Sunday in Pinetop

We had decided to go to brunch at the Hon-Dah casino in Pinetop on Sunday, September 1st. 

The dads had some pre-brunch drinks.

We also took a billion pictures before we stuffed ourselves. 

The moms

The ladies

The kids

The boys (with drinks)

The boys (without drinks)

Laura told Josh to take a picture including our feet, so he took a picture of just out feet. 

The dads getting goofy

I set the timer on my camera and jumped off the patio to try to get a group shot.  We didn't make it in time. 

Try #2 was more successful. 

Bananas Foster station at brunch

We got a lot of bananas foster

Laura and I wanted just one nice picture, and Josh kept photo bombing with crab legs. 

That cake in the middle sat untouched for about two hours.  Then we finally took a slice just to see what kind it was.  It was carrot cake. 

The dads went to gamble for five minutes while the moms walked out with kids.  It had started raining while we were inside and it was gorgeous outside. 

Look at those beautiful skies!

On the way home. 

The rest of the day was mostly just shenanigans on the front porch. 

And then, just because these are the only two pictures from Monday, we all drove home on Labor Day Monday. 

Up next: pre-birthday, my birthday, Spencer's birthday, 12 years of Spencer, Spencer's Party, some other stuff, then my party. 

Saturday in Pinetop

Well hello there.  We have made it through the September birthdays and now we're barreling full speed towards the busy fall and winter holiday season. Of course I'm completely behind in the timeline from lack of blogging, so before we actually get into October I'm going to work hard to get caught up. 

We'll start with Labor Day weekend.  If you remember, we were up in Pinetop with Josh, Laura and their girls.

On Saturday morning (August 31st) Josh and Michael took all of the kids fishing.  Laura and I went out for brunch. 

We enjoyed our cappuccino, 

and mocha.

We were enjoying said drinks when we noticed that everyone else around us was getting their food and we weren't.  Because they forgot our order!  So we got brunch for free.  But only the food.  They still charged us for the coffee, which was kinda a crap move. 

I had forgotten my sunglasses in our car (that was at the lake with Michael) so after brunch (I was wearing Laura's sunglasses in the first picture of me) we went to the Dollar Store to get me a pair. 

Then we went to an outdoor festival and had some strong drinks. 

It was overcast and drizzly and then the sun broke through the clouds and shined just on me. 

Back at the house that afternoon Sara made us a charcuterie platter to snack on. 

The kids did electronics off and on with a lot of outside playing.

Moms enjoyed wine. 

And chocolate. 

Josh showed us his karate moves while he grilled steaks. 

And there was alfresco dining. 

Kids ate in the tree house. 

'

The night ended with Laura (shoulder injury) and Michael (back injury) doing their physical therapy stretches. 

Oh, and Michael blowing up the air mattress on his own because he forgot to pack the blower. 

There might have been some late night wine outside too. 

Pre Pre Birthday

I turn 40 tomorrow. Spencer turns 6 on Friday.  Before I blog about those things I need to blog about last week, the weekend, and this week up to the big birthdays. 

I was getting ready for work on Monday the 26th when Elliott told me that I looked beautiful.  He was so shocked by it. I documented my look at work that day.

I also took my new Department of Ed certificate to work.  It's good for 12 years.  I do not have to renew this thing until 2031. 

I did not work on Tuesday the 27th, so I wore the same outfit since different people were seeing me.  Michael and I met outside of Elliott's class for his parent/teacher conference that afternoon.  It was HOT and we were not happy about it. 

There was a very cool cloud in the sky when we got home. 

Later that night somebody posted a picture of the whole thing on Instagram. 

The kids went swimming that night. 

This is the only picture I took on Wednesday the 28th.  I don't even remember what is happening here. I guess I was maybe using my camera to check something on my face. 

We got school pictures on Thursday the 29th.  I'm happy with them. 

Some bums having fun in MY bed that evening. 

I went to get a facial on Friday the 30th.  She runs her business out of her house and she told me to park in the visitor spots across the street.  This was sitting in the visitor spots.  Ha. 

That evening we drove to Pinetop to meet Josh and Laura and their girls for Labor Day weekend. 

I took some artistic photos on the way. 

Michael forgot to pack the pump for the air mattress, so he had to blow it up himself.