Arizona | Top Golf!

This is my last Arizona installment on my blog, insert sad face, and while I am slightly happy to be done I'm going to miss inserting pictures of such a great vacation. I've determined that 6 days is not a long enough vacation and that Eric and I should probably go back to AZ when we have more time. On our last full day in Arizona Eric and I woke up pretty early to get breakfast at Kokobelli Bagel Cafe which Eric had raved about since we met, literally. But it lived up to it's hype! I had a delicious breakfast bagel and it had just the right weight, crispness and then soft insides.. mmm I kind of wish they over-nighted bagels here. After a breakfast we headed back to Eric's parents to get ready for some Top Golf! On Saturday when we were looking for a place to have lunch we went by Top Golf to see what it's all about, it was packed so we left and decided to come back Tuesday when it'd be a lot less busy. I'm glad we waited. I don't like large crowds and would rather have a relaxing time with people than having to listen/look at drunk frat and bachelor guys be idiotic.

So basically this Top Golf place is a skeeball meets golf, it's pretty fun and for someone like me who doesn't play golf at all it was pretty easy and entertaining. I swear I've come into a family full of golfers -no joke- and I am probably going to wind up playing real golf. Aside from it being a fun time, they also had fun boot drinks! I got one and so did Diane, now I have 2 boot mugs to use for random things.. like flowers or candy. 

After playing for a few hours, and Eric losing to his dad and buying us lunch, we went back for a mid-afternoon hang out before dinner with my dad. 

We couldn't complain about the 76˚ weather and a heated pool! We spent a good few hours in the pool and I took an almost nap in the sunshine..ahhh warm sunshine. It was the best way to spend our last afternoon, especially since it was 15˚ when we got back to Fargo. 

I'm going to miss sunsets like that and feeling warm and not dying from humidity. Sometimes I really, really miss living in Arizona. 

After an afternoon in the pool we were going to go to Chino Banditos with my dad, but their Chandler location had closed down, so we wound up back at the Cornish Pasty! Best part? We got our awesome waitress from Sunday night AND the pavlova that I'd originally wanted for desert. Think of the best whipped cream, not too sweet, with a firm meringue and a butt load of strawberries, grapes and kiwis. I wish we had things like that here in Grand Forks.  We wound up spending a few hours at the Pasty just talking, we discovered that both mine and Eric's dad are visitors. You know, the guys who can sit and talk to anyone forever? Yeah. 

I'm not complaining. I actually really enjoy watching my dad talk, its one of those things that I didn't realize I missed until after I moved away and wasn't around him for a long time. It's also nice to see we share so many characteristics. I was so glad that we got to spend some time together this trip. 

This is our selfie from the trip. My dad understands my selfie addiction, hooray! So this was the end of our trip. The next morning we were up incredible early to get on a plane back to the frozen tundra. I was sad to go, but happy that I could come home with the most amazing man in my life. 

And for your viewing pleasure, a sneak attack selfie in the airport at 5 something in the morning. Thanks for being apart of this consolidation of our trip. Till next time!

Arizona | The Grand Canyon Part Deux!

As I said, lots and lots of pictures to share so I decided to split them up. I will preface this post by saying the following; I am used to being behind the camera, so much that it was a very strange feeling to have people so adamant about taking my picture. They call me the queen of selfies, but to be honest.. those were some of the only pictures ever taken of me.. I don't want to sound like a narcissist, but if I hadn't selfie'd at points in my life there wouldn't be any "proof" that I'd been there. 

 

We drove around the rim of the canyon and I actually took the time to ask here and there to have my picture taken, but Eric's mom took the initiative to get some really awesome shots of myself and Eric which have made me an extremely mushy person, I love them! 

Eric's mom captured some shots of me taking pictures. I plan to use some of these as my head shots.. maybe. 

 

And I pretty much love this shot and the one below. I've never been able to be as loving toward my significant other in front of parents, but it was so nice to have Diane and Hans be totally fine with us hugging, kissing and having our own moments. I see now that Diane and I have a very similar view on photography/moments. These are the things we are left with, and I will cherish every singe one. 

Now remember when I said I didn't have an "ah-ha" moment until the end? Well see we were driving all around because Eric wanted to find this particular rock that meant a lot to him and he wanted to get a picture on said rock together. We weren't able to find it, but we found a new rock! 

