Day 136, July 4th

Happy 4th of July!

Wahoo favorite holiday!! We woke up on Monday and made some patriotic crepes for breakfast! While we ate, we rocked the patriotic tunes which I really wish we did every morning to be totally honest!

After breakfast, I made up my treat for the party and then got ready for the day!

We headed to my mom's house for the annual party, and it was a fantastic day! We had a good time hanging in the pool and chatting with everyone!!
While the party started to die down, Ryan and Heath took a snoozer and us ladies got ready to hit Tempe for the fireworks show.

We headed to Tempe, with no real time to spare and watched the wonderful fireworks show.  I will admit, I was a touch disappointed in the music selection this year.  I mean they played God Bless the USA third! That's a closer...everyone knows that!! Having to work the next day really dampers the evening, they really should give us the day after the 4th off.  Hopefully the Government reads this and does so!!  Overall, another wonderful celebration of America in the books! 

Day 135, July 3rd

Today marks one whole year since Ryan and I got engaged! Crazy how much stuff can change in a year!! Now we've been married for 135 days! We woke up sort of late, and headed to breakfast to celebrate the year we've had.  We went to the always yummy, The Breakfast Club, had a smidge of a wait, but well worth it!
We had a fun breakfast, and enjoyed our late morning together.
After we ate, we headed to Mill Ave. to meet up with Brandon and Heather and spent the day hitting up a few of the places along Mill.  It was a fun day, nice to catch up since I haven't seen them in a super duper long time.
After that, Ryan and I hit the road again for Ann's third and final birthday celebration!! We met with my Papa's side of the family at Black Chile at the Biltmore.  We had a delicious meal, and then my dad said we should head to Churn for some dessert.  How is it that my dad knows more about fun stuff than I do?!? No joke, my dad was the first person to tell me about twitter...not that he tweets, and I don't either, but the point his, he got me in the loop.  So hip or not, I joined the train headed to Churn and so glad I did! It was so cute, and fun, and yummy! Plus now I really need to go to The Windsor, which is the restaurant next door! Thanks dad for your hip knowledge!! 
Hope Ann had a very lovely birthday weekend!! I know I had a good time celebrating with her! 

Day 134, July 2nd

So this weekend is sort of one of those main dish of happiness with a small side of sad weekends.  Today marks one year since the last time I saw Stephanie.  We went to lunch and I helped her pick up some final stuff for her trip to Africa the following Monday.  We usually spent 4th of July together but since it was her last night in the states she had family plans, so Friday was the last day we hung out.  I remember when I left, we stood at the door awkwardly, since we aren't huggers, and both said it didn't seem like it would be that long before we saw each other so this didn't really feel like goodbye, we laughed, I told her I'd call her tomorrow, and then I went on my way.  The next day, Ryan proposed so of course I called her right away and we talked then, and I also had a few conversations with her once she was in Africa, so it's not like this was the last time we talked, but now it's been a whole year since I've seen her face.
So I spent most of the day lying around the house, but finally got up and ready late in the afternoon and went to get my sister's birthday present! We went to Target and Hobby Lobby in Ahwatukee and totally saw Donovan McNabb in Target! Exciting, and nice to see even ballers love Target!!!

After shopping, we headed home to get ready to celebrate my sister's birthday with her friends.  We went to Switch , which was really delicious, and one of my new favs! 
I was excited that Ann invited me to go to her friend celebration, two of her high school friends were coming so I totally felt 6 again, trying to hang with my cool older sister and her cool friends...but this time I got invited!! 
After dinner, we took the lightrail downtown to Majerle's to have a few drinks.  It was a fun night, and so much nicer to just listen to Ann and her friend's stories rather than reading about it in her diary later...just kidding I never did that!! I don't think she had a diary, probably because she knew that I would have read it!! 

