A Birthday to Remember

As I turned 32, on September 20, I was reminded of how lucky I am. My weekend started off with meeting some of my closest friends out for night at the Sandbar. Once again being in the bar industry, wouldn't you know I'm friends with the manager up there, and she gave me a bottle of my choice, and a cabana for all my friends (Thank you Kelly and Chris. I love you girls). I am always spoiled by the ones I love the most. I'm so blessed to have the most amazing friends for up to 27 years (and counting). It's true what they say "it only gets better with age", and I must say, having the friends I do, just keeps getting better and better with each and every celebration. I love you guys, thank you for making it out, and please send over pictures.

On Sunday Jearel had BIG plans for me. I had no clue as to what he was doing, but he was smiling from ear to ear for weeks about it. He got a kick out of teasing me, especially because this was the first year my guesses were oh so WRONG.

Here's how my surprise went....

Jearel told me to be ready to go by the time he woke up on Sunday. Jayla and I were waiting patiently for daddy to wake up. When he did, I was told I needed to pack my bags for overnight, as well as Jayla's (he forgot to mention this before). So we rushed around in a hurry. Then Jayla came up to me and said, "Mommy do you want your presents?" I said, "Sure baby." Then she said, "You help me get it, it's too heavy." "Do you know what it is Jayla?" "Oh yes mommy, it's pots and pans!!! *Big smiles*" So here came daddy with two packages, that looked nothing like pots and pans.

Jayla had to help of course!
Nope NOT pots and pans, but a NEW laptop. I was so excited I was crying!
I needed this oh so bad, and with just Jearel working sometimes you just need to put things on the back burner, until NOW. WAHOOOOOOO!!

Jearel only gets the best of the best when it comes to that stuff, and I must say it is pretty SWEET!

After that we went to lunch so I could spend sometime with Jayla because she was headed to Grandma's for the night, and we were headed somewhere?!

My two LOVES!

Finally after an hour and a half in the car, we arrived in Cornville to visit their wineries. I've been wanting to do this FOREVER. We went to 3 wineries in Cornville, and then headed out to dinner in Sedona, and then stayed the night up there.

Here we are at the second winery, Javelina Leap.

Then it was off to our final spot, Page Springs Cellars. It was beautiful there, and by far the best winery up there. It was the biggest of the three, and located right on the creek. There was a lady doing messages in the vineyards, and they played the BEST music, all from Maynard James Keenan. He is the leader singer of Tool & A Perfect Circle, two of my fave bands. Plus he owns Arizona Stronghold, one of the biggest and best vineyards in AZ. He is directly involved with the wine making for Page Spring Cellars, and his very own winery/tasting room in Jerome.

The employees all shared some great personal stories of Maynard, which just made that place all the better for me.

A little horse shoe action!

Walking down to the creek.

Blood into Wine is a documentary about how the wine making business started in AZ, and how Maynard is one of the main reasons Arizona's wineries got so big (no I have not watched it yet).

That's my boy Maynard-HA!

Merkin Vineyards 353 Chupacabra, is pretty tasty :)

Yes Chad, I have a bottle waiting for you!!

Down by the creek with a bottle. Can't get any better than this!!!

And then your teeth get nice and red after you've had one too many, it's just too good to stop!

Sedona's beauty on our way to dinner.

The view off the balcony to our hotel room.

Monday morning (my actual birthday) we drove up to Jerome.

We enjoyed some lunch. Check out the size of that yummy burger.

HA HA!

After lunch, I had to go visit Caduceus Cellars & Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room. All of Maynard's wines, of course. I was the only one doing tastings, so Jearel could get us home safe. It was a VERY COOL place, but to be honest, Page Springs Cellars was by far the best one yet.

After we got home, we headed to BJ's Brew House, for dinner with our pretty girl.

Jearel and Jayla, thank you so much for the BEST birthday ever. I love you two more than anything, and am so thankful for the life I have with you.
I am one lucky girl!! XOXOXO

And a HUGE thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Riley for watching Jayla so Jearel and I could have some much needed alone time. We love you!

Just in case you wanted to see the present opening LIVE.

Our Soon to be New Home

FINALLY!!

It only took about 6 months to get an answer from the bank, on our dream home (yes it is a short sale). A couple days ago we received our approval, and our closing date of October 22 (if all goes well with inspections and what not). Even though I am heart broken to leave our little beautiful home, I am excited to move forward with our lives and embrace the beauty of our new 4,091 sq ft. home. It is everything I wanted and more.

The home is located in a gated community on the west side of town. The neighborhood is beautiful, with lots of private parks, green belts, and walking paths. It is located right next to one of the top schools in AZ for Jayla. The neighborhood is very family oriented, full of little ones. The first time we ventured out to look at a house, we saw that there was a party going on, at the main park, with jumpies, food, and fun. We found out that these are regular reoccurring events within the neighborhood, for everyone living there. Like annual Halloween parties, and Christmas events. In the several times that we have been out there, we've met some really friendly people, including a lady who just came out to appraise our current house. They all LOVE it and spoke very highly of the community. This just all making our move feel more at ease.

