Sedona

RACHEL CAME TO VISIT!!!

She flew in Thursday night, June 2. We had been at the AZ Grand with Camilla the night before and swam all day so I was a little frantic getting the house picked up in the couple hours I had before it was time to pick her up at the airport. We left the next morning for a quick getaway to Sedona. I had only been once before with the Evans many years ago, but I have no memories of it. We drove right to Casa Sedona Inn for lunch. It had a lot of good reviews online. It was a quaint place with a pretty view. Nothing really to write home about, except that they gave Rachel only the muffin top of her complimentary muffin. Ha! Of course we laughed about the Seinfeld episode about muffin tops.

Then we drove to the main shopping/downtown area and parked to do some window shopping. Which included a stop into Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Then we booked a Pink Jeep tour called Broken Arrow. It is their most extreme off-road adventure. I was truly terrified but agreed to be brave and do it since it was their most popular tour. I was comforted a little when we learned our driver has been doing this for decades. She was a super funny and a little crusty, old, UFO believing lady. It was two hours and we drove over lots of big boulders and a few steep climbs, but luckily nothing too ridiculous. I was raised by Chris Lindblom, after all and have been in many a truck driving up steep embankments. It could have been much worse! We got out at a few pretty places to take pictures. 

Apparently, the "it" restaurant you HAVE to try in Sedona  is Elote Cafe, but they didn't have any open reservations. But we got an insider tip that if you go wait outside the doors really early, they'll take a few walk ins when they open at 5pm. So we went around 4pm and were the first ones in line and got in right away! We were seated at the bar but the waiter was super friendly and helpful. Honestly, he was probably the best waiter I've ever had. And the food!!! Ohmygarsh the food was incredible. Of course we ordered elote for an appetizer and it was amazing. Then we got the carne asada and the enchiladas to share and the enchiladas won, hands down. Absolutely the best ever. I couldn't believe how delicious! Their house chips and salsa wasn't shabby either and we ate til we were going to pop. But I couldn't NOT get a dessert... it's all award winning... so we got the chocolate pie to go. Best decision ever. We were licking the to-go container at the hotel.  

I guess we are old and lame because after dinner we were happy to go to the hotel and change into jammies. And make some Instagram reels, haha. We did one where the background audio says, "I don't need a therapist, I just need my bestie!" Then a different voice says, "No, you AND your bestie need a therapist. Now." And Rachel and I videotaped ourselves jumping from one bed, crashing onto the next bed. Haha. We think we're so funny. Then we did another video of a dance that's trending. Obviously, I had a blast. Which was needed because some really hard things were happening this weekend with my extended family that resulted in plenty of crying. I felt bad it was all going down during her visit. I was on the phone many different times and not as present with her as I would have liked to be. But when you break down sobbing in the bathroom, who better to console you than your best friend?!

Saturday morning we hiked the ever popular, Cathedral Rock! I've been wanting to do this one for a while. It wasn't exactly easy, but also nothing crazy.  I would be nervous to take children. There were several places that required climbing on all fours and plenty of steep cliffs. I think we did it in a few hours. 

I noticed an acai place called The Local Juicery that they have in Flagstaff that I LOVE. So we stopped in for a bowl and it was everyyyything. I savored every, last bite!

We went back to the downtown area to see if we could find a place that did massages. We parked and tried a few places with no luck. I had been calling around and finally located a place that had two spots open for the afternoon. It was within walking distance so I told Rachel she could take the first spot while I finished up buying a shirt I liked. When it was almost my turn, I followed the maps to get to the place, but as I approached, I was confused. It just looked like a run down house. I walked up and saw a sign confirming I was in the right spot... although everything was very, very wrong. The porch alone looked so disgusting and I had to laugh when I saw all the weed growing in pots on the ground. I had to pee so bad, but I could not fathom what the bathroom in this place was like. There wasn't even a decent place to sit down. I waited a few minutes and when Rach didn't come out, I started texting her. The longer I stayed, the more grossed out I got, so I walked away, down the street and decided I would wait for Rach to tell me it was OK before I went in for my massage. She finally called me as she was leaving and I whispered for her to turn left, as I was "hiding" farther down the street. The little turkey was going to let me believe I should keep my appointment! But by then I had reached panic mode and was not buying it, haha. She said the lady was very, very nice, but the whole place was covered in pet hair and definitely matched the porch vibe. I text the lady and told her I was allergic to animal fur and wouldn't be able to keep my appointment and paid for half of Rachel's massage. I can't understand some people! How can you think to have a business in those kinds of conditions?!! We laughed a lot and ran away as fast as we could! 

Chapel of the Holy Cross is a highly recommended place to visit in Sedona. It was built high atop the red rocks in 1956, inspired by the Empire State Building. I was surprised how busy it was. There was hardly a parking spot. Be prepared for a long, uphill walk if you go!

For dinner we went to a restaurant built like a tree house! Our view was breathtaking. It's called the Hideaway House and I was pleasantly surprised at how yummy our salad and pizzas were! We drove home after that, but man there is so much to do in Sedona! I can't wait to go back and try more hikes. Rachel had to leave Sunday morning because her mom was flying into Dallas that night so it all felt so short! As usual. There's never enough time when I'm with Rach but I was so grateful she made the trip out to see me!

