Flagstaff Then and Now

Flagstaff Then 2003-2005

Hikes in the fall leaves and lava caves
Tons of Driving
Ice Skating
Long awaited perfect first kiss as the snow falls (Matt kept me waiting forever- we'd known each other a year and dated for 4 or 5 months, he was well worth the wait)
2 girl-ask-guy formals
Millions of e-mails and hours on the phone (sorry again roommates!)

Fall 2003 First date on a hike near Sedona

2nd Formal Dance Fall 2004- wearing a dress my mom wore as a bridesmaid in the 70s.

January 2005 At my brother's wedding a few weeks before we got engaged (technically in Mesa not Flagstaff)

Oct 25, 2003 in front of the NAU library a few hours before we met. He literally showed up on my doorstep (I mean couch). Notice the ASU sweatshirt- what a punk.

Flagstaff Now Spring 2010

Our combined babymoon (ya know a trip you take before you have a baby) and 5th Anniversary hurrah. Instead of going to San Diego again we decided to do the easier walk down memory lane in Flagstaff. I haven't been back since graduation day.

Charlotte had her first sleepover at Grandma and Grandad Diehl's house. I only called to check on her 4 times in 24 hours. See the post below for pictures of that.

We dropped Charlotte off on the way then drove up curvy Page Springs Road where I grew up and we got engaged, through Sedona and then up the even more curvy and steep Oak Creek Canyon. This part of Arizona looks like something out of a fantasy novel- or at least another state. So beautiful and a whole boatload more scenic than the highway- as long as you don't get carsick. I really tried to cram as much as possible into those 24 hours.

7 years- 5 of those married- and soon to be 3 kids later. He had no idea what he was getting himself into the last time he had his picture taken in this spot!

I never got my picture in front of the book statue so I wanted one too!

Tour of Riordan Mansion- right next to NAU. I walked right by it everyday but I was too poor to pay the $7 fee. No more pressing my nose against the window- I actually got to see it! It was really interesting to tour an old building with such unique architecture. I've never been to Flagstaff as a tourist before so please excuse the history lesson. It is a humongous duplex that 2 Riordan brothers in the lumber business built with a spacious common room connecting the two houses. The 2 brothers married 2 sisters, so they were close. One of the brothers was 6'3" and his wife was 4'11" 85 lbs; we could relate! The doorways were still a little low for Matt but the stove and counter tops were made especially little just for her- maybe we should try that! Our home architecture these days just doesn't compare- they were so inventive. Think of this- a silverware drawer next to the sink that can also be opened from the other side into the dining room. How smart is that?! No more walking around to get silverware! I'll stop now- but if you're ever in Flagstaff I think it was worth the $7 for sure.

"The Earlobe Bed" part of our Bed and Breakfast. Notice the night stands are connected to the bed frame- hence the earlobe part. Since Matt's anniversary gift was our super nice grill he said I could choose where we stayed on our trip. Very "his" and "hers"- he chooses the BBQ and I choose a trip. I picked the historic red sandstone England House Bed and Breakfast. Click on the link to see more pictures, it was beautiful but I didn't take enough pictures. Staying at a B&B is so much more of an experience than a hotel; and when you're only away 24 hours I figured it was worth it. Cookies available anytime you want them, personalized historic rooms, awesome breakfast- they almost force you to get to know the other guests...

The reason I picked the room. How hard would it be to rip out a wall and put one of these babies in our tiny 80's master bath you think?

Reminiscing with old roomies and friends. We went to dinner with my friend Nichole and her husband Chris on Friday. Then we went to an NAU choir concert at the beautiful old Catholic church in downtown Flagstaff. Saturday we met up with my friend from high school and one of my favorite college roommates Elysia and her husband Aaron at Oregano's for lunch. I twisted her arm to take this picture- but I'm the one looking all squinty and big even though I'm due 2 months after her! Speaking of then and now check out the growth from this picture taken at almost 29 weeks and the one in the post below (wearing the same shirt even) taken at 25 weeks! Wowie I'm growing fast!

We also did a walk around campus. I'm so glad we did- it brought back so many good memories- college was such a fun time of my life. I persuaded Matt to kiss me on the spot where our first kiss happened because I'm sentimental and mushy like that- even though there was a bus driver parked right next to us. The weather was chilly but beautiful- oh how I've missed the mountains! It was pretty much a perfect quick getaway before my "confinement". Happy 5 years to us on Thursday! Thanks for letting me indulge in all my favorite things Matt! I'm pushing for a Europe trip for our 10th anniversary 2015... any babysitters or travel buddies who'd like to book us now let me know!