Sharing our 6th anniversary with a newborn.

Hunter and I had our 6th anniversary.  Hunter wrote me the best love note.  I love crying over his love notes.  He is so good at them.  Then we went to Carrabas late at night.  With Henry.  And Henry just chills in his carseat.  Even if he doesn’t sleep.  Just chills out.  Great baby. 

Then we came home and Henry went to sleep and we watched Iron Man (we were watching iron man when we first held hands and the 6th anniversary gift is “iron and candy”).  So we watched Iron Man and I got some of the Easter candy out of the freezer.  We’re so romantic.  It actually was super romantic.  

The next day we took Henry to the Gilbert Temple grounds and took some pictures.  

This has been the best anniversary.  Even sharing it with a newborn.  Even more than when we spent a couple of days at the Arizona Biltmore.  

Hunter, I love you!!

What Hunter's Been Up To

 First of all.  Hunter had a birthday! He is now 28.  Little man.  

I got him some presents. 

He's been wanting to swim more at the gym.  So I got him some swimming apparatus.  I realllllly should have gone with the speedo too. 

His favorite Costco snacks... gummy bears and crumbled bacon. 

Looking all good and ready to swim!  Really tho.  Are his goggles and cap too small? yikes. 

Birthday dinner at his family's house.  My parents came along too.  Whoever's birthday is that week gets to choose Sunday dinner.  Hunter always chooses chicken fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy and corn.  And cheesecake with canned blueberry topping.  

Everyone is singing Happy Birthday to him above. 

Enjoying his cheesecake:

Back to the actual birthday...  We met his parents and sister for some yummy breakfast and the weather was PERFECT.  

My 33 week belly is hiding behind the picnic table.

Hunter went to work on his actual birthday but took Friday off instead.   So we did some fun errands (not fun to me.) but he loved it.  Like Harbor Freight Tools.  

Then we drove out to the Phoenix Temple.  We decided we should go before we have a baby or we might not ever go! It is FAR AWAY.  Traffic was bad but we still made it on time! Whew! 

When we came out the sky looked like this:

And then last Saturday my Man Your Man Should Be (as he like to call himself) took our old 9-drawer dresser and painted it for baby boy. 

Hunter has perfected his working space.  And finally got serious with an air respirator so he doesn't die. 

He set's up real good.

This is him putting the finishing touches and new hardware on.

Ta da! 

This photo is in the dark garage after the sun went down.  But there will be LOTS more nursery photos coming very soon that will highlight this beautiful dresser!

Great Job, Hunter man.  And Happy Birthday!

I love you. 

Chicago

Last week = Chicago.

Favorite highlights:

14. The Art Institute of Chicago's Impressionism and fashion exhibit. 

We couldn't take pictures in the actual exhibit, so here are some of my favorites from the museum. 

13.  Pizzeria UNO. THE actual original deep dish. If you didn't have this- you didn't have the best.

12.  The parks! Chicago is beautiful! There are flowers and trees and beauty all around. 

11.  The art all over the city. 

10. The architecture. We even took the architecture tour on the Chicago River through the city and then out to Lake Michigan.

9. These places. Top: The historic Marshallfield and Company department store. My mom remembers shopping there when she was young.

Bottom: The Chicago theater and a poster fit for our trip that I found at a Potbellys Sandwich Works. 

8. Recognizing sites where movies took place.

Top: My Best Friends Wedding / While you We're Sleeping

Bottom: Blues Brothers (my second favorite movie of all time)/  Ferris Buellers Day Off

7. The Cardons apartment and its luxuries. Including the choice view for fireworks on the Fourth. 

6. The Willis Tower. Formally known as the Sears Tower. 

5.  Navy Pier

4. A visit to the Chicago Illinois Temple.  (My tired morning face)

3. My big, fat, Italian family. (a whole post about this party later) 

2.  The beach. Really really really, I loved this experience. The beach was a three minute walk from the Cardon's apartment. We ate at this lovely little café right on the stand. And then swimming in Lake Michigan was so cool and refreshing on this hot summer day. And, you're swimming at the foot of the city. So cool

1. Our hosts. 

For real. Kaci and Aaron made this trip possible for us. But they also made it 110% enjoyable and comfortable. They are THE best hosts. Always putting our ideas first and making sure we were comfortable and happy. I cannot say enough about their true hospitality AND allllllll of the fun times we had.  They are the best friends any travelers could have. 

 Photos: Cheese and root beer party the last night we were there. Hunter and Aaron at the Garfield Park conservatory. The Cardons in their Fourth of July gear. 

Yesterday I was thankful for Temples

I am thankful for the Lord's temples that dot the Earth!

Hunter and I have been to these together: 

Atlanta, Georgia

Boston, Massachusetts 

Gilbert, Arizona

Mesa, Arizona

Salt Lake City, Utah

San Diego, California 

Draper, Utah

Also: Snowflake, Arizona and Gila Valley, Arizona