road trip: day 3

Day 3 consisted of 23 Arnetts making a pilgrimage to Blythe, CA and Cibola, AZ to see where it all began. It was really such a special and memorable trip. I know that I will never forget the memories we made that day as we braved the 112 degree heat as a family and learned more about my Grandpa Howard and Grandma Ethel and what truly amazing people they were and how lucky we are all to be there descendants.

Let the pictures begin. I know many are already posted on other people's blogs but I want them on mine too!


Now who wouldn't want to grow up in a town that has an establishment like this? Let's just say "Steaks and Cakes" is now our family chant.


This was my Mom's old haunt. She use to ride her bicycle here to get delicious treats as a child. I made my mom go in and see if they had any Coke Zero which, unfortunately, they did not. Apparently, it is a rare commodity in Blythe.


Our family on the bridge over the Colorado River.


This is the Bishop's house. I learned that it was home to a brother and sister duo who lived as recluses and shunned almost everyone except my Grandpa. According to all to my dad and uncles who apparently had many meals here, it has only changed about 10% from how it use to be back in the day.


A picture of what use to be my Grandpa Arnett's farm in Cibola.


The canal my Grandpa built.


The family gathered at the site of the plane crash. It was here that my Grandpa watched as two of his brothers died in a plane crash. Not long after, he lost the farm that he had spent 20 years of his life building. What an amazing man! My Grandpa Howard died when I was 16 and my Grandma Ethel died when I was 11. This trip made me feel closer to them than I have in a very long time. Thanks Jeff for making it all possible.

Lest you think the pictures are over, never fear, I have more. My mother also grew up in Blythe and we visited her landmarks as well.


What's left of my Grandpa Mortensen's feed lot and office.


My mom really enjoyed reliving her job of working the scales. If you look hard you can see her through the window.


The house my mom grew up in.

I also want to post links to two posts that give more justice to what was truly a once in a lifetime experience, Chea and Lacy. They both captured the experience far better than I ever could.

***UPDATE: Ok, all the posts about this are so good that I have to post all of them.***

Wendy
Heidi
Jeff
Lindsay
HB

road trip: day 2

We started the day with an early lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. I got some great shots of Jo and Sadie indulging in some oreo cheesecake. I only wish I could have captured Jaxson enjoying his plate of whip cream.






Look how happy being at The Cheesecake Factory makes us?

Afterwards the girls headed out to shop and pick up the catering for the evenings event. I managed to pick up a cute summer skirt and top at Target with some birthday money. Then we all headed back to the house to swim and begin preparations for that evening.


Stacey relaxing in the pool.

Cameron had his ordination that evening. So many family members were there it would be impossible to name them all. But it was such an amazing evening with a very powerful sweet spirit present.



Mishka, I'm so proud of you! I love you very much and I'm so happy I got to spend the last few days with you.

road trip: day 1

I just returned today from a 6 day road trip with my family. It was such a fantastic time! Dad, Mom, Ryan, Dana, Stacey, Mallory, Joseph, Jaxson, Sadie and I all headed out bright and early Sunday morning for Gilbert, AZ to visit Cameron. Danny and Quinn were greatly missed.

We began our trek extremely early Sunday morning. Dana, Ryan and kids showed up at 5 am.



How cute are these kids? All hooked up with their headphones, blankets and neck pillows and ready to go at 5 am.



Here is a self-portrait during the drive. Don't you love my sunglasses? They are courtesy of Ryan who has two pair of what we call the "old man sunglasses" that go over your real glasses.

We made it to Arizona and had a great reunion with Jeff, Pam and of course Cameron (aka Mishka).

Stay tuned for detailed accounts of day 2 through 6. The action really picks up on day 2 and 3 especially.

congratulations

Congratulations to my amazing sister Dana and my equally as amazing cousin Lacy who ran 26.2 miles today in the Ogden City Marathon. As spectators, we had a fantastic day as well. We caught our first glimpse of the running duo around mile 18 up in the canyon around 10:50 am.

Here are a few pics.


Notice my uncle HB running along side catching it all on film.


Dana at mile 18 looking fresh as a daisy.


Jaxson at mile 18.

After a quick pit stop at the gas station for some treats we trekked into Ogden. Here are some pics of the big finish.


View of the finish line


My mom, Mallory and Me waiting with our signs at the finish line.


Here they come, seconds away from finishing!


Lacy--tired.


Enjoying what I'm sure was a delicious post-race creamsicle.

I also have a picture of a post-race blister on Dana's foot, but I'll spare you that.

