Hello From the Other Side!

Last year, for Christmas, I gave Ricky tickets to see Adele's concert happening here in Phoenix. When I bought the tickets it felt like it was SO far away...any it was...it was eight months later. However, the time had finally come. I was excited to have date night and to enjoy a concert with Ricky. This makes our fourth big concert together and I've enjoyed all of them.

We got to downtown quite early to avoid traffic and have a nice dinner. We ended up eating at an Italian place across from the arena. I wasn't too impressed with the food but it was fun to try somewhere new and have a peaceful dinner. After dinner we headed to the arena and found our seats. Unfortunately, they were way high up in the nose bleed section. At the time, they were the only tickets I could get because I just selected best available and when a concert sells out in four minutes, you take what you can get.

We made our way up to our seats and sat there for a short while before I got this brilliant idea to go see if there were any upgrades available on this sold out show. I figured it was a long shot, we were now about an hour from showtime, but the worst thing they could tell me was no. So we went to the ticket booth and when I asked the lady if there were any upgrades available she rolled her eyes and said, this is sold out show. I may have one or two but they won't be sitting together. Ricky asked where the seats were. To our (and the ticket lady's) surprise, there was one pair of tickets left. They were on the front row on a side section,  incredibly close to the stage. We told her we'd take them! We found out later that those tickets were selling between $300-$800 a seat but because we bought them at the ticket booth, we paid face value for them....at far less than the going rate. It was awesome!

I was excited before but now as even more excited since we could actually see her face. We were close enough to be in the mix and actually see her sing versus just hearing her sing. The concert was amazing. She is an incredibly talented artist. In between most of her sings she would talk and tell stories and I loved that. Adele is witty and for someone who doesn't dance when she sings, does' t have backup dancers, and doesn't have a single costume change, she is still incredibly captivating and entertaining. I was very impressed with the show and will remember that one forever. Merry Christmas to Ricky!

I Survived My First Week

This post was written August 14th even though I didn't post it until later. 
This week felt like one of the longest weeks ever! I started my new job on Monday. That consisted of me driving to the east valley/north Phoenix area everyday. Having to spend 2-3 hours in the car each day has been a big adjustment after not having a regular commute for the last tens years. 

So far the job is going well. I spent the week with my boss who came down from Denver to onboard me. There is a lot to do, and I'm learning a lot, but it's work I'm excited about. Everyone in the office has been very helpful and very welcoming. They held a happy hour get together one night for the team to come and get to know me and my boss.

The boys also completed their first full week of school. They are still getting used to their routines both at home and at school. Logan has struggled more to get up early this year than in previous years so it's made the mornings a bit rough. Both boys love their teachers and are both very happy in their classes.

Ricky has been holding down the fort at home. Our AC in the RV garage went out so he's working to get that fixed. Our washing machine broke in April and we've been working with Lowes and two different repair companies to get it resolved. It's still not fixed but we are slowly getting there. Ricky is also working on final issues on the backyard with the landscaper and pool company. More importantly he has been able to get back to his geneology project that he's been working on for his family. He's been able to learn a lot his family and save many old family pictures by scanning the into the database.

Yesterday was one of my favorite days we've had at home in a long time. We slept in until 8:00 (that is sleeping in these days) then I did a little online shopping. After breakfast we headed out to run some errands as a family. We ate lunch out together, then went to the outlets to do some shopping, and then I ok the boys to the movies to see the Ghostbusters. We headed home to swim for a while before we ordered pizza for dinner and then we watched the olympics. I'm not sure the day could have been any better. It was perfect. I got to spend the day with the people I love most. I got to shop (which included a new hand bag!), relax a bit and be productive. With spending more time away from home for work now, I have to maximize my weekends at home so this will be my goal going forward. 

 Ricky took Lincoln to see the new Star Trek movie and Logan and I had time together at home swimming and watching a movie here. 

This was Logan's first spelling test in 1st grade. 

 One of Logan's assignments at school from the first week. 

I saw this paper in Logan's folder that comes home with completed work at the end of the week. It says, "I felt God on the first day of (first) grade."

 Lincoln passed his lobster training in swim class by passing this 5 minute swim requirement. 

I don't normally post pictures of my bags but this was one that I bought myself specifically for a reward for getting through my first week of a new job. I definitely earned this with that ridiculous commute everyday. 

First Day of School

I can't believe my babies were starting another year of school. Lincoln headed into 4th grade and Logan into 1st. Lincoln remained in the accelerated program and Logan got place into a class with a fantastic teacher so we were really excited for this year. Lincoln was eager to start school since a lot of his same friends remained in his class again. Logan was much more reluctant because a couple of his best friends transferred to a different school and others went into the accelerated program so the core group of friends that he had been with over the last three years were finally split up. He does have a few friends in his class and will be making more, I'm sure.

 "When I grow up, I want to be a train conductor."

 "When I grow up, I want to be an NFL football player."

Last Day of Vacation

Our two week vacation had finally come to an end. Wednesday morning we spent some time with Tutus, did some school shopping, had lunch and headed to the airport. We were on a tight schedule because once we got home, we had to get unpacked and ready for school to start the next day. I was nervous about having to get up early and back to the early morning school schedule and we weren't going to get to bed too early.

I am really glad that we decided to take the time to spend together as a family before I started my new job and the boys were back in school. Some of my favorite memories is often when we are on vacation together, away from the stresses and routines of day to day living. We had such a fantastic time both on the cruise and in Utah. It was really wonderful to spend time with Tutus face to face after about nine months of not seeing them. That is time we will treasure until we see them again next year.

 Tutu and the boys before we had to say good-bye.

 This cute kid is rockin' that hat and backpack.

Logan on the airplane. He is quite the little traveler...and clown too. 

Activity Day

We started Tuesday off with another Products Matter meeting over breakfast in our room. We spent the rest of the day exploring different activities in Park City. We started with Olympic Park, which I found absolutely fascinating. After watching some of the freestyle skiers practicing, we walked through the museum which highlights winter sports and specifically things from the winter olympics held in Park City. I absolutely love the olympics and really enjoyed seeing all of the memorabilia they had.

We later arrived in downtown Park City where they have the alpine slide, alpine coaster, zip lines and other activities. The boys all went on the alpine coaster and they also did a kids zip line. Unfortunately, it was pretty crowded so that was all we could do before heading to a Live-Right company meeting, which was followed by a company dinner at a local pizza joint. We ended the evening back at the lodge, with a night of swimming before bed.

 Olympic Park

 Lincoln is my little adventurer but I could tell he was a bit nervous to go alone but he insisted. Logan was glad he had Daddy with him. 

 Logan has a genuine fear of heights that he tries really hard to overcome. I was so proud of him for doing this zip line.

 Logan and cousin Nolan

Erica, Lincoln, Aunt Natalee, Mary

 The entire Live-Right gang at the pizza company dinner.