Reunited at Last!

Last Wednesday we started getting ready for the trip up north. We bought a dresser off of Craigslist for the guest room and we were busy getting that refinished, then we had to pack up all the crap that we've been keeping in the guest room and move it outside.

This is procrastination at its best. We got the big stuff done and then Nate packed his bags and was on his way out the door when WHAM! he felt something stick him in the foot. His first thought was that he had stepped on a tack. Unfortunately, he found our first scorpion. EWWWW! Such an ugly little thing. And so scary!

Luckily, thanks to his manly strength, it didn't bother him too much. Stupid cats are supposed to eat scorpions. If they would stop wasting time catching lizards, we wouldn't have to worry about the scorpions.
Nate and I took off Thursday afternoon to get the girlies. It also worked out well, we could spend Father's Day with our dads! We went the Vegas route this time and the Hoover Dam bridge is so cool! It's been really cool the last few years to watch the progress. It looks very intimidating and I'm not sure I'll be brave enough to go over it when it is done. I'll hold my breath, close my eyes and pray that Nate can drive fast over it:)

Workers are up there in that box waaaay up in the air.

Me being me, I was very curious about how they would go to the bathroom up there. They actually have port-a-potties strapped to the side of that arch on both sides!!! How would you like to transport that down?
We stayed in lovely Mesquite the first night and we were stunned at how empty the town is. The recession has hit it hard. We kept expecting tumbleweeds to blow by us. But it served it's purpose and then we were getting closer to SL! I called Nate's mom to let her know I was a couple minutes away. She didn't tell the girls, so when I got there, it was a wonderful surprise for them. They both came running up to me and started crying. Happy tears I hope;) It was so wonderful to hold them close and see that they grew up while they were away. And I specifically told them they couldn't do that.

Megan gave Nate Bazooka bubble gum. We all got him a new bow and arrow for Fathers Day. The new kick is Bow Fishing for carp. I should steal some pictures from Jeff. Which means Jeff would have to blog some pictures so I could steal them.
We had a fun, busy, whirlwind vacation. Two Fathers Day celebrations, two birthdays and Carls Cafe and stopping in to see my friend Piper. How we fit it all in two days is still a mystery. And no, I didn't get any pictures of the weekend. I suppose we were too busy.
We left Monday morning, bringing home my niece Shannae. She will be our "nanny" while I finish up my externship. She is fabulous and so good with my girls. They are trying to talk her into signing up at ASU so she can stay with us. I guess if she can survive a 12 hour car ride with us, she can do anything. We went home through Vegas so the girls could see the bridge. It was a really long day. We stopped in Vegas to get gas and use the restroom. It was one of those restrooms that made me happy I had just gotten my Hep B and Tetanus shots. Sammy flat out refused to use it and held it for another three hours. I don't blame her. The attendant had to unlock it for us and then informed me that we could only go in one at a time. Yeah, thanks. Because I wanted to see everyone else use the toilet. We made it home about 9:30. The girls got to see their beloved Dana Family and play for a bit. And then about 11 Megan threw up. And that kept going. And some more in the morning. Poor thing. I sacrificed ;) and stayed home from work to be with her.
It is sooooooooo nice to have them home. They have been sweethearts since we got home and I am glad, because they were the opposite of that this weekend. I'm sure they were exhausted from all the weeks of fun. Welcome Home Girls!!!

Good Experiences, Necessary Expenses

What a week it has been. It started off with Nate and I hearing weird noises coming from the kitchen. We thought we had a lizard under the fridge, and Nate almost stepped on one in the kitchen, but the noise continued. To our horror, we realized the noises we were hearing was our food melting because the fridge was dead. Our fridge came with the house, and I've been wanting a new fridge. But I wanted one with, oh, perhaps some tax return money, or just because we wanted to splurge. Not in an emergency situation. However, I love the new fridge that Nate picked out. It is just what I have wanted!

This soda dispenser was the selling point:)

And while we were at it, we bought a deep freezer as well. Now when I go to Utah this weekend, I can buy skads of LynnWilson burritos and I have somewhere to put them!

