Graduations

Before the wedding weekend, Craig's parents and Anne flew in a bit early to attend his graduation from law school. It was a very hot day, but it went well overall. This graduation ceremony and all of the students with advanced degrees and even international diciplines was a big deal.

We are all so proud of Craig - that's Craig S. Riebe, J.D. now - and it feels like things are going to start to get back to normal. The graduation means that he can move back to Phoenix, which is huge for us, no more commuting between Tucson and Phoenix. Class has begun to help him study for the bar exam, everyday from 9am to 1pm and then studying all day. So, he'll be underground over the next 8 weeks as he prepares for probably the biggest test of his life, so far.

I just think Craig is an extraordinary man. In one week, he's become a law graduate, a dog owner, a husband and a bonus dad to Mal and Nick. (Bonus dad sounds better then step father, so that's what Mal and Nick have decided on.) Most people get to ease into these roles throughout their life, but he's taken them on all at once. Not everyone would be up to doing this, and that's why I love him so much.

Weekend Update

The children were with their dad this weekend and Craig was on a field trip with one of his classes in Tucson, so it was a girls weekend. Just me and Brittany. We loaded up on movies for Friday night.

The first movie we saw was my absolute favorite movie ever, please do not make fun of me, I know it came out in 1999, but I love it! Thomas Crown Affair will always be my favorite, old and new. Yes, there have been others, but they come and go. Imagine running away to a private island with millions of dollars.. ah, the life.

The second movie we saw was Atonement. Very stunning movie. Due to the amount of coverage the green dress Keira Knightly was wearing in one of the scenes, I spent almost the whole movie looking for it? I should probably watch it again. It's a very passionate movie, that's for sure and the green dress is gorgeous.

Weekend Update

With Craig in Vegas for the weekend, it was the 3 Amigos on our own for fun. Friday was fairly low key as we ramped up for the weekend ahead. Sat. am started the next round of tennis lessons for Mallory. There are 11 kids in her session this time and it could be too many. This was further evidenced by one little girl not looking after her swing and hitting another little girl on the bridge of her nose with her raquet. Thank goodness it was not Mallory who did the swinging, as we talk about this exact scenario almost every week. That poor little girl was so distraught for having hit someone else she was virtually inconsoleable. Accidents happen, and with a few stiches everyone will be as good as new!

After that, we hit the party circuit. Mallory went to a birthday picnic in the park for 4 hours and Nicholas went to Amazing Jakes for the same 4 hours! I browsed Michael's Craft store for almost half the time. It was amazing. No one was asking me to buy them random stuff they'll never use, no one was telling me how bored they were after 10 mins, and I was in heaven. A good day! Of course, our weekends with an 11 year old girl would not be complete if there wasn't a sleep over. I can't pick Mallory up from any function any more without her begging to have someone sleep over? I am weak.

Sunday caught us by the pool for some sun. The wind kicked up and the water was waaaayyy too cold for us, but we had snacks and drinks. What else do you need?

Big Phoenix Weekend

It was a huge weekend for us in Phoenix! With the Superbowl and the FBR Open in town, there were lots of events to participate in. Even though we didn't get our invitation to P.Diddy's party at Axis/Radius, we still had fun. A bunch of our friends volunteered to work events around the city and got in for free obviously. Maybe that would have been a good way to get into some of these things. Better than paying the $1200/ticket.

Saturday the kids went with their Grandma Johnston to the NFL Experience. Its a blocked off area in front of the stadium where they've got all kinds of football activities. From what I hear, Nick was an animal, participating in every event. He was throwing footballs and running passes. He even won a 40yrd dash (against 5 other girls!)

Craig and I went to the FBR Open on Saturday too. Despite serious parking/shuttle bus lines that took up to an hour and 40 minutes, we had a good day with Rob and Carmen. It was fun to see the players of the tour up close. They get mad and swear just like any other intense amatuer golfer. I didn't get to party at the Bird's Nest this year, but I hear the 80's cover band was kind of odd anyway. I actually can't imagine being there, it was soooo cold even during the early evening! Would have been great if Phil had won this year. He's one of my favorite players.