It's hot

It is officially the crappy part of summer here in AZ....well not super crappy....just crappy.  I say this because now is when it NEVER cools down.  Last night the low was 95 degrees and the high was 116.  It is fine because we don't live in 1920 and have air conditioning and chlorinated pools.  I just know it doesn't let up until October or so.  Beats the opposite!  This summer has been really good so far though.  It has been FAST!  The big kids (not ours) are already back in school which is kinda crazy (they only get an 8 week summer).  Cru starts pre school in a week which I think he will really enjoy.  I am excited for him but not excited to be out that extra cash a month.  Worth it me thinks?  We shall see.  I will be excited to get some more one on one time with Zoey.  Speaking of those two--here are some pics that Michelle took of them trying out some of her photography stuff on them.  I will allow it anytime because she is a photo magician.

I love these pictures!  I can't decide on color or b/w.  I am thinking b/w for some pic frames around the house.  They are seriously so much fun right now.  I was just saying to my mom that I am so content right now.  They are in a good stage and I am way less frazzled than I use to be.  It was so hard having them so close and then Zoey being a beast of a child/toddler-ish age.  Makes me really like where I am now!  And Zoey and I are in such a good place right now.  She is a sweet little girl.

Mack and Ashley are moving to PA for grad school so before they head out to Penn State they came for a visit to the AZ.  It was fun having them and I am excited for their future.

 Touring the Gilbert temple grounds and looking swag while posing for the camera.

Zoey wanted to be just like Uncle Mack.  He was trying to get a panoramic pic of the temple but had to take it through the fence so took drastic measures to get the right picture.

Argentina was in the World Cup final this year so we got all dressed up for it.  They didn't win but it was fun having someone to cheer for.  

Zac's job is going well.  They are slowing down for a little bit (nature of the business) but he is staying busy with team building and special assignments.  This job has been good for him and has let him lead the way he likes to.  He really likes who he works with which for me makes all the difference.  He has really gotten into golf which is fun.  He is way more chill than he use to be so it is fun golfing with him.  He gets to go for work quite often which is also a perk!  He also swims a lot since he can't do much else with a messed up back.

I am doing really good!  Staying busy with church calling, my kiddos, play dates, friends, and the gym time which is some of my favorite time.  I am almost 31 but I still feel like I am 20 at times.  I guess that is good??  I really love life.  All is well here for our little family!

Oh no, I suck again!

Seeing as though my last post was 5 months or so ago and I said in my brain I would update my blog every month, I decided to title this post "I suck again".  I love looking back at some of the highlights of our life so once again, I am going to try and do better at updating more frequently.  The happenings around here haven't been anything too crazy.  Just livin' life and really enjoying it!  My kids are growin' up and I like the stages they are in (for the most part).  Church is good and I get to work with the youth which is a good spot to be.  It has been rather good lately.  Here are some pics to reminisce.

In January for Serbian Christmas, I got the quarter again.  I decided to give it to my 2nd counselor in the YW because she has cancer and needed some more luck than me this year.  At the end of this month we find out if she is cancer free but things are looking good!

Stan and Jen also came down Stan's birthday and the Super Bowl which was fun (not the super bowl though...thanks for blowing it Broncos).  We went golfing one day and had a grand ol time.

The Gilbert Temple finally got done after the 5 year time frame of announcement to open house.  This is us at the open house.  The kids did really good and were very quiet.  I think they knew how important this was and I would waist no time in pinching them if they acted up.  They have talked about the temple since they were able to talk and still point it out when we drive by. 

Which brings me to the next pic of the aftermath of the temple cultural celebration.  So after 60 days or more of drought and in a place where rain comes seldom and only for a few minutes, the skies opened up on the youth of our temple district (12,000+ kids) and they did their long awaited performance for President Monson in a desert monsoon!  It was amazing to be a part of and the rain made it more memorable for sure.  This is my group that I was in charge of.  You can see it was no spring picnic.

We decided to take a hike to Hole in the Rock with the kids since it is an easy hike to do.  The kids had a really good time and we had a great view of the city.

See.

This is one of the pics I got from us going to the Ostrich Festival.  Cru is seriously all about things like this now a days.  The first time we went to the Ostrich Festival I took the same pic of these two.  They are getting harder to shove into the bike trailer. 

And the big guy turned four just a month ago!!  He is such a great kid and I am so glad we get him!  He has turned into a huge tease though and makes Zoey cry on a daily basis.  For the most part, he is such a good help.  He has started going to pre school for a couple days a week and LOVES it.  The teachers love him and say how good he is whenever I pick him up.

He also insisted on a Spiderman birthday.  Thank you Pinterest for making me look like a cake decorator.

This is my buddy Rachael.  She has two kids who are 19 months apart and a little younger than mine.  We share in our "too close of kids" struggles together and then take them on adventures.  We piled in her car and drove to Apache Lake which if any of you AZ-ers haven't been, I highly suggest it just for the drive.  It was BEAUTIFUL!! 

