Oh Brother!

Happy New Years Eve/ Andrew's 1 year on the mish mark! Yes, Andrew left last year for the MTC on December 31. What a kid! It was so nice to talk to him on Christmas, and what was weirder was how weird he was at first. I never thought it would happen to my goofy little brother. But he eventually warmed up, and we had a good little chat.

As I was unpacking my new apartment last month I found a bunch of old pictures of Andrew and plastered them all over fridge. So although Andrew wasn't here, I got to spend the holidays with him (I know, I'm a cheeseball). Here are a few of my favs:

I just miss this kid so much. 1 year down, 1 more to go. Can't wait until next year when we can celebrate together!

Grateful

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  I have been reading what everyone is grateful for and soon became overwhelmed with gratitude.  I am one lucky lady.  Here is pretty much my top 5.

I am Thankful for Great:

1.  Family  (couldn't get any better)

2. Friends (they're the best)

3. Cat (Paris is fabulous in every way)

4. Job  (I love that I am always continually learning and serving others)

5. Flat Iron  (it has changed my life)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Pictures to come.

New job, new town, new place

These last few months have been huge for me!  The first change is that I got offered and accepted a job in Phoenix.  It's a really exciting job opportunity and I am even more excited to further my professional development.  On that note, it was surprisingly hard to say goodbye to T-town (or Tucson).  I left the hospital where I started as a student extern, moved on to be a patient tech, and then fulfilled my first year as an RN.  Not to mention, it was my first job that a swimsuit wasn't part of my uniform (which is a big deal for me, the water is my comfort zone).  I'm really excited about my new job, but I'm even more excited to be closer to family.  I'm enjoying my 30 minute drive to the parents and I'm happy to say I haven't driven the I-10 in a month (those that know the 10, know that it's a horrible drive!).  Here are a few pics from the move from T-town. 

Saying goodbye to apartment 89204.  This was my first, very own apartment.  This was also Paris' first home.

The stairwell!  Talk about a lower body workout.  Unfortunately I have a bad neck/ back, so I couldn't do much of the lifting.  Thank goodness for Dad and Adam!

Pretending to drive the Uhaul!  It doesn't matter how old I get, I still like to play in the big truck.  There's no way I would really drive that thing.

Dad and Adam.  Bless their souls.  This is the 4th time they've moved me together.  They've got it down practically to an art.  Oh and dad's comment about the truck, "Hey Janet, the truck can't be half bad."  Me "Why?  Because it has a zebra on it?"  Dad "No!  Because it says Idaho on it! (insert chuckle)"  Those that know my dad, know how loyal he is to his home state.

Dad and the Idaho truck.  My dad is seriously the best!  Even at 60, he's the buffest, toughest man around.

They grow up so fast......

Last week Paris turned 1!  Can you believe it?  They really do grow up fast.  She is such a character and unlike any cat that I know.  She's more dog than cat, and probably even more human than cat.  She suffers from anxiety (seriously) and gets depressed when I'm gone.  When I'm home she's attached to my hip and follows me everywhere.  She loves to dress up and seriously thinks of herself as royalty.   So of course I had to throw her a princess party for her 1st birthday. 

Paris at 2 months on her adoption day.

I had to post this because she rarely looks at the camera.  I think this was the second pic I ever tried to take of her and she covered her face.  She has now learned to love the spotlight.

The invites.  Yes this party was official.

The favors.  Pets weren't invited, but favors were sent home to all who came with animals.  Paris doesn't do well with other pets, I'm hoping she'll grow out of it.

Her tutu.  My mom made her this tutu and she wore it the whole night.  I love it.

She wasn't a fan of the party hat, so it only stayed on for a few pics.

Some of the party goers.

My disaster cake!!!  I had every intention of this being spectacular and in my head it was.  My first attempt at building a cake,  I guess it can only get better from here.  Oh, and it's supposed to be a crown.

Clint lighting the candle.

So my family actually started singing Happy Birthday to my cat and that was my breaking point.  I could not stop laughing.  They are all such good sports for going along with this.

I literally had tears.   Too funny.  I was just so happy!

So some people were better sports than others, haha.  So glad you came Clint.

Aunt Heidi got Paris a leopard tunnel.  She loves it!

My mom got Paris the book If You Give A Cat A Cupcake and the stuffed animal that goes with it.  Or course my mom, the educator, would get her a book.  She loves it.

Of course there was a pinata!  She only turns 1 once!

Aunt Patrice and Jensen, giving it a whack!

Natasha in action!

So there were no trees to hang it from, my dad found the solution!

Paris wanted a try.

