Family Pictures in AZ

At the end of January, husband, Pay, and I took a trip to AZ to visit mi familia.  We found cheap tickets through Spirit Air.  They were pretty inexpensive from Houston, but found that they were ridiculously cheap from Dallas.

So we booked our flights from Dallas to Phoenix and then coming back we decided to fly from Phoenix to Houston {with a stop and plane change in Dallas}.

I know what you're thinking, "But you live in Houston.  Why did you fly out of Dallas?  And how?"

Well...like I said...they were cheap.  And we had husband's brother drive us up to Dallas.  We knew we could get him to take us because In-N-Out is in Dallas.  And if you knew one thing about husband's family it would probably be that all the men in his fam are OBSESSED with In-N-Out.  So husband's brother was more than happy to drive us the 3 hours up to Dallas so he could have In-N-Out.

I'm glad HE was happy about it because Pay certainly didn't enjoy it.  At this time she was only about 8 weeks old.  She was fine for the drive up, but the moment we got to In-N-Out it was just downhill from there.  She cried pretty much the whole time.  And we still had a bunch of time to kill until our flight so we did some shopping at Cheaper Than Dirt.  Brother-in-law then realized he had to get some work done {he's a real estate agent} so we had to find a Starbucks or a McDonald's or someplace that had Wi-Fi he could use.  It was pouring rain and as we're driving around trying to get a good Wi-Fi connection in the car Pay is SCREAMING!!!!  Once we found a place where brother-in-law could work I tried to feed baby girlfriend in the back seat of the car.  And let me tell ya...she did not like it.  She fought me the entire time!  Finally brother-in-law finished and we went to In-N-Out again where she was fussy the whole time.

At this point I'm a little terrified about the flight with her.  We'll be stuck on a plane where there will be many strangers who might not be so patient with a crying baby on-board.

So we get to the airport and go through security.  She's fussy the whole time.  So finally I get her blankie out and swaddle her and put her binkie in her mouth.  Within a minute she was passed-out cold in my arms.  And she stayed like that until we got to Phoenix.  No joke. She slept not only the whole time while we waited for our plane and waited to board, but also for the entire flight.

I then forgave her for being so rotten in Dallas :)

We had such a great time in AZ being with my family.

Pretty much all we did was eat good food and visit with family and friends.

And my brother, Brooks, took our pictures.

He's really a great photographer.  He's taken pictures of nature for quite a while now.  And recently he started taking more of people.  And let me tell ya...he's good!  I'm so happy with the pictures he took of us.

Mason's Home!

Husband and I went "home" to Mesa from March 7th-March 14th.  It was so wonderful to be back and spend some quality time with my family.

March 7th- Tax Time

But before we could have any "FUN" we had to get down to business and visit Uncle Ray the CPA to do our taxes.  Hours after our plane touched ground in Arizona we were sitting in his office getting it done.  It's so great to have a CPA in the family.  Last year we got married, bought and sold a house, moved states, did work on our house in Texas that we own and rent out, I made some money (from my millions of different jobs that I'm technically self-employed in), and he of course made some money.  Trying to do it all on Turbo-Tax would have been a living Hell!  Ray got it done in just over an hour.  A week later we got our Federal tax return and our Arizona return should be here anytime.  BAM!  That felt good.

Then the FUN began.

March 8th-Tanny's Bridal Shower
Tannis got engaged on Valentine's day!  And she's getting married April 27th...yeah, THAT soon!  And being her big sister I HAD to throw her an awesome bridal shower.  Since I was already planning on being in AZ for Mason's homecoming this weekend I decided to hurry and throw one together for this trip.  It was a great success!  Yummy food, fun decorations, lots of great people, and she got loads of gifts!

March 9th- Elder Mason Rhett Crandell returns home from his mission in Boston, MA!
The ultimate reason why husband and I even planned this trip was to be there when Mason got home.  I'm so happy we sacrificed the money and time so we could be there.  Husband and I met and got married while Mason was on his mission.  So when Mason got off the plane at Sky Harbor and walked past security it was the first time husband and him met!  I cried a little.  I'm very close to Mason so it was really fun for them to finally meet.  It was pretty much complete chaos with everyone at the airport.  The kids all had balloons attached to them and they loved running around with them :)  Husband and I took our nieces Paige and Emery up and down the "Eskimos" to help keep them entertained.  It was cute how all the kids ran up to Mason to give him a hug.  My favorite was when my nephew Ian ran up to him and the first thing he said was, "Hi, Uncle Mason!  Do you want to come to my house and see my garbage trucks?"  The boy LOVES his garbage trucks.

March 10th- Family Pictures

Objectives:  

1) Wear jeans with red, black, or grey top. 

2) Get everyone in the shot. 

3) Smiling, looking at the camera, and/or holding still...optional.

Photos by

Mallory Willyerd Photo

She did a fantastic job!

By the way, do you notice the flowers on the orange and tangerine trees behind us?  It was the PERFECT time of year to be in Mesa because all the citrus trees were in bloom.  They not only look pretty, but the smell is fantastic.  Husband and I spent lots of time just sitting on my parents' front and back porches just basking in the great weather and the amazing aroma of the blossoms.  I'm convinced there is no greater smell on this earth.

March 11th- Mason speaks in church

He did a great job!  I'm so proud of my little brother and the man that he has become.  I can tell that his mission really has changed him.  If anyone knows of any single ladies...send them his way!  :)

March 12th, 12 am- Midnight run to In-N-Out

Long before husband and I started dating...actually, long before we even met...Mason would go on midnight runs to In-N-Out with his buddies.  {They went at midnight because by then it was technically not the Sabbath anymore.}  When husband and I started dating and it became apparent to me that he was just as much {if not MORE} of an In-N-Out fan as Mason, we started up the tradition again.  There were very few Monday @ Midnight In-N-Out trips that we didn't make while dating.  And when Mason got home we told him we'd take him on his first midnight run since getting back.  

