The Big One!!!!

Monte sharing his knowledge of the desert plants!
I wanted to take a picture of Mark and Karen sitting by a cactus, this is what happens when you sit too close.
The birthday guy!
Cutting the cake...carrot with cream cheese icing...yummy!!!
The temple and lights...beautiful!!!
A beautiful calm night in Mesa, incredible reflection in the calm pool water.
The flash was obviously bright.


Monte reached his 50 year milestone this past week. To celebrate I surprised him with a visit from our friends Mark and Karen and a birthday get together.

He is such a trooper...I asked him Thursday night around 10pm if he wanted to go for a drive which is totally out of character for me, I am usually in bed by 9:30ish. We drove to the airport and waited for the flight to get in, it was delayed do to cold weather by an hour. Not once did Monte ask me what we were doing at the airport or who we were picking up. When we saw Mark and Karen I said there is our company. That night in bed he said, "I forgot you told me Mark and Karen were coming" I said, "I didn't tell you ...it was a surprise." I then asked him why he never asked me who we were getting at the airport, he said he didn't because he thought he must of forgot and didn't want me to know he didn't remember who was coming. Such a Man.

We had a great weekend taking Mark and Karen, sight seeing, eating way too much and visiting until late at night. Friday we went exploring the desert and eating Mexican food. I had planned a surprise party for Monte Friday night, prior to finding out it was the ward Christmas party. Karen and I sent Mark, Monte and Kayden to the party with Monte thinking we wanted to go shopping (he wasn't terribly impressed) so we could get things ready. Mark and Kayden were told to bring Monte home around 7:30. In true Monte fashion they couldn't get him to leave until I finally sent him a text asking him to come home.We had a great time visiting with family and friends that night.

Saturday we visited with Karen's sister and brother in law, went to the temple to see the lights then out for steak and again staying up way way too late. Such a fun, fun, fun weekend, hopefully they'll be back soon.

PS: for all those family and friends that live miles and miles away I didn't send you an invite to the party out of sure...laziness I guess... not that we wouldn't of loved having you here.