 

May

Spending lots of nights at Crossroads Park for Weston's baseball games! It's fun that he gets to be on a team with his second cousin, Colt Hawkins. Natalie and I have had just as much talking on the sidelines! This night, the whole Hogle fam-damly came! Showing up the Lindbloms for sure, haha. Grandpa represented at another game though!

The Connors and O'Neils are so great to keep this neighborhood tradition going! The kids love it! And Tanner was intrigued and asking for a new kind of "soda" he found, haha.

We were on the greenbelt all afternoon, partying with the neighbors, but when it came time for Trav and I to leave on our date, this was the scene. Two kids sobbing, everyone fighting and Collin annoyed he has to babysit. Sigh. 

When Marcie and I heard the FRIENDS Experience was coming to Phoenix we were ALL IN! Living our dream on these sets, making all the appropriate quips and quotes. 

"I'll be there for you!! When the rain starts to pour... I'll be there for you!!! Like I've been there before!" Are you singing yet?!

"PIVOT!"

"Could I BE wearing any more clothes??!"

Poking ugly, fat naked guy. And if you don't know the show, I'm hearing how disturbing that sounds, haha. 

Oh Central Perk! I tell ya, if you know FRIENDS, then we can be friends. If you don't, well what is wrong with you?

Trav and Brandon have birthdays only a few days apart so Camilla is always so sweet to invite us over for a little celebration! I've heard so much about this olive oil cake that people love, so I baked one with brown butter frosting.  

The only picture I got of our favorite guy on his special day. Krispy Kreme donuts for him! And then a day at work. Such a lucky man. Weston had a baseball game that night so it was a normal, adulting day. At least we snuck in our paddleboarding adventure the weekend before. 

Tanner's preschool did a little Mother's Day program that was so sweet! They all said a little poem or song and then Shari had a microphone and went down the line asking the kids why they loved their mothers. They seemed to have thought of an answer ahead of time. All the kids responded with things like, "Because she snuggles me" or "Because she plays with me". Then Tanner's friend, Tyde, said "Because she helps me to not be scared" which got audible "awww's" from all the moms. When it was Tanner's turn, he couldn't remember what he wanted to say so he just stood there silent. Shari said she'd let him think then come back to him. At which point, he looked at me, threw his hands up in the air and whispered "What should I say?!" I just shook my head. Really? You want ME to tell you why you love me?? Oh, but then he remembered! And when Shari came back to him he smiled and proudly declared, "Because she drops me off at school." 

What.

I just can't. 

All the kids loved their moms for the sweet ways they interacted with them but Tanner, my youngest and most doted on child, said he loves that I drop him off at school. Gee, thanks.

Afterward, I gently probed him, "So bud, that's what you love about me? That I drop you off at school?" To which he exasperatedly reaffirmed, "Yeah, I wouldn't want to WALK to school?!" 

Cool, cool. Good point.

Greenfield did a breakfast with mom thing before school for Mother's Day so we shared a little treat at the picnic tables. Sure love my Weston. 

Another dance competition! I think this one was out in Scottsdale at a hotel. 

Collin is catching up to Grandma in height. We had to do a side by side!

Mother's Day really is the best. Trav and the kids are so good to me. Olive made signs to put up around the house because she said we always decorate for their special days!

Katie graduated from ASU and we were able to watch from zoom which was so nice. I was in the ALA drive through line, picking up kids when her name was called and Tanner and I cheered in the car!

This dog follows me around all day. Then does weird things like lays like this. Her licking Weston on the face pretty much sums up their relationship, haha. 

My favorite spot and where I always want to be... the porch swing! 

Bentley is such a genuinely sweet, sweet boy. We love having him over for playdates!

Tanner's preschool graduation! They sang a bunch of songs and had a little breakfast bar. He is so lucky he's been able to go to Miss Shari's preschool. They have lots of active time, hands on activities and gardening! I never had to pack a snack because she always provided healthy snacks and fruits and veggies from her garden. His favorite buddy was Tyde Taylor and he also liked playing with a boy named Ford. When I would drop him off, I'd say, "Adios amigo!" as he was climbing out, then he'd say it back right before shutting the door. 

When you pick the kids up after grocery shopping and Collin starts playing the watermelon like it's a person.

I planned a Relief Society activity to celebrate the R.S. birthday. We did "speed friendshipping" and had cake! I started with a little quiz about Relief Society.

The last day of preschool was a fun, water day! He's ready for Kindergarten!

We had a fun day all to ourselves before the end of the year activities dominated the next week so we did open gym at Gold Medal Gymnastics for the last time! Wipe a tear. We didn't get to go much this past year but we have spent many a day at open gym since he was born. 

Then we got his favorite.. Salad and Go... and had a picnic at the park. Ironically, we ended up at the park by our old preschool... Mrs. Levitt! Now, how many moms get to enjoy a SALAD with their preschoolers?!

Weston's team made it to the finals, but sadly they lost and ended up 2nd place in their division. Still a great season! 

