Babies and Turning 21

I took my final long summer weekend to visit Caroline & Jimmy Hartley in Columbia, SC. Their son, William, was born about a month ago. What a great baby! He was amazingly calm, cuddly, and super sweet. I spent two days hanging around with Caroline and William. Here are a few pictures:
Caroline, William & I:


William wearing the baby hat I knitted for him:


William and I hanging out:


I also went to Greenville, SC for one night to see another baby, the Bailey family baby. Tim turned 21! Hard to believe, but we took him out for pizza & beer at Barley's in downtown Greenville.


With Tim at a bar!


May be the best picture ever of these two:


Tim & Mum:


I have the BEST brothers ever:


A good picture of Mum & Me:


We had SO much fun. I am so thankful that I was able to visit Caroline, meet her son William and celebrate a big birthday with my baby brother. I am always thankful for the technology and ability to fly across the country in less than 5 hours. Planes are full of annoying people and bad food, but they are my necessary evil and I am grateful for them!

Jason was also traveling while I was gone. He had a meeting in Portland, Oregon and then left for Canada last Sunday. We intersected in the Phoenix Airport on Sunday for dinner at the Terminal 4 Chili's...how romantic. He was flying out at 8:00 and I flew back in at 5:00. Caroline's mom, Polly, called us a 'couple of jet-setters'!

As if anyone could forget, Jason turns 30 this Wednesday. Hard to believe my husband will be 30 years old -- makes us sound old -- haha! He has to be in Sedona for work, so I'll be driving down to Sedona this Wednesday night to spend his birthday with him. We have a few other celebratory events planned for labor day weekend.

I am working this weekend, Transfer Orientation today and walk-in advising tomorrow. Classes at NAU begin on Monday -- let the fun begin! This past week was a mad house; mini-vans and U-hauls full of parents, new students and lots of stuff moving into the dorms. Let's hope I can get a parking space:)

Last but certainly not least, we welcomed our 2nd niece, Juliette Skye Hemmer, into the world this past Tuesday, August 24th. She weighed 8 pounds 11 ounces at birth, and is 20.5 inches long. We are extremely excited to have this new addition to the Hemmer family. Apparently, our niece Emelie is also very excited to be a big sister! Jason will have a chance to meet Juliette in person at the end of September when he'll be in New England for a business trip. Congratulations to Erik and Cindy for becoming parents for the second time! We'll certainly have more pics of Juliette available in the comings weeks and months, but for now we have 2 pics hot off the presses posted below.

Juliette's Birth Announcement

From Drop Box

Juliette Napping

From Drop Box

XOXO

Random Happenings

As predicted I spent much of the weekend in a cleaning frenzy. Laundry, dusting, vacuuming...I even got Jason to help me clean out the filing cabinet. Of course, we did some conventionally fun things also...

My friend and co-worker, Melanie, is getting married Labor Day weekend. I attended her wedding shower on Saturday afternoon. Here is a picture with myself, the bride-to-be, and another co-worker, Lisa.


While I did secret girl things are the wedding shower Jason and his friend David went for a bike ride. Jason snapped this picture by Walnut Canyon.


We also went out for dinner at Oregano's on Saturday night with one of Jason's co-workers and his family. It was actually our 2nd time at Oregano's that week. On Tuesday nigh we met an old Clemson friend, Keenan, and his wife Nicole there for dinner on their drive through town. They are driving across country from Florida to California and made a pit-stop in Flagstaff.

Jason is going to Portland, Oregon for a meeting on Thursday and I am off to South Carolina on Wednesday to meet the newest Hartley, William, and see Tim on his 21st -- can't wait!!!

xoxo

The Family

My family came into town last Friday and stayed for a long weekend. We only had one rainy day out of four and spent our time doing what we do best: eating, talking and laughing. We also had time to visit Sunset Crater & Wupatki National Monument, catch a movie and aimlessly wander around town.

Sunset Crater:


Mum taking a little rest in the shade:


Brunch at Martanne's:




Arizona Cardinals come to NAU campus each summer for preseason. Richard & Tim watching practice last Friday afternoon:


Richard rented a Tahoe so we could all drive around together. I was designated driver; I felt like a soccer mom taking my kids to practice. Here are all the boys riding in back on our way to Sunset Crater:

I miss my family so much some days and it was awesome to have all four Baileys--Mum, Dad, Rich & Tim in town together.

We are in town this weekend catching up on laundry and deflating air mattresses -- Happy Friday to all!
XOXO

water, water everywhere...

Monsoon season is upon us. Everyday we see at least one massive downpour. My tomato plants and these wild flowers are loving it, but it is a little dreary for us humans. Last weekend we were able to get out during a break from rain for a hike on Veit Spring trail. It is a moderate trail with lots of interesting things to see.