Day 133, July 1st

So, in my family, birthdays tend to be more than just a one day celebration.  Maybe it's due to our parents being divorced, or maybe it's because we're selfish and want lots of celebrations, either way, we're used to having at least two celebrations each birthday.
So after work, Ryan and I met my mom, Rick and Ann at Culinary Dropout to celebrate the birth of my sister! 
Of course the meal was amazing, it is a Fox after all, and this also helped Ryan and I continue our Fox Fridays mini tradition! We had a nice dinner, and it's always exciting to celebrate another year of Ann!
After dinner, Ryan and I met Tommy at 16th Street  to listen to Mike G spin some dope tunes.  He mixes it up there every Thursday and Friday, so we headed out to show my froomie some love.  If you ever are looking for something to do on Thursday of Friday night, you should go see him too!! Request a New Kids song, he loves playing those!!!  Ask about their mug club...that's pretty dope too!

Day 132, June 30th

Best day ever! NKOTBSB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks to my lovely froomie Mike G, I got 4 wonderful tickets to the New Kids concert, so my sister, Amanda, Shelly and I all headed downtown for the concert of the century! :) 
I met everyone at Ann's after work, and we took the light rail downtown for the show.  We ate dinner at Hard Rock beforehand, skipping Jordin Sparks' performance, nothing personal Jordin! 
I am obviously a NKOTB fan because of my sister, growing up, if Ann liked it, so did I, thankfully, how empty would my life be without Hanging Tough or Please Don't Go Girl?
Also, because of my growing up timing, I was also a BSB fan, but I must admit, never liked them as much as N'Sync, and now I wonder if I really liked BSB all the much, or just said I did because my friends really liked them.
I only wonder this because there were 4 songs that BSB sang, that I literally didn't know at all.  I know I stopped my fanhood before they faded out, but I didn't realize how early on I let go of them obviously!! Sorry boys, no offense.
So, in my humble opinion, New Kids were amazeballs!! I mean these men are twice my age and they are jumping around, dancing, singing, really giving a good show! I feel bad saying this, but I did sort of get sad when they'd leave for Backstreet Boys to come on...I can only imagine my high school friends reaction at this point!! haha
The highlight of BSB being there was seeing my sweet Brian, so cute he is!! 
Brian and Joe together, yes!  Overall, it really was a fun concert, it was totally packed, and the whole place was dancing and really into it, I haven't seen that since I was a youngin!
After the concert, we headed back to Ann's and then I headed home! It was 12:30 when I got home, and Ryan was soundly sleeping, so I calmed down from my teeny bopper high and went to sleep myself.  Totally amazingly fun night! Regretting not taking Friday off for sure!! 

Day 131, June 29th

As luck would have it, Ryan didn't have a baseball game Wednesday night.  We decided to clear out our fridge of food, so we just did leftovers for dinner. 
After dinner, the time had come...the final episode of Six Feet Under, it's like saying goodbye to friends you've had for the last year or so! It was a really good way to end a show I think, for those that know, I mean it totally makes sense for the whole theme of the series.  There were some things I could do without, but overall, I thought it was the perfect ending.  I hate when shows end and it's like okay, so now what happened? Like on Full House, so Michelle fell off a horse, and then she was fine, and the show ends. Does she get addicted to the pain pills they give her? Does she then become a drug addict? Will she hide the drugs in Mr. Woodchuck? Then does Joey go to prison for drug smuggling? Will he ever find love?! I just like to have more answers at the ending of things, so I really like Six Feet Under's ending...and so I say bravo.

Day 130, June 28th

On Tuesday we were pretty business as usual, Ryan went to the gym (yes, I took the night off!) and then we made up dinner.  As you know, we are meal planners now, but for this week, I didn't plan meals since we weren't sure what night we would go to the baseball game and then if Ryan had a baseball game, just too crazy to plan.  Luckily, as a couponer I'm now creating a mini stock pile, we had all the ingredients to make enchiladas!   
Mexican food is never turned down in our household, so we had a lovely fiesta while we watched our Tuesday night TLC shows! :) Or my show and then Little Couple...I still don't know if I have Ryan totally sold on 19 Kids and Counting, but he's at least getting there!


P.S. Isn't that apple in the back adorable??!?! It's from Home Goods, I'm obsessed with it!! 