March 12th to March 14th- Eat more In-N-Out and hang with Mason

These were some of the funnest days while in AZ.  It was great to just relax and spend time with Mason and the rest of the family.  

March 14th- Fly back to Houston

April 21st- Fly back to AZ for Tanny's wedding!

The grass is greener on the other side...literally!

Husband and I have now been in Texas for a grand total of 119 days {4-ish months}
It's still crazy to me that we made this move...and that we did it so quickly.

And so far I'm still very happy with our decision to move here!

That doesn't mean though that I don't miss Arizona.  I'm really missing...

{My family...especially these munchkins!}

That face is seriously so cute!!!!

{Arizona Roads/Freeways}

Seriously people, the roads in Houston STINK!!!!  A lot of them are old with cracks.  They are almost ALWAYS congested with traffic.  None of them actually go North/South or East/West.  Many of them are beautiful with huge trees lining the medians, but they also have stop signs every block.  And one of the main freeways to go downtown is tolled so you have to take surface streets to avoid paying the toll.  Stupid.

{In-N-Out}

Especially this one!

However, there are some In-N-Out's in Dallas.  Husband and I actually took a daycation to Dallas JUST so that we could go to In-N-Out.  We had it 3 times while were were there...all in one day.  Actually when we first got there {just before 10 am, 'cause we left Houston at 6 am} the regional manager was there and heard our story, so that first meal was free!  Holla!

And I miss going to the grocery store, or going out to eat, or even just driving down the street and seeing people that I know.  It's kinda weird for me to live somewhere where I really don't know many people.

*****************************************

BUT...

There are a lot of things that I love about Houston, TX!

{People here say "Yes, ma'am!"} 
or "Thank you, ma'am!" or "Can I help you with that, ma'am?" Which makes me feel kinda old, but I also kinda love it.  It's that southern charm that really makes me love the people here.

{These bumper stickers...}
And yes.  I do actually see these bumper stickers on cars around here.

And my favorite...

{Green grass, trees, and something called RAIN}
Which I've only ever heard about until I moved here.

And now that I'm teaching more dance it's beginning to feel more like HOME.

Oh, and husband's work schedule is MUCH better now!
{No more working on Sundays!!!!!}

PS...Mason comes home from his mission on March 9th.  Husband and I are going to AZ then to see him!  I'm seriously so excited!!!

2012...You've got big shoes to fill!

I don't think there is any way that 2012 could possibly top 2011.

2011 was by far the best year of my life.  Here's why...

Met Nick

(technically that was in 2010, but it was at the end or 2010 so it counts!)

Dated Nick
Went to Vegas with Nick and met his parents

Got engaged to Nick

Married Nick in Mesa, AZ Temple

Went to Rocky Point for Honeymoon with Nick

Gained a whole new family
Ate at In-N-Out a lot

Sold a house

Moved to Texas

Bought our year-supply

Put together our 72-hour kits

Learned to bake good bread

Taught lots of dance to awesome students

Went to Disneyland

Became more informed and opinionated about politics and local, national, and world issues

And while I hesitate to write down any New Year's Resolutions, here are the things that husband and I have already been, and hope to continue, working on...

Decide on a home to buy

(city or country or somewhere in-between)

Become more self-reliant

Continue to add to our year supply

Garden

Stay in shape/get in better shape

(running together is actually one of our faves)

Pray often

Cook new things

Stay informed

Balance Balance Balance
Enjoy life
and
Love each other more and more each day!
(that one shouldn't be hard to do)

{WELCOME 2012!}

Our Spot

Some couples might have a special place.  Where they met.  Where they fell in love.  Where they spend their time together.  A place where a big or even small event occurred to make it special to them.  It's THEIR special spot.

Mine and husband's special place is In-N-Out.  Yes, I am serious.

Especially THIS In-N-Out.

It's on Ray Road just east of I-10.

Husband and I have frequented this particular establishment since the beginning of our relationship.  I wouldn't be surprised if we have been there 100 times together.

Some of you might be asking yourselves...WHY??????

Our reasons are as follows:

{In no particular order}

• Best hamburgers.  Hands down.
• Clean environment.
• Good prices.
• Nice outside eating area.
• Smart business.
• Friendly workers.
• Free refills of Diet Coke.

This is where he took me on our second date and many more dates to follow.

{If he could have a do-over, he would have taken me there on our first!}
This is where we would meet to eat and talk for HOURS!

This is where we really got to know each other and "Fell in LOVE"  Awwww...

This is where we got engaged.

AND

This is where we {including our families and close friends} ate right after we got married!

Since being married it's still where we like to eat and spend hours chatting about life, politics, moving, work, family, friends, finances, goals, future plans, and anything else under the sun.

Our favorite time to go is Saturday morning at 10 am.  

I remember when we first started dating he told me he went there nearly everyday for breakfast at 10 am.  My response, "I could NEVER have it for breakfast!"  I stand corrected.  It's the best time to go because there's hardly anyone else there, so it's quiet and the burgers are the best quality!  And we even have a favorite booth we like to sit at inside and a favorite table we like to sit at outside.

When we walk in they know us and have already called out our order.

• 2 Hamburgers. Animal Style. With chilies. A fry. A large drink. And a water.

Okay.  I admit.  We're obsessed.  And quite possibly a bit crazy. 

But it's OUR spot.

And we're going to miss it dearly when we move to Texas!

Good thing In-N-Out is making it's way to Houston.

They already have 9 of them built in Dallas, which is only 3 hours away.

I'm sure we'll be taking many trips there until it makes its way to our neighborhood!