It was this rock that I just sat and was really just struck with the fact that this, this is what people drive all the way here for! 

Now just some back story, my dad had told me not to go the edge of the canyon.. so I did what any child would do, I went to the edge. But the next day at dinner when I showed him this picture I told him that going to the edge is the only way to get some pretty snazzy shots. 

 

 

How can you not be taken by the beauty of the Lords creation when looking at this?! I am just humbled by being such a small creation in comparison to the entirety of the world. 

 

This would be known as an "Acacia face" because I'm well known in my family to not actually smile. 

And again, another matching picture of Eric's parents and us! I'm glad that Diane and Hans took their day to take us up to the canyon and to spend a day hiking and just enjoying each others company. I am so glad to have this family in my life. I have one more post about our trip to Arizona and I hope you stay tuned! 

Arizona | The Grand Canyon Part One

Welcome back to another Arizona segment, this round we'll be talking about our trip to The Grand Canyon  this was probably the most anticipated portion of our trip to Arizona. I know I grew up in Arizona and that our license plates boast "The Grand Canyon State" but I'd never been which is apparently crazy? Growing up seeing the big hole in the ground was never something that interested me, we would rather hike the mountains nearby or go to Sycamore Canyon to one of my favorite water holes to hang out for the day. I am glad that I went this round, it was good to create such a beautiful memory with someone who I love so dearly.. even if I had to get up at 0430 to get ready and go. There are so many pictures that I kind of had to separate this post up and not overwhelm you guys. So first portion will be full of Bright Angel and such. 

My "selfie" tactic for the day so i could get the switch backs my dad talked about climbing. It's nice to be somewhere that hasn't changed too much in the last 50 years.. just guard rails. 

Welcome to me being a not so sneaky photographer. This is the only picture of all four of us together.. I think it speaks volumes to the fun we had. 

This picture was taken by Eric, he happens to be a way, way better nature photographer than myself. I'm happy for this because he taught me a lot! 

Eric and his Mama, Diane. 

I found a cave and I just love it.. ps Eric is a flipping giant. 

 

Diane and Hans at the beautiful rock bridge. 

 

Eric and myself at the same place, it'll be nice to get these two pictures into frames. I'm a big fan of the memories we have created and I can fill our future home with -and my desk at work!- 

 

Another Eric picture! I was amazed at the size of the canyon, but I didn't have an "ah-ha" moment until the end of our trip. It is gorgeous, do not get me wrong, but I wasn't moved in the beginning.. just extraordinarily reminded that I am a very, very small person created just as lovingly by God as this beautiful place. 

Arizona | Golf & Guacamole

HELLO AGAIN! So here we are for part two of our awesome trip to Arizona. I recapped days 1 & 2 here so if you want to read that first, go ahead! Our second day in Arizona happened to be Sunday so after service at Eric's parents church we went on a trip golfing which was really just Eric and his parents golfing while I drove the cart. 

Eric and his parents with the Superstition mountains in the background.. I told y'all he was tall as heck! 

Eric's parents are pretty much the cutest couple I've seen. After 30+ years they still flirt and joke around. This gives me such hope for marriage and relationships in general. I'd always been resigned to the belief that you are happy until you're not and then you either get a divorce or are subjected to a lifetime of unhappiness. This is not how it should be and I will not have a marriage like that. 

I definitely had the easier job of everyone. I'm not a golfer -yet, says Eric- and so I kind of just hung out while snapping pictures of everyone here and there. Overall I loved being in the sun and wearing my flip flops while my friends back in North Dakota had snow and negative degrees. But after hanging out at the course we needed a snack, so we went to Cantina Laredo for some Mexican food. My dreams came true when Eric's dad Hans let me know that they made guacamole at your table and it was the best he'd ever had. 

I was not disappointed in this portion of the meal and I will tell you all to go there for the guacamole and their apple pie desert with cinnamon ice cream. If you could imagine the most delectable crust for a pie their desert had it. I didn't get many pictures because we were starving. I will say the fish tacos I had were a little disappointing, I'm used to so much more flavor, but they were spicy and that was good. I will say that I'd go back for the two very good things and some margaritas, but probably not for dinner or lunch. After a much needed run to best buy for a new camera charger I went to dinner with my dad and Patty-Lynn at the Cornish Pasty Co in Mesa. It was dead and that's exactly how I like my restaurants! 

