Falalala. It's Monday, I have to work a day and night shift, and I am already sleepy.

    So what's been going on in my life recently? After Arizona there have been other things going on, and I've decided to write all my recent ramblings into one spot.

-What is it with cleaning? If I see another dish or piece of unfolded laundry in this house I think I might keel over. 

-All of my friends are getting pregnant or talking about getting pregnant soon. I can't handle it! I have finally concluded that I am trying to jump the gun with that one, and suddenly everyone wants to throw a cherub cheeked babe in my face. 

-Speaking of babies, have I told everyone that I now nanny for two? I do not always have the newborn and toddler together, but when I do I try to comprehend how others have did it in the past. Particularly getting both to sleep... It's so difficult! 

-Also, I feel bad for Graham sometimes because since my babies are the only part of my work day when we talk about work I feel like I always go on about subjects he couldn't care less about. "Did you know we started potty training?" "The baby spit up all over my shirt!" (He did giggle at the next one.) "He actually peed on me today! Can you believe it?"

-My Sunbeam class is wonderful. We have really grown together. At the beginning of the year I wasn't sure if they would be able to focus during a lesson, they are only 3 after all. So I didn't delve too much into making a great lesson, just gave them lots of leisure time. That happened about two weeks until I nearly died of shame when a parent sat in as I basically spoke for about 3 minutes and let them run amuck for the rest of the hour. I vowed "never again!" Since then I have prayed to be able to fill the time with a complete lesson, games and vocal interaction. I am so pleased to say that my class is really coming together! Perseverance people! (And a sprinkle of humiliation.)

-I've lost some of the fire I had for cooking. Probably because I am too lazy to go to the grocery store, but still, I have only cooked a real meal once in about 10 days. I have got to get back in the saddle. 

-The "polar plunge" is a new craze going on up in Douglas. Basically people jump into freezing waters, record it and dare specific individuals to do the same. I think I am just far enough to not have to participate :)

-I decided to try a new hairstyle when we went karaoking Friday. Basically it's just a few series of tight hair bows, then pulled for some added poof. The only problem is my hair is so thick that it looks too full. Oh well. Maybe I'll keep playing around with it.

-My sweet, sweet baby WL just turned 8. He is the apple of my eye, I love that boy so. My heart feels as if it could burst because he has decided to get baptized this weekend! Hooray! My big boy making decisions for himself! 

    And that's about it that has been going on with me recently! I am excited to creep on in to march madness. Until next time x) 

ARIZONA: Grand Canyon/Sedona/Home

    So Friday night we celebrated the wedding at the reception in Mesa. As the bride and groom ran under our intertwined hands raised in the air, we immediately began to pack everything up to head north. Months prior to this trip, we had decided that we were so close to the Grand Canyon, 4 hours away, and it would be a shame to miss out. Since we had the only rental car, Graham's brother and his wife traveled up with us to see it. We drove for almost three hours into a town called Flagstaff. I hear it's gorgeous, but by one AM after that exhausting day I jumped out of the car destined for the bed, I wouldn't of cared if it was Atlantis at that point.

     But mysterious things were going on. We noticed huge chunks of ice, the remnants of snow, as we walked inside. Wistfully, the four of us concluded how fun snow would be, particularly since my sister in law hadn't ever experienced it, and Graham even mentioned it in our nightly prayers.

    Five in the morning we jumped up, or kind of lumbered out like knots on a log, to see the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. It was our last day on the trip and we were determined to make the most of it. We drove the remaining hour, unhappily realizing we would miss the sunrise- seriously, we only got four hours of sleep only to miss it? But away we trudged, deciding that we would do other things after we left the Grand Canyon. 

    Funny thing, so right before you hit the National Park, there is a small town- more of a tourist trap really- with a special IMAX Theatre and a single McDonald's. We were starving, so we had to get breakfast and...... Then it was like the heavens opened. Eyes turned into the size of saucers. Our prayers were heard, and even answered. Right there, next to McDonald's, was a vast open space covered in inches of snow.  

    We threw snowballs (I even managed to get hit right square in the face with one), made snow angels, captured the memories with photos. Four college educated adults played like mere children. I'm sure those driving by thought we were nuts but hey- this is a rare event for Georgians/Floridians!!  

I know I have that crazed look going on, but it was our first time together in the snow :)

    

    From this point on, we entered into the National Park to see the Grand Canyon. 

    After we made a pit stop for hot chocolate, toboggans and warmth, we left the local shops to finally witness the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. And as we finally got uphill enough, and looked over the banisters, we could see......

