Beer, snacking, and playing various period games.  They had Three Card Monte, Chuck-A-Luck, and Faro.  We were given chocolate coins to play with.  I was reminded that me and gambling don't get along well since I lost all but one of my coins very, very quickly.  During the games, a "murder" happened and then we went about trying to solve it.

Three Card Monte

Chuck a Luck

Faro

The Saloon

Jason and I didn't do very well, but then again, neither did anyone else.  There was a large group of teenagers that didn't really want to talk to anyone outside of their group.  And then there were a few little kids that would get nervous every time I tried talking to them.  So, nobody was really successful at solving the mystery, but I think it still qualified as a successful outing!

Random January Happenings

January has come and gone and I thought I'd post some of the pics off my phone of some of the random happenings this month.

Leila pulling a Houdini trick to get out of her high chair

For all of three days this month, I attempted to get Leila to sleep in a big girl bed.  She wasn't having it.  For her naps, I would put away everything that she could play with and it would still take her over an hour to crash.  These were a couple of the positions I found her in.  Unfortunately, walking in the room to check on her, woke her up which meant super short naps for two days.  Needless to say, I gave up for the time being.  Why mess up something that works really well, right?

Yes, she is under that blanket, right next to the door

This girl has grown to LOVE bath time recently

Looks comfy, right?

She also loves going for rides in the car

Leila had her first ear infection a couple weeks ago, but even sick, she's a ham! 

Laying down in the middle of the floor at Ikea...repeatedly