I had my go-to pasty of shepherd's pie and, as usual, it did not disappoint! We had desert for the first time too and it was pretty dang tasty. I had the sticky toffee pudding which weirdly enough tasted like gingerbread and had the consistency of a bread pudding. After a lovely evening out we went back to Eric's parents for a nice chat after the Seahawks lost the Super Bowl. We talked a lot about places to hike in Arizona and our favorite places that dad took us kids. I loved watching my dad and stepmom talking with Diane and Hans, it's nice to see families getting along so well, especially considering it was that night at dinner that I told my dad that Eric is a permanent fixture in my life and that there's a strong possibility that North Dakota could be my forever home. Gulp. Stay tuned for MORE AZ :) 

Arizona Trip Days 1 & 2

At the end of January Eric and I made our way to Gilbert, AZ just in time for the super bowl (which I did not watch) to spend some time with his parents and to deflate from the busy peak season we had at work. Since I'd just been to AZ and spent 4 days solely with my family I figured I could get away with a trip just for me and my relaxation. Except for my dad wanting to hang out a few times, this was true. 

We headed off to Fargo and got there about an hour early, lucky us, because the line was all the way to the stairs/escalators and if you know Fargo airport then you know that this is a big deal. 

Thankfully we had the exit row seating on the way there! Eric is 6'5" give or take and has legs for days. Sadly, the middle seats on allegiant air are stupid small and I do not recommend sitting in the middle if you don't have to, but if you do drink some bloody mary's to make it better! 

 Needless to say, I was extremely happy to get off of the plane, a little tipsy and totally psyched/nervous to meet Eric's parents. We headed to lunch and had BJ's which I hadn't had since my days of living in Tacoma and was more than happy to eat. After lunch I had to figure out how to have dinner with my dad, sister and her kiddos... ugh.. roll eyes, smh all of the things! 

Going into my room at Eric's parents there was a bouquet of fresh roses. I cannot say how wonderful it was to have such a thoughtful gift in my room, as well as a pendant that says "faith" on it. I am in absolutely adoration of his family. After getting "slightly" settled we headed from Gilbert to Phoenix for a dinner at a Winters favorite; Oregano's Pizza! I had to get my chicken a broccoli pizza fix. Eric got to meet those whom I hold dearest and I cannot say how incredibly happy I was to look across the table and see the two most important men in my life talking and actually enjoying each others company. 

I was subjected to the "kids" side because I'm their favorite aunt (and I'm sticking to that, I'm way more cool ;) where my niece told me about school, being asked to audition for choir next year and my nephew was a punk who just ate all my food. I gave my niece a Tiffany's penguin that way she has a little bit of me with her at all times. Over all we had a pretty decent time with dinner. I know my niece and nephew were bummed that I didn't spend more time with them, but I had to have me time too. 

The next morning Eric and I headed to the Crêpe Bar in Phoenix for a fantastic breakfast with my dad and stepmom Patty Lynn. I will say this, if you're in Phoenix, go! Not only are their crêpe's delicious they have some of the best coffee I've ever tasted. I'm a little bummed that I didn't get to go again, but we only had so much time. After we did that we went out to the Air Museum and an evening at the symphony. 

Erics yummy crêpe

Walking around the air field was absolutely amazing. There was al little rain and some residual clouds, but Phoenix has always been the most beautiful place to see rain so I didn't mind too much. 

Eric was like a 10 year old, walking around just in awe. It's an amazing thing to see someone so passionate about something. He wouldn't stop and smile for much of anything! The only weird part about this trip the field was that there was a British Canberra plane(s) -which is basically a B-57, Eric is my go-to for WWII era planes- being there. He was utterly confused how it got there, my theory is a poker game. This makes sense. 

After that we went to the symphony which had a special circus theme that evening. I loved small parts of it, as it was my first symphony I was just there to soak up the greatness. Beautiful music, fantastic performers -with some really weird stuff mixed in- overall the first two days were pretty great. I know you're all excited for everything else to come, so stay tuned for golfing and The Grand Canyon!