I want to live here....

by the beach, in California. I must finish school.Goals.

Closer to these people....

   But take these people.... (perhaps, one day all our mansions will be in the same "neighborhood")

Next year...

can I have my birthday here.... Seriously, how cute is this place?

FHE

For Family Home Evening we decided to drive out to the new Gilbert Temple which is under construction. I must say the building is huge! I can't wait to see it when it's complete with all of the beautiful plantings. If you look closely in the background you can see the temple. We plan to go back when there is still light.
Afterward, we headed to Cafe Rio for some delicious food. Kelli and eye caught the eye of some Gilbert PD officers if you know what I mean...wink, wink!
It was a fun night.

Pork Burrito!

Kelli

Temple from the side.

Kelli, Me, Jared, Temple in background.

Me...don't I look angelic! Bahha!

Tad-ah!(I never realized how long my arms are!) 

February

Only in Arizona during the month of February can you wear flip flops & shorts and see flowers in bloom...

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day was actually kind of fun. Normally it is pretty depressing you know adding up the years alone and lack of hope for an end, but this year was little less traumatic :) . 

I brought donuts in to share. Fun. I cut out paper hearts and taped them to our office suite door. Fun. My co-worker Liz brought us all a bag of Valentine goodness. So fun. My work friend Angie brought be a boyfriend. Super fun. I received multiple V-day wishes. Really fun. All in all not too shabby. 

Do I wish I had a boyfriend soon to be husband? Yes. Do I wish he took me out or made me dinner or bought me flowers or made me a card? Yes. Do I regret eating an entire thin crust oven pizza (hey at least it was thin crust) alone with my Molly dog? Yes (to the pizza part not the dog part). 

There's always next year, right?

Donuts!

Sweet Treats from Liz.

A little love for the 'sweet' door! Bahha!

Super yummy cake pops, made by Liz. Yum!

Last but not least, my new boyfriend. My friend Angela brought for me...until someone better comes along.

 

To Cali for Sam's Baptism

Sam's (Beth and Scott's #2) had his baptism on Saturday, February 4. I am so proud of Sam for his decision. Apparently the font water was a little chilly because both he and the other boy came up gasping for air. Sam had to be baptized twice, the first time his feet floated out of the water (I am thinking that the it may have had something to do with the freezing water). But he got it the second time around. Yay! Sam. After the baptism we all met back at my mom's. 

Sam is a incredibly imaginative person. He is always using his imagination and creativity. Of his more recent endeavors was the re-purposing of an old laptop that his Aunt Sarah gave him. He ripped the screen from the keyboard portion and "mounted" it to his bedroom wall by his bed, so he "could have a flat screen t.v.". 

View out my mom's front window. This tether ball is where you almost always find Sam.

My one and only niece Morgan( Melissa and Brandon's #2) and Daniel (B & S's #5). She always has a baby in her arms. She is such a good big cousin.

Jaemie (Brad & Reiko's #2) eating a cookie.

This is the load of garlic bread. I just loved that it looks like we are feeding an army!

Daniel (#5) with Grandma Lousie Crookston.

My brother Scott (Father of 5 boys)...I guess it makes you tired.

Sam (B& S's #2) with Morgan (M& B's #2) taking pics on Grandma Mickey's Ipad using the App that distorts your image. It's one of their favorite pass times.

Morgan (M & B #2) and I

My cute new skirt from Old Navy!

 

Time for New Things

So I am not really one to make a resolutions list or goals for the year but this year I decided I needed to enjoy life a little more, I needed to try new things, look for new adventures, while on a budget of course and time restrictions with school, home projects, work and church commitments. I have found using the Groupon Now app to be quite handy. It is great for ideas for FHE and a bonus that the activity is cheaper.



On the list of new adventures-

So this one is not so adventurous (Cheesecake Factory) but look at the size of their Strawberry Shortcake! Whoa!

Honey Bear's BBQ - which is this super old place off Van Buren but it is true southern BBQ. The mac and cheese is so good! I am sure you would need to run a half marathon to burn off the calories from it but it is SO worth it!

Yep, it says, " You don't need no teeth...to eat our meat"

And then for dessert Churromania. The churros were good but the atmosphere not so much. They sell them out of a little place in the Arizona Mills Mall. But the options are limitless!

Kelli enjoying her ribs and pulled pork.  

 

 

 

Kelli and I at The Garage Public House in Phoenix with Jared for FHE. I really like the atmosphere and the food was yummy too. We shared the fried zucchini and I had the buffalo salad. It was a bit of a drive, off E. Warner close to Ikea. So If you are hitting up the Kea and need a lunch spot I recommend The Garage Public House.

Princess Day - 2011 aka My Birthday

I think this year was a great birthday year! I had such a great time with friends and family. I told Kelli and Jared that I just wanted a party. Being that I am a almost Christmas baby I don't usually have a b-day party...ever one is usual at their perspective holiday locations or on their way, and I usually go home to Bakersfield. I made the suggestion that you can always have and early party.
AZ Friends- 
They were great and planned a "surprise" party. It was a Monday night and so she picked me up under the guise that we were doing FHE and trying one of the new Sam Fox restaurant that just opened, North- Arcadia. She said Jared said, "he had things to do", which is not an unusual response from him(you have a lot to do when you are a single 33 year guy)...but I did not really believe Kelli....her tone did not have it usual angry undertone that is normally present when Jared flakes out for a silly reason. I was suspicious. Then she got a text from my cousin Kimberlee. Suspicious. But I wanted to be surprised and I truly appreciated the effort that they put forth. So Kelli and I get to the restaurant and they get a place setting for four. Suspicious. They about five minutes later Jared and Kimberlee showed up! It was great to see their faces and share my birthday with each of them. The food was delicious, the company great, and time together irreplaceable. Kelli also made a super yummy cake...its one of my favs that she makes, lemon cake with raspberry filling and no cream cheese in sight! She even put fancy pink glitter on it...it was so pretty. Sadly, we always forget to take pictures. Blast!

Giant Princess pinata filled with candy! Thanks Jared!

My cute new boots from Mom & Dad!

My Mom, Dad, and I flew to Pismo, CA  for some Splash Cafe.

It was a little windy.

But then just when I thought the night of fun was over we went back to Kelli's for more fun! Jared and Kimberlee showed up with a ginourmous pinata! So fun! We opened presents and set some candy free!

Thanks- Kimberlee, Kelli and Jared!

My friend Ashleigh from church who is always super thoughtful and kind dropped off the cutest red scarf and cute bracelet. 

Thanks- Ashleigh!

My too far away Friend Mary sent me the cutest picture of her family, coupon book and gift card to Target!
Thanks - Mary!

Work Friends - At work we always go out for lunch for each staff members b-day. The b-day girl gets to pick. This year we went to Cafe Rio (surprised?). When I should up for work they had decorated my cube with pink balloons,  Disney princesses, and pink streamers. It was so fun and cute! Then we had our traditional birthday cupcakes (princess themed). Thanks- Angie, Angie, Liz, Amanda, Sarah, and Emily(with us in spirit). 

Bakersfield -
On my actual birthday all of the Lamb ladies went to Roadhouse grill. It was super fun and super delicious. I love sharing the time with everyone. Thanks for all the fun and thoughtful presents too!  
Thanks - Mom, Aunt Susan, Jennie, Keimberlee, Kelli, Sarah, Beth, Brenda, Beverlee and Reiko!

I am truly blessed to know and have so many great people in my life. Thanks for being a part of the crazy that is my world. I love each of you!