Found.

Have you been to FOUND. yet? Kristin & Dan's newest venture in downtown Mesa. (Located in their previous Domestic Bliss location) Check out these great pics of their shop.

Phoenix Finale

Lincoln & Robson St. buddy, Alton

Day 4 did not disappoint.

Got to hold one-week-old William Reid. Almost made me want to give birth again, but then I remembered the next 17.5 years. (nice job Gelbrichs)

Spent the afternoon with friends in our old neighborhood (Robson St.)

Arrived back at the Morrison's to enjoy a wine and cheese party with friends who have know us since we were single. (now that's a long time)

Wonderful hospitality, conversation and laughter. Perfect ending.

On the long drive back to San Diego, (I'll spare you the pictures of multiple kid melt-downs) John and I talked about how it feels to be gone from Phoenix - our home for so long. We both agreed that we feel like "home" is where we have each other and our boys. But we sure do miss the people we love in the Valley of the Sun.

Thanks for welcoming us back.

Phoenix - Day & Night 3

I have to admit, coming into this little vacation I thought Phoenix in the middle of May might be a bit late, but I was wrong. 95 degrees on day 3, but we barely noticed.

Started out with some early morning yard sales (mostly talking) with my friend Lisa...next up was family patio time, complete with Starbucks and a pool boy...moved on in the afternoon to a very fun swim date with the Eatons...and ended the night with Ryan and Hannah's wedding.

Day 4, can you top that?

John relaxes with his fantasy golf game and couch parenting.
Lincoln giving back to our gracious house hosts. Water feature pool boy. Lincoln and Caroline. I see a future here.
Harrison's "i'm not so sure" reaction to the pool. He just got himself signed up for swim lessons with this attitude.
Couldn't keep Ben out of the pool. Little fish.
Wow, hot Reverend.

Maybe my favorite wedding dress of all time. And I've been to alot of weddings. Beautiful, Hannah.

Phoenix - Day 2

I've forgotten how far you can drive and still be in Phoenix...logged 4 1/2 hours of time in the car around town, but totally worth the drive.

Started out with girls time (plus 4 children...can't ever get away from all of them)

Starbucks, homemade banana bread and catching up on life...way too short of course.

Followed by a lunch visit to the in-laws in Suprise. A little non-heated hot tub swimming and hot dogs.

Finished the evening with wedding rehearsal dinner at Market Bistro in Scottsdale.

Phoenix - Night 1

We pulled into Phoenix at 4:30, just in time to drop our bags, change diapers and head over to meet friends. We still call our group of families the "Young Marrieds" after 13 years of marriage and kids together. (now that I'm plucking out some gray hairs, I'll take whatever I can get)

We started the night with drinks and appetizers, followed by a dance recital at the tennis courts, and finished up with dinner at Joe's Farm Grill. Yum.

I love our life in San Diego, but I sure do miss these peeps.

Check out these adorable pictures by our 10-year-old friend, Caroline. She's for hire, but you might have to pick her up for your photo session.

On the Road

Our first family trip back to Phoenix since we moved to San Diego, 18 months ago.

Big plans ahead, but had to get over the 6 hour car trip there first. Highlights were definitely Ben and Bear's undivided attention for almost two hours as they had their first screening of Toy Story, the awesome play place at the Yuma, AZ Carl's Jr, and time to talk with my husband when everyone was occupied.

He really does think he's reading...

Lincoln finished another Lemony Snicket book. Love them.
John looking like he's so tired of driving, but he really wouldn't let me drive at all.

Phoenix, hope you're ready for the Byard invasion.

Listen Up

Ben's got his gear. Functional, yet fashionable, blue hearing aids with sparkles.

Pretty good first day wearing them. I only had to say "no touch!" about 100 times, and put them back in 50 times. Tomorrow will be better, I'm sure.

He also pulled them off at Ikea and dropped them through the cart. I'm trying to not lose this pair in the first week, but there's about a 28% chance of that actually happening.

I also had one of those awesome IKEA moments standing in line waiting to get Lincoln out of the ball room (dirtiest place on the planet?) Picture this...

The IKEA lady is yelling at Lincoln to stop doing things she told him not to do

Several moms with kids in private school uniforms (nothing against private school, just setting the mood) are standing behind me in line looking clean and perfect.

One of the moms says to me " there's something spilling underneath your cart". I look. I can't figure it out. No sippy cups, no starbucks, etc...

Another mom says "it's coming from his diaper." Yes, my adorable son with Down Syndrome is sitting in the basket throwing things out, with pee running out of his diaper, pooling on the floor.

