The Land of Sun

Some of you may have read my sister's blog. This will be the same, only different.

The first weekend in February, Jen and I (sans kids) went to visit Mom and Dad in Mesa. It was so beautiful. The weather was gorgeous! The locals were wearing full winter gear, coats, hats, scarves... we sat in the sun in our shorts and probably looked like tourists. Also, my constant camera use may have been a tip off. I think I took 50 pictures of the fruit trees. I cannot remember seeing citrus growing on trees like that. Ever. Lemon, oranges, grapefruit. It was beautiful. Also, olive trees, which were interesting. I won't post any pics because I don't want to bore you.

Anyway, Jen mentioned a place called The Organ Stop. It was a pizza place with a beautiful organ and amazing organist. This guy could play anything. People would put in requests and he would play, without music. He played Star Wars and, being Jen's favorite thing of all time, I got some video of it. It was incredible. They changed the lighting while he played. It was really awesome. If you're ever in Phoenix area, you really need to check this out. We didn't eat there, although it smelled amazing. They only do dinner, I think they opened at 4 but music didn't start until 4:30. Get there early to get a good seat! Incredible.

I have tried all afternoon to upload this video and it won't go. I'll try again later.

Here we are on the plane, ready to go. We laughed so hard, I spent most of the time crying. We have not hung out without kids since Jen got married. It was tons of fun.

We got in late-ish Friday night. Saturday morning we went to the temple, which was beautiful, pics in a minute. Then we went to a mall in Tempe (?). We wandered around the Rainforest Cafe and took lots of pictures for the kids and then went to a place that was, I think, called Garcia's. That's probably spelt wrong. Sorry. I was so good. Best Mexican I've had in a very, very long time. They had this thing with jalapeno cream cheese on it. It was heaven. I promise I think about it a few times a week.

I chose this picture because I was so flattering!!

We wandered through the mall in search of some jeans for my gargantuan-ly long legs (I'm not bragging), we finally found some! Anyway, after all the shopping, we were of course, not full anymore, so it was time to eat again. I have never had gelato before. I was trying to convince my husband to take me to Italy to have some. I have to say though, this was amazing. I guess I'll let him take me to Arizona.

This picture is for my brother-in-law. I don't know why but Jen said he loves frank's barber shop. Apparently, so do a lot of others because the line was crazy.

I took lots and lots of pictures of the temple and the grounds, but I will spare you. Suffice it to say, gorgeous! So pretty. We went back on Sunday to take more pictures and wander.

A cacti garden on the grounds. Just cool. I think I need to get south more often!

Final stop before heading out Monday. Mmmmmm....

Thanks to Mom and Dad for the awesome trip!!! And thanks to my wonderful husband for making me go and my children for letting me!

Our last minutes in the land of sun. After you get through security at the airport, you can sit in a courtyard... outside. It was glorious. We were the only ones with pants pulled up laying on the grass. Yes, we are Canadian.