Puppy, Fall, Pool time & Art Masterpiece

 Our friends recently got a new puppy so of course Max and I were dying to go meet her. She is a red lab (I believe that's her breed) and her name is Lucy. She is absolutely adorable and a large puppy. Her paws were huge and I believe she was about 10 weeks old when we saw her. I just adored her so much that I had puppy fever, but Andy so no more dogs.

Since September hit I have been itching for Fall weather. We don't have it yet, but I though baking some pumpkin spice cookies would help us get in the Fall mood. Max did most of the baking and I was just his assistant. 

We have had some pool time lately and went out for ice cream.

I volunteered again to help teach art masterpiece in Max's class and this year I am doing it with two of my mom friends who are the moms to Max's buddies. That makes it way more fun. This month the kids learned about Claude Monet and did their own painting masterpiece by using the techniques Monet used.

Goodbye to August

 And just like that, we are in September. It's time to say goodbye to August and move slowly (Arizona slowly) into some Fall weather. Technically it won't feel like Fall here for another month or two, but until then I will just hope for some cooler weather.

August went by fast. We were busy seeing movies, hanging out in the pool, having play dates, ninja warrior and dinners out.

My friends and I finally did a wine and sushi night out. We used to do these monthly back in the day (before kids) and decided that we need to do this again. Well, here's to the first (again) monthly sushi and wine night with my ladies.


I have been promising to take Max to the Angry Crab for his own boil. Well, we finally took him. he was so excited and couldn't wait to go. He ordered the Queen crab legs with mussels and corn on the cob with a one-level of spicy garlic sauce. He loved this place and can't wait until we can go back. He just kept thanking me for taking him. He's too cute!

Max had a ninja warrior competition last weekend to see if he could move up from the white level and he passed. We are both so proud of him. He did an awesome job. He gave it 100% and he had fun doing it too. We told him on the way there that the most important thing is to try, never give up and have fun. And he did all three things. I am very proud of him!

Sammy got a new toy because I got sucked into an ad online. It keeps her busy and she loves just pulling out each carrot from the foundation. I have even put treats in each hole. Every time I put the carrots back in she just takes them right back out. It's super funny to watch. I now have carrots all over my house. Zoe could care less with this toy. She's not into toys as much these days, but definitely not one that she has to work at.

Quick Trip to WI

 Last weekend we did a quick trip to WI for my cousin's wedding. By quick trip, I mean we were there for less than 48 hours. We flew in on Thursday night and flew out on Saturday night. The wedding was in a suburb of Milwaukee so we just stayed there for a quick trip. 

Friday morning we went to a really cute breakfast place in Delafield. We ate out on the patio and enjoyed the "cooler" weather.

The hotel we stayed at had an indoor waterpark so after breakfast, we spent time at the waterpark for a couple hours before it was time to get ready for the wedding. The waterpark was kind of small, so not impressive, but it was something for us to do and pass the time. 

Friday night was my cousin's wedding. I haven't seen this extended family in six years so it was so nice to go and see everyone. It was a beautiful wedding and I talked a lot that night. I was just so excited to see everyone. I talked so much that I forgot to take pictures with people that I really wanted to get pictures with. 

Max picked out his outfit for the wedding just like he did for Ryan and Emily's wedding. He's such a fancy dresser. I did have to buy him new pants since the pants from Ryan's wedding (only 12 months ago) were way too short on him.

Max got to see cousin Stephanie and he was excited about that since he hasn't seen her since she moved back to WI from AZ. He is now almost as tall as her.

I was just so happy to see and hang out with my cousins, especially these two beautiful women.


They served pizza late in the evening and Max was waiting for that. I think he really went to the wedding specifically to eat. 

At the end of the night, the cousins that were still left got together and did a group photo. This is a fun memory that I have from that evening. 

On Saturday we went to the State Fair since we were only 10 minutes from it. Grandpa J and Grandma V met us at the entrance of the State Fair. We spent the day eating, playing games, seeing the animals and we went on two rides. Max also watched a demonstration on how to milk a goat. He seemed to actually be into the presentation. 

We showed Max the cream puff exhibit and told him how cream puffs are a big deal at the State Fair.


Mr. Foodie tried his first cream puff and was not a fan. I don't blame him because I have never been a fan of cream puffs. They have just never been my thing.


Max sat in the kid's chairs and watched the milking presentation. Following the presentation, they handed out single servings of goat's cheese. I am a fan of goat cheese so that was exciting. 


This kid is always eating. His favorite food at the Fair was the cheese curds. He said they were the best he has ever had.


Max got to play many games and he brought home a bag of stuffed animals that he won that day.




My aunt Carrie and cousin Ashley met us at the Fair that afternoon since they live close to the fair.


At 4:00 that Saturday it was time to say goodbye and head to the airport. We were in town for less than 48 hours, but it was worth it to me. It was so good to see my extended family that I haven't seen in such a long time. It was nice to get home and have all of Sunday to relax before we went to back work and school on Monday. 

Notice the bag of winnings that I am carrying for Max and the stuffed sheep that he won in his hand.

Happy Birthday

 I recently had my birthday and to be honest if it wasn't for Max I probably would have completely forgotten about my birthday. Around my birthday is a busy time of year with school starting and I just keep forgetting about it, but it's also not a big deal anymore now that I am over 40. As you know, Max loves to celebrate birthdays so we celebrated my birthday with dinner.

Since grandpa T was in town he joined us for my birthday dinner and we all went out to one of my favorite restaurants close to our house. 

After dinner, we went home for presents and a gluten-free bundt cake. One of my favorite cakes of all time! 

The boys certainly know how to spoil me even when I completely forgot it was my birthday until the day before.

Baseball Game

 We recently went to a Diamondbacks game and Max had a great time. I wanted to go out to dinner beforehand, but Max really wanted to just eat at the ballpark and try new foods. Ugh! Not a place for a gluten-allergic person to eat but I made the best of it. Max's favorite foods at the ballpark are brats and chocolate drizzled fruit on a stick.

Andy caught a ball and Max was super excited. He just thought it was so cool that HIS dad caught the ball with his bare hands. Max was beaming from ear to ear! 

We had some decent seats and we stayed until the seventh inning before heading home to bed since it was a late Friday night for us.