You've got to fight, for your right...

To potty! Yep, we are venturing into uncharted waters and attempting with the early stages of potty training! We aren't pushing it too hard. Usually, just letting her sit naked on the toilet before baths and jammies. Nothing has happened other than her realizing her toes and her sippy cup fit nicely in the hole. As you can see it is quite the family affair. Even Cory got up in the mix.

Running Against the Wind

What a wonderful weekend! I flew out Friday afternoon to head for sunny Phoenix, Arizona. My bag was packed with the new DownEast capris (LOVE) and short sleeved shirts and flip flops as the weather said it would be a scorcher. Touched town in Phoenix around 6:00 pm. Went to dinner with Heidi @ Cafe Rio (yes, I know they have those in Utah but Heidi had never eaten there and it was tasty) and then we headed to Bahama Bucks. For those of you that have not tasted of the sweet nectar known as "Bahama Mama Rama" you must. Think really thin shaved ice, covered in sugar flavored to your liking then cream on top all nestled on a bed of vanilla ice cream. I have had something similar in Hawaii but these top the charts.

Saturday morning we got up @ 5:00 AM to head to downtown Tempe Diablo stadium for the 6th annual Pat Tillman Race. It was AwEsOmE! There were 35,000 people there to run/walk. It was so cool being surrounded by so many people and crossing the finish line @ the stadium. Seriously, one of the best races I have finished. It was quite ironic as well that we finished the 4.2 mile race in 42 minutes which is also Pat Tillman's number. Heidi and I then hit the yard sale scene and I scored quite a few .25 gems for Mc. Needless to say, we hadn't showered since the run so the car smelled great every time we got in and out! :) We hit lunch @ Chic-fil-a because we got free sandwich coupons @ the race ($1.78 for lunch, not bad). That night, all us ladies headed to Joe's BBQ. Man, I really miss that place. The mac and cheese alone is enough to get me to come to AZ. It was good company and lots of laughs. Miss you ladies!


















This was how far we were back from the starting line...there was a a line of people that stretched for miles behind too. @ Mile 3, we looked over the bridge and some people were just starting. Me and Heid just after crossing the finish line.

The clan. Bruce- thanks again for letting me steal your wife for the weekend and wearing the camo shorts so you could carry the camera!




















All the ladies @ Joe's.
In no particular order, Joanne, Lacey, Lindsey, Michelle (G and C), Kim, Heidi, Mindy, Ashley,Paula and Lisa. Salt of the earth these ladies.


Sunday I got to go back to the old ward. There is such a different feeling there. I am truly grateful and have a strong testimony of the power of a cohesive ward. It felt great to see old friends and to catch up. I headed back to the airport not too long after church and boarded the plane to head back to Utah. I know this might sound weird, but it almost felt like the opposite. That I was getting back on the plane to head to Phoenix. Back to work. Back to Clovis Ave. (speaking of Clovis Ave, still now sale on the house but someone did take the liberty to steal my planter box off the front of my house). I was glad to come back to Utah. It was surprisingly warm. We went to my parents for a BBQ and just sat in the sun. I am excited for summer in Utah. It will be a welcome change. I don't know when I will be back in AZ but it was definitely a wonderful trip. I was glad to come back to my hubby and Mc and on to another week!

Tip Toe By The Window

What a great April we have had thus far! We have lived in Utah for two months now and have adjusted to the weather (we have been saying that March came in like a lamb and is leaving like a lion because we have had so much snow!). Mark and I had the opportunity to go to conference during the Easter Sunday Morning session. Truly an amazing experience. It really hits when you haven't gone to conference @ the Conference Center in years and being back in Utah surrounded by so many people of your faith. I have a testimony of our Prophet, Pres. Monson. What an amazingly loving man. His presence filled that conference center to every corner and I still wish I could meet him and just hug him.
Easter was fun this year too. Mc doesn't really get the gist yet of egg hunting. She just loves to be outside running and if she happens to stumble across an egg with candy in it, extra bonus. She has discovered she LOVES Sixlets (the blue ones leave a particularly wonderful hue on her face when she is done) and she also loves bubbles. We got to have a fun Easter Egg hunt @ Grandma Mary Ann's between Saturday sessions. Mimi also gave Mc an Easter basket (notice the gloves which are an Easter MUST) and thanks to the new Liberty of London line from Target...a darling dress.

Being back in Utah means friends and family are really close and we have really enjoyed that. We got to go to a cousin's baby blessing today and spend some quality time with them. We also aren't a state away from the Blackhursts which means we can get together for bowling/family home evening.




















We have been making some major progress on the house. We have finally come to the decision that some of the work we are going to pay someone else to do so that Mark has more time @ home with Mc after work rather than having to work on the basement. Plus, we can't be super loud once she is asleep so it pays off. We have a framer coming to do the basement in about a month and then we have a major undertaking- the drywall repair. We love our shutters in our living room. It really makes it look expensive and clean. And as you can see, Mc loves to just max and relax with her daddy.