Our Off Day

We landed in Arizona on February 4th, started work the 5th and haven't had a day off since. That is a way too many days in a row without a break. Plus I am still use to my part time life...my body can't handle this! Good thing we finally got an off day. We woke up, went out to breakfast, Kelly got a massage while I worked out then we showered and hit Phoenix running. First stop was at the new outlet malls....the important stuff first! I wanted a new fancy shmancy watch and tennis shoes. The Tanger Outlets were disappointing - San Marcos Outlets are way better!Anyways, after I bought nothing, we googled some hot spots for lunch and went to....





This fabulous place. We now heart The Main Ingredient. It was so Austin-ish. We ate outside and enjoyed the nice AZ afternoon.

Next, we drove around Tempe to see if there was anything new (and no, we found nothing) so we just picked a road and decided to head north. We were killing time before our dinner reservations. Good thing we did because we found Hole-in-the-Rock. It was amazing and if I can climb it, anybody can. In fact, Kelly climbed it in flip flops!





Hole-in-the-Rock was used as a place for the local Indians (Pima) to tell time, predict weather and make a calendar or something to that affect (guess I should have read the sign better).

 





Anyways, it was a great place to take pictures! I am rocking my fiesta shirt. Ole!

Heather - the reason I look 4 feet tall is because I am standing on the rock that is lower than Kelly. I didn't shrink!

 





Safety never takes a vacation...unless you are rock climbing!





 

Hole-in-the-Rock has lots of holes! I totally recommend everyone going up to it. Really pretty view!





 

After we got done climbing  walking up and down the mountain, we sat at the park and read chapter 2 of  The Story. We are a little behind due to Spring Training and it was a great place to catch up.

 





 

When we were leaving the park there was a small rainbow for about 15 minutes. Perfect ending to our time at the park.

 



After we read, walked around the pond and harassed the ducks, we went to Elements at the Sanctuary (ran by Food Network Star Chef Beau MacMillan). This is a place that has been on our list for a couple of years and finally after seeing it featured on another show (Best Thing I Ever Made), I decided the time was now. It did not disappoint! We started with drinks outside where we could watch the sunset on the mountains. Love!

 

Self portrait of us at our table.There was a no cell phone policy so I had to take this with the flash off so that we wouldn't be busted. I am normally a rule breaker but I didn't want to get kicked out before eating. Priorities.

 

We had the shrimp and popcorn grits. They were so good. Can't wait to go back to this place again!

Kelly and I had such a good day - away from the ballpark. Now we are a little rejuvinated for the next few weeks.

 20 more days until we are back home!

I said brrrr it's cold out here....

One might think that Arizona is 100% sunshine, heat, and clear skies every day but that just isn't the case. Occasionally - like when we get to Arizona - there is rain. Lots of it and it is cold! I secretly kind of like it....



We had rain and hail last Monday. Crazy!

Today was Photo Day and of course it was raining and super super cold. Like super duper cold. I wore 4 layers, scarf, a towel and batting gloves to stay warm. It was a good look and I was not ashamed to rock it.

But rainy days always give way to a pretty night sky.

 

He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the mountains. Psalm 147:8

The first 24 hours

Our offseason is officially over. It always feels like those few months go by way too fast. We try to pack in as much as we can including rest and doing nothing since we go go go for 8 months (sometimes 9- fingers crossed!). We miss Texas terribly when we are out here. Our home, bed, shower, humidity, Tex-Mex, Directv, grass....

 

Two big things - they are big in my little world - happened right before we left Texas

 1. We cleaned out one side of the garage so I could finally park inside of it. AMEN! It was a glorious  3 days of parking in the garage...can't wait to get home and do it again. No more scorching hot car in the summer time. Now our goal is to finish the other side before summer!
2. 114 southbound finally connected to 360. The day before we got home! It made us so so happy and we can't wait for the smooth ride to work when we get back. This may seem like a weird thing to be happy about but if you have ever driven in southbound traffic on 114 trying to get to Arlington, you know what pain we have been in. It is enough to make you want to drink before you even get in the car! So this is a big big deal.

So now we are here until the end of March. I have already started the count down until we get to get back on US Air/American and fly on back. Please let it go by fast!

 This is what when on our first 24 hours in Arizona....

We set behind Dave - clubhouse guy - and had fun torturing him the whole way to Arizona.

Our lovely home away from home for the past 3 years. I do have my mountain view again. Ahhhhh love!

The view from my kitchen window. We only use the kitchen to look at the sunset, make coffee and get drinks from the fridge. Not much else happens in there.

This was our first meal here was at Haus Murphy's. The.best.pretzel.ever. We talk about it all year long and can't find another one that even comes close to how great this thing is! Thanks Guy Fieri & Diners, Drive Ins and Dives for the tip!

I took an hour walk. Nice views huh?

I received my shirts from Etsy. I heart Texas!

 

a PaRtY for Paw Paw

Kelly and I miss out on lots of birthdays while we are in Arizona. LOTS. It seems like most of our friends and family have birthdays in February and March. We were so happy that we actually got to celebrate Paw Paw's birthday a little early. Carey and Jon hosted it at their new house in Granbury 2 days before we flew out. Their home is so so cute and it fit our group perfect. Nothing beats family time right before you leave for Arizona.


Jon and Paw Paw - both February birthdays

Paw Paw hanging out with Wills, Hudson and Thomas. A little grandpa/grandson bonding time.

Molly and Emery Kate LOVE love their Bebe.  

Carey and Betty Boop snuck off from the madness to play some  Double Sol. Betty Boop won every time. Sorry Carey!

Kelly and I were the last to leave - around midnight! Little Hudson didn't want to leave us so he made him a cozy spot at the table so he could hang out with us.

Hudson and I worked about an hour on our lego creation. Pretty impressive huh?

 

 - Don't worry, Michelle. I am blogging about Lacy and baby Copeland's shower soon!

A little recap...

Since I have been absent for at least a month in the blogging world, I thought I would give yall a quick recap....

We played pool and other games in the house while we had the kids since it was snowy and cold outside. We had so much fun with them!

Woman and Becca came up for NYE. We all went to the Silver Fox and then to a movie. Kelly was a little sickly going into dinner but post movie, the flu struck. Chills, aches, fever and more. The doc officially confirmed his flu - fun way to start off a New Year!

We celebrated this sweet little girl's birthday. Doesn't Molly and Amy look so cute!

Having a little fun at Rangers Fan Fest!

We had our 2nd snow. I love winter weather so much!
 

Sweet Landry Kate Onvani was born. She is perfect and I just love holding her!

Our White Christmas

We always celebrate Christmas with my grandparents as they live next door. It really makes our Christmas...plus they are super funny. Walker got to have his first Christmas morning at the Funny Farm. He did a good job in practicing patience during the present opening. Thanks to the Sudans, we go around the room and open gift by gift by gift so everyone can see what each other got. We got done around 2pm. I think Walker took a nap during the middle of it. We appreciate Amy and this idea!

(it really does make it fun, i like seeing people open what we got them)

The Ducks.
Popa is not a patient person but he did a really good job of faking it since he knows that most of his gifts involve cash.

We had to hide Paul's gift in the garage as it was too big to wrap. Part of the present was for Kelly to help install it which he did right after giving it to him. It makes the mule look super cool now.

Rocky must have been a good dog this year!

We came home later Christmas night to our white Christmas! Walker found a good ice patch by the fountain to slip around on.

He got out his skate board to skate on the ice....what? I am a fun step-parent!

This was my note that I left for Santa. I signed it from the group so it made me feel better. Last year, I was told I was too old to write Santa a note and didn't do it. I woke up to find an angry Santa note. This year I made sure to write one!

This was Santa's response this year. I blame my brother!

A MeRrY Marable Christmas

We had an extra long Merry Marable Christmas this year.  Most of us arrived on the 22nd to  get ahead start in celebrating. Bebe and PawPaw came up with the idea to start a tacky sweater party. It was so cute! PawPaw was voted the winner by all the grandkids. Way to go!

Bebe let Blake borrow her "Cousin Eddie dickie". It just made Blake's outfit. Amy's sweater was actually cute and not tacky! Bebe's chose the layered look and it wasn't all that tacky but cute.

All the grandkids sang carols for us. Hudson - after being bribed by Walker - even did his solo "Happy Birthday Jesus" for us. 

All the kids loved having Walker there. He was definitely the cool cousin!

Kelly and I gave Jon an autographed Uncle Si tea cup. He LOVED it!!!

The little ladies love Uncle John!

Our Thomas was a wise man during the candlelight service. He did such a good job....just look how well he is paying attention. Ha!

Paw Paw and his girls

Following church, we went to the Marable Grandparents to celebrate Christmas. We passed out some gifts, played white elephant for the adults and sang carols. 

Even Bill Bradley got festive in Bebe's hat. If only America truly knew how funny he was!

We played and had so much fun that the time just flew. Next thing we knew, the Cox gang and Marables were packing up to leave us to go to other Christmas parties. Always sad when the Funny Farm is quiet but it never stays that way for long....