Day 129, June 27th

Ryan's parents were in Mexico for Father's Day weekend, so today we took them to see the Diamondback's game.  After work, I hopped on the light rail, met Ryan, then met up with his parents.  After a drink at Slider's we headed into the ballpark.
We had a delicious dinner of nachos and hot dogs and I had a giant bottle of water, whew was it hot outside!! 
The game was good, close, and sort of intense, and in the end, the Diamondbacks lost.  But we were playing the Indians which is Ryan's favorite team, so I think either way, he left happy.  I asked him how he could choose if they were to play each other for the World Series and he said he'd be happy either way.  Seems impossible to me, you don't like one over the other?! Oh baseball...
After the game Ryan drove me back to my car at the light rail stop and after a crazy construction detour we finally made it home! Fun Monday, and a treat from our normal not so exciting Monday tradition.

Day 128, June 26th

Sunday morning Ryan had a game, so I got up, ate breakfast and actually went to the gym...by myself! I usually do not have such motivation, but Mary was coming over to swim, and I told her in a text I was going to the gym and she could come over once I was home.  Once I put it out there, I had to follow through.
Mary came over and we hit the pool, once Ryan's game was done, he came down and joined us.  It was a nice day, soaking up some sun and chatting with my froomie! After an afternoon in the sun, Mary headed home to pack for her trip to Wisconsin and Ryan and I headed to dinner with my mom and Rick at, where else but, Aunt Chilada's.
When we got home, we watched a movie, Chaos Theory, which was pretty funny and we enjoyed it.  We finished up some laundry and hit the hay! All this sun can wear ya out for real!! 

Day 127, June 25th

Saturday morning I woke up bright and early and headed to Flagstaff with some of my co-workers for a Family Teams event.  We went to a local sports club, hung out with some parents while the kids swam, and talked about diabetes and the walk.  It was a nice day, and was very nice to get out of the heat for a bit.
While I did that, Ryan had a few friends over to hit the pool and hang out.  I got home around 4 and was surprised to see Ryan alone at the house, and the house clean! Maybe it's just because when my friends and I get together it lasts for hours, but I thought how weird to not still be hanging out...oh well.
When I got home, Ryan suggested we take a nap, and I was happy to accept, as we dozed off I could not fall asleep, so he slept and I watch Freedom Writers (surprisingly good), this went on for almost 3 hours.  As the 8 o'clock hour approached, I decided we weren't cooking dinner obviously and so thought I'd order a pizza.  My debit card number was stolen awhile back, and it's very difficult for Wells Fargo to send a replacement as it's been two weeks and still nothing, so I used Ryan's card to order.  I kid you not, as soon as I started reading off his card number he woke up! It's like his mind told him I was spending his money!! Technically our money but you know what I mean! 
So as he awoke, I finished the movie and dinner came.  We enjoyed pizza, watched some tv, and by 10 or so I was ready for bed, and strangely so was Ryan!! He did tell me Sunday though he didn't fall asleep until a couple of hours later.  So, yes, this is was wild Saturday night!

Day 126, June 24th

Finally Friday! Ryan had a baseball game, so I was flying solo for the evening and I had plans galore! I had a meeting for work on the west side of town, where I also had dinner plans, so in the meantime I got a manicure and hit up my new favorite store Home Goods.
After my afternoon I headed to meet my high school besties for a reunion type dinner.  In our recent life adventures, my wedding, Rachel having a baby, the four of us have been reuniting recently, and decided to do it in more of a intimate setting.  We had dinner at Wildflower, much like the old days and literally closed the place down catching up on lost time.  Because we were still there at closing I never was able to ask anyone to take a photo, which I am sad I didn't.  It was a fun night catching up and I hope we can do it again soon.
After dinner, I hightailed it to Scottsdale to see the oh so funny Tommy G perform at The Comedy Spot.  I met up with some of the friends and we enjoyed an evening of laughing. I can't remember who the headliner was but he was freaking funny.  I did mucho laughing!
After laughing, I chatted with Mary on the street for a bit and then headed home to Ryan!

Day 125, June 23rd

When summer hits there are certain foods that I just don't even think of making, soup for example.  Lasagna is another dish that seems more fall and winter to me, but I'm obviously alone in the house in that belief.  Ryan said I was "seriously lacking" in my lasagna for dinner lately so on Thursday I made it, even though it felt weird to me! 

We had a nice slice of lasagna and a glass of wine and snuggled on the couch to watch Six Feet Under, and one of the episodes literally made me cry, so that was embarrassing!! Lucky for me Gus and Max aren't too judgmental. 

