Tucson or Bust!

Dustin and I managed to sneak away for an overnight trip to Tucson. It was quick, 24 hours max! Thanks to our amazing friends Jenn and Mark, they stayed with our kids for us! They brought their son, Nate, and their quads with them and all camped out here at our place.

Dustin and I had plans to see Sturgill Simpson in Tucson and since it was a late show, he booked us a hotel room and we stayed the night, heading home early the next morning. The kids were in great hands, I can't ever thank them enough for taking such good care of my kids!

We were well on our way when I received this in a text message:

L to R: Laila, Dustin, Nate, Kenadi, Jenn
Thanks, Jenn!

On our way!

Sturgill Simpson!

Sturgill Simpson!
It was an awesome show!

D, K, and L sitting in the truck bed!

Laila and Kenadi on the quad!

Peace out!

Dustin ready to ride!

Dustin and Nate! Best buds!

It's rare we get a date together, so a night away was amazing! Dinner, drinks, a concert, coffee in the morning, it was well worth it and much needed! I had a great time and look forward to when we're able to do it again!

March Recap: 2015

March was yet another crazy month. We sure do keep busy around here in the Smith house!

This month starts soccer season for not one, not two, but all three kids! This is Laila's fourth season, Kenadi's second, and Dustin's first. Here's to hoping I maintain my sanity with practice 5 nights a week!

My son has officially started speech therapy! He goes every Monday from 8:30-9:00 am. He will only get about 9 sessions before school lets out, but he will resume again when school starts in the fall. Did I mention he'll be in KINDERGARTEN in August? I can hardly wrap my mind around how fast he's growing.

First day of "school"

An amazing friend of mine sent me a little care package. She sure knows the way to my heart! Chai tea, dried strawberries, and chocolate? What more could a girl want?

Thank you, my beautiful friend!

An old friend from High School's mom and I have kept in touch over the years and she was visiting AZ with her husband. She sent me a message to let me know and I was able to meet up with her for the afternoon! We had a great time shopping and talking, and ended our time with some delicious lunch and drinks! I'm glad after all this time she still thinks of me!

Me and Stephanie (Matt's Mom)

Whole Foods has an awesome kids club I signed my kids up for. Every couple of months they do an activity and March was an outdoor event! There were all sorts of things to see and do, and it was all completely free! (Thank goodness, that store gets half my paycheck every month anyway!)

Checking out the crocodile!

Face Painting!

Face Painting!

Chandler Fire Department!

Laila's class field trip was to the Pueblo Grande Museum in Phoenix. I was lucky enough to be able to go with her class. They did an archaeological dig and we toured the grounds. They had a few exhibits and replicas there, and it was extremely hot!

Laila was digging!

Laila and her posse! 

Laila and her friends.

March also brings with it the hot weather I've been talking about! And you know what comes with hot weather? The ice cream truck!! We have a really creepy van that drives through our neighborhood, but the guy is usually pretty well stocked and very friendly. We're the first section he rolls through so the kids get their pick.

Low blood sugar = Ice cream treat!

Bratz!

Despicable Me!

The Renaissance Fair was here and I was able to finally take the kids! We had all sorts of fun visiting the different vendors and sampling all sorts of things. I bought some soap and tea and threw a tomahawk! The kids tried an archery gun and Laila played a didgeridoo!

Laila playing the didgeridoo!

Tea! From the crunchiest hippies ever!

I'm so glad to be able to take the kids and experience these things with the kids. We're always on the go and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Spring Break

Spring break was the first full week of March. Dustin's Aunt vina and his sister Melissa flew out for a visit. This is the first time since moving away from home in 2007 anyone from his family has visited us! It was such a great time. We did something fun every single day and showed them around AZ. I didn't capture every moment, but here are a few of my favorites.

The girls went horse back riding around the arena, and Melissa and I took a guided trail ride! The sights are gorgeous about here and a trail ride surrounded by mountains was a great start to the week.

Kenadi's first time!

Laila loved it!

Melissa and her horse

We had to stop at the zoo, it's one of the biggest attractions in Phoenix. Again, I'll spare you all the animal photos and just post a couple cute ones of my kids.

On an old tractor

Little Dustin

Laila getting some gorilla love!

Kenadi having a seat

We just couldn't pass up an opportunity for In-N-Out burger! It's definitely a stop anyone visiting the west needs to make!

Melissa and Nee

The Desert Botanical Garden was offering free admission one of the days they were here, so we took a quick stroll. It was pretty hot that day, so we made our way straight to the butterfly house before we left.

The kids and Nee

We couldn't let them go home without showing them the "LOVE" sign in downtown Scottsdale! We had ice cream at one of the kids' favorite spots, the Sugar Bowl.

LOVE

Melissa, Nee, and Dustin

We spent a lot of time just visiting and enjoying their company. The kids were thrilled to see family and I know Dustin was beyond thrilled to have HIS family visit for once. I hope we see them again really soon.

Day Drinking

Dustin and I rarely get to go on a real date. Between his job and our 3 kids, we're busy! With family visiting, we were able to sneak away for an afternoon together. We decided to do our own version of a "diner crawl", and try out a few of the local restaurants in Old Scottsdale. There are at least 20 places to eat and drink downtown, we parked our car and took a walk. We had an amazing day!

Our first stop was the Salty Senorita for margaritas and chips!

Big D!

My drank.

First round, complete!

Next, we walked over the the Brat Haus. We enjoyed appetizers of cheese curds and a hand made pretzel. And of course, another round of adult beverages!

The beer list!

Handsome.

Life size Jenga!

He lost.

Next, we walked over to a restaurant I've been eyeballing for a few years. Hula's is a Hawaiian tiki restaurant with the most delicious food and drinks!

This was the best beverage of the day!

We walked back to our car and Dustin made a friend along the way!

HAHA!

After all our day drinking, we determined one last stop was in order. We were too full for dessert so we opted for a coffee at this neat little bar/coffee shop. Let me tell you, the view was great and the chai tea latte I ordered was the best I've ever had.

"The view"

February Recap: 2015

February brought love, laughter, and another visit! My dear friend, Jessica, was able to visit with her son Jeremiah for a few days! She's been here a few times and always alone, it was so wonderful to finally be able to meet her little guy! What a character!!

Organ Stop Pizza!

What a neat place!

Scottsdale Center of Performing Arts

Love them!

This month brought us yet another trip to the zoo, something we love to do often with our membership. I will spare you the obligatory photos the kids have me take during each trip! You're welcome.

Last, I took my yearly photo of the kids at the park. Each year since Dustin was born I have taken a photo in the same spot at the same park, and plan to do so as long as they'll let me. Watching them grow year after year is a lot of fun, I'm so blessed to be their mom.

Look at my sweet babies!
Growing before my eyes!