Weston's friend, Liam Dickson, was also on his team, which was fun! Kelly was a lifesaver, taking Weston to and from practices. 

Jeremiahs to celebrate!

ALA was doing a fun run on a Saturday morning to earn money for their track team and Olive's teacher, Mrs. Wakefield, was helping with it, so Olive begged and begged for us to go. It was a crazy, busy day, but we managed to fit it in first thing in the morning!

Olive's end of the year, recreational class, Inspire recital was out in Mesa at East Valley High School... where Leah teaches! It was in the morning. She's been in a music theater class which performed a Greatest Showman number. Olive was the bearded lady. She also performed a tumbling number where she was spotlighted because she was the only one to learn a back hand spring! I didn't realize what an accomplishment that was until other moms told me it was really remarkable to learn a back handspring after just a few months. It was her first time taking tumbling and she loved it! She practiced and practiced and seems quite good at it. 

Her good friend, Mia, also performed at the recital!

Then, Trav and I went to Sarah Flores's baptism at 4pm. We met her from our stake, self reliance class on finances, we've been taking the past 4 months. She is truly amazing. So excited about the gospel. She's had a hard life, but is really trying to change. She is optimistic and full of light. She asked me to say the opening prayer. It was a beautiful baptism!

Then, that night, was Olive's second recital for her Academy dances. She was in three. My favorite is the song from Hercules. It's such a cute dance and Olive has a little part where she says, "He's the greatest guy!" She's always in front center and dances so cute and steals the show!

We got dessert at Cheesecake Factory afterward. 

Collin ALMOST got away with this one!

Marcie started a Udall cousin book club and we read our great, great, great grandmother's book.. Lousia Barns Pratt. Oi it was long!! My kids even started commenting... you're STILL reading that?! Plus the language is old fashioned and harder to understand. I enjoyed the first half more than the years they were in Tahiti. Many inspirational things from her time in Nauvoo. She was so independent and really trusted the Lord. Also, I feel that I never have any reason to complain because her life was DANG HARD. I can't even fathom the sacrifices. She lost all her teeth at winter quarters. I just can't imagine. 

 

We were invited to Greenfield for the last awards assembly because Weston was honored from his class as a student of character! I'm not surprised one bit. Weston is as kind as they come. 

I volunteered to do Olive's end of the year, class party. I organized a bunch of games and it was pure chaos and pretty stressful! She has had a wonderful year with Mrs. Wakefield. She loves her with her whole heart and Mrs. Wakefield loves her right back. She has been best friends with Lily, who is a sweet girl. 4th grade was a good year!

Our carpooling buddies! So grateful for the Laws. 

Weston's last day was the day before and Liams mom did a fun, water balloon attack in the green belt by their house. We did our traditional, last day of school, Bahama Bucks treat!

Lucky us... we got to watch baby Stetson and Bentley so Jefferson and Katie could go on a date! He was very popular and everyone fought over who got to hold him the most. Although, I have to add... when Stetson was born, I was so excited and showed his picture to the kids when they got home from school and Collin's exact words were, "He looks like every other baby in the world. Nothing special." I mean, seriously?! He was completely unimpressed as I was gushing and oooing over him. Teenagers.

At one point, I put Stetson on my bed so I could go to the bathroom and he started crying. Olive and Tanner freaked. "He's crying! He's crying!" My kids clearly are not used to babies around here!

Jefferson is not a member of the church, but he and Katie asked my dad if he would give Stetson a baby blessing, which he was happy and honored to do. They also wondered if Bentley could get a blessing which was SO special. Both blessings were beautiful. I loved watching how reverent Bentley was. Katie's dad and aunt and uncle and siblings came and we had a big dinner afterward. You can see that the babies get lots of attention! How cute are all these boys hovering over Nora!

We went to the Phoenix cemetery for Memorial Day. This has been going on since my mom was a kid. It was convenient, because Hunt Udall was there... a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Weston thinks he broke his arm over the weekend (I can't even remember doing what) so Hunt looked it over and admitted it didn't look good and to come in for an appointment. Hunt's sister, Alexis Schmidt, was there, which was special because they are moving to Utah soon because her husband, John, was just called as a general authority. He ended up speaking in general conference the next October! She is a doctor and flies to Texas once a month to practice. Such remarkable people. They have been in our stake and I've gotten to interact with her lately because she's in the stake relief society presidency and I'm in our ward presidency. 

Grandma didn't make it to Phoenix, but she went to the Mesa cemetery. I like this picture of her and Aunt Helen together. 

Travis was at the river earlier but met us at my parent's house for Taco Bell and swimming!

Nothing makes Olive happier than when we're twinning!

Grandpa grilled dinner and we had a yummy BBQ later on! I made the Snickers, apple, caramel "salad" everyone loves. It was a really fun day with family!

The next morning I took Weston in for his appointment and hooray hoorah, it didn't need surgery or even a cast! I can't remember the details, as I'm writing this 9 months later, but needless to say, we were both relieved. 

Studying Come Follow Me, we learned the gruesome tale of Jael in Judges! I had to laugh and text the family. Christopher says she isn't actually named after the Jael in the scriptures but you can be sure I'll never forget this story now, haha!!