a bit nostalgic

I began feeling wistful last week when I quickly ran to the grocery store on March 23rd and the feeling hasn't really gone away.  As I was getting in the car that night, I smelled a sweet springy smell, very unique to Tucson.  On my drive home, my mind was flooded with sweet thoughts and memories of Tucson and as I drove I realized the next day, March 24th, marked seven years ago that I was transferred to Tucson while serving my mission and that that same, wonderful smell of Spring filled the warm air that day too.  Thus began my love affair with Tucson, on the eve of turning 23, but never in my wildest dreams would I have expected to move back. 

 

When I got home the other night I told myself, tomorrow I need to write about my little walk down memory lane and all that Tucson has brought me, including my sweet baby girl; about how hard it will be to say goodbye in a few short months.  We will leave our first home, a ward we love, and the place we became three.  But I didn't end up writing that day because I ended up in the emergency room getting my finger stitched up after chopping onions (ironic since I don't even like onions) and have done very little typing since.

So that is how I spent the eve of my 30th.  Weeks previous I had been a little sad at the prospect of leaving my twenties behind, but as I approached the big day I actually got excited thinking about what's to come.  Hence, more nostalgia.  Not to mention that eight days after my big birthday would come Harper's FIRST birthday.  Can you believe it?  Tomorrow I will be the mother of a one-year-old--how I adore her! 

Add to all of these thoughts, events, and milestones it being General Conference weekend and then Easter next week and you get yourself some teary eyes, a very full heart and one nostalgic mama.

happy birthday baby girl!

Spring Break 2012!!!

In true Ashdown form, we didn't make firm plans for our final spring break ever until we were actually in said break. We had big plans of potentially going on a cheap cruise, visiting the Grand Canyon, or going out to California. Alas, for one reason or another, all these great ideas fell through the cracks.

However, our good friends and neighbors had some parents about an hour south of Tucson and they invited us to stay a couple nights at their folks' house for some R&R. They live near some cool Southern AZ touristy spots, have a pool, and best of all had plenty of couches to lounge around on. We happily accepted.

Our first day in Sierra Vista, we took Harper to Tombstone. That's right folks, the first proposed capital city of Arizona, the old stomping grounds of the Earp brothers, and last but not least, the famous O.K. Corral. Its still a functioning little city that has worked to preserve all the fantastic historical features that are common in the many movies that have been made about Wyatt Earp and his historical clean-up of the lawless 'Cowboys' of the era. Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure.

The famous OK Corral

There were stage coaches all over the road

Nice Ass

For those of you who have seen any of the movies about this town, you may have seen a few of these landmarks. This is the Bird Cage Theatre, a saloon, brothel, theater and gambling parlor that was reported by the New York Times in the late 1800's to be the wildest place in the country. 120 bullet holes are still visible throughout the building, and a variety of knife slashes in some of the paintings that still hang. Apparently, it is also the site of the longest running poker game in history, because the Bird Cage was open 24 hours per day, the poker game is reported to have run straight for eight years, five months and three days.  

Big Nose Kate's disreputable Bird Cage Theatre

Pointing out some of the bullet holes

A little cuddle time

After Tombstone, we did some well deserved relaxing in the spa and tried out Harper's new blow up boat. She sits in the little seat and can kick around the pool all she wants. We're really stoked to use this all summer long!

Harper never missed the Cheeto bowl as it floated by

Taking care of a pigeon problem

Harper the dog whisperer

It was a fantastic spring break and we couldn't have asked for a more hospitable and welcoming house to stay at. Thank you to the Ray family for having us over!

Ragnar 2012

This past weekend, Brady participated in the Ragnar Del Sol relay race that goes from Wickenburg to Tempe, Arizona.  Ragnar is a 200 mile running relay split between 12 runners, each runner has three separate legs between 3 and 9 miles and there is always a member of the team running until you finish about 30 hours later.  I should start by saying that Brady has never been a runner and comes from a family of proclaimed non-runners.  When he told me last fall that he had been invited to participate in an Eller MBA Ragnar team and that he had accepted, I couldn't believe what I was hearing.  Honestly, I was thrilled.  I can't tell you how many times I have suggested to Brady that we should run together and how each of those countless times I have kindly been turned down.  Until now, Brady had no interest in running.

patiently waiting in the heat for daddy to cross the finish line

Harper and I accompanied him on some of his training runs, but he did most of them solo.  As Ragnar got closer his runs got longer and his desire for a sweatband, fanny-pack and short shorts got stronger.  Just days before the race, out on a run, he found all three at a nearby thrift store.  Don't be jealous of me as you look at race-day pics.  Brady had been planning on running 11.6 miles come race day, but the day before he was asked to switch with someone increasing his total by two miles.  Brady, run two more miles?  No problem!

Some teams only had 6 members, Ultra Teams. Average 33 miles per runner!

Goofy costumes were the norm. Note the topless ballerinas

When the runners only had a couple hours to sleep between transitions, they took up residence wherever possible.

Taken at 1:30AM, just ran 5.5 miles on no sleep and a tuna fish and cracker dinner

Team Eller crosses the finish line

 

 

Who owns that incredible mustache?!?

post race celebration

Harper and I spent last week with my sister, Susanna in California and flew into Phoenix a few hours before Brady was due to finish.  It was a long day for Harper after a rough night and I was worried how everything would play out, but she was in good spirits and so happy to see her daddy!  And give him a congratulatory hug--well done Dad!
 

Brady and his biggest fans

We're both really excited to get into more races in the future. We are looking into half marathons, bike races and triathlons. Are we becoming those people?!? Maybe.

Favorite times

Sometimes my only motivation at school all day is my bath time chats with my girl. Today reminded me of one of my favorite comics.

Inspiring thoughts, Harper. Thanks for the good conversation.