Visitors!

So, about a week and a half ago we had visitors! Well, they didn't actually visit us in Mesa, but we met up with Darren's cousin Johnny and his uncle Andy on Friday, the 19th, in Peoria for the Dodgers vs. Padres game. It was a night game, so no sunscreen needed this time :) It did get a little cooler than we had anticipated, but it was still so fun.

The next day we were going to get up early and hike some mountain with Johnny and some of his friends, but we were too tired so we slept in and enjoyed a quiet Saturday morning. That afternoon we drove up to Phoenix and met up with everyone again and watched the BYU vs. Kansas State basketball game! We wish BYU would've won, but it was fun to watch them play in more than one tournament game this year.

It was nice to have a little break from our normal routine, and we are excited to see Johnny and uncle Andy again in May at Josh's wedding!

Crispy Critters

Well, I would actually love to say that we are both crispy, but that would be just me. Not the red head, but the brunette...that tans....On Saturday we drove out to Peoria and watched the San Francisco Giants thrash the Seattle Mariners. We had pretty good lawn seats, and it was a wonderful 75ish degrees with a slight breeze. I made sure Darren lathered himself up with sunscreen, and I got some in the part of my ponytail, but I was sure I'd be okay. I eventually put some sunscreen on my arms and legs, but as we were leaving Darren looks at me and says, "Babe, did you put any sunscreen on?" I told him I had put on a little, but wasn't really worried about it. He then told me that my chest was burned. I looked when we got in the car, and dang it he was right. I was FRIED.

We made a trip to Walmart on our way home for some much needed aloe vera. I've been lathering my chest and my legs (yup, they both got fried on their right sides) and will wear sunscreen when we go again this weekend.

Our day got even better when we got home that evening and checked our mail. I had a friendly letter from the Arizona Department of Public Safety with a photo of me driving our car and a photo of our license plate...I had been caught speeding by one of their highway speed cameras. I had no idea I was even speeding. I must have missed a change in speed limit from 65 to 55, since I was only going 66. Bummer dude.

Spring is Here!

The weather is warming up finally, it's going to be in the mid 70's today, and my bridal photos are up! My sister texted me about an hour ago and let me know they were up on Jessie's photo blog. I'm so happy with how they turned out, and can't wait to see all of them!

Domestic Diva

So, I'm not really a diva, but I have become a lot more domestic! I blame it all on being married and having uber amounts of free time. So, I was looking through the grocery store circulars in yesterday's paper and notice that Safeway had 1lb containers of strawberries on sale for $1.50 each. This is a GREAT deal, so I decided to hit that up and buy a couple yesterday afternoon, and I knew exactly what I would do with them - make jam!

I got to work right after I got home from the store, and had a batch done by the time I had to leave to get Darren. If you've never tried it, it's SO easy. I prepped both containers of strawberries (and ate a few in the process), but I'm pretty sure one recipe only took about one box judging by the amount I have left.

It was so fun and smelled so yummy. I was only going to do one batch, since we're really not sure how long we'll be here, but I'll probably make a second tomorrow to finish off the strawberries I have left. That should be more than enough to last us a while.

Bridal Photos

So, last Wednesday I had the opportunity to get all dolled up in my wedding dress again and take my bridal photos! I had originally planned on taking them the day before the wedding, but things were crazy so my photographer graciously said she could take them this month when she was in Mesa for another wedding.

I had so much fun getting my hair done and walking around downtown Mesa in my big, poofy dress. I was even whistled at by some guys in a pickup truck. Hilarious. Darren was sweet enough to carry around my heels and flowers between shots. He must really love me :)

Since we are low on funds these days, and I really wanted flowers to carry, I went to Walmart and got two things of roses and put together my own small bouquet. Not the best, but it served its purpose. It did remind me that one day I would like to take a floral arrangement class, along with a cake decorating class.

Anyway, back to the photos. We took a bunch around the Mesa Arts Center, and then went over to the Mesa Temple to finish up. Jessie said we got a bunch of great images, and I can't wait to see them in a few weeks! 

It gets even better. On Saturday, as Darren and I were leaving to go grocery shopping we walked past a group of Snowbirds (those that move to Mesa from the frozen states to have a warm winter). I was worried they would be out talking on Wednesday when we left for the photos, but they weren't. Or so I thought. One lady turned to me and said, "Hey, were you in a wedding dress the other day? Did you get married??" I kinda laughed and explained that we were married in December, but I was taking my bridal photos that day. She said, "Oh, good. I was worried because he [Darren] was in shorts and a t-shirt! And then I thought, maybe they're picking his tux up on the way." One of the men in the group said, "Maybe it was a hippie wedding." Darren and I got a kick out of the whole conversation. Anyone who knows me knows that I would NEVER be okay with a hippie-like wedding. Oh how I love where we live...

Simple Pleasures

So, you remember back when you were a kid and the sweet cereals usually had a toy or something inside?? I remember opening the box of Trix and digging to the bottom until I found the color changing spoon. My siblings and I always fought over who got to get the toy/prize in each box. Well, apparently they still put toys in cereal! I have no idea why I never thought about it, but anyway...

Darren opened a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch the other day, and this morning this was sitting on our counter!

I was so confused when I first saw it, but after Darren told me it came out of the cereal box I got really excited. Too excited he might say. So, after I dropped him off at school and went to a doctor's appointment I put the stickers on it to make it a little more cool.

Simple pleasures in life. That made my day. Along with talking to a friend I hadn't talked to in far too long. Great start to the weekend.