The Outside

This week we have enjoyed being outside. Monday when we finished school we met up with my parents at Queen Creek Park. It was nice to chat with my parents while the kids played. The younger 3 managed to gather a few followers with Ben at lead. They were playing some sort of Minecraft game inspired by his imagination. I love that Ben is so good at making friends. They also had fun conquering a big rock that was there. Steven got bored pretty quickly but did seem to enjoy hiding in a an egg.

Tuesday after school Poppy took the kids to see "Croods 2."It was not the most amzing movie ever but it was the first movie we've been to since Covid went down so it was pretty nice to be a theater again. After the movie went to my parent's house and Grams made us some yummy BBQ pulled pork sandwiches. Then the kids all hung out while I met virtually with my Bishop. It looks like there will be a lot of changes going on in both the youth leadership positions and in the adult leadership positions- due to 4 of my yw graduating and two of my leaders being pregnant and due at the same time. It overwhelms me to think of having to train up new presidencies and basically start over new but hopefully the refresh will just be good for the yw in general. 

Wednesday after school we met up Mecca and her kids at Signal Butte Park. They had a hard time getting into playing- I think because this playground wasn't shaded and they weren't used to so much sun- but of course once it was time to go they all started having fun and were less inclined to leave. After the park we hung out at Mecca's home for a bit so the kids could have some fun on the Nintendo Switch with Oliver. Then we went back to the Hatch house and had dinner with Keshia's family. I had to log on to a YW's activity (we did an ancestor show and tell) but they came over mostly so Reese could be with our girls. She has been loving having girl cousins close to her age around.

Thursday after Tyler got off work, we met Mike and his family for a hike at Hackberry Springs. It was a good hike for the kids- with a broken windmill to climb and a wash to explore- we also saw some deer which was a different experience in the desert than in Michigan. At the end of our hike, Lucy took over my phone and took a bazillion photos of herself and others. I shared a few below.

After school Friday I went out to lunch with my mom to the Broken Yolk. They have the most amazing savory and sweet crepes. I am already desperate to eat them again. After we ate we hung out at their house for a few more hours. The girls played, Ben went for a walk with Poppy to Target and Steven made a stained glass night light with Grams.

Friday night Reese spent the night. Melissa and Logan's kids were supposed to come too but they had been with some of Melissa's family that had tested positive for Covid and we just weren't super comfortable hanging with them because we worry about my mom. Steven was really bummed out but I think fun was still had that night. There was pizza, movie watching and late night giggling- all our kids and Reese slept in the living room. They stayed up far too late since we had to wake them up early for a hike. For the hike we brought along Reese and met Mike, Lillian and Oliver at Hieroglyphic Springs. It had a little more elevation change than the last few I had been on so it wore us all down pretty good but it was a nice hike. It had pretty views, plenty of rocks for the kids to climb and make us nervous on, and really cool hieroglyphics for us to check out at the end. Our kids complained surprisingly little about tiredness but Reese had a hard time at the end- an old scab was hurting her, Penny called her mean and that hurt her feelings and the sun was too bright for her sensitive skin-it's a rough life for her. But on the bright side none of the children suffered any injuries and that's a rarity.

After our hike the boys went home with Mikey Dude so they could have some bonding time (and Nintendo Switch time) with Oliver and the girls went to Krazy Air with Keshia's family. Meanwhile I met my mom at Kohl's so she could spoil the kids as per usual and buy them some clothees. Then we grabbed a bite to eat at Kneader's and after that it was off to Mike's to pick up the boys. All in all it was a full day for everyone and quite honestly a full week. Life here is much different than life in Michigan.

 

Sedona

 Our first full week in Arizona was full of good times. Monday homeschool went surprisingly well. We got an early start and their were little complaints. Afterwards we met my parents at the library. The kids were happy to be able to go in and pick out some books. They found a Minecraft graphic novel series that they found particularly exciting. After we checked out our books, we walked over to the Riparian Perserve. We went on a nice little walk there and I enjoyed reminising over the walks we used to take there when the boys were little. We also saw lots of birds- ducks, cranes, etc. The kids were most excited by the mallard duck that had a poofy head of feathers. There's a white version of this that the kids call Poppy duck, a brownish gray version that the kids call Grammy duck so we decided this must be Grandchild duck. I failed to snap a good picuture of it though, but here are some fun pictures of my cute kids.

After the Riparian we went to my brother's house for a bit so the kids could hang out and get some video game time together. It really is nice to be able to just hang with family after school.

Tuesday homeschool did not go well at all. There were some frustrations with Steven, some major crying from Penny, and some other issues. It was one of those days where I just want to enroll them all back into school immediately. Because of all the issues we got done way later with school. We were going to go out to Target with my parents but the timing just didn't work out. Instead Reese came over and the girls hung out with her. The boys also finished counting Poppy's change Tuesday-he had enlisted them to do that Monday- and they were each paid $20. 