Day 124, June 22nd

Wednesday was Book Club, and I hosted this month's meeting.  I really couldn't get into the book, so as awful as it sounds, I really hoped we wouldn't spend too much time actually talking about the book. Of course, we didn't since it's not easy for us to stay on topic!  We read, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which yes, is not easy to say.  It is a book of letters which is why I think I couldn't really get into it, oh well, the other ladies enjoyed it, and that's all that matters.
Elise made these yummy cake pops and I think she has created her signature book club treat, they were simply delicious!
We had a lovely meeting, discussed several topics, learned a lot of child birth from Adrienne and ate some wonderful food.  As Book Club host for the month I got to choose our next book, Room: A Novel, and I am  looking forward to this read!!
Thanks to Ryan for hitting the driving range for the evening so the ladies could have an evening in!

Day 123, June 21st

While I worked away on Tuesday, I thought to myself how much I really did not feel like making dinner! So I rang up Ryan and asked if he wanted to meet for some happy hour before we went home.  He agreed, and so we ventured from our planned meal for the night and headed to Hula's Modern Tiki for some eats and drinks.
Ryan called to see if Tommy wanted to join us and he did!! So Ryan and I had some food and drinks and then Tommy showed up and we had more drinks! We played catch up with our favorite cousin and talked about Sam and how much he is missed at our house.
Because I spent Monday blogging, my camera was sitting on the coffee table, I saw it this morning when I left for the day, but thought, "why would I need my camera today at work?" Well, so you can understand my frustration when I came up with the happy hour idea and didn't have a camera to capture our adventure!! Lucky for us it's 2011 and I have a camera on my phone, but unlucky for Tommy, the photo of him and Ryan didn't turn out as my phone was hitting dead mode. So his face does not get to grace this blog post.
We headed home and did a quick clean of the house and I baked some cookies, because tomorrow is book club at our casa!!

Day 122, June 20th

I can't say we did anything too exciting on Monday, well, I can, but I'd be lying, and that's not how this blog works!  

After we got home from our 8-5 we did head to the gym where Mary and I did our first Yoga class.  I was worried I wouldn't be able to do anything, but I actually didn't do too bad, and really enjoyed it! New Monday night work out!

When we got home, we ate dinner, and I did some blogging, I was way behind!! While I did that, Ryan played some golf thanks to his generous children.  After I was sort of caught up we lounged on the couch for the rest of the evening.  Wild, I know!! 

Day 121, June 19th

Happy Father's Day

Father's Day, Ryan woke up and headed off to a baseball game.  I know for some people they may enjoy watching their father play, or having their father come watch them play baseball on their day, but that to me does not sound exciting in the least bit!! Just what I want to do on my one designated day, run around and get hot!

So once Ryan's game was over, he came home and the boys gave him their gift, the Tiger Woods, The Masters game for the wii, and we basically just lounged around until dinner time came upon us.

When that hour approached we hit the road and headed to Olive & Ivy for dinner for with papa. We had a delicious meal and it was a lovely time.  

Lucky for us my dad just a couple weeks prior was going on and on how great the show Twin Peaks was so that's what he got for his gift.  I wanted to get season 1 for Father's Day and save Season 2 for his birthday, he's not easy to shop for, but that didn't work out, season 1 is not for sale it seems anywhere! So we got him the box set, and he was happy but alas now we have to figure out a birthday present!!

Day 120, June 18th

Saturday my sister and I went to get pedicures and went shopping.  I haven't gone shopping in so long, I almost forgot how wonderful it is!  Ann had never been to Charming Charlie so we literally spent most of our time there.  I got a few cute things and I believe Ann bought all the earring they sold, haha I exaggerate.  We had a fun time looking at all the things we wanted for our homes, and creating in our minds a beautiful outdoor space for her current space! 
After a day with my sister I headed home to spend the evening with Ryan.  We made dinner then got ready to watch the final installment of the Pirates movies...well the last one before the one in the theater.  I liked the third one better than the second one, and overall I did enjoy the movies, so paint my face red for saying that I wouldn't like them.  Now we just need to get to the theater to see Pirates 4!!