Anyway, it was such a fun day and I am so proud of my super athletic sister and cousin. You guys rock!

Check Dana and Lacy's blog soon for a detailed account and pictures.

grocery store

I just got back from a late night run to the grocery store with my mom to pick up a few essentials for the trip to AZ on Sunday. Whilst we were checking out I noticed a guy (clearly not an employee) on the telephone at the service desk which happened to be right next to the only open check out lane.

I soon realize that he is having a fight with his girlfriend on the phone at a grocery store with about 10 people close by.

Here are a few delights that I overheard.

"Why are you being such a b*$&!."

"You don't understand what compromise means."

"I walked 6 blocks just to talk to you and this is how you treat me?"

Can we say loser alert!! No wonder she is trying to dump him: mid-twenties with no car, no phone and given the fact that he does not have the first two items, apparently no job. Classic!

birthday in review

Thank you to everyone who made my 30th birthday so special. I really appreciate all the well wishes I received via phone, card, blog, facebook or in person. It was a great day.

My mom took me shopping where I picked out a fun summer outfit. That night most of my family headed up to Texas Roadhouse for a delicious dinner. Who doesn't love a yummy steak to celebrate your birthday. Afterwards we came home and Lindsay and Lexi joined us for cake.

My mom made a delicious layered lemon cake with lemon curd filling topped with whipped cream and strawberry. So yummy!




Sadie and me in our party hats.

I opened some fantastic gifts. All my culinary dreams came true. My in-laws game me the W&S cupcake cake pan that I have been coveting.



Quinn gave me the W&S pancake molds which I can't wait to use. Anyone want to come over for breakfast?



I'm finally able to start my Le Creuset collection thanks to my Mom.



And my sisters gave me this darling Flirty Apron.



The fun continued yesterday when Dana took me to lunch at The Cheesecake Factory and then we spent some time at Steve & Barry's where everything in the store was $8.98. It was so much fun.

mourning

Today, I mourn the passing of my twenties. It is a sad day indeed. As Quinn so lovingly told me on the phone this morning (and this is a quote for all of the DelHoyos), he said "Now, you are old as crap."

Thanks honey, I love you too!

the rest of the week

Thursday we were privileged to attend our friend's, Chris and Mandy, wedding. Chris is Quinn's old roommate and I've known him just as long as I've known Quinn. It was such a special wedding and such a great reminder to attend a wedding so close to our anniversary.

Here are a few pics from the reception (and yes I realize I'm wearing the same shirt from the previous post).


Look how handsome Quinn looks in his tux. The reception was on the 23rd floor of the Wells Fargo building with beautiful views of Salt Lake City.


A picture with us and the happy and beautiful couple.

Friday we also were able to attend Joseph's preschool program. Quinn was thrilled. For more details see here.

Quinn left early Sunday morning. Today he started his last first day of school. I can't believe how fast it has gone. Only 2 more months and he is done!!!

two years

We have now been married for two years. We had plans to go and walk around Chambery (the complex where we both lived when we met), eat at Bajio (where we went on our first date), and then go to the spot where we got engaged. But unfortunately, I was feeling a bit under the weather yesterday so instead I spent most of the day in bed with Quinn taking care of me. It was actually a perfect way to celebrate two years of marriage. We ended up just chatting about all of our memories of the last two years and how our lives have changed. We also read an email that my friend Kristen sent me after our wedding. She was nice enough to write down her thoughts on what the officiator counseled us during our wedding ceremony.

All in all, it was a great and relaxing day.


Here we are on the eve of our anniversary.

I love you Quinn! Thanks for a fantastic two years!

the game of my life

Quinn flew in on Saturday and we have been having fun being together ever since. We started things off right when my parents took us to lunch on Saturday at Brick Oven, then they took the whole (UPDATE: Except for Mallory who was at work and Cameron who lives in Arizona and Danny who is in Alabama, sorry if I offended you :)) family out again later that night to Carraba's. Saturday night we all got to go watch Iron Man which was amazing and tons of fun.

Sunday was nice and relaxing.

Today, Quinn, Stacey, Jaxson, my mom and I all went bowling. Normally I am terrible at bowling but I had the game of my life. So much so that I even won. Gaze upon my score and how it is 7 points higher than Quinn's.



When you average around 50-60 normally, bowling a 110 is unbelievable!

Tonight our friends Jordan and Kim had us over for a Cinco de Mayo celebration. It was good times. I love any excuse to eat Mexican food and have a pinata.