See. 

And last thing to focus on is that I FINALLY ran in a half marathon!  I have been training and attempting to run one over four years but due to a broken leg, two pregnancies and births, a fractured foot, IT-Band syndrome and a dozen colds/sicknesses....I finally did it.  It was much harder than I was expecting but I finished under my goal by one minute (1:58:56) so I was happy!

Other than that some other highlights were that last week I potty trained Zoey and she is doing really well with it!  Not a 100% yet but mostly there (poo is still kinda scary for her but she digs the public restroom unlike Cru).  I have enjoyed getting to know the girls in my ward better being the YW president.  This time in this calling has been much different but better.  I have learned to just let things happen and not worry about making sure everything is getting done.  Magically things get done and when you have amazing leaders around you, things really get done.  It takes a lot more time than other callings I have had but has been the most fun and rewarding.  I have some really good friends here in this area and am so grateful for that.  I am really excited for next week because Mom and Dad are coming!  We have a full docket of fun and I know the kids will be so excited for that.  Things are good and I am grateful for all the fun times me and my family get to have! 

Family, Birthdays, Halloween, and the Stake Fair

Life has been good around these parts.  We've been staying somewhat busy, which I like, and events seem to be more fun now that the kids have more of a clue.  At the beginning of the month of October my sister Stephanie came for a visit (thank you Southwest and your super fantastic sales).  It was SOOOOOO much fun and we really had a grand ol' time.  I was hoping all would go well with the transferring to the car, bed and what not and glad to report it was a success!  We had one sketch transfer from the car to her chair but Zac was there to save the day!  We tooled around town, went to dinner at Joes Farmhouse Grill (which Steph gave a ten for the ambiance), went to the candy store, ate pizza, laughed at YouTube videos, and hung out with Ashley (Hawks) Otteson.  The kids had a great time with Steph,and Cru was constantly talking about how she is in a wheelchair because of cars smashing and no seatbelt.  Needless to say when my kids don't want to buckle I ask them if they'd rather be in a wheelchair like Aunt Steph and now they have a visual clue and they don't argue very long.

Chillin in car.

  Zac's birthday was a few weeks ago and Baba came for a short visit which was really fun (a shout out to the SWA again).  The kids really enjoy when company is here and so do I.  It gives us all a shake up from the norm which we all can appreciate.

He wanted cookies rather than cake.

And then Grandma and Grandpa came at the end of October (ah-thank you SW).  My mom's brother lives in Tucson and had an 80th birthday and so her siblings came into town and surprised him at a lunch.  We rented a van so we could all travel together (since it is about two hours away from me) and had an adventure.  Plus my Aunt Elaine and Uncle Kent (plus spouses) came into town and we got to have a grand old time.   Me, Zac, my dad and my Uncle Eric also got to go golfing on Friday which was REALLY fun.

The van ride.  My dad was teasing Zac about the amazing mini-van the whole time.  If any of you know Zac you will know his distain for the mini-van so it was funny.

I love this picture of my kids and their grandparents!

And then of course was Halloween which was really fun this year.

Cru was Puss in Boots, Zoey was a butterfly, and I was a wacky inflatable tube arm man.  We went to a ward trunk or treat party and then trick or treating in our neighborhood.  

And last in this fun month (well the beginning of November) we had the epic Stake Fair.  It is a riot.  All the wards in our stake have a huge celebration which reminds me of something that would happen back in the 50's--which I love because if I ever have a chance to go back in time I am going to that era.  It was full of carnival games, face painting, tractor rides, zip line, chili cook off, hot dogs, obstacle course, petting zoo and about 3,000 people.  I figured since people went to such a huge deal to put this on, I should at least dress up for it.

I wore my SWEET cowboy boots I got at the thrift store, my pearl button shirt, giant star belt buckle, and of course cowboy hat.  People thought I was serious....I was not. 

Cru had a blast.

Zoey.....not so much.

October was a really good month and we had fun with all of our visitors visiting!  Now bring on the holidays!

Two Years Old

Sometimes it is hard to believe (other times it is not) that my little Zoey is two years old.  I remember when I was in the trenches when she was a newborn/baby and I couldn't wait for her to grow up!  I am happy to say it is much nicer with her as a two year old!  She is still a super sassy pants but so sweet too.  The highlights of her special day included having brother help get her out of her crib in the morning and giving her a balloon. 

She had a hard time putting it down and wanted to eat with it. 

She is opening up her present and Cru is trying oh so hard not to do it for her.  She got a pink Broncos hat and this is how she wears it. 

Her baby stroller is probably her favorite present.  Thank you Ross for being so cheap. 

I decided to get her and Cru a cupcake rather than making a cake that I would most likely eat most of. 

