Day 316, December 31st

I can't believe 2011 is almost over!! We've almost been married for a whole year!! We spent the day talking about our favorite moments of 2011...we didn't really do that, but now I wish we had!
Roger was playing at the Scottsdale Block Party so we had a group going, and then of course in the end, it was just Ryan and I...well and my sister and her friend Elaine, but friend-wise I mean.
Anyway, the four of us headed to Sauce for dinner and then got into party mode! haha.  We parked our car pretty far away, but Ryan was afraid we'd get towed, so we moved it closer and just paid to park.  We had a few hours before the concert, so we tried to make it to every bar and get a drink.  One bar, had a pretty dope dj, so we spent a little too much time there before realizing Roger had started!!

The concert was good.  We ran into the usual group we see all the time since first running into them in Mexico two years ago.  We're pretty much best friends with these people, we should probably just start planning concerts together!! Ryan and I are terrible about getting pictures together, then when we do, I make lame faces while he looks nice.  Typical Sarah!

So after the concert, and after midnight, so maybe I shouldn't talk about this until the next post...all of a sudden we heard a fuse like noise, there was a big flash, and all of Old Town Scottsdale went black! Can you imagine if you had an open tab at the bar? Hello free drinks!! :) Anyway, there was a generator for the stage lights, so that at least lit the way out.  We headed to where my car was parked, and low and behold it was trapped by the power lines that had fallen!! With our car trapped, and miles from home, on probably the busiest night for cabs, we stood on the corner and waited until a cab finally picked us up!! Then, because my car was in Scottsdale, I had to have my sister drive Ryan and I all the way home! We didn't even get home until after 3!! It was a crazy end to 2011, or actually a crazy start to 2012!!!

Day 294, December 9th

It is so nutso how quickly weekends can fill up with things to do! As we headed into the Christmas season, we practically had every day filled until 2012! So Friday night, after work Ryan and I headed out to pick up our Christmas Tree.  For someone who had a tiny, fake light up tree for years, it was odd to me how particular Ryan was about where we get out tree from.  There is a nursery one mile from our house that sells trees, but for Ryan, that wasn't good enough, we had to go to a legitimate Tree Lot.  So we headed to Quik Trip, got hot chocolate, and then hit the town to find the perfect tree.  The first place we went to, did not have the perfect tree, so our quest continued.  Luckily, the second stop did, and the owners were adorable.  They drove down here from Green Bay and just sleep in their RV on the lot.  Not my idea of a fun December, but to each their own.  Having two besties from Wisconsin, I tried to bond as much as I could with the wife while the husband helped Ryan with the tree.

Ryan got that tree on top of Big Blue, and we headed home.  We didn't actually set the tree up, just put it in its stand, gave it some water, and then headed to bed since I had work in the morning.  If you could call what I was going to work...

Day 286, December 1st

I had a long day of driving around Arizona for work on Thursday, and when I did get back to the office, I had a few things to catch up on, so got home a bit later than usual.  When I pulled into the garage I saw Ryan pulling out the Christmas stuff! Which I loved since when I was driving home I was thinking we should get the Christmas stuff out!! So we spent the evening decorating the house with green and red and slowly get into the Christmas spirit!! It's crazy to think how fast this year went and that we're already here in the Christmas season!

Day 279, November 24th

So Ryan and I both have huge families, to which we are both the babies of.  When we got married, some people asked if we would start hosting holidays to which I usually just laughed.  Holidays are established in both families, no way we could swoop them up, and then if we were to host our families together, it would be like 50 people...and in our condo, that won't work!!  So until we have a ginormous house, we travel around the Valley for holidays.
Thanksgiving morning, we started our day at Church, after mass, Ryan headed home because he forgot his phone, and Ann and I continued our Thanksgiving tradition of going to AJ's for green tea and pumpkin muffins.  Ryan eventually joined us, we enjoyed to morning, and then Ryan and I headed up to Valerie's house for our first Thanksgiving meal.

Our first Thanksgiving was delicious and wonderful.  We spent about an hour snacking on appetizers and then sat down for dinner.  Thanksgiving food is so delicious! I could eat four meals if I really had to.  I like to go light on the turkey since really I think that's the filler of the meal, and really go to town on mashed potatoes and stuffing...yum.

After dinner number one, we relaxed with the family and then hit the road south a bit for dinner number two.  We ate our second meal, had a wonderful time chatting with my cousin Geoff about random stuff and managed to have a piece of all three pies! 
So, the other exciting thing about this year's Thanksgiving is that Ryan and I decided to do the whole Black Friday thing...the only thing we really desired was a new tv, and Best Buy had an amazing online deal, so actually we bought it after we ate, and didn't have to worry about fighting people for it later.  We still thought, with stores opening at midnight it could be fun to partake, but we weren't totally sold.  Well, we didn't leave my dad's house until almost 11 p.m., so we figured at this point it would be silly not to do some Black Friday shopping.  We headed home, got comfy clothes on, and headed out to our first stop, Target.  