 Wednesday homeschooling was much better, not sure why but I'll take it. When we finished we went with my parents to Target. They were nice enough to buy each of the kids one things- Shopkins for the girls, Lego's for Ben and a Minecraft board game for Steven. The kids also spent some of their own money on things- Lucy got a unicorn, Penny got a Polly Pocket and Ben got Pokemon cards. They then went back to my parent's house to play with these things. After a bit I took the younger 3 to the nearby park while Steven stayed home and played the game with Grams. It was so nice to be outside with the kids. Next I made dinner and then I virtually attended my yw's activity. At the activity the girl's shared their goals for 2021, it was good to hear their goals and to think about what I would like my own goals to be.

Thursday after school my dad took the kids to Uptown Jungle. It was a pretty cool place with fun indoor play structures, trampolines and a climbing wall. The climbing wall didn't open up until the end but when it did, I was impressd with how brave Lucy was. She was the only one to go all the way to the top. Overall it was a really fun place and it wore them out pretty good.

As we went to leave Lucy said she wanted to go home with Grams and Poppy so they ended up taking both girls with them. The boys and I went home and then went with Tyler out to dinner to Costa Vida. There is just so much good food here- it's bad for our wallet. I was impressed with both boys for eating there- they are usually not up for eating mexican food when we go out. Ben got a taco and Steven got loaded nachos. When we finished our food we strolled through Deseret Bookstore and then picked up the girls.

Friday after we finished schools I got brave and took the girls plus their cousin Reese on a hike at Lost Dutchman State Park. We couldn't find the trail I was wanting to do but we found one that worked pretty well- Treasure Loop. It wasn't too steep of a climb and it had pretty views. My kids are lazy bums and got tired pretty quickly but I was impressed by how far I managed to push them. Penny also fell twice and got some scrapes which was pretty traumatic for her but besides a little whining and minor cuts- it was a really good time. I just love being able to get outdoors and being around mountains.

After our hike, Tyler and I dropped off the girls with Keshia and the boys with my parents and we headed off on a getaway to Sedona to celebrate our 15th anniversary. We arrived in the evening so no exciting events for our first night. I just played on my new tablet that Tyler had got me so I can do my artsy stuff digitally. And we also made a stop at a grocery store for junk food.

Saturday we slept in and then got breakfast at what turned out to be a fancy place. I picked it because it had a picture of pancakes and strawberries that looked good. Turns out they didn't even have such things but Tyler got some southwestern breakfast enchilada that he loved and I got a yogurt parfait that was not super exciting but just what my sensitive tummy needed. The restaurant was situated by an airport for tourist plane rides and also had a great view of the red mountains. It was fun to watch the planes land.

After eating we were ready to hike. The first trail we tried the parking was full so we went to the Marg's Draw Trail instead. We got lucky on this one and nabbed the last parking spot. This trail took us to what has been dubbed Snoopy's rock. This trail was also not super steep but it was about 4 miles long and that's 4 miles more than I have been walking lately. I am proud of myself for making it there and back and it was of course fun to do with Tyler. I enjoy our adventures.

After our hike we strolled through some shops in Tlaquepaque Village which were all way to fancy for us. But we did hit up a New Age shop because my friends and I always joke about these sort of things and I thought I could get them a gag gift. Unfortunately these people take these things very seriously so much of the stuff was way overpriced but I did end up finding a candle for my friend that if she burns it wealth will come her way ;) We also found some fun statues to pose with.

We then took a much needed break at the hotel before heading out again for lunch/dinner. We went to a place that specialized in tamales but it ended up not being super wonderful. The food was kind of bland but I guess that was probably best for my sensitive tummy. 

Afterwards we decided to find a scenic overlook since the sun was going down and I thought that might allow for some nice views. First we headed to a place called Lover's Knoll but it was extremely populated. So instead we found a place just up the road with no one else. Unfortunately as we were taking pictures another couple came and spoiled our romantic spot ;)But it was still a pretty view. And Tyler had fun joking with the other couple about how they didn't spoil our romantic moment because I had just called him dumb. I may have done that...

Tyler was determined we have dessert afterwards so we ended up parking in town to look for a place to satisfy his cravings. It was cold outside but somehow we settled on a popsicle joint. I am grateful it had indoor seating. He got a cotton candy popsicle and mine was pina colada. They were actually really good and I would totally eat there again.

Then it was back to the hotel where we watched a movie on TV and I played some more with my tablet.

Sunday we had another nice and lazy morning and then went out to breakfast. This place was less fancy but I enjoyed my strawberry beligian waffles. After breakfast we did a little hike to some caves. I felt a little anxious with my clumsiness and the heights so I didn't explore them too much, Tyler was a little more brave. All in all it was nice last little hike in Sedona before we headed out. 

