Sunday (3/15) Mike's House

Sunday we had been invited to Mike's house for dinner. Before stopping at Mike's, we stopped for a quick visit to Cindi and Arne's house. Cassie was down from NAU on spring break and Kisten was there as well. They had just gotten 2 new puppies. The little male puppy had gotten sick so he was taken back to the breeders. The female puppy, Britta was doing quite well. She is so cute! I want one!!!! Anyway, Dad and Mom also had never been to their house so Arne gave Dad and Mom a tour. From there we headed over to Mike's where he served us spaghetti and meatballs, along with garlic bread and a salad. I was quite impressed. First time we had been invited to Mike's for a dinner that he cooked. Very nice!!! After dinner we watched a movie and then back home we went.

Kristin and Anthony's Wedding

Saturday (3/14), my friend Sharon's daughter Kristin got married. Anthony is a marine stationed in CA and sometime in the future will be deployed. Phil, Mike, Missy and I went to the wedding. The ceremony was at 3pm and the reception started right after. It was very nice and of course, what a beautiful couple they make!

I went to work on Wednesday (3/11) and Thursday (3/12) so Dad and Mom kicked back at the house, Dad rested and Mom made cards and did some sewing. Friday (3/13) we went to downtown Mesa for a Quilting Show- The Arizona Quilters Guild 2009 Quilt Show @ the Mesa Convention Center. Talk about a whole lot of women in one place! Dad came with us, so we got him a large coffee at the coffee shop and got him set-up at one of the tables set up for lunch diners during the show. I had to park out on the street with a two or three hour limit, so our time was ticking. We hit the ground running! Lots of quilts exhibited and lots of quilts vendors selling their wares. When we left the building we found that Dad had accumulated quite a few new lady friends! We had to pull the ladies off him, to get on our way to our next destination. We stopped for lunch and then on to a few more shops. Dad hung in with us like a trooper. Alot of the stops at quilt shops, Dad just stayed in the car and waited for us.

IKEA and Lunch with Gail, Dick, Cindi and Kirsten

Monday (3/9) we got up and headed out to IKEA. From IKEA we went to several Quilt Shops, a Ross and lunch. It doesn't sound like it would take all day to make those stops but we probably didn't get back to the house until 3:30pm.

Tuesday (3/10) we got up and going fairly early and went to the mall. Because of bad weather, etc. Dad and Mom hadn't exchanged Christmas gifts to each other. They wanted to get each other perfume/cologne. We ended up at a store called Perfumania because the cologne that Dad wanted was no longer being made (can't remember what it was called) and Mom got Pleasures. We also found a sunglass shop that had nice clip-ons for mom's glasses. After we got the "scents", we stopped off at a coffee shop in the mall and Dad people watched while mom and I found her clip-ons and stopped into a few department stores as well! Dad said, upon our return, he was beginning to wonder if we forgot about him. Actually, we had a lunch date @ TGIF at 12pm with Gail, Dick, Cindi and Kirsten, so we knew our time was limited at the mall. Had a great visit with them! Gail went in for cataract surgery the following day. The surgery didn't go real well for her. She ended up with a black and blue eye, along with double vision. Her eyes still have not recuperated fully!

Visit to The Desert Botanical Garden- Chihuly Exhibit

I was not good about posting while Dad and Mom were her so I will try to play catch up. And I also didn't take nearly enough pics! Anyway, Sunday March 8th we (Dad, Mom, Missy and me) had reservations for the Chihuly exhibit. Chihuly is a very famous glass blower known worldwide for his creations. He doesn't produce his art like he used to but now has apprentices who do their glass blowing in his style. I'm not sure how many of the pieces were done by Chihuly himself. We went from 12pm-4pm. From what I understand, the 4pm-8pm slot has a totally different look about it because the art pieces are bathed in lights. It was a very enjoyable visit and of course on the way home, we stopped for frappacinos at Starbucks!

Dad and Mom in AZ

Dad and Mom made it in Thursday night about 45 minutes late. Their plane left Minneapolis on time but lost it somewhere in route.They didn't look worse for wear though. We left Dad upstairs to handle getting Mom and himself Frappucinos from Starbucks while Mom and I went downstairs to get the luggage. If I hadn't gotten myself a tall peppermint mocha Frappacino while I was waiting for their plane I would have had Dad get one for me too!!!

Mike and Missy came to the house that night and we all had dinner together. Friday morning we got up, ate breakfast and then headed out the door. First stop the coffee shop and then out to Ross's for some shorts for Dad. Actually we hit two Ross and definitely got more than "shorts" for Dad! We stopped at a Mexican restaurant for lunch and then headed out for sewing machine stores. Mom checked out a Bernina (sp) and we also went to a store that carried Jenome (sp), Brother, Singer and others. Wow, did they ever put my little $100.00 (30 year old) machine to shame! After that we headed towards home, but stopped at Radio Shack for a little transistor radio for Dad.

This morning, we left Dad at home to recuperate from the day before (Phil had to work) and Mom and I headed out for a rubber stamp show in Mesa. We decided to forego shows from now on and just find nice shops to go to. Too many women, crowded into a small space does not make an enjoyable experience! After that, we headed over to Chris and Pam's house ( Phil's brother) to go to their daughter Dami's, baby shower. What a great day it was today! Lot's of family and friends getting together to celebrate the impending birth of Addysen Elaine, on or around April 8th (I think???). Missy joined us over there @ 1pm and we left @ 5pm.

Tomorrow Dad, Mom, Missy and I have tickets to see the Chihuly Glass Exhibit at The Desert Botanical Garden. The weather should be great for that too. Phil will be staying home working on the pool! It's getting better but not done yet.