My new ride

My new ride. I finally gave into Ryan and we got a Ford Expedition. I didn't want to drive a big car around town but for road trips I wanted more space. So I gave in and now I am driving this car around town. I do really like it and it is so clean. I would love to keep it clean and nice but the reality is I have three kids and after our first road trip it will be dirty. Another plus about the car is I am a horrible parker so I park where there are no cars which means I am getting a little more exercise because I am parking further from any entrance.

Happy Birthday Arizona!!!

Today is Arizona's 100th Birthday. I have been reading the newspaper about why Arizona is so great. When I worked at the bank I remember so many people coming in from out of state wanting to move here. I was always asking them "why are you moving to Arizona?" I was born here and had never left so I never understood the pull to live here. Well, once I moved away I understood. A big part of the reason I live here is my family is all here is Arizona. I think I am one of the few people who has all of their family living in Arizona. For most of my life we were all within a half hour of each other. Now Mark and his family are in Snowflake and Karrie and her family are in Prescott Valley. So we are maybe 3 hours apart. Still very close. But Arizona is more than my family.
-I love our winters. I love going outside and feeling the warm sun on my face. I love that I can run outside in the middle of the day in February wearing a tank top. I can't do that in the summer but I can swim and go to the lake. I do not like snow and cold. I much prefer sun and heat.
-I love orange blossoms. It is almost that time of year when they will start to bloom and it is the best smell ever.
-I love that I can be roasting in the summer and drive two hours north and it will be 30 degrees cooler and beautiful.
-I love hiking. I love that I can go hiking year around. Even in the summer I am just getting up at 5am.
-I love the Grand Canyon. I love the beauty of it. I love that when I am there I know without a doubt that we have a Heavenly Father and he truly loves me.
- I love Lake Powell. I love being in the water and enjoying time with friends and family.
-I love swimming. I love the water and the sun.
-I love the smell of the desert after the rain. It is cleanest smell and I really love when we get rain in the desert because we need it so bad.
-I love that if I wanted to I could be in the snow in about three hours time. I can play and sled then head home where it is nice and warm and I never have to shovel the snow.
-I love that Arizona has so much to offer. I have asked Ryan if we can make Spring Break let's see something in Arizona vacation time. I want my children to see Arizona and love it.
-I love Mexican Food. When I lived in PA there was no good Mexican restaurants and I couldn't wait to come and visit to get my fix. I have my favorite meals at my favorite restaurants. Matta's, Rosa's, Serrano's, Tia Rosa's, and Gecko Grill (that is no longer opened).
-I love that I am a native and that my parents are natives and that their parents are natives and that my children are natives. Arizona is in my blood.
I do truly love where I live. Sure I do complain in the summer when the average temperature in August is 92 degrees and it is just hot. But I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Happy 100th Birthday Arizona!!!!

My baby is four

It is so hard for me to believe that my baby is four. Kate is the sweetest most spoiled child ever. She gets what she wants often but I am trying to not always give into her. She is my buddy and goes everywhere with me. The other day she wanted a cheese crisp so we went to Matta's and ate lunch. I never did that with my boys, but I love doing it with Kate. Kate loves to sing and dance and has a great imagination. I love watching her play. She can entertain herself for awhile. She loves to have me read to her and loves to wrestle with her dad. When Ryan says little girls don't wrestle she responds with "yes'" which sounds like "yesth" the only time she has a little lisp. I think Kate will be one tough little girl who loves pink and dolls but knows if she wants to play with her brothers she will have to play cars and football. Kate is such a blessing in our lives and I am so glad we have been blessed to have her in our family. I love my baby girl and I tell her everyday she can't grow up. She then says "I have to be five so I can go to school." Which I then say don't get ahead of yourself you are only four.

Newest Ricedorff

The newest Ricedorff, okay technically he is not a Ricedorff but a Willis, but Duke Randy Willis, son of Brookelyn and Ross Willis, was born on February 9, 2012 at 2:15am. Weighing 9 pounds 1 ounce and 21.5 inches long. One big boy that I can't wait to meet and see grow up. We are all so excited for Brookelyn and Ross and I can't believe Ryan and I are old enough to be Great uncles and aunts.