Another Trip - This time to Warmer Sunny AZ

I know, I know, I know I've traveled a ton lately. B has grounded me for awhile (I like to think he just misses me) But the little kids had a week off last week, so we decided to go see our new little buddy Christian, oh and also Taylor, Dave, Michele & the AZ family. It was a very relaxing week, sleeping in everyday. Our real reason for going was to see Obama come to AZ to talk about his mortgage stimulus plan - except that he just gave one of his typical speechs & didn't really talk about it in any detail - wait - has he talked about any of the 'stimulus plan' in detail? (I didn't really see him, I just read in their paper) Sorry, I'm losing my train of thought and getting sick to my stomach.......

We went hiking in the beautiful superstition area. It was surprisingly green. We just missed a rattle snake & a couple of scorpions on the trail. We might have had to carry Lelu out if she'd known (she was behind us with Taylor & didn't hear about it until after the hike). It was fun to see Mark & Liselotte, Simone, Cutie Hayden and darling Easton. We saw Jakob and also Justin who is looking very grown up and the spitting image of Jonathon. We got some visiting time in with Peg & Jen, as well as a nail biter of a movie "Taken". I finally caught up with Brecklyn & Dalton, having missed them up here. He looks as if he's inherited the height gene! He's a tall baby. We took a fun trip to the zoo. I hadn't been to the Phoenx zoo since Aub was a baby, so I took a little walk down memory lane & then drove the kids past my 'Tempe walk down memory lane'.............. I remembered the walk to school being pretty far - it was like 5 houses and Staci Howard's (my bff) house was miles away - it was like another 6 houses. The kids just thought it was pretty boring.

We also discovered AZ is the place to find & buy a subaru. Aub flew down & picked up "Helga" - an awesome find - on Saturday and drove her back up here on Monday. I named her Helga because I bought her from Bjorn, who's from Sweden. I don't even know if Helga is a swedish name or not? I'm now looking forward to seeing Febuary go and March maybe bringing us some spring. 5 days went by really fast.

Lelu & Ari went into their typical depression, tears & all, having to part from their beloved Aunt Michele. I did get the fun of Taylor wanting to ride in "Ant Kistin's car" every time we went anywhere. Thanks so much Dave & Shel for hosting us, we had a great time.

Girls Trip 2009 Cancun

Why do I live here? That's what I'm asking myself everyday I've been back! It's been raining or snowing and everything is dead and there isn't a single color around Utah right now that's pretty to look at.

Look at that water & sky! It was a feast for the eyes and spirit. Some of the highlights this year: taking a ferry over to Isla Mujeres and renting scooters to ride around; late night solving the world's problems, well at least trying to solve each others; tons of laughing; great food (cheap & excellent sushi); plenty of beach time where the sand is like powdered sugar; in room karaoke and 80's dancing. A lot of gratitude to our husbands for supporting us in going on these trips.

For me only: I got upgraded to first class on our return trip! Just for buying an item for a rushed flight attendant who couldn't wait in the unbelievably long line to buy. When I gave her the item on the plane, she asked if she could do anything for me and so I asked if she could switch me to an aisle seat if there was one open. I was in a window seat and I hate the window seat because I make numerous trips to the bathroom due to my 'anxious flying' tummy. She came back and got me and told me it was for my good karma that I was so willing to help her out. I think I got the better end of the deal! With a little guilt that my friends were all back in coach wondering where I'd gone. None of us were sitting together. I'm always glad to be home, missing B & the kids, but it sure is cold and ugly.