21!!!

This was such a fun birthday weekend. Scott made it very special. He did things with me that he doesn't love doing, but that I really enjoy. On Friday night, we went shopping at the Chandler mall and I got a shirt from J.Crew:

Saturday morning, he took me to the Botanical Gardens. We went early so it wasn't too hot and it was very nice just walking around the pretty desert-garden with my love. For brunch, we went to IHOP. I got crepes and hash browns (my favorites.)

Saturday night we had our adult session of General Conference. Surprisingly, it was really fun and so funny! It was also very spiritual. Elder Chai of the Seventy came and visited. He was hilarious! He asked the congregation in his Korean accent, "Do you know PMG?" He was referring to the Preach My Gospel manual. Then he said, "Did you know that Preach My Gospel is also Perfect Marriage Guidance?" After he said that, no one really knew how to respond, so the congregation was mostly quiet. Elder Chai said, "What? Do you not understand me? Is it my Korean accent? Or are you in shock?!" It was hilarious! Then, he had his wife come up to the microphone. He talked about when they first met. It was his first time attending her ward. She was very friendly and came up to him to say hi and welcome him. He thought, "Wow, this is a very cute girl and she is into me." Sister Chai just shook her head and held up two fingers in the shape of an "X" as if to say "WRONG!" It was soooo funny!

Then, he asked her questions and she answered candidly. For example:

Elder Chai: "Is your husband an ordinary man?"

Sister Chai: "What do you want me to say?"

E: "I don't want you to say what I want you to say. I want you to say what the Lord wants you to say."

...Lots of Laughing...

S: "My husband is a very ordinary man."

So funny! We loved it!

The adult session went late-we didn't get out until after nine. Afterwards, we went to PF Changs with Blake and Bethany. It was so good.

Sunday, my mom had us over for chicken tacos, brownies and fro-yo. My grandparents came too. It was great! On Tuesday, Scott's parents had us over for dinner. I can't remember what we ate for some reason, but I remember it was good. For dessert, she made these rich, chocolate cupcakes that tasted amazing. Chocolate is my fav.

It was a splendid birthday!

Botanical Garden Pics

A-S-U

Two Fridays ago, we went to the ASU vs. Missouri game. Typically, because I am not a huge sports fan, I show up late to games and leave early. I usually just go for the social aspect. But this time, because Scott is a huge sports fan, more specifically a huge ASU sports fan, we were in our seats before the game started and didn't leave until it was completely over. Scott was such a sweetheart and explained every play to me so I understood what was going on. I actually really enjoyed it! It was a very intense game. ASU won the game in overtime. At the moment of their victory, all the ASU fans were hugging and kissing and cheering. Scott hugged some random guy that had become our game buddy. It was crazy. Then, all us ASU fans turned around to the Missouri fans who had been obnoxiously rude the entire game and laughed in unison. It was epic.

The next night we went to BJ's for dinner with our friends Blake, Bethany, and Joel. I ordered a thin crust pizza and asked them to sub spinach instead of cheese. Not only did they charge me extra for the Spinach, but they totally failed on making the pizza. It was basically a round cracker with barely any sauce and about ten wilted pieces of Spinach on top. Rip off. But, we still had a good time with our friends.

After dinner, we decided to go to the two-dollar theater. We went outside-it was pouring. We ran into the theater and were completely soaked. Bethany and I tried to dry ourselves off under the hand-dryers in the bathroom, but we were still drenched. Luckily, the theater wasn't too freezing. We saw Super 8. It is really good! It is like a modern-day Goonies.

california!

Friday after work, Scott and I headed out to California. We stayed with my grandparents and had a very lazy, very enjoyable trip. We got to see some of my aunts, uncles and cousins including my new baby cousin Tova Dutch Verhagen. Welcome to the World Baby! I'm amazed by my aunt Melissa who was on bedrest since 14 weeks in order to bring this sweet baby safely into this world. Here are some pictures from the trip:

Good ole' Lucerne Valley

"A Town of Character(s)"

Scott and Me Standing in Grandparents Driveway

Tova Dutch Verhagen

Baby Tova, Me, and her big brother Taj

Oma, Opa, Megan

Barbara and Anthony Verhagen with their new grandson-in-law

Not only did they feed us five-course meals for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner,

but they sent us home with lots of food

including these various kinds of squash from their garden.

Thank you family for a wonderful trip!