Day 255, October 31st

Happy Halloween!! 

Last year we had zero trick or treaters come to Ryan's place, I was hoping this year would be different.  I worked a little late so came home after the sun had set, and low and behold, Ryan had one little trick or treater already come! This made me hopeful for the rest of the night!!

Ryan is not a fan of scary movies, his one flaw...just kidding!!! But really, he doesn't like them, a few weeks back I wanted to watch Paranormal Activity 2, and he was not having it.  Since it's Halloween, I was able to convince him it was something that had to be watched tonight!! He agreed, not happily.  The movie was not as scary as the first, but that could be because now I know the concept.

We had only one more trick or treater, and it was after 9 p.m., which I thought was irresponsible of her parents, but alas, the little princess got her candy, and did scare the heck out of us since we were submerged in the movie.

Day 252, October 28th

The biggest misconception I'd like to debunk about married couples is that we don't ever do anything!! We still like to do all the same things we did as we were dating, but now that we're married, it seems like everyone has assumed we're boxed up sitting home all the time.  Not true, we will still hang out with you!!

So, Friday night, we headed to Cave Creek to see the Peacemakers play at this little Halloween Bash they were having.  Ryan was so concerned about what we'd dress up as, when I reminded him it was just us, so it didn't really matter all that much!! We decided to raid our closet, and go as Hipsters...which we pulled off very nicely.  Ryan wore my jeans, which was disheartening for me, but at least they are my loose cheap jeans, and not some pair I have trouble squeezing into! 

Anyway, the concert wasn't the best Roger show, but we had a fun time, ran into our usual Peacemakers crew, and I even ran into some people I went to school with, so that was exciting.  Nick and Joe also joined us since we were in their neck of the woods, and we had a stellar evening out!

Day 249, October 25th

I am crazy about traditions! If we do something once, and I really enjoy it, you bet your tush it's going to be a tradition!! With it being our first year as a married couple, I am forcing several traditions on our little home! So of course, with Halloween around the corner, carving pumpkins was a must! 

We poured some wine, turned on Halloween music, and got to work.

Ryan is such a traditionalist, and carved is pumpkin sans stencil.  I stenciled out a little scene as I'm not that creative! It was a wonderful first pumpkin carving session, with many more to come!

Day 245, October 21st

Mary and I have a nice little tradition of going to haunted houses each Halloween time.  When I first moved in with Mike and Mary we went one Sunday without Mike, he is too scared, and a tradition began. We have had several fun nights, from Stephanie crying and being chased out of a field, to almost getting in a fight last year, so many memories!
This year we went to the 13th Floor which we heard was oh so scary!  So we waited in line, caught up on life, and then headed in.  There were two different houses, and we were excited.  The production was amazing, but I wouldn't say it was all that scary! It was hot, that's for sure, but I didn't scream all that often!
After the Haunted House we headed to bar to have a drink and chat before we headed home for the night.  It was a fun night with my best!

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 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 79, May 8th

Happy Mother's Day!
A few years ago for Mother's Day my wise sister and I decided we should just go get pedicures and lunch for Mother's Day, and now, three years later it is a tradition.  Ann (sister) was in New York for work and just got back on Saturday, so we had lots to talk about as we got our pedicures.  After we had pretty feet we headed to Z Tejas..duh... for a late lunch.  Of course, I didn't take any pictures of that!! Either way, Happy Mother's mom, you're cool!! 
We haven't mastered the two family celebration yet for all holidays, and since I have a tradition, and I'm crazy about tradition, it wasn't really a question for me to budge.  So, while I was with my mom and sister, Ryan had lunch with his parents.  Now, mind you, two weeks ago, I asked him what his family usually does for Mother's Day, told him what we do, and asked how we could make it work. He shrugged and said nothing. Then on Friday, yes, like two days ago, he suggested we all do lunch together, as if the entire city of Phoenix wasn't already booked up for Sunday!! So that didn't work, but hopefully our mothers enjoyed their days.
We'll get it together for next year...hopefully.
I was done house sitting and headed home after what seemed like for months I had been gone.  My lovely fur children asked Ryan to make a nice dinner for me, and they even sprung for some gifts.  The Unida Cantina cd (yay!) and a flower...such wonderful kids I have!!

Day 76, May 5th

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!