I stayed calm. Said "well, that's a first". Took him to the bathroom for a diaper change, and finished off the evening giving the kids meatballs and mac and cheese in the IKEA restaurant. Mom of the year, me for sure.

Anyways, back to the point of this post. Ben, I'm so glad you can finally hear to your full potential. You're the man and you look super cool in your aids. Chicks love em.

Trader Flowers

As I've been thinking through our new "one-income" budget, there are some things I need to keep around.

Flowers from Trader Joe's are my new favorite treat. They're long-lasting, are well priced and always have lots of pretty options.

This week, these sunflowers were 4. and the pretty potted roses were 6. They've made me happy since I got them.

Here's to flowers on a budget. Thanks Trader Joe's.

Super Hero

Nope, not posed. Yes, he is just that cute.

Just a reminder that these Superhero capes are available in the shop. Also available for girls in teal with a pink print princess crown applique & straps.

Free Shipping for the month of May!

Grow

When I planted the seeds, I set the bar pretty low. If one or two packets grew, I would be psyched. But a small miracle happened, and they are all growing! I think I might be a gardener? I'm even enjoying the weeding. That sounds so late 30's.

Tomatoes, lettuce, green onions, peppers, carrots, cucumbers & peas.

In one tiny patch of soil that gets just enough sun.

I'm feeling a salad coming on.

Mother's Day

This was a great mother's day, from the morning veggie scramble and Starbucks in bed, to my evening Iron Man date with John.

But the best part were the gifts from Lincoln.

The greatest poem in which he describes me as tall, having nice hair and as a runner. (i hate running, and my thighs thank me daily)

Followed by the creation of this Lego masterpiece. Yes, it's Starbucks, and no, that's not somehow wrong.

Notice the amazing detail...tables, pastry case, register and barista machine. It's not like he's been in there a few times or anything.

"Welcome to Starbucks. Venti-iced-quad-espresso-with two pumps white mocha?"
What 7-year-old knows how to make an espresso machine out of Legos? Amazing.

We're submitting these photos to Lego just in case they need "mom" themed lego set ideas. I'm sure you'll see this one on the Target shelves next Christmas.

Big Change

June 2nd, 2010 will be my official first day as a stay at home mom.

As in, no paycheck, email addiction, phone-induced neck cramps, or travel. After 15 years in Young Life, I've decided it's time for me to be done. I'm so incredibly grateful for my time in YL, and yet I'm very excited about this next stage of life.

Trying not to plan to far ahead, but a few things I'm looking forward to. (I'd appreciate all current stay at home moms to temporarily allow me these fantasies)

Phone-free walks to Starbucks and the park with Bear.

Yoga and a six-pack. (ok, just yoga would be awesome)

Kinda clean closets.

Guilt-free sewing sessions, with wine. (only after 5pm, of course)

Cooking things that don't come in a Trader Joe's freezer package.

Long "walker"-walks with Benners, complete with "just one more step" cookies

Blogging for sanity. (and to feel like my stay at home life is oh, so glamorous)

Now, what to wear around the house?

Comfort Food

This years' "group" Christmas gift for family and friends was The Pioneer Woman's Cookbook. It's been a busy spring and I didn't get to crack it open until the dinner party last weekend. Best lasagna ever, hands down.

My 7-year-old has developed some food aversions as of late. I thought I'd let him leaf through the cookbook this morning on the way to school and choose dinner.

Comfort Meatballs and Creamy Rosemary Potatoes.

Um. Wow. I'll say it again. Wow.

I have no idea how she stays thin while cooking like this, but these were incredible. (John's Meatball Review: "Delicious. Best meatballs of all time." Serious.)

You can find the recipes here and here.

Friday Night

On a day like today, it's time to hit the streets. Stroller. Check. Newsie hat. Check. Incredibly slow walk around the neighborhood looking at every leaf, in every hole and stopping to talk with every person. Check.

The perfect start to the weekend. Check.

The Giant Peach Party

Sunday night was the Giant Peach's party inauguration.

End-of-the-year dinner for 35 College Young Life leaders. It was a great night and the Giant Peach's yard got a little make-over before the big debut. New river rock and square paver patio (via John). Vines, plants and bark. So exciting.

Menu: Flatbread with Pine-nut Hummus, Wedge Salad with Creamy Buttermilk Dressing, Sausage & Basil Lasagna, Roasted Asparagus with Creamy Gratin Sauce, & Honey Orange Panna Cotta with Fresh Berries. Yum.

Bring it on Martha.