Spring Fever

Last weekend my best girlfriend from college (Jen Sanders) was in town with her husband and two kids. They live in the San Francisco area and they were in need of some sunshine, so they booked a villa at The Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa for 5 nights. Not a bad gig if you can get it. What's so great about her staying there (other than the fact that I got to see her) was that she invited Ava and I over to the resort last Sunday to go swimming and have lunch by the pool. Again, not a bad gig. The bad part? I had to get into a bathing suit...and I wasn't quite ready to look at my legs or tummy yet. It was a good reminder though that warm weather is coming fast to the desert and I'd better get out walking in order to fit into my summer wardrobe!

Jen and I also met up for dinner last Friday night at Chelsea's Kitchen. With no husbands or kids--we ate, drank and talked for about 5 hours straight! We decided we needed to plan a get-a-way for just the two of us for 1 or 2 nights at a nice resort once a year, so we can catch-up on each other's lives without being interrupted by our lovely kid/s. We all need a little break from reality and I definitely need more time with my friends.

With the sun shining so brightly here in AZ-- it may be time for a little shopping to freshen up my spring/summer wardrobe. The in-laws will be in town soon for a week-long visit, which means Spring Training games, shopping and lots of yummy dinners out. I need to start fasting now to prepare for their arrival...because not only do Jim and Sheryl enjoy a good meal, they LOVE dessert. And I enjoying hanging out with anyone who loves desserts!

Here's a few items I have my eye on:

Skirt: J. Crew $44.00 (I'll take this in black. Perfect comfy item to throw on with a tank top and flip flops.)Bag: Talbots $249 (I love big bags that I can throw all my junk into and this would go with any outfit.)
Shoes: Talbots $44 (I love the ruffles on the edges--perfect little girly touch.)

Bag: J. Crew Canvas City Tote $68 (a little easier on the wallet, and I love the bright color for Spring)

Necklace: Talbots (don't remember how much it was--but it would sure look cute with just about anything!)
Dress: Ann Taylor Loft (without the boots and scarf--don't need those accessories here in Phoenix!)

Looks like I'll need to clean out my closet to make some room. And Ava's too--because Baby Gap has way too many cute dresses right now that I won't be able to resist buying for Ava. Isn't this one sweet?

Teachers and Superheros

Tonight Ava announced that when she grows up she's going to be a teacher and a superhero. I told her that would be fine by me. I mean aren't they one and the same, anyway?

Happy to be Home with my 4 Valentines

After spending an intense (and exhausting) 3 days in cloudy, freezing cold Minnesota--it felt so good to wake up to a bright sunny day, in my own house, and spend a relaxing Valentines Day with my family. Grandma Flynn sent Ava lots of V-day surprises, which included a special pink dress with a heart necklace for Ava's American Girl doll, whom she named Isabella. Ava spent the morning reading books to Isabella and playing in her house under the warm sunshine.
Watching a Hello Kitty DVD.
Not a bad view.
What a beauty. I couldn't wait to get home and wrap my arms around her thick neck and kiss those tan spots on her cheeks. Nee Nee is so irresistible to me because her fur always seems to smell like a warm tortilla.

Wintery Weekend Escape

Here's some pictures from our weekend escape to Flagstaff to visit my brother, sister-in-law and their darling boys, and a perfect opportunity to show Ava SNOW for the first time! Plus, we had to check out their new house and neighborhood.

We arrived Saturday early afternoon and Ava was so excited as we passed patches of snow along the way. We hoped it would snow while we were there....but we had no idea it would snow so much!
Ava trying out her new ski jacket and gloves.

Aunt Kelly made delicious chicken enchiladas for dinner. And after dinner we had an impromptu dance party in the living room!And while we slept Sat. night, it snowed! And this is what we saw out their front window this morning--our car covered in white powder!
What a gorgeous surprise!
So, we enjoyed a lazy morning and watched Logan play his electric guitar...

(Look who's in the closet peeking out!)Braden and Ava read books to each other...
And then we "suited up" for the snow!
Of course Ava had to make snow angels! We slid down hills, giggling all the way!
Me and my brother Joel (6 yrs older than me).
We made a snowman!

And when the snow REALLY started to come down hard, it was time to go in for some hot chocolate.
We left Flagstaff right after lunch to make sure we made it out of there safely.
A view of one of our most favorite places--Sedona. Such a magical place.

It was a perfect way to ease us into the week ahead, which for me includes a flight to MN and a few days of REALLY cold weather.

Pretty Letters

This is how Ava is writing her name. She just showed me this new talent of hers this past weekend. Perhaps her cousin, Emma showed her?
I love that she has already learned to put "dots" on her letters to make them pretty!

Super Bowl Bummer

This past weekend was a busy one--but oh, so much fun.

Friday- My sister (aunt Jen) took Ava for the night, so Ian and I could actually have a night to ourselves. First stop- Kincaids Fish Chop and Steakhouse for dinner, and then onto the movies to see Slumdog Millionnaire. It was a great movie, although in some parts, a little difficult to watch. But definitely a must see.

Saturday- Ian and I took the dogs for a nice little walk down the canal. It was gorgeous outside and it felt so good to get out of the house. Then we went out to lunch before we headed over to my sister's house to pick up Ava. Of course Ava did not want to leave--but was so tired she didn't put up much of a fight, and slept all the way home.

Unfortunely, Ava didn't get in much of nap, as we had to wake her up in time to get her to Romp n' Roll to meet her friend Aidan. They offer a great program once a month on a Saturday night, where parents can drop their kids off from 5:30-8:00 pm for $25. The kids play on the mats, and paint/color, etc. While the parents can have a few hours to do whatever they want! And considering how expensive babysitters can be these days, $25 is a pretty good deal. Ian took Ava to Romp n' Roll and then met the Brittains at Nello's Pizza for dinner. While I met some of my girlfriends out for some drinks and dinner at The Vig.

Sunday: The Big Game! We wore our Cardinals shirts and hit two Super Bowl parties. Both were a lot of fun! Not the ending we were hoping for, but still a good time and we're proud of our team!