The thing I heard most when I got married was that we better not become the old married couple who never goes out.  So it was quite interesting when all these people who were worried about us being lame were uber lame on one of my favorite holidays to celebrate!!  Roger Clyne was playing at Salty Senorita which is like amazing, favorite band at a small little bar, sign me up!! Plus tickets were $15...tell me where you can see a concert for that price nowadays?!?!? 
So out of all the folks who were going to go, it came down to the old married couple who actually did!! We grabbed some food, and ate awkwardly with it on our laps, then headed outside for some drinks and Roger! So Ryan and I were talking about when to head out, since technically we are old and married, and thought we'd head out by 10:30, but seriously figured, Roger wouldn't play that long anyway.  
When he hit the stage at 8:30, he informed the audience it was a 3 hour set!! Hello amazing and yikes we'll be so tired!! Now I'm honestly not saying this to say this, but the show was the best show I've ever been to! Even better than the Mexico shows I've been to which are amazeballs!! He played Una Soda, which they never play, as well as Feeling, The Refreshments song that they haven't played in forev!!  There wasn't anything about this show that didn't make me smile!! We also saw Tiffany and Carolyn out, who were also not lame, so we hung with them and mouthed to each other over the music!! We didn't stick to our 10:30 rule, but we headed out by 10:45.  I left the concert sure of two things, I needed to get Unida Cantina soon and I cannot wait until Mexico and the 20th anniversary of Circus Mexicus!!  

Day 65, April 24th

Happy Easter!! We both looked super cute in our Easter clothes, and I wanted to take a picture, and as I was making a flower doll after church, I looked up and Ryan was changing clothes...Easter picture ruiner!!!!
After church we headed to Ryan's parents house.  We watched the kids hunt for eggs, if you're over 10 you can't hunt, which is a bummer, I love Easter egg hunts!!! Treston and Leila did an amazing job finding all the eggs, Treston was too busy to pause for a photo, probably smart because he won!!
We ate a yummy meal and then hit the road to Chandler to my aunt's house. We ate yet again when we got to Merr and Patrick's place, another yummy feast.  
After dinner we headed outside for the annual croquet game, I obviously waited too long inside because I was left out of the original pickings.  I filled in for Patrick for a bit and then in the matter of seconds was covered with bug bites!! Seriously, like 16 of them!! So I sat on the sidelines and itched for the rest of the game.  Better I sat the game out, there seemed to be more cheating than usual this year...
Afterwards we played Left Right Center, first with quarters and then with dollars.  I was pulling to win either one, but obviously wanted to win the dollars game more.  Well I didn't win, but Ryan did!! And now that he's my husband, technically I won too!!! So that was pretty exciting, it even made me forget about my killer bug bites for a few minutes.  After LRC we got our Easter baskets.  I was really worried this year, having to share a basket with Ryan, would I still get a good amount of stuff sharing I worried?!! Well I did, we got plenty of stuff, plenty of yummy goodness to keep us for months probably.  
It was a lovely Easter, and a nice first real holiday as a married couple!

Day 64, April 23rd

 The Saturday before Easter was a busy one for us.  Ryan headed out early for a baseball game and I headed to Tempe to help Mary with a photo shoot for her class.  I thought posing for a few photos would be a snap, but I had to read a paper and look sad and I could not for the life of me look sad.  She told me to look sad with my eyes...what does that even mean?!?!?! I now have mad respect for the girls on America's Next Top Model, but once I mastered the sad eyes, I now also believe I could dominate that show!! :)
When Ryan got home, we headed to get pedicures...Ryan's first, and not his last!! Ryan gave up biting and picking his nails for Lent so we planned to get a manicure too but we had to meet his family for dinner before Easter Vigil so the manicure would have to wait. We headed up north and picked up Ryan's grandma and then met his parents for dinner.  We went to Uncle Louie, it was delicious!! After dinner we headed up to Our Lady of Joy for Easter Vigil.
We stopped at the store on the way home to get cupcake mix to make cupcakes for Easter...which I should have taken pictures of because they were adorable!! 
Gus asked us to get his tie on for Easter, he likes to dress up for special occasions.  Because he's handsome, I had to take a picture of him!!

Day 62, April 21st

Thursday, Holy Week upon us, and the count down to Diet Coke getting so close!! It was Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, depending on who you ask.
When we got home from work, we headed to Church and then to Carlos O'Brien's for dinner.  When we were heading home I got an email from the wonderful Hagerty Photography that wedding pictures were up to view! YAY!  When we got home, we snuggled up on the couch and looked through the hundreds of photos from our wedding day. 
It was the perfect way to end the night, looking through the photos, seeing all our friends and family and laughing at how much taller Brandon is then everyone else in the bridal party!!

Day 27, March 17th

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! 

Thursday was St. Patrick's Day and since we aren't really all that Irish we contacted our most Irish mate to see his holiday plans! My beloved froomie, Michael Gallagher, let us in on what the most Irish would be doing for the evening.  After work, Ryan and I met up at home then headed out to meet with Mike and Mary for an evening of green beer and friends, minus the green beer, I don't think any of us drank that.  We went to Casey Moore's where I always love going, mostly because it's close to home and has a wonderful patio.  

We hung out with friends, talked about New Kids on the Block, diabetes and how being the established ladies in the group some how never works in our favor like it should.  Overall we had a great night! I think we headed out around 9 p.m. or so, one because we are old but mostly two because we hadn't had dinner yet!! Ryan and I went to Macayo's for a late night dinner, since Corn beef and cabbage really isn't our thing!