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A couple of weeks ago, I had another birthday (they come around way too fast these days). I ended up going to dinner at True Food Kitchen with some great friends - it was totally low key, but it was with the perfect people.

Feryal & John

 Kyle

 Kyle, Jackie, Me, Olivia, Elizabeth and Skyler

 Jenn and Kelly

 Aubrey and Montana

 Tim

 Kellyn

 Dianna, Ellie and Feryal

 Jenn and Kelly

 Kellyn made a red velvet cake (and I had a cheat night on the diet).

 The group.

After dinner a few of us ended up going to Toby Keith's. I wasn't going to go out since it had been a long week with my grandma, but we finished dinner a little before 10 and I didn't want to go home that early. We had fun there and I am glad I went out.

Camelback Mountain

When I was home for Christmas, I think I hiked Camelback Mountain more than half of the days that I was there. I love that mountain, and it is such a good hike. Whenever Jenn and I hike together, we always say that there is nothing like it in NYC.

This mesquite tree at the top was decorated for Christmas.

There was also a Christmas tree.

Dad ACTUALLY made it to the top!

I can never get jumping pictures quite right.

I hiked with the Millsaps the day after Christmas.

Alexi, Mack and Mikalie.

Mack and Mikalie made it to the top with me. Lexi and Diahann...not so much.

This is not Camelback, but Squaw Peak. Jenn and I hiked this early one morning.

Can't wait to get back and do some more hiking. Might be a little too hot at Memorial Day and the snakes will be out then too!

Axis Radius

After the ASU game, we all went home and changed out of our maroon and gold so we could go to Axis for the rest of the night (really, it was early the next morning). None of us had been out in a LONG time, and the only reason we were going was because it was Aaron Cuoco's last night of dee jaying at Axis. Better known as DJ Swerv, Aaron had been the DJ at Axis for the last 10 years. When we were in college, Axis was our favorite place to go because Aaron would put us on the list so we wouldn't have to pay cover.

Lauren and I before leaving my parents' house. On my first night of going dancing back in 2001, Lauren brought me some clothes to borrow because I didn't have any "clubbing clothes" which back then consisted of a nice shirt and black pants - no jeans, they had to be black pants :) When I stopped going out dancing a lot a few years ago, jeans was what people wore. Now, the girls where cocktail dresses.

Lauren, Me, Kelly and Jenn.

We got glowsticks. I thought this was a cool picture of Lauren and Jason.

Jenn and DJ Swerv.

Paul and Aaron.

We stayed until 2am and closed down the place. Definitely the end of an era...I don't think I will ever go to Axis again. Lots of good memories though and fun nights of dancing with the Ukazu group. Thanks Aaron for always getting us on the VIP list!

"You Look Like Alumni"

We went to an ASU football game.

No, we did not take Kellyn's puppy, Cruzer with us. He just wanted to be in the picture.

On our way into the game, we bought water from a vendor outside the stadium and our conversation went something like this:

Water Boy: Are you alumni?

Kelly: Yes, do I look like an alumni? We don't look like students?

Water Boy: No, you look like alumni.

Me: Do I look like an alumni? (I know, alumnus is the correct term.)

Water Boy: You look like a teacher. (At least he didn't say professor.)

Do we really look like alumni?

Maybe because we didn't cut our shirts and tie them down the side.

Oh well, we still had a good time watching some football in the desert. And I don't mind looking like alumni with this group of friends. We did go to Axis Radius after the game so that's gotta count for something, right? :)

5 Glorious Days in Arizona

April 15th:

• Arrived at Sky Harbor at 9am
• Dad picked me up and we went to Tonalea to say hi to mom. I got a hug from every kid in her kindergarten class.
• Walked to Grandma Hazel's around 10am. I turned the corner and this is what I see - I guess she was so excited to see me that she forgot she was outside with her walker. She doesn't want to neighbors to see her "like this" and she would not be happy with me if she knew this was posted on the internet.

• I drove my Grandma to Whole Foods in north Scottsdale because she loves to buy the same food that I buy.
• We went to lunch at La Grande Orange.
• Layed out in the sun and took a nap in the afternoon.
• Went to the gym with mom and ran 3 miles.
• Met Scott and Julie for dinner and then went to Oregano's for a pizzookie.

Brady looks just like his dad.

April 16th:

• Got up early and hiked Camelback with mom and dad.
• Got a little sweat on my phone during the hike and the buttons stopped working. Went to the Verizon store to try to get a new phone but they could not give me a new phone that they had in the store - it had to be shipped since it was still under warranty. It was quite nice not having work email for 4 days :)
• Stopped at La Grande Orange and picked up lunch.
• Went to Kellyn's class and gave them a geography lesson. Here is Kellyn with her 1st graders - she is a permanent sub for the remainder of the year.

• Met Kathryn at The Gelato Spot. She had never been before.

• Met Tim for coffee at Starbucks (although neither of us actually had coffee).
• Went to dinner at Marcella's Italian Kitchen for mom's birthday (which was the previous Monday).

This picture made me laugh - they were all waiting to cross the street. Dad was on crutches because he had dropped an old TV on his ankle earlier in the day, Kellyn was leading Grandma Lois with her walker and Coby was holding on to Grandma Hazel. Ready, set, go everyone!

• After dinner we came back to mom and dad's for dessert (Kellyn made brownies).

April 17th:

• Total body conditioning class at the gym at 9:45am.
• Went to Christine's to get my hair cut and highlighted. I still have not even looked for a hair person in NYC.
• Stopped at Montana and Aubrey's for a short visit. I also needed to meet Charlie (their new puppy).
• Took Lauren to dinner at Culinary Dropout for her 30th birthday. We then walked to The Gelato Spot for dessert.

April 18th:

• Got up early and met Jenn and her friend Katie at Camelback Mountain for an early morning hike.

• Went to church at Scottsdale Baptist. The picture below is with Mr. Mericle. I had him in 3rd grade as my Children's Church teacher, and my mom says he asks about me every week. He will be 90 in a few weeks.

• Layed out in the sun for an hour.
• Went to Nikki and Steve's wedding (the main purpose of my trip). The wedding was in Fountain Hills - it was so nice outside.

April 19th:

• Went to see Dr. Deroin.
• Met Jenn, Jaime and little Blake for lunch at True Foods. It was so good and we had a great time - it is great being able to pick up right where you left off.

• After lunch, Kellyn and I went to the gym and ran for a half hour.
• I mowed part of the yard (something I miss in NYC).
• Mom had the grandma's over for dinner.
• Left PHX for JFK at 10:20pm.

It was a great trip home and I never feel like I have enough time. I think that means I am meant to live in the west :)