This week I also started helping out in the oral surgery office. I am really enjoying working there. I could see myself going into this field. I'm trying to decide if it is because I love it so much, or because they only have to do panoramic x-rays and not full mouth series. Which I hate. So much. But I need to learn to get over it. I did realize that if I go into oral surgery then I will need to start eating breakfast. Not a breakfast girl, but if you are going to be in a bloody situation, you need to have something in the tummy. The office I am helping at is where I had two oral surgeries. I'm starting to wonder how I acted when I woke up, because it is hilarious to listen to people wake up from anesthesia.

Nate and I are sure enjoying our time together. I feel like we are newlyweds again. We get up together in the morning and basically get home from work at the same time. Just like the old days! One night he threw some shrimps and steaks on the barbie. Soooo good. Had to take a picture. Having a husband who can make good food is the best.

We took in a D-Backs game this weekend. I was hoping the roof would be open and I could work on my tan...but nope. And the temp inside was perfect. I love Chase Field, it is so pretty. And lets not forget the fabulous people watching!!!

I always have to get my nachos with jalapenos when we go to a game.

I have sores on my lips today from the jalapenos, but so worth it!

And if I always get nachos, you can be sure that Nate will be getting cotton candy.

We were quite close to Eric Byrnes, Megan's favorite. (Who doesn't like him?) I tried to get his picture, but my zoom sucks.










My camera should say...objects in camera appear microscopic...








Try again...









Keep trying....

Swear it is him!

But down to the important stuff. We leave Thursday night to go get the ladies! I miss them incredibly and I am so excited to see them. It is dominating all my thoughts and I'm not getting much done.

Day of Delight

Nate and I went to the Queen Creek Olive Mill. What a peaceful place to spend an afternoon! We had a wonderful lunch. They grow all the veggies and herbs right there next to the restaurant.

And hey, anyplace that will serve soda in a glass bottle is A-OK with me. Just the way I like it.

Nate got Diet Cane Cola. And it was even kosher!

I ordered the bruschetta. What is bruschetta? It's bread with tomatoes, olive oil and herbs on top of toast points. (Okay, about 6 people will get the joke, that's okay) I don't like raw tomatoes, but this was unreal. Soooo good.

It is so peaceful here. And while we ate I noticed that the music playing was God be with you til we meet again, and I am a Child of God. So...it was like church! There is a plant nursery there and olive trees all over. (duh)

I'm guessing these un-ripe olives aren't too yummy. In the shop you can sample everything they sell.

Sooooo good!
On our way home we saw a sign at Schneff Farms that you can pick your own apples. Sounds like fun! So I made Nate pull over. Wellll, the only apples they had were similar to Granny Smith, not my favorite, but we figured they would bake up well. But they were all little nubbins, we only saw 1 that was ripe. But alas, we noticed a few peaches left on some trees so we got peaches instead. Pure bliss, out in the sunshine and munching on juicy, ripe peaches. And, of course, I dribbled peach juice all down the front of my new ASU shirt.
Such a fun day. I highly recommend the Olive Mill. Go hungry!

Stepmom

I miss my kids like crazy. But Sammy is kind enough to call me everyday and yell at Megan while on the phone so I won't miss them too much:) They are having a fabulous time with their grandmas and cousins and I am happy they have this opportunity. They've only cried once. But I sent them kisses and hugs over the phone and that seemed to help.
I can admit that Nate and I are enjoying each others company immensely. We can go anywhere anytime we please. Today we went to Sportsman's Warehouse to look at guy stuff. I was cracking up at the music selection they were playing over the loud speaker. Diamonds are a girls best friend was playing. Hmmmm. Interesting.
Today I invited Claire over to hang out. She is eight years old and a good friend of my girls. She and I both miss them, so we spent the afternoon together. I bought her some Capri Suns and she told me that I am like her step-mom. But really nice. Heehee. Cute. Nice to have kids around here again...
Work is going really good. I was almost puked on twice this week. Okay, so they were only dry heaving and gagging, but still. I can handle blood and stuff, but I didn't take into account the puking. I am loving the office and the staff. So this is really cool, I am thinking about going into oral surgery, so the doctor I am working for talked to an oral surgeon about it and they are going to let me go over on Tuesdays to job shadow. Verrry nice. I feel like I've made a good decision going in dental, it seems to fit me just right.