This is a BIG difference from last year when she essentially dove into her birthday cake.  Such a lady using a fork and everything.  She doesn't like to be sticky or dirty.

I couldn't resist posting this picture.  Such a cute girl and I am so glad she is with us.  And as far as terrible two's go...I will take them any day over lack of sleep. :)

Reesies Piecies.

Here are the haps that are happening around these parts since the last time I posted.  I am in a way using this blog as a little journal since I suck at writing in my journal now.  So read if you want but here is what is going on in our hood.

It has been a really good summer so far.  I was going to run in a half marathon in March but messed my knee up and just finished up my physical therapy for it so I am happy!  I am not training for another one yet because if I ran outside right now I might evaporate.  In June I went to girls camp as our camp director and came back as the Young Women's President.  What?!? 

This is me and Jenae (previous YW prez) before our skit (hence the amazing lip stick on my face.) I was Señora Fuentes the Spanish teacher.  I was hoping that they might not want me as president after camp because I basically turn into a 17 year old girl but alas...

In July we watch fireworks from a neighbors pasture and let Cru and Zoey get sparklers for the first time.  The next day we got to go to an AZ Diamondbacks game for Zac's work and they set us up with the WORKS!  We got valet parking and they reserved the pool that is in centerfield along with food, towels, and all the Pepsi you could handle.  We followed up the game with a fireworks show and now Cru thinks that all baseball games are like this.  No son.  No they aren't.

Giggles in the pool.

We didn't see much of the game. 

I have never seen the stadium this packed before.  Look what a winning season does! 

She was a little concerned so dad helped her.

July has been hot and humid since the monsoon has rolled through but I think I am a bit more acclimated and not as freaked because my kids are older.  Zac and I were sitting outside at a mall one evening letting our kids play on the play stuff and we both said "It's not that bad out here".   We were surprised when the temperature on our phones read 102 degrees.  Every time the sun starts to go down Cru says "The sun is going down.  Now we can go play outside!"  All this kid wants to do is be outside and play golf or baseball. 

He loves his "tanky" tops.

That is about it for now!  Peace.

The Haps

I haven't updated the ol' blog in quite a while so I thought I'd just post a few of the happenings around here.  Life is good in our family!  Uncle Jake is here in AZ right now and is so much fun to have.  Even Zoey likes him which is saying a lot because she isn't very fond of men so you know he is a good uncle.  She may not look happy in this picture but trust me--when she runs up to Jake and hugs his leg you know it is good stuff.

We went to Anthem and rode on a sweet train with the Dewey's before they leave AZ and head up to the UT.  It was a grand time.  Also--Cru is potty trained!  I got a three day training program from a good friend who swore by it so we gave it a go.  I had to stay with Cru for 3 days right by his side and pump him full of liquids but he got it!  He pretty much figured it out after day one but then got real backed up.  I think he was scared but after bribing and coaxing he finally did the duce in the toilet and got Batman pj's with a cape.

This is him passing the time before the big event.

He LOVES baseball.  He does everything right handed except bat and golf.  I guess that is a good thing in baseball so needless to say Zac is pumped.  He loves watching The Sandlot and play catch.  He acts out scenes from the movie when he plays catch and talks about a Big Roof (Babe Ruthe) signed baseball.

Another good bit of news is that we now have DiCarlos in the Valley!!!!  DiCarlos is a pizza place that is FAMOUS in Ohio where Emil is from.  When Zac and I visited Baba in Ohio a few years back we went to DiCarlos to have pizza.  I had heard about this pizza for a while and thought it might have been talked up a bit too much so I wasn't expecting it to be as good as everyone had said.  Well--it is.  SOOOO good but the only bad thing is that it is on the west side of the valley or about an hour away.  Check it.  

 Two happy men.

Worth the drive if any of my AZ friends are reading this.  And I will accompany you there.

And here is me and the Z.  Her passy is in hopes that she will be a baller someday.  I know I said before kids I didn't care if they played sports....well, I lied.  I really hope they like at least one sport.  So now comes the brainwashing....I mean influencing!!  

Zoey's got a boyfriend

The other day at church, while trying to push through the second hour of Sunday school with a 17 month old, Zoey decided to lay a big fat smooch on the ward under 18 month year old heart throb.  It was awesome and Ollie, Zoey's crush, seemed to welcome the forwardness of Zoey's affection.  So on Valentines day guess who showed up with a valentine for Zoey?  The one and only Ollie.  Check it:

He brought her some chocolates and a valentine with a picture of himself.  It was money in the bank.  I think it is meant to be.

Cru and Zoey got a little valentine as well and Cru was super pumped about this day full of pink and hearts...and candy and cookies. 

Baba sent her famous sugar cookies which were destroyed that day.

And Zac got me a dozen roses (what?) and Chocolate candy and a Coke from McD's.  He know me too well.  It was super fun spending the day with the people I love most.