Arizona

In early March, I joined Jim in Scottsdale for an extended weekend away without the kids.  It was awesome!  Thanks to my parents for keeping the kids.

This is the view from our room at the resort. Lovely.

Our first stop after I arrived was for some yummy Mexican food and margaritas.

Then we went to the Sugarbowl for ice cream.

On Friday morning, we drove to Sedona to hike. We jogged/hiked part of the Munds Wagon trail to get to the Hangover Trail.

It was gorgeous.  Part of the hike was sunny and warm.

There were some steep climbs.

Part of the hike was snowy and cold.

When we got back to Scottsdale, we spent the next two nights with my friend Connie. I love all the palm trees nearby.

Connie and her girls were fabulous hostesses.

February 2018

Maggie and I went up to school to watch the Faculty vs. Eighth Grade volleyball game in early February.  She was lucky to spot big brother Patrick and got to sit next to him.

I wasn't feeling well one weekend morning and these two cuties brought me breakfast in bed.

Jack did a reading during Mass one Sunday. He received many compliments afterward, including from the priest.

A snowy day:

My pancake-making helper:

I'm not sure why she is making this face, but it cracks me up.

We met my cousin and her kids at the Science Center one day.

Our seven kids watching the balls in the atrium.

A Mommy-Maggie date:

I got together with my girlfriends from high school one evening.  We all live in town but don't get to see each other nearly enough.

Jack played basketball again this year.

Jim went to Scottsdale for a conference at the end of February.  I met him for the weekend (in early March).  While he was gone, I took the kids to the Science Center one evening for a preview of a new exhibit.  Jack was called on stage to discuss space stuff.

Charlie was interviewed about the new exhibit.

We went to dinner at Steak n' Shake afterwards, the kids' favorite place to eat.

The server accidentally brought the kids full-size shakes instead of the junior size they usually get.  They were thrilled!

January 2018

Since 2018 is rapidly coming to a close, I thought I should post some pictures from the year.  Here is our January.

Maggie was home on Tuesdays and Thursdays (and every afternoon), so sometimes we went on fun outings like this one at the Magic House.  She did some painting.

We visited the new Lego exhibit.

We had fun!

Jack and Patrick both participated in the Pinewood Derby this year.

Maggie was stylish in her ND dress and pink cowgirl boots!

The trophies and the cars:

After the Pinewood Derby, Patrick had a basketball game.

After one of Jack's basketball games we played on the playground.

We celebrated Maggie's birthday with family the weekend before her birthday.

Maggie joined me in the stroller for a cold, January run.  She wore the Spiderman mask to stay warm.

We celebrated again on Maggie's actual birthday.

For the third year in a row we hosted an Iron Chef party for our church.  It was fun and I am always so impressed to see what people make.

Jack was in the Geography Bee at school.  He came in second place!

Sweetie: