For Valentines Day, Darren took me to a nice restaurant in Phoenix called Different Pointe of View atop North Mountain in Phoenix. It truly had a spectacular view. And the food was great too. After dinner we went outside on the terrace to sit by the fire and enjoy the view. One of the funny highlights of the night was when a server offered us marshmallows on a stick to roast on the fire. I was super full so declined but Darren got one. After sitting down and getting ready to roast it, the guy next to us says "those marshmallows are a doozy. They'll get you drunker than a 3 glasses of wine." Huh? Unbeknownst to us the marshmallows had been soaked in Baileys. LOL!! So of course at that point Darren puts the stick down and we just watch the fire. This did open up a discussion on religion between us and our campfire mates so it ended positively. :)
Thanks babe for a great night!
At least according to Darren. I hope I have the same level of optimism when I'm that old (haha). j/k babe :)
another waxy pan....good thing I didn't put those candles on the pizookie
(man did that paper light up fast...lol. No worries...I have it under control) hee hee :)
We didn't do a whole lot to celebrate because he wanted to save the money and go skiing later in the season but we did go to dinner at Red Lobster and I made him a pizookie for dessert. He also got a new alarm clock (5th time is the charm eh babe?) and a sweet love note from me :)
Our families both lost someone last year that meant the world to us. One of those people was Darren's grandma and the other was my step dad Scott. We miss you both but are so glad you are in a place of peace and rest. We will love you always.
grandpa and grandma Brown. Thanksgiving 2008
all the "kids"; Darren's dad is the 3rd from the front
all the "kids" with their dad, grandpa Brown
Scott always supported us in our achievements
Christmas at Disneyland
It's a holiday that never really reaches its potential as a non-drinker but we make it as fun as we can :)
Oh yeah...crazy times at the Brown's residence...haha
Since we were all together for Christmas this year, we decided to do a family photo shoot. They turned out pretty well for not having a professional photographer or a fancy camera. We had fun so that's all that matters :)
Tiff started pouting because she thought my mom put a bug in her hair. It was funny :)
Ah..come on! I'm not that heavy.
It's snowing in Tempe!!
Ice skating in downtown Phoenix. What a great surprise. Thanks babe!
Take it easy mom. It's not even New Year's yet...
Crazy girls!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night...
Aunt Julie, mom, grandma, Aunt Kim and Uncle Derek
The last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific made it's way to Gilbert last week to help Arizona celebrate its centennial with a piece of Western history. The locomotive was delivered in 1944 as a high-speed passenger engine, pulling trains that include the Overland Limited and the Los Angeles Limited. It was placed in freight service from 1957 to 1959 and saved from being scrapped in 1960 to be held for special service. The visit was part of a 32-day, 2,900-mile tour to commemorate the centennials of Arizona and New Mexico. It was a very fun event. I'm glad Darren and I were able to be there :)
After it's stop in AZ, the train was headed to Utah where Darren's parents are serving their mission. So he put a stamp on the step ladder of the train to see if it would be there a week later when they went to see it.
Halloween 2011. We stole this idea from my sister Tiffany so she gets all the credit. :)
It was really cool to watch them get a balloon to an upright position.
