Arizona with Love

We're back, we're refreshed, and we now completely understand why so many Minnesotans choose to snowbird!

Brent, the kids, and I visited our lovely friends Albert and Krista Gutierrez and their kiddos in Scottsdale, AZ last week.  It was an absolutely wonderful time catching up, relaxing, and exploring together.

Tuesday - We flew out of MSP at 6:30pm and arrived in PHX at 10:30pm.  The lovely Krista picked us up at the airport and had cozy beds ready for all of us:)

Nora's first plane ride!
Can you see the snow on the wing as we left MSP?

Warmly welcomed to this lovely home

Wednesday - We played outside and explored the cul-de-sac and community amenities in the neighborhood including a pool and tennis court in their backyard!  Later in the afternoon, we went to the "train park" (aka McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park) in Scottsdale for a train ride and some ice cream.  On our way home, we stopped at Chaparral Park for some fishing with hot dogs.  (This was a first for me, but apparently they've found that they work well:))  We rounded out the day with some amazing tacos compliments of Krista and the opportunity to see Albert for the first time when we got home from work.

Luke and Jacob = Friends reunited

Thursday - We spent a beautiful, sunny, 70 degree day at the Phoenix Zoo.  Doesn't get any better than that!

Friday - We drove to Saguaro Lake Marina (about 30 mins) to explore more Arizona landscape.  It was a beautiful area with bluffs, cactus, water, and great views.  On the way home, we stopped in Fountain Hills, another suburb, to take in the Fountain Park.  The kids played on the variety of jungle gyms as we waited for the fountain to spray (which is does on the hour for 15 mins).  It was the most adorable park with walking trails, beautiful views of homes on hills surrounding it, and the impressive fountain. I told Krista that they should move to that suburb when they buy a house, but she said that they have more snakes and scorpions there...I guess it might not be a great move after all:(  Friday night Albert and Krista treated us to grilled steaks and brats.  It tasted so good after not having it in MN for several cold months.

Saturday - The men (Albert finally got a day off) and big kids (Bella, Jacob, and Luke) hiked Sunrise Trail in Scottsdale.  We had lunch together and made our final goodbyes as Desert Ridge Marketplace which is kind of on the border of Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Friends say goodbye for now

Amazing sunset as we departed PHX

After a rather long flight home wrestling Nora, and a snowy drive home from MSP, we were in our beds by 12:30am.

As I'm sure you expected, I took LOTS of pictures:)  Check them out on Shutterfly.

We've readjusted to the cold, wind, and snow, but our hearts continue to be warmed from a wonderful time with special friends:)

Super Soup Anyone?

My husband is a soup connoisseur.  He eats it daily through the cold months (which is pretty much 9 months out of the year here in MN) and even sometimes in the summer.  As a result, he's found his favorite canned soups and has many favorite recipes that I've made through the years.  He's also come up with a genius (in my opinion) addition to a bowl of soup: cut up string cheese.  Sound strange? Well it's amazing!  We cut string cheese into small, round chunks using kitchen scissors and add them to an already heated bowl of soup.  They turn into gooey, cheesy balls of goodness that add to any soup.  We eat a lot of chicken noodle soup and we particularly love it with string cheese.  Brent also likes it in tomato basil soup.  

See those white, round cheese balls?  That's the magic!

Anyway, thought I'd share this lovely tip from my genius hubby:)  

Happy soup season!

A New Year

I’ve hemmed and hawed (spelling?) about posting about the new year…alas here I go.

My Thoughts on the New Year…

I love the fresh start of a new year.  A clean slate feels wonderful and it gives me an optimistic outlook for the year ahead as we make plans and attempt to be intentional with our lives as a family.   

I’m not good with goals.  I’ve heard all of the recommendations: Set realistic, S.M.A.R.T. goals.  But, I still dislike the process of setting them and am very rarely successful in achieving them.  With that said, I’m not much for resolutions either.  Even though I am a type A, “beaver” personality (#12 at this link) I prefer to be internally motivated by my mood to accomplish tasks at home than to be on a schedule that says I should be doing something by a certain date.  In some ways deadlines motivate me, but if it’s one I set myself I know I can break itJ

Recently, I was reminded of the unrealistic expectations we put on the new year.   As a Christian, I believe that the Holy Spirit is at work always and it is no more powerful on January 1 than it was on December 31.  In other words, if I want/need to make a change in my life, I have the power of God behind me always.

With all of this said:  I like the fresh start, I don’t like goals, and God is not limited by our time parameters; here are my thoughts for 2014:

• I’ve been very conscious the past few months to work against my nature of being a black-and-white/all-or-nothing thinker.   I’ve been striving for a balance in many areas which has impacted my thoughts for the new year.  This year I want to continue to strive for balance.  Practically speaking this means I am not starting on a strict diet and exercise routine that I know is not sustainable.   Instead, I am focusing on eating within reason and exercising regularly.  I am 32 years old.  I will not weigh what I did in high school.  I carried my two babies each for nine months and my body shows it.  I will never have the same body shape that I had pre-pregnancies.  This not meant to be negative self-talk, it is realistic self-talk.  
• Even though I don’t like goals, I like to plan:)  So, we’re making plans with our finances, vacation time, time with friends and family, birthday celebrations, etc.  There is much to look forward to!  
• I do not know what the year ahead holds, but I am grateful for where I am, who I am today, and those I share my life with.

Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still. ~Chinese Proverb