I love this image. The woods are mostly ponderosa pines but there are pockets of aspen trees that have the prettiest white trunks and light green leaves. Over the years a number of trail visitors left their mark by way of initials or messages in the trunks. I am sure the aspens do not appreciate this very much, but it leaves a beautiful memory. I like to imagine who "C + J" were and when then wrote their initials in this tree.


A handsome hiker:)


I have wanted to get a picture of this sign since we moved to Flagstaff. The scene, materials and feeling of this photography are very "Flagstaff".


When Jason was in Dallas he snapped this picture of The Ball Park at Arlington.


Jason is very proud of his new grilling tool, a removable grate to grill fish and veggies - thanks mom & dad Hemmer:)


As promised here is the yummy steak kabob & watermelon salad recipe:

1 lb of sirloin cut into 1 in. cubes
2-3 red peppers cut into 1 in pieces
String 2 pieces of steak, 3 pepper pieces on moistened kabob sticks
Sprinkle with salt and pepper and grill until meat is medium

Seedless watermelon cubed
about 1/4 red onion cut into slivers
handful of mint roughly chopped
Mix together and sprinkle with salt and pepper

It is a super simple summer meal!

XOXO

Vegas Baby, Vegas!!

With Orientation over my summer schedule can begin; after Jason and I got back from Massachusetts / Rhode Island I started working 4 10 hr. days per week, which means I have 3 day weekends. Last weekend my friend Sonia and I took a road trip to Las Vegas to celebrate her birthday. Despite the 115 degree heat we had an absolute blast -- Vegas is the ultimate adult playground. Here are a few pictures...

All dressed up:


Ceiling in the Bellagio:


More Bellagio...this display changes often so it is always worth a visit.


Happy hour in the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris. Great views of the strip.


We stayed at Monte Carlo, but walked up and down the strip visiting all the major casinos and shops. We did so much walking and dancing my feet still hurt on Tuesday!

Couple Restaurants we enjoyed:
http://www.mesagrill.com/lasvegas/
http://www.nynyhotelcasino.com/restaurants/restaurants_ilfornaio.aspx

Jason just got back from a short business trip to Dallas, TX -- he got to take in a Rangers game while he was there. We're trying a new grill recipe tonight for steak; I'll share if it comes out well.

Also, CONGRATULATIONS to our friends Jimmy & Caroline Hartley; William Hartley was born last Saturday, 8 lb. 2 oz. and absolutely adorable! I've already bought tickets to go see Caroline and William in August...oh and you too, Jimmy;)

XOXO

Creating New Memories

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories. - George Eliot

We spent July 4th holiday with the Hemmers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island,
I'll let the pictures tell the story...

Emelie shows Uncle Jason all the ducks after July 4th brunch


A July 4th ice cream treat from Friendly's, my favorite Northeastern ice cream chain


Top of the Bay, a restaurant on Oakland Bay in Warwick, RI shows their patriotism. They have yummy friend clams and homemade strawberry shortcake.


The sun sets along the Atlantic


Looking out on the ocean. This Pisces misses the water!


A beautiful 7mth. pregnant Cindy at sunset. Niece #2, Juliette, is due late August.


A wonderful way to pass a Tuesday afternoon, fresh clams and an ice cold lager.


Jason and I enjoying one of our favorite spots, Bristol, RI


We selected to visit over July 4th because Jason's father, Dick, turned 70 on July 6th. Here is Jason presenting his with his "Zuppa" birthday cake. Zuppa is a dangerously delicious Italian rum cake.


Dick with his three boys; Jason, Kurt and Erik enjoying a taste of his birthday gift, Johnny Walker Blue Label Scotch.


Showing off his birthday gift from Emelie, temporary tattoos. This one reads "Arthritis sucks". She has quite the sense of humor for a 2 yr. old:)


Emelie and her mama at brunch. I love this picture!


Kasia waiting her turn during an intense game of miniature golf. Unfortunately the game was cut short after Kasia and I were savagely attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes. I do not miss those pesky bugs!


Dick, Kasia and Kurt riding in the RV on our way to Horseneck Beach in Westport, MA.


Hanging at the beach with Emelie. It was over 100 degrees every afternoon of our visit. The fresh sea air helped us to beat the heat.


Hanging at the beach.


More ocean...


One more shot of the water...


Can you tell that I was beyond thrilled to see the ocean? There is something about the fresh sea air that clears my mind and lifts my soul.

We are thankful for the continued opportunity to develop great memories with family and one another. It was amazing to see our niece Emelie running around, talking, dancing (with ALL Sesame Street characters thanks to Uncle Jason), and making us laugh; we look forward to meeting Juliette. Happiest of Happy Birthdays to Jason's father and Happy July 4th to all!