Brown Paper Packages!

Things are HAPPENING over here.  

It's pretty fun to get packages in the mail.  I've never been much of an online shopper, but it is REALLY fun to go to the door and see boxes!

In the past few weeks we've gotten some really sweet baby presents from loving family and friends, my breast pump, a huge box of mommy recovery cold packs (I've read their a dream for post-partum), a waterproof mattress pad for our bed (for baby and mommy leaking that will happen),  and some other pharmacy/ medical stuff for baby and me.  

Who would've thought that these mundane items are SO FUN!  Each package just makes me feel more and more prepared for little boy to come! 

Hunter and I also took a day out last Saturday.  Like a long all-day date plus, baby shopping. Of Course.  This baby is all $$$$.

Phoenix Flea was lovely. Lovely weather.  Lovely shops.  Lovely venue.  

Baby got stuff.  We did not.  :-) I am okay with that. 

Rafterhouse was having an open house.  This place was GORGEOUS.  We spent a good hour examining the brilliant details.  

At Portillos for lunch, the guys at the counter gave Hunter a hat.  It was weird.  But funny. 

Does he look like he's 5?  

Our last big stop was Buy Buy Baby where we added a few big items to our registry.  I came out of the bathroom (for the third time) and Hunter had managed to find a baby carrier, open it and try it on. 

He is so ready.

After that we TRIED AND TRIED to find ourselves some bedroom lamps.  Where do people find affordable lamps?! And then had a late dinner at Pei Wei.   

30th Birthday

Last Thursday I turned 30!  Honestly.  I am so happy that I am 30.  And I'm even more happy that I am 30 and pregnant!  The hardest part about being 30 though, is realizing that my 20s are over.
But on we go.

Hunter took the day off- which is the first time he's done that.  It was so great!  And such a treat just to have him around all day and not leave me.  (For work which I am so grateful he goes to work everyday.)

My parents met us at Matt's for a delicious breakfast! 

From there- Hunter and I stole a quick look at Last Chance.  Then we drove around Phoenix's Arcadia neighborhood.  Gaulking at all the gorgeous houses.  I would love to live there some day.  Hunter had never seen these neighborhoods.  I think he's sold. 

After a small visit to Scottsdale Mall (in which baby boy got new clothes and mom did not...) we headed back to Gilbert.  The weather was actually so cozy and fun.  Rain and clouds are always welcome in Arizona.  I loved that Hunter and I were driving around it in for hours.  It was such a treat to just be with him in that confined space to talk and laugh.  

Got all my free foods at Joe's restaurants.

Then Honey and I got pedicures.  This was Hunter's first!  And he looooooved it.  He barely talked to me because he was so relaxed. 

We also snagged free birthday treats at Sweet Tooth Fairy.  And I finally found a maternity shirt before we headed home! 

Here's my fresh toes and my new shoes from Last Chance:

That evening we had a bunch of friends and family over for milkshakes.  I love ending a quiet long birthday by seeing all the people I love most.  And milkshakes.

 Thank you to everyone who came over!  

And last and not least- my favorite gift is always the love notes.  Mom wrote me my birthday letter that always makes me cry.  And I found this card on my pillow from Hunter which is so tender and sweet and also made me cry.  Those are the best gifts. 

What really happened on the Fourth this year

Hunter and I are patriotic people.  And we are party people.  The Fourth is seriously one of our favorite days.  Yet, in this busy busy, fun FUN Summer we've had- we missed the fact that we hadn't planned any parties or get togethers for Independence Day.

Without a barbecue, swimming or family time- Hunter and I still believe that we paid tribute to our Land of the Free with some time together.

We first hung our Flag on the house and said the Pledge of Allegiance.  It was cloudy and unexpectedly cool for July in AZ, but we know that means nothing to us natives.  We took advantage of the cool clouds and did yard work.  Um, correct me if I'm wrong but I believe yard work is TOTALLY American- taking care of your property that is rightfully owned.  Classic, right?

Then it started to rain.

Then it started to pour.

And we just kept working!  It was awesome.

We took Old Glory inside for respect.  Showered up and did some shopping in bulk- another attribute of Americans.

I also took a cool down in the freezer.  

We went home fired up our toaster oven and had a delicious meal of taquitos and corn dogs while we watched The Sandlot.  I love that movie.  It is Summer all compact into one movie.  

I especially love the part where they play Baseball on the Fourth of July while fireworks are shooting all around them and Ray Charles is singing America the Beautiful.  

Speaking of beautiful spacious skies- we drove by the Gilbert Temple on our way to watch fireworks at the Gilbert Soccer Complex.  And look!  How gorgeous!  It was one of those times where I just knew no camera could catch how stunning this looked.  Because of the rain in the morning it was now a perfectly clear and crisp sunset with creamy blue skies throwing their light on the white Temple.  

The soccer complex was a great place to be for fireworks.  It's out in south Gilbert where it's all still fields with an occasional school or hospital going up.  So there's no obstructing views in any direction for miles and miles!  

Hunter and I plopped down with our lawn chairs and some snacks.  

The sunset was amazing.

The weather was also MIRACULOUS.  And I do not use that word lightly.  I have NEVER ever experienced a Summer day in Arizona- let alone a Holiday- where the evening temperatures are below like 89 degrees!  And I kid you not- it was about 77 when we left our car to walk to the soccer field.  And that was BEFORE the sunset.  Another blessing from that rain!  

I was just so happy.  

Hunter got a snow cone. 

Anyways- it got dark, fireworks were awesome.  I LOVE fireworks.  And it was cool to see all the shows in the valley off in the distance.  

And we all know photos of fireworks just are never the same as really being there.  So I made sure I was enjoying really being there and kept my camera in my pocket and my hand in Hunter's.  

We spent the last few hours of the Holiday at the Garner's having deviled eggs and homemade ice cream.   Happy Fourth!