"Somebody open it already!"  Dad was getting tired.

Kirsten

She did it!

The pinata parts became fabulous favors!

The ladies!

Thanks to all of my fam for being such good sports.  But it really was a fun party.  I couldn't ask for a better bunch to call my fam.

My Boyfriends Are Back!!!

Well they are back for a week.  My favorite boys came into town this last weekend.  Unfortunately I only got to spend a few days with them because I supposedly live in Tucson and had to get back to work, but a few days is better than no days.  They got into town on Thursday and of course we jumped straight into the pool.

Me, Natasha, Carter, and Gage

Oh Gagers!  How I've missed that smile.  I don't know if they truly appreciate all of you're cuteness in Michigan like we do in AZ.

Paris was the lifeguard.  She supervised from inside.

Then Friday night we had a bbq, did some night swimming, and had a sleepover!

Saturday morning we had french toast with berries and whip cream.  We might have had a little fun with the whip cream.  Carter started it!

Then Gage joined in.

I couldn't let the boys have all the fun!

We ate breakfast outside.  It was very bright.  This was before my dad put up the umbrella.  Poor Gagers!

Julie and Gage

Carter and me.  I seriously can't believe how grown up this boy is- it's insane!  I still remember when he was in the womb, can't believe he's now 6.  Amazing how time flies.

They both had private swimming lessons with me, then we played for a while and ate popsicles.

Gage had popsicle all over!  We made him jump back in the pool because he was sooo sticky.

And bachelor #3 Camden.  How cute is this one, seriously.  I just want to fold him up and put him in my pocket.  Oh and don't you love the after swimming hair?  You might wonder where did this come from?  Apparently it comes from my dad's side because my mom's hair is straight as a board.  Walker cousins, does anyone else have to deal with these unruly locks?

Gotta get the momma in there.  Nicole is the mother to these insanely cute kids and I love her just as much as her boys.

Nicole, me, and my Robbins boys.  Like I've said before, I'm so lucky that I get to call this gang family.  These boys are so funny, smart, and just plain cool.  I would rather hang out with these kids than people my own age (that might explain a lot).  I'm so glad that I got to see them even if it was real fast.  Love you guys!

Like a Rhinestone Cowboy

My 4th of July was just how I like it, Southwestern style.  Every year as much as the fam that can, goes up to Prescott for the Frontier Days 4th of July Festivities.  The festivities start by going to the Oldest Rodeo on Friday night.
I dare someone to tell me that their dad is cuter than mine!  He wore my Grampa Walker's stetson the whole weekend.  He is looking just like my Grampa, I love it!

My cousin Brett and 3 of his kids, all cowboyed up and ready to watch the rodeo.

Noelle wanted to pose.  So did Camille (in the background).

Tiff, Josh and Turner.  They traveled all the way from Salt Lake.  Yes it's worth a 12 hour drive.

My dad and the girls. We were supposed to be posing, every other person got the memo.

Sisters.

She thinks my tractors sexy!  There was a vendor selling tractors and we asked if we could ride them.  We may have gotten a little carried away!

How you make a John Deere sexy!

We had to let the vendor get in on the action.  He gave us his card and wants us to email him copies of the pics.  Too funny!

Close up.  Did I mention that he even talked cowboy!  Too fun.

Watching the rodeo.

Dad, Jules, Ashlee, and Amber.  Some more of our crew watching the rodeo.

Next event:  The Parade

Now this is not you're typical parade that we watch every year.  It has horses, horses, trucks, cars, horses, did I mention horses?  Could be classified as the most boring parade ever!  Every year the men go and set up shade and reserve our same spot on the corner.  The girls then bring all the children after the parade has already started.  We usually see just over half.  Well this year, someone took our spot on the corner!  I guess the fam has been sitting on that corner 20+ years.  The boys found another good spot and we actually had a lot of fun.  John McCain was even in the parade this year.  

Dad and Carson.  Carson loves his Papa.

Apparently Carson didn't know the parade was supposed to be boring because he was totally into it.  So was dad.  It was funny, everyone that was passing out flyers ALWAYS gave one to my dad.  He even got a coupon for a free pregnancy test!  Yeah, he gave that one to Tasha.

Some of our crew.  Check out my fro.  I was the last one to shower and left with my hair wet.  My hair got bigger as the day went on.  This pic is still early!

Next Event:  The Boot Race

Only in Prescott, Arizona is there the Annual Whiskey Row Boot Race.  You wear cowboy boots and race 100m down the street known as Whiskey Row (aka: street o' bars).

These are the 3 and unders all lined, ready to race.