Enjoy the pictures of our work in progress...

Daddy and Jayla are standing in Jayla's future playroom located off of family room/great room.

Jay's playroom has these gorgeous wooden doors to close off the mess she will make.
Future gathering spot for eating.
Daddy's paradise.

Huge backyard of course (just missing a pool, Rosies better get ready for pool crashers)

Gourmet style kitchen

Mommy plans to paint and get all new handles for the cabinets.

I'm so in love with the "ruffed up" look to the tile floors, kind of like saltillo flooring. I'm hoping it won't show as much dirt as our wood floors do.

The great room (keep in mind this is not our furniture...decor pictures will come after the move)

The house has 4 bedrooms, and 3 1/2 baths.

Here is the 1/2 bath (Mommy wants to replace the black)

This is the game room/loft located right outside Jayla's bedrooms (yes I said bedrooms, she can have two until another arrives)

The formal dining room, as well as a butler's pantry, located to the left.

Kitchen sink :)

The HUGE, master bedroom. Bhaw chicka bow bow, hopefully this brings on some babies. I'll take 3 more please!! There is a whole other half to the room not pictured here, for my future work out equipment.

Looking from the kitchen/great room to the entry way.

The living room. My Christmas tree will be displayed for all the neighbors to see. This was a requirement while house hunting.

The master bath. Again, separate sinks was a requirement. We have that now, and I refuse to go back. Boys can be so messy.

The stairs, need I say more.

A closer view of the flooring that I love so much.

One of Jayla's future bedrooms (to be painted of course)

Now who's volunteering to help us move?! Wine, beer, and pizza are always involved. Don't all jump at once.... HA HA!

Taking after her Mommy

It's official folks, we've got a dancer. I know I've talked about signing Jayla up for dance classes over the summer, but we were just way too busy. Just now, we've finally found the time to make it happen. I signed Jayla up for tap and ballet, at the same place she takes gymnastics at, with her Grandma. This place is AWESOME. The teachers are so wonderful, and very patient. Jayla really enjoys her gymnastics class and loves all the friends/teachers she has met. I knew this was the perfect place for her to take dance at.

Wednesday was her first day for tap. Tuesday night we headed to Dee's dance wear for her tap and ballet shoes, and I swear she never wanted to take off her tap shoes. She was "tapping" away on our wood floors all night. Mommy even taught her the "shuffle-hop-step", which she nailed of course! She was so excited on Wednesday morning and would not stop talking about "dance class". However, her excitement did not shine through on her first class. She had to enter the room, alone (this is not a mommy and me class). She can be a bit shy, at first, but then she turns into a ball of fire. All she did the entire class was just stand there. I couldn't stop laughing. Apparently, this is how all the other girls were, on their first couple of classes. The mom's re-assured me and Jearel that she will be just fine, and to give it a couple of weeks. Jayla's new friends were pro's too. They are all around the same age and have been taking this class for awhile (some up to 6 months long). I have no doubts she will pull through. I mean come on, she is an all star at home-HA!

Her first performance is at the Glendale Glitters. Yes, YES, you are all invited to see her debut :)

Jayla and Julia (aka skinny minnie)

Teacher Lauran trying so hard to make Jay move.

Even though she did not move much, she was super happy.

Don't mind the socks... apparently I need the pretty ones with ruffles or tights.

After dance class, she moves on to a gymnastics class alone.

This meaning she has dance classes once a week and gymnastics class twice a week. I'm hoping this will burn some of that toddler energy that we can't seem to get rid of ;-)

"Uncle Tyler's in the BIG Army"

Jearel's little brother, Tyler, is getting ready to leave for Afghanistan. He is stationed out of New York, and will be leaving sometime in October. We were fortunate enough to have him home for two weeks, before we said our goodbyes. So many thoughts, emotions, and prayers will be with him while he is gone. We are beyond proud of you Tyler, and have already begun counting down the days till your return.

Tyler's visit consisted of yummy dinners, thanks to Jearel's step-mom, and a house full of family fun. Jayla was so excited for Uncle Tyler to come home from "the BIG Army", as she would say.

Jayla sharing some much needed time with her Uncle Tyler

Pillow fights were their thing
Jayla usually wins

Papa (Jearel's dad), Daddy, and Jay having a serious talk

Yes, Tyler still sleeps with a Teddy Bear ;-)

Our pretty girl

All this excitement wore her out

Jearel and his baby brother, Ty

Jay and her Auntie Jen

Jayla with some of her favorite family, Ty and Nana.

Kisses from Papa

Kisses for Uncle Tyler

Saying goodbye :(

Till next time....

~WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH TYLER~

Be safe, stay strong, and hurry back!

We will be missing you soldier.