Weeks Activities

This weeks activities:

• Mike took me on a mile hike about 10 minutes from our house—a point overlooking the entire valley. A lot different terrain than Seattle and Utah but nonetheless beautiful. I am glad we can enjoy the outdoors together and love being active people.
  
  
  
  Mike was sweet enough to loan me his sweat shirt, man it was windy!
  
  
  

• For date night this week we stayed in and Mike planned a romantic dessert picnic on our living room floor—chocolate fondue and fruit. It was a yummy, perfect idea!

• I forgot to write last week that Mike has been skateboarding lately at a local skate park. He has also taken up swimming in our pool as part of his cardio regime. I have to say he's looking mighty fine and buff these days!

• We have been enjoying the second book to Hunger Games (looking forward to how it ends)
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• For FHE's on Monday nights we have listened to these marital relation cds by Matt Townsend; good reminders to work on throughout the week to make sure we edify our relationship and remember that marriage continues to be our number one priority.

• We went to a consignment shop—Kid to Kid, and bought our first stroller/car seat! Can't believe my little man is going to be riding in these soon!
  
  
  

• We rented Eat, Love, Pray one evening, which I actually enjoyed. There were many lessons I thought were so applicable for my life; it was a good reminder to listen to your heart, to not let fears hold you back, and to keep your life balanced.

• Thursday night we finally decorated our Christmas tree and put up all of our Christmas decorations. I love having the spirit of Christmas in our home! Nika loves hanging out under the tree every year as well!

Here are a few pics of our apartment since I haven't posted any:

The man of the house

Our patio

Our birds house

Merry Christmas

• We picked up my lovely mother on Friday. It was SOOOOO good to see her; I just love my mom! I love spending time with her, we have such a close-knit bond; I enjoy every time I get to be in her company. I can't wait to start working on some projects together, go out to eat, show her around AZ, etc.! I LOVE having fun things to do to keep me busy.

We took her to one of our favorite sandwich places called Which, Which. YUMMY hot sandwiches with all the condiments and veges you could possibly want on it! Then we walked around Westgate and showed her our apartment before taking her to Dave and Kimbers. The kids were SOOOO happy to see "grandma!" Tyler even made the comment "when are Mike and Amanda leaving?" so she could have grandma all to herself; it was so cute.

This is how mom lives it up when dad's not around: loadin up on Margaritas! :)

• Today, Saturday, is my baking/cooking day. I just LOVE cooking! I'm making two different breads (sandwich bread and french bread), spiced pumpkin bread with cream cheese frosting, carmel apples (chocolate with peanut butter, chocolate with nuts, and white chocolate with cinnamon sugar), a bacon and leek dip, an olive with parmesean cheese spread, sausage and a cheese ball with crackers, and chili—all for tonights gathering/dinner at our place. Then we are all going to Goodyear Ballpark to play in 40 tons of snow, ice skate, and walk around the arts and crafts booths. So many fun things to do in AZ, I love it!

Below I've posted these yummy recipes for you to enjoy!