And they're off!  This is my favorite age group to watch.  They are either super intent on running fast or they are crying.

Carson had more fun running around after the race.

Turner joined in.  I think they had more fun running around in their boots after the race than actually during the race.  They ran around forever!

Roddy after the race.  So check out his boots.  You duck tape them to keep them tight on your feet and then duck tape the bottom for some traction.  Roddy needed a little more traction because he slipped twice at the starting line!  He's a champ though and ended up 5th!
All of our crew who ran this year.  No one placed but we all had a lot of fun.  Don't tell my doc I ran (I'm still not supposed to be running, I figured I could get away with a 100m).  The prizes/ trophies are unlike any other.  3rd place: Outback giftcard and a single Budweiser beer can trophy.  2nd place: wranglers and double decker Budweiser trophy.  1st place:  Justin boots and that's right, triple decker Budweiser trophy.  One year I took 2nd, so yes I have wranglers (they still have the tags on them.  They are one pair of pants that are NEVER attractive on females!) and a sweet double decker budweiser trophy.  It sat in the living room all that summer, the comments my mom got, priceless.  

We then head back to Aunt Carole's and Uncle Dick's and make indian frybread!  It's not bad for you if you only eat in once a year!

Carson still full of energy after a busy day!  Isn't he the cutest!

Unfortunately I didn't get to stay and watch the fireworks because I had to work Sunday night and didn't want to make a 4 hour drive back to Tucson on Sunday, then go work for 12 hours.  So I went back to Mesa that night. I was telling my mom that I wanted to watch fireworks, but was so tired that I didn't want to drive anywhere to meet friends and deal with all of the traffic. I love fireworks!  I got my first kiss on the 4th of July after fireworks when I was 16, so of course I love them.  Well, I was sitting in my parents family room and heard some popping, ran outside, and was so excited because there was a random fireworks show only miles from my parents.  So I watched, barefoot, by myself, and loved it!  Hope everyone's fourth was just as fab!

6 months down, 18 to go!

It is ridiculous to think that my baby brother is ONLY 1/4 done with his mission.  It seriously feels like he has been gone FOREVER!  It just seems like he's missed so much in the last 6 months.  Letters, emails, and the 20 min conversation on Mother's Day just doesn't give me my fill of Andrew.  I was just walking down memory lane and I wanted to share some of the reasons why I miss this kid so much.

He seriously is my best friend.  And look how cute he is ladies.  I don't know anyone who can rock aviators quite like him.

Ok I just laugh when I look at this one.  It is so Andrew, such a goofball!

This is not an attractive picture of anyone but it is so my fam on a summer Saturday afternoon.  I love how everyone is laughing and attempting to wear goggles (Julie).  When we're in the pool, Andrew always feels like he has to lift me up and throw me around.  Actually, he does it out of the pool too, and I really don't like it. 
Andrew and his yukalaylee.  There is nothing cuter than watching a big guy sing and play a tiny guitar.  This melts my heart.  As annoying as it was to listen to him play the same songs over and over and over, I miss it.
Andrew and his all-time favorite ladies. How could he not turn out great when he has four fabulous older sisters.
Again just goofing off.  We try to think that we're too cool for school.  We know we're not.

Andrew sneaking into mine and Kirsts pic.  He always did that.

Andrew always knew how to get the ladies attention.  Oh and did I mention he's not shy.  He went up to these ladies and asked for a photo.  I think the one on the left grabbed his butt. Can you blame her?
My hiking buddy!  We love to go hiking.  We have a tradition when we get to the top of Camelback to take a "yeah, we're tough" pic.  Andrew is almost scary in this one.  But he really is just a big teddy bear.  He was also my running buddy.  You wouldn't think that a kid of his stature could continuously run 3+ miles.  Even when I started training for marathons and doing longer runs, he would go with me to the track or meet me in the middle of my runs.  I think my favorite thing was our talks that we had walking to and from the track.  Actually I miss our talks in general.  We could tell each other anything.  He was always a good listener, non-judgemental listener.
I love this sibling photo.  It's just too funny.  Julie and Kirst are like "take one more pic, this is fun!"  Roddy and Heidi are like "ok, sure we'll smile".  And Andrew and I are like "sooooo over it".  Plus I love how Andrew is the big one in the middle.  We do all revolve around him.  I just miss him so much but I'm so glad that he's doing fabulous on the mission.  Not that I'm surprised, but he is an insane missionary.  He's such an example to me and I don't think he knows how much I truly look up to him.  But the countdown starts now!  1/4 down, 3/4 to go.  Miss you buddy!