Family Fun

So my sister Meghann and brother-in-law, Robert came in last week for a quick visit. It was fast, but really good to see them.

The traditional family picture pose. However, this year we had a new addition....Frida!!!!

Mo out on our bowling outing. Lovely color coordinated bowling ball and shirt. And....her at hoem later with Frida. I think Frida was trying to score some popcorn or something. Looks like she succeeded.

Me and Frida....what a sweetie. Seh has been chewing...ALOT...lately!!! Too bad it is all stuff that belongs to my parents.

Cuddling....

Yay for family time!

For those who don't know, Mo recently became a licensed cosmotologist and has her own booth in a downtown salon. Here she is at work performing some of her hair and nail magic. Any one need a cut or color, I can hook you up!!!

Hanging out with the cousins.... We can't take pictures without doing the crazy face pose.

Questions...

"Be patient toward all that is unsolved
in your heart...
Try to love the questions themselves...
Do not seek the answers
which cannot be given
because you would not be able
to live them.
And the point is,
to live everything.

Live the questions now.
Perhaps you will then
gradually,
without noticing it,
Live along some distant day
into the answers."
-Rainer Maria Rilke

Reunited and it Feels so Good!

The story of Frida continues.... As most of you know, I thought I had found a good home for my little dog before I left Mexico, but a few weeks after I left my co-workers found Frida wandering the streets of Olinala, pretty skinny and running between my apartment and the office where I was working. So....they got in touch with my family and started working on getting Frida to the United States. I found out two weeks ago and since then have been making lots of phone calls, and worrying about my dog. Well, my great friends Bruce and Jaime got Frida to Mexico city and yesterday Frida flew to the United States. My family laughs about how we were involved in an international pet rescue. But truly, it is so great to have Frida back with me!

Mom and I drove down to Phoenix to get Frida yesterday afternoon. Her flight was delayed a little; we were very prepared for her when she arrived.

The pick up location...and truck...

And....here she finally got out of her kennel. I think she remembered me even though we have been apart for a little over a month. She let out a little bark when I saw her and called her name. Awwww......

This is the big kennel she came in...it just fit into my Dad's car. But, it's a perfect house for her. And...I guess the trip wasn't too traumatizing for her because I cleaned it out and put blankets in this morning and this afternoon she crawled in for a snooze. Thanks so much Jaime-it's perfect!

Oops...Frida makes a getaway in the parking lot. She was so excited to be out of the kennel that she rand all over the place! But.....I overtook her and we started our old tug-of-war game over her leash.

She was a real trooper on the 2 hour car ride home. Mostly she slept.

And Mom insisted on a bath before enetering the house, but since it was in the 20s or something, I did it in the garage. Before the bath we went for a walk where she encountered snow for the first time. (It had snowed in Flag the day before).

So far, it's been a great first day in Flagstaff. She has had a few accidents in the house (Sorry Mom and Dad) and has discovered lots of potential toys to chew on (again, sorry to the parents), but she seems to be settling in well and I'm super happy to have her here.

Many, many thanks to Bruce and Jaime and their family for making this happen, and to all of the support from my family for making this happen. And...thanks to my mom and dad for allowing Frida to live in their house. I love you all! And so does Frida!

California

So, after I got back to the States, I headed to California to hang out with my cousin, Weston and my aunt's dogs while my aunt and uncle headed off for a tropical vacation. Turned out to give me some nice time to spend with my cousin and my Grandpa. One of the days we headed off to Huntington Library and really enjoyed the greenhouses and gardens there.

Lovely orchids. And bridge at the Japanese Garden site.

Huge leaf! =)

Flagstaff Autumn

Fall has to be my favorite season!!!! And....the fall in Flagstaff is so gorgeous!!! However, the colors change so fast, you have to be sure to get out and take in the views before all of the colorful leaves fall off the trees. This morning my Mom and I drove up to a place called Lockett Meadow and then hiked up into the inner basin of the San Fransisco Peaks. It was a coldbut sunning morning and the colors were amazing!!!

The view from the bottom. And...as you can see, we're all bundled up. I think I was wearing four layers. Obviously, I have been living in warm weather for awhile now.

So beautiful!!!

And the view of Mt. Humphrey's from inside the basin.

Great autumn memory with Mom!

Last Bit of Sightseeing in Mexico

Right before I flew out of Mexico, I met up with my friend Natalie and we went to Teotihuican to see the Aztec pyramids. I figured I had to see them before I left the country.

Pretty impressive pyramids. The "sun pyramid" is the third highest in the world. We hiked to the top with a ton of other people and took in the view.

Family Fun

So, after a stop off in Pennsylvania for a de-briefing with MCC, I flew to Los Angeles where my cousin Weston officially became and Eagle Scout. It was my first time ever going to an "Eagle Court of Honor," and I'll be honest, that a few times as people said such kind words, I teared up. Anyways, it was a really great time to see family...aunts and uncles, cousins, and my Grandpa. We cooked and cooked in preparation and laughed and laughed being all together.

Mo and I....and Caitlin and Caroline before the start of the ceremony.

After the big event, we all headed down to Bolsa Chica beach for an evening splashing around the waves and sitting around a campfire.

And....then we drove home. It wasn't a bad drive, but well...after awhile, Mo and I got a little bored. What do you do when you are trying to pass the time? Make crazy faces and take pictures of yourselves...

Yippee for fun memories with family!!!