    Fog. Yes, that's right. We drove 4 hours with 4 hours of sleep to see fog.  With a hint of the canyon, too. We piddled around with the snow, including a looong snowball fight between Graham and Jared. (After the snowball to the eye and frostbitten fingers, I preferred to watch.)

    After our wait, this is what we came to see. So magnificent. Of course, you can't go to the Grand Canyon without matching your beloved so, please, enjoy ;)

    After staring for a substantial amount of time, the rest of the gang showed up! Las Brisas (Billy, Sunny, and Josh) pulled up, and more snowball wars induced. Sunny hadn't even played in the snow either, so he was making it a memorable occasion. The Grand Canyon was spectacular, but the snow was truly the cherry on top. 

    I just feel the need to reiterate, one more time, how fun this way. So, so, so much fun! I actually did manage to throw a snowball. :)

    We spent several hours playing and enjoying the Grand Canyon, including an old watchtower. But as someone said, you can only spend so much time looking at one thing! So we left again for Flagstaff to try a restaurant that Guy Fieri encountered. Afterwards we drove back through a town called Sedona, a really gorgeous city nestled amidst mountains. I didn't take any photos of my own, so I am shamelessly borrowing my sister-in-law's!

    Sedona was the last of our sight-seeing for the trip. We drove back to Mesa, deposited J&K to the place they were staying and made it to our Phoenix hotel by 10. We were asleep by 10:30, exhausted by such a great trip that kept us moving! At 8AM we were on a plane, rising above all of the mountainous terrain, and my mind wondered to the past few days. In that short time I had:
-had my first plane trip
-rented my first car
-finally traveled out West
-entered a new state
-been in the desert
-saw mountains
-entered two more temples
-eaten at 3 new restaurants (Jack in the Box, Cafe Rio, In and Out)
-had my first true snowball fight
-made my first snowman (albeit tiny)
-saw the Grand Canyon
-drove through mountains
-realized how much fun exploring the world could be

    Arizona easily exceeded the expectations I had for it. It was such a wonderful trip. But how ready I was to come home to my little apartment. :) 

ARIZONA: Mesa/Phoenix/Gilbert

    When we last left off about our Arizona trip, Graham and I had only experienced a day and a half of spontaneous, highly adventurous fun. We'd jumped on a plane, climbed small mountains and ravished throughout the surrounding cities.
    Yet, the root of our trip was simple: to witness the marriage of Graham's friend Mitch to his gorgeous fiance, Abigail! Friday morning we slowly trudged out of bed, packing all of our belongs back into the car, since we would be hotel hopping for the rest of the trip.
    In typical Alexander style, we arrived to the Mesa Temple- only a mile away from our hotel- late! (Insert apologetic smirk here.) Luckily, things fell into place and we arrived just in time to witness a beautiful ceremony. I am so grateful to be apart of a faith that offers us so much.

    Somehow we did not manage to get the bride, groom and us into a picture! Oh well. Everyone looked adorable and carried huge smiles on their faces! After we separated from the bridal party, we were spent the rest of the day in attendance with the Las Brisas Gang, of which Graham claims membership. For all of those who don't know: Las Brisas is the bachelor pad of Graham and his bro's. 

    It's hard for me to describe Graham's relationship with his best friends. He loves them as if they're his kin, and he is always jumping to spend time with them; particularly Billy, his friend he has lost to the Iowan tundra. He had me promise to spend a full day with them, so Friday it was. We'd heard it was worth it to drive back to Phoenix and check out a sight known as the Hole in the Rock. Onward!

Before any unnecessary thoughts are thought about my lack of coordination, just know that I purposefully planned to not pack all denim, and by so doing my outfit was a little crazy :)

Also, Sunny overextended himself by attempting to climb up the wrong, unadvised way in shoes with no grip. Joshua came to the rescue!

Come on now. I need you all to understand how awesome this spot was!

    We were told that this location was a really cool spot to take pictures, completely true. 

     Okay, just know that I realize this is too over the top, but I can't stand it. This spot was flawless.

As we said farewell to Phoenix, we entered the surrounding city of Gilbert. Feast your eyes! This my friends, is the brand new Gilbert Temple! I was humbled to be able to go inside of it. It's very grand, very spiritually uplifting, very... well, very every-positive-adjective-you-can-imagine. 

    Finally, finally, it was time for the reception! I'll let everyone know now- this is what I live for. Receptions/Weddings are seriously the coolest because they're jam packed with upbeat music, goodies, happy families and dancing! Just know that I jived like a fool with no shame, dancing with a chocolate covered pretzel like it was nobody's business.

Congratulations Mitch and Abigail! Thanks for allowing us to take part in your special day :)