We ended our Sedona trip with a little shopping in town and then it was time to head back home. I am so grateful to family that watched our kids so that we could have a nice weekend together. I am also grateful to all my young women leaders who took over this Sunday so I could have the day off. It was one of my busy Sundays filled with Ward Council, Yw's Lesson, Youth Council and a class presidency meeting. So it was definitely a blessing to be able to miss all that and spend the day with Tyler.

Also this past week I have had a major eye issue, that although it is better, it is still not gone. I messaged my dr about it and she said to take Claritin and that I should probably go to Urgent Care and get it checked. Super helpful. Since I have managed to stop the itching and it's not really bugging me I will procrastinate that visit.But I do wish this rash was in a less noticeable place.

The New Year

After Christmas time dragged a bit as we waited impatiently for our trip to Arizona. Tyler began his drive to Arizona Monday morning but we didn't fly out until Thursday. Tyler made amazing time and arrived in Arizona Tuesday evening. Monday for me was spent running a couple errands, taking down the Christmas decorations and just getting things organized for our big trip.

Tuesday we spent time with friends which helped time to pass by a little more quickly. However the good streak my kids had been on had began to fade and there was an excessive amount of fighting that day as well. They had been being so good lately that I forgot how difficult they can be.

Wednesday was Caroline and Melissa's birthday so we had to celebrate. We went out to breakfast and then because we are totally cool we went to Salvation Army to pick out clothes for a bestie's 80's photo shoot. We found some sweet jackets and necklaces. Then we went back to Caroline's house to get our hair and make up on point and take pictures. It was lots of fun and I am so grateful to have friends that I feel completely comfortable being my goofy self with.

After all my fun I had to rush home to take Ben to a friend's house so I was still all dolled up and when I came into the house all the kids laughed at me. Offensive. Apparently they weren't a fan of my hair and make up. As I was driving Ben to his friend's house he asked me if I was really going to go to the door looking like that. I told him the only thing I had to wipe off the make up with was his mask and he said that would be just fine. That's how embarrassed of me he was. So I wiped off my makeup and pulled back my crimpy hair into a ponytail and made myself presentable... But now I know how to embarrass him if he ever ticks me off.

That afternoon/evening my friend Ashlee had us over for dinner. That was really nice of her because my refrigerator was getting pretty empty since we'd be leaving for a month. They fed us an amazing dinner and we had some good chats about things. I didn't know Ashlee very well in 2019 and I am glad this year I have gotten to know her better. 

After we came back from dinner we brought the guinea pigs over to our neighbor's house. My kids gave such unnecessarily detailed and complicated instructions for taking care of the piggies- they really do love their pets.

Thursday morning was sooooo slow. Our flight didn't leave until the afternoon and the kids just kept complaining about being bored or they were fighting with each other. I always get anxious about flying so between them and my own anxiety it was really difficult morning. But finally the allotted time came and my friend came on time to take us which was relieving since she can be a little forgetful. Then we breezed through security, bought some food and waited (with some help of screens) until it was time to board. A random person even complimented me on how well behaved my children were when I had left to take Lucy to the bathroom. He said his children would've started a bonfire if he had left them...my kids thought that was hilarious.

During the flight the kids did good, minus the fact that they don't realize that even though they can't hear well because of stuffy ears, we can hear just fine. During turbulence Penny shouted "We're going down!" And then there was the time that Steven shouted at me to look out my window. Ben also didn't freak out as much as I thought he might so that was nice. 

After landing Tyler picked us up and took us straight to Tara's house for a New Year's Eve party. I was exhausted but the kids had a blast hanging out with all their cousins and it was pretty entertaining to watch Tyler's sisters having a crazy dance party. I am not good in big, loud groups but at one point I got some one on one time with Mariah and that was nice. 

Friday morning we had unexpected pictures with Tyler's family. We had been given time to plan clothes so I just had to scrounge together stuff. They had told us it was ok if we didn't do colors in the scheme but we were literally the only family who wasn't completely in the color scheme. Oh well. By the time the picture taking was done it was time for lunch so we met my parents at Mi Amigo's, my most favoritest Mexican restaurant. It was good to see them, and I know my parents were really missing their grandkids. Then the rest of the day was spent at the Hatch house with all his family. Sometimes I enjoy listening or even occasionally joining in the conversation. Other times I feel ridiculously out of place or uncomfortable. Mostly by the end of the day I was severely pooped and peopled out.

Saturday we had breakfast at my parents with my brother's family. After eating, the kids went to a nearby park- I am really happy with the weather here. Really, really happy. And it is really nice to be with Mike's family again and play with his kids and help them to remember that I am the cool Aunt ;). Around lunchtime they had to head out to a baptism but we stuck around and went to lunch with my parents. Then we went back to the Hatch home for some much need quiet time.