Can't believe it's October!

I am still a little shocked how fast September went for me. I had a great birthday... a friend went to the spa with me! (Yes, the one I work at!) We got a massage and then sat in the hot tub, had lunch...chilled like a normal spa lady! It was GREAT! The rest of the month was consumed with watching Haven season 3 (LOVED IT!), almost finishing Lost, reading fun books (The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Gallagher Girls series, Northanger Abbey...) and I don't remember what else.

The spa had 2 great weeks, and we are back to being SLOW... I was called off 2 days last week, and so far this week one day...grrr... I am ready to be making some money so I can buy Christmas presents, go on my Havasupi trip, etc. 

I started the couch to 5 k program (2nd time around). I have it as an app on my phone so I really like it. I found the canal trail here that is beautiful. If you follow me on instagram you will see the lovely pics I have taken from there.

Hering with a fish-- can't tell but this fish is actually quite large. I didn't wait to see just how Mr. Bird was going to consume it.

Rachel took me to get my toes done for Halloween! A cute spider and a web on my big piggy.

Today I took some family pics for Rachel. I wish I had editing software and knew how to use it. Hmm.. What else can I add to my Christmas list?!

Birthday Month!

I haven't written in awhile--- but there hasn't been a lot happening in my life. Work has been so slow. THANKFULLY it is finally starting to pick up---a.little.... Summer season kills me. The weather is slowly cooling down so I will start hiking. Rachel and I went one morning-- it was great. Then, I was so tired for the rest of the day! So, I need to do it more so I can be ready for my hiking trip in the end of Oct. I am going to try and play tennis at my work. They have a ball-shooter--thing so I can at least hit a bunch of balls and then pick them all up, and do it again! Work is having a Biggest Loser competition. I will sign up with co-workers. Maybe as a team we will have more success. I've been saying I want to lose 16 pounds forever-- I hope this motivates me!

I have yummy cupcakes ordered for my birthday.... and I will get a free massage. Should be good!

Dad's visit

My Daddy came to Arizona---in JULY! and it wasn't that hot....well too bad anyway. We had a good visit. 

Kinsee at Aji Family Night. Got to bring sister and Dad to my work for a potluck and swim

Kallen-- love this face--he's always trouble :-)

This kept Kallen and Kaileigh busy. They had fun

Kaileigh-- she loved this area of the pool and wouldn't go anywhere else. At least she is going under water now.

Kamden-- he loves the water

Watching Lost-- my new obsession. 

Organ Stop Pizza this place was AWESOME and food okay too. 

This guy played the organ while we ate. He played Phantom of the Opera, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Abba, Mary Poppins and a ton of other stuff. Very cool

We watched Turbo, Wolverene, and Red 2. We ate at yummy places and Dad made us brisket. We just had a good time. Always sad to see him go.

Yes, I am slow to catch Lost, but I just finished season 1. I love Jack.

Game Night

I love board games..game night. My brother is the gamer in our family I know I will get to try a new one whenever I go to his house. I wish I had some more friends that liked to play--or that I had the patience to play with Rachel's kids.... anyway Friday we had a work party at a guy's home and we played Minute to Win it Games. It was fun!

The cookie started in the middle of the forehead and without touching it  I had to wiggle my face until the cookie landed in my mouth. It was hard! But I did it!!

A few co-workers-- we had the BEST food! Girl in the middle-- her birthday headband.

You had to stack 6 dice on top of each other on the Popsicle stick and hold for 3 seconds. It was hard--just teeth to hold it all up and no putting the stick all the way in the mouth!

They guy timing us is Jason. He does games with his youth group every week. This coming Fri is family night at the spa. We get to have another potluck and swim in the spa pool! YAY!!!! 

Summer is going quick! My sister's kids go back to school in 2 weeks! WOW!! I am thinking I need to go somewhere (Utah?) for my birthday. We'll see. 

Not much else going on! 

DC Day 6

Forgot this one-- I think this is the PA monument. The top statue is made out of Civil War Cannons.

Reenactment day!!!! It was 90*+ which means it was so hot and humid!!! Don't you love the tents. One reenactor  said it was too hot to sleep in the tents. Everyone slept outside.

Some music to get us ready.

Sitting on bleachers that were last at a PGA tour. The man in red behind us was SO FUNNY!

Loved the cannons. They would just shoot off whenever. I think it startled me each and every time.

Find any place you can to "hide!"

President Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address 

He was Gen. Custer. He looked so much like him!!!! (what I think he would look like anyway.)

We had such a good time. Due to the heat and having to get back to Philly we didn't stay for the second "show."

DC Day 5

Traveling to Gettysburg

Amish Country

I could not get over how BEAUTIFUL this part of PA is. It soothes my soul. 

Carrie met up with us for lunch and the day!

Gettysburg Cemetery

See that black thing? It is an artillery shell from one of the days of battle!

my "wheat field". It's just grass, but it reminded me of KS!!

This is the first monument to have an eternal flame. Pres. John F. Kennedy saw this and loved it-- so his wife did it for him! I think this is also the monument that is made of Maine granite and Georgia Limestone-- or a rock from GA. They wanted to use rock from the farthest North and South to be united in this monument. When it was revealed Soldiers of both sides came together and camped out for a week. They had a ball!

Gotta love a car tour!

Isn't it beautiful?

Devils Den

View from Little Round Top

Our guide, Les Fowler, was supposed to give us a 2 hour tour, but because of traffic and his love of Gettysburg it was 3 hours!!! He knew so much! Darlene and Carrie taught him a railroad connection between Gettysburg and Utah. I taught him that there are still 2 Civil War Pensions being paid. (to 2 children)

This is the copse of trees (descendant trees of the original) that Pickett and his men were to aim for during that fateful battle.

Last stop--The Dobbin House Tavern. This is the only still standing house that is known for being part of the underground railroad. There were 2 known houses but the other is no longer standing. We didn't get to see the cutout where the slaves would have stayed, but it was still cool-- and more yummy food!!!