Here we go Loop-de-Loo!

We bought our crib almost two months ago and I made our crib skirt and all of the sheets (slowly - this is why no pictures until now). After looking at many options and poking around I decided that we didn't want a crib bumper or quilt, but did want a crib skirt and a plethora of matching sheets (at the suggestion of my sisters-in-law). However, all of the bright crib stuff was only available in sets (way too expensive, especially to toss the bumper and quilt) and all of the ala carte things that I could find were so pastel-ly, simply not bright enough. And one day I realized that these are all simple and that I could make them. And that is what I did - I even got to use rick rack, one of my favorites!

(check out that rick-rack)

I will be making a blanket that matches the sheets and skirt but I haven't decided on the exact pattern. When I finish that (after I start it) I will post something on it as well - hopefully it will be chique.

(Yes, we did buy the whole crib but haven't put the fourth side on yet - I wanted to be able to measure and fit things easily and thought that it would be easier without the last side on.)

We are excited to see everyone this next week and hope that it snows!

* Side note - a big thanks to Lindsie Luke who has been sewing-machine-less for the past month. I really appreciate her willingness to lend it to me. When she's lucky I will even return it.

Well, Lindsie tagged me, I made a promise, and now I am obligated to post, so - here we go:

4 things I love about my husband: Ryan has been so patient and concerned throughout the pregnancy - I am constantly surprised at how thoughtful he is with me. I love how he always puts family first - he always finds a way to bless me first then take care of other priorities. I love that when we go to the grocery store he walks beside me and puts his hand across the small of my back. He is wonderful, and wonderful to me, and I love him!

4 movies I could watch over and over: A Few a Good Men, Mulan, The Princess Bride, and Legally Blonde

4 TV shows that I watch: The Price is Right, CSI, Law and Order, and the best of whatever is on when I feel like junk

4 places I have been: The Basketball Hall of Fame, The Pergamon Museum, Carhenge, and Dairy Keen

4 places I would love to go: Montanha Sugarloaf, a warm honeymoon, Paris and Egypt

4 things I look forward to this next year: The arrival of our baby boy, diapers, breastfeeding and sleep depravation

4 people I tag: me, myself, I and eu - which means I'm all done.

Last Saturday we decided to explore some more of Phoenix. Specifically, we opted to explore the parts that we were told not to. (And the camera was not in my purse, so no pictures) We have been looking for a good Mexican store, to buy some hispanic food. We haven't been able to find them so we asked around at a little mexican restaurant and were told which area of the city to check out. So, on Saturday afternoon, while it was still light outside, we decided to go hispanic market hunting. And (drumroll) we were very successful. I suppose. We found a large flea market, reminding both of us of our missions. Pirated CDs and DVDs, along with cowboy boots, skanky clothing and beautiful dresses for little girls parties were abundant. They also had appliances, furniture and cars (can you believe that??). It was a lot of fun to walk around this flea market. It was pretty big, but not as big as some in Brazil. Everyone there kept looking at us like we were a bit out of place. We were the only Caucasians there, so I guess that we were out of place. But we had a great time. (I should have been less of a food snob - they had some candy that looked Brazilian, but I didn't try any. Next time I will, who knows - maybe I will enjoy it)

Then we went to one of the grocery stores in the area and they had a pretty good hispanic selection. When we left there we had some key limes and a whole lot of soda. We picked up flavors that reminded us of our missions but are hard to find generally. We laughed at ourselves when we looked at what we had bought. What we have had so far we really have enjoyed though. Yummers!

After that, we drove down VanBuren Avenue. Apparently this street is where the hookers hang out at night. It was still too light outside for them to be out, but we did drive past a couple of rescue missions that were beginning to draw large crowds. Hence, we kept on driving.

Then we saw a large, domed building and thought that it might be the capital building. It was. The dome has an angel on the top, it was pretty interesting. Next to the capital there was a large green beltway area with a lot of memorials. And at the other end was a large museum for mining. Ryan was so excited because they had HUGE mining equipment outside. It was too late to get into the museum, but we will be going back (I will read the information and Ryan will likely run around looking at the "big boy toys"). We will get some fun pictures, but it will be awhile, there are so many things that we want to do. We did park and go walk around some of the memorials. They have a memorial for everything and it is very tastefully done. One of the memorials is actually the anchor from the U.S.S. Arizona. They even have a big stone display of tablets with the ten commandments on it. It has been fun to be in a state where religion isn't such a big political factor (for instance we were on a college campus this weekend and there were advertisements about praying, that would never have flown at USU. And there are all sorts of anti-smoking laws, because here it is a health issue, not a religion issue). However, it was getting dark and some vagrants began to wander onsite, paper bags and all. So... we opted to bee-line it to the car and continue on our way.

Continuing our drive, we drove around downtown and checked out the area. Did you know that Phoenix has like 3 downtown prisons? We didn't. They are on corners surrounding the federal courthouse. They are pretty big too. However, we also found a whole bunch of arenas, theatres and museums. So... overall... worth it. And a good story besides, right?

When we finally got hungry we went to the Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner. The 45 minute wait that they projected actually turned into a 1.5 hour wait. But, the food was predictable and good. (Predictable is a great thing here, it seems that when we go out on a limb for new places to eat we lose, losE, loSE, lOSE, LOSE!!!) Then, fed and happy, we returned to our apartment.

What a day!

The Superbowl (...sadness for the Patriots...) was held in Glendale Arizona this year at the University of Phoenix Stadium (which looks like it could take off at a moments notice), about 15 minutes from our apartment. The whole week before the game there were tons of activities going on, all over the valley. We couldn't afford to go to most of the activities, but the night before the game there was a free block party in Tempe, about 45 minutes away. We decided that we could afford to go to that. After a $5 parking fee, a short walk, a stop at the porta-potties and a 10 minute security line we found ourselves at one of the best free concerts I've ever been at. The band Boys Like Girls played and I must say that I was impressed. While they played we walked around and checked out some of the vendors and the Superbowl hot air balloon (I have seen more hot air balloons here than in a long time). We then were treated to a free concert by the Counting Crows, it was wonderful. At the end of the night there was a GREAT fireworks show. The fireworks were set off from the bridge leaving the park, it was so close that we could feel the rumble as the fireworks went into the sky, and we loved it.
I love how many neighborhood activities are hosted here, it seems that if we research a bit we can always find something to do. And it's warm... what more could we ask for...

Last weekend we had the opportunity to return to Utah for a few days. It gave us a wonderful opportunity to visit with some of our family and friends. It was a blast to have so much free time to visit and talk - it seemed kind of odd. It has been a long time since we have been able to visit without having to worry about homework, primary lessons and work. We had a great time visiting with family in Heber, Logan and Salt Lake. Thank you to everyone that cleared portions of their busy schedules to make time for us. We love you!

(P.S. - Don't we have some of the cutest nieces ever?)