Last day in Arizona

Danny and I had one last trip to the best coffee shop ever...

and said farewell to this gorgeous view from the back deck.

Hannah's 17th Birthday!

This beautiful girl turns 17 in just a few days, and we celebrated it today while in Arizona.  I stayed up late to decorate in the theme of  "Once Upon A Time" based on one of our favorite TV shows.

Every piece had some special meaning that one would only get if you watch the show... but it was so much fun to put it together for this sweet, funny and grateful girl!

One thing I can say about Hannah is that anyone who doesn't know her is missing out on one of the most special people ever.  She has an amazing love and compassion for people, she is multi-talented and can do anything from painting to cake decorating, she is so FULL OF LIFE and has a wonderful sense of humor, she is sweetness through and through.  She loves her family, and she is the most flexible person I know.  She has dealt with a lot in her life, but it has made her the beautiful person she is, both inside and out.  I don't say this lightly or as a cliche, but I truly am the luckiest mom alive to have her as my daughter.

 Book cake

 The traditional roses

 Menu from Granny's Diner

 Emma Swan necklace replica

 Evil Queen's poisonous apples as well as Captain Hook's rum

 Hot chocolate with cinnamon - just like at Granny's Diner

 Evil Queen's apple turnovers

Thanksgiving in Arizona

 First Thanksgiving without my Matt... missed him so much...

Danny and I managed to make a complete meal in this kitchen!  We weren't sure we had all the utensils, and other than being short on hot pads, we did okay!

Currently reading

Life changing books!!

Arizona

Here is a shot Hannah took as we ran some errands today.  

El Gato Azul

This restaurant looks like a dive on the outside, but had some of the best food I have ever tasted in my life!  We went in here hesitantly after someone gave us a gift card, but as we sat there and ordered many different tappas, we were blown away by each delectable bite.  Can't wait to go back again!

Prescott's best restaurant.

Hannah Humor

To make this picture even funnier, Danny looked at it and said "What is pound selfie?" hahahaha

Arizona

I never grow tired of the beautiful view from the back of the house in almost every window.

And neither does Indy...

Shopping with my Hannah

Hannah and I walked out of Hobby Lobby today and just had to stop and look at the beauty all around us - never have I walked out of a shopping center and seen such a beautiful view.

Shopping with my daughter is pretty amazing too.

Lunch date

Grabbed a quick lunch with Danny while running errands.  Arizona is beautiful in the fall.  Only here is this the view at the drive through.

Dan Dan the Handyman

When we arrived Danny made this unbelievable list of things that he had to do while we were here to finish up the house.  Things like hanging blinds, installing dimmer switches, tiling a backsplash, painting, etc.  The list is LONG.  

Today he attempted to work on his list and he would have gotten really far except for all the fires he had to put out!  First the heat wouldn't work and that was a service call.  Then the sewage started backing up in the front yard and that was a call.  

Poor dear, seems like there is always something.  Today alone the garbage disposal got clogged and I needed immediate help.  I attempted to use the soda stream and he had to run and help me while water went everywhere.  He is currently installing cabinet hardware in the kitchen!  He is a hard-working man, and I love him for it.

 Kitchen cabinets before hardware

 Under the sink being a plumber fixing the garbage disposal and subsequent leak

Dan Dan, my handyman, my hero.

Shooting Range

Danny took all the kids to the local shooting range today.

Jacob's congressional interview

Yesterday we drove to Phoenix to take Jacob down to Senator John McCain's office for his nomination interview.  

 I almost didn't recognize him - thought it was a businessman coming out of the building at the end of the day with a cup of coffee!!

 The interview went very well!!!

Danny and I walked around this outdoor mall while waiting.  

Only in Arizona would there be such a beautiful Pottery Barn in an outdoor mall.

Leaving Colorado and Traveling in New Mexico

We Left Colorado in snow and below zero weather and traveled through New Mexico - a state I had never seen before. The first few hours were snowy and treacherous but got better as the day went on.  By the time we got to Arizona it was 63.  New Mexico was full of red rocks and TONS of trains.  But the cutest thing was the Jalapeño Express!!!

Last day in Colorado

Soooooooo cold!  But hot coffee and hot breakfast helped a lot. We drove around a lot today taking one last look at things.  Sad to leave but excited to get to Arizona to see Jacob!!

Note the temperature...

We found another awesome breakfast restaurant.  Seems the west if famous for amazing breakfast joints!  Yay!