Mumbo Jumbo

This week has been much better on the productivity level. We've actually done several organizing projects and gotten rid of some things. We're planning on doing more organizing every day this week. Is that a bit too ambitious? I've gotten some scrapbooking done and estimate that I have about 12 hours of scrapbooking left until I finish all our pictures taken while in Glendale (I just have to stop continuing to take pictures!).
We've also been continuing the job search, it just seems to take forever to hear anything! Luckily, I know it isn't just us, because everyone reports the same sort of slow progress in getting companies to respond. Of course, it is a little frustrating, but we know that there will be a great opportunity for us sometime. The question is what to do in the interim...
Here are some recent pictures:
Feeding the birds at Sahuaro:
Taking a break to look at the ducks near the local "splash pad":
Ethan wasn't too sure about the jetting water coming up from the ground, but he enjoyed playing in a bucket of water:I was so excited to finally get Ethan's tie. It was supposed to be a birthday present (I know, not the fun type of present, but he didn't care), and I'd been looking for one for a while, but couldn't find one. I finally found one at The Children's Place. It was even on sale!!
We went walking around the Scottsdale mall yesterday. They had this cool fountain that went 2/3 of the way around the staircase. The water actually traveled down strings. Of course, Elia wanted to investigate:

To celebrate the arrival of our stimulus check from good old Uncle Sam, we went out to a very delicious restaurant last night. We figured we could do one fun thing with the money since we'll be saving the rest. The kids were soooooo good the whole time and for those of you here in the valley, we would totally recommend Roy's Hawaiian Fusion restaurant in Scottsdale. The food was excellent and they were great with the kids. They brought their milks out right away and without us even asking for anything, brought plates with quesadillas and carrot and celery sticks with ranch dressing for the kids! It was a very nice evening.
Our lemon eater:

So much time and we still can't get everything done!

Well, our life has sure taken a turn. Eric graduated a week and a half ago and until that time we were so busy we didn't have time to think. We had all these projects we wanted to get done, but didn't feel we had time too. Now we have so much time that we've been on a fun "binge" and a lot of our time gets wasted and we still don't get much done on our "project" list. We can't win either way!

Actually though, Eric's mom has been here for a little over a week and will be going home tomorrow. It's been nice to get a little extra sleeping in while she's been here and of course we spend time just visiting with her or playing games. We did go to a Mother's Day activity in downtown Glendale which included a tour of the chocolate factory and free flower give-aways. Most of our time is just spent relaxing (which we really haven't been able to do fully since Eric started school!!!) and going on lots of walks with the beautiful weather (which will leave this weekend :( as the temps hit 101!) We've enjoyed her visit, and have continued to do a lot of job searching, but we should get back to more of a state of normalcy and schedules (my favorite thing) after she leaves.
On Mother's Day Eric made his mom and I scrumptious blueberry pancakes with mixed berries on top, boysenberry syrup and whip cream. He had also purchased these huge long-stem strawberries that he dipped in chocolate! Yum! I can forsee a Mother's Day tradition here.
The only real news is that we took Ethan for a hearing test. Because he's had so many ear infections the doctors and I wanted to make sure everything was fine. The audiologist loved Ethan and even better, said he hears perfectly (so now I know he ignores me on purpose!)!
Also, we spent probably the best $20 of our lives. We bought a month-long family pass to the Y fun center which includes three blow-up obstacle course and bounce toys. We went there as a closing activity for Thunderkids.
I'll end with some pictures of our babies. Eric took his mom to a mini spa-treatment, so I snapped some pictures while I waited. I know there are a lot, but, you know me, I love pictures!!
Our girl:Done with being photographed!I had to trick her to get this one: Little "e":
Always ready for pictures and with smiles!

Pomp and Circumstance

Well, it is official! We have a new MBA grad in our midst. Here are a few pictures from the event:
Eric at the grad reception with the school's president, Dr. Angel Cabrera. The medals around his neck show his participation in student government and campus ambassadors. Some of Eric's pals (left to right): Kendrick Hanney, Ben Stull, Eric, Tyson Leavitt
After three hours of ceremony it is amazing we could get our kids to cooperate at all! They actually did a great job. There was room on the sides of the room so they didn't have to sit still the whole time. It worked out really well.
Elia with Corbin and Owen Winward, some of her friends from Thunderkids. They will be moving to Puerto Rico next month! After much confusion, we were able to round up most of the LDS students for a picture after graduation.
So, as Eric graduated on Friday, I began to think about what pomp and circumstance meant, so I looked up the definitions:
Pomp: "Dignified or magnificent display; splendor"
Circumstance: "Formal display; ceremony"
I liked this other definition of circumstance. I think it fits our current "circumstance" better :)
"The sum of determining factors beyond willful control"
That's how it seems sometimes anyway.

Eric is looking forward to the break and is excited to not have to study anymore, though we are a little anxious about finding a job. In any case, we're keeping positive and continuing our search. We're not sure what the future holds for us, but we're sure it will be great! Thanks for all your encouragement and support.