Be Crafty AZ: An Adventure to Remember

If you pull the letters from Be Crafty AZ, you can also make the words Be Crazy.
Which, if you think about the fact that I spent 25 out of 72 hours on the road for this adventure, I absolutely signed up for Be Crazy.

And you know what, it was totally worth it.

I left work a little early on Friday afternoon, and sadly not early enough, as I hit awful Friday traffic while I headed south to Katy's house.

I consoled myself with Dark Chocolate Cadbury Mini Eggs and a Diet Cherry Coke from Sonic (happy hour, praises!)

Thankfully, as I sat in traffic along the Pacheco Pass, I got to admire California showing off her gorgeous spring landscape.

I mean, right?

Katy and I sat together on her couch for about an hour after I got there, before we were the grown ups we are, and put ourselves to bed. We had an early morning and long day ahead.

Up before the sun, we started making our way out of California.

We were greeted by some gorgeous skies, which my iPhone could do no justice.
And before we knew it, we were almost halfway to Arizona, driving through the great windmills of Palm Springs.

Everytime I have driven through these towering structures, it has been for something really awesome.
(Resolved Conferences and a Bachelorette Party).

This trip was no exception.

Before we knew it, we were in the vast California desert quickly approaching the Arizona border.

Rest stops that promised restrooms and services, were nothing more than dusty boarded up buildings, and abandoned gas stations. Right out of Cars.

Thankfully, Katy and I had bladders of steel, and managed to keep composed for the next 40 miles.
Which looked a lot like this.

For 8 hours to Arizona (and another 8 hours back). Katy and I didn't listen to one song, sermon, or radio show. We just talked. For a total of 16 hours. Ha! I guess we really have the gift of gab.

Finally, we crossed in to Arizona. Crossing something off my bucket list, posing by a "you're now entering such and such state" sign.

Me, Katy, and the Grand Canyon State had a full on photoshoot on the side of the road.
We shortly stopped for lunch at the funniest little town, Quartzsite, AZ, where the people watching and roadside stands were divine. I seriously regret not taking any pictures.

A couple short hours later, we had arrived at our hotel, where we kicked off our shoes, closed our eyes, and caught a couple of much needed zzzz's.

After that, Katy and I headed over to the Lovliest of Homes, belonging to Heather, who was a gracious and incredible hostess with the mostess. 

Where we enjoyed a warm spring Arizona evening with blog and instagram friends, new and old.

 I also spent the evening plotting how I could stash Heather's pup in my purse without her knowing.

And we had a blast taking Instax Pics with each other, and now I totally want one.

Here's Katy and I with Amanda and Lesley. 

Next thing we knew, it was time to get up and get going off to the Be Crafty Workshop.

 

But first, coffee.

We arrived on site, at the Old Main at the ASU Campus, and while I ran a quick errand, these ladies transformed the place into something magical.
It literally looked like this when I walked in.

The grand entrance, was exactly that, GRAND.

How cute is my felt flower nametag made by Cole!
It's one of my most favorite things, she makes incredible felt flowers!

And the Be Crafty AZ Team
Cole, Heather, Katy, Amanda, Lesley, and Kate!

With three adorable new friends, Ruth, Rebekah, and Annalea.

And with Katygirl, of course. 

I tried to hijack Lesley's chalk art lesson with a lesson on how to draw Cat Emojis.

Thankfully, Lesley didn't allow that to happen, and I ended up with something pretty awesome. (At least I feel like it's pretty awesome. It needs a little touching up though.

I also met some wonderful ladies, who were crafting at the table with us. It was so fun to laugh and craft together.

And the sweet Be Crafty girls, knowing we had an 8 hour drive ahead of ourselves, squeezed us and hugged us, and sent us on our way, with mason jars full of lemonade.

We headed west, chasing the sunset as we went.

And stopping for a photo op...

Or two.

The next morning, I woke up at Katygirl's, enjoyed coffee with her and her kids. Played some I Spy, read a few books, watched some Tinkerbell, had lunch with everybody, including Scottyboy, and then hit the road for the final leg of my trip home.

Where, I promptly placed myself on my couch for the rest of the night, with a margarita in my Mason Bar Jar, both exhausted and refreshed from a time of being social, and creative, and enjoying friends. It was a whirlwind of an adventure, and one for the record books.

Baby Love.

So...

Long time, no blog.

Like REALLLLY long time.

But I'm here. 

I've been gone. 

But I'm here again. 

With a few fun tales to tell.

Starting with this one.

The BFF had her baby.

And he is the sweetest thing since sliced bread pie.

He's a happy little fellow.

A gentleman, really. 

A few tickles on his ears and he will give you his best smile.

But really, he is just pleasant as pie any time he is being held.

He is also a rockstar at tummy time.

And Mama Julie, she is awesome.

I think that was my favorite part of the weekend.

Seeing my twenty-plus year friend in a whole new role.

And being amazing at it.

And dad is incredible too.

I think baby lucked out with the best mommy and daddy in the world.

Julie & Dave were the hosts with the mosts.

Well, except for doors, they didn't have those.

(but hey, who needs doors....right? privacy is overrated)

Between naps and feedings, for all of us, 

we hit the town.

The three girls and little man.

One of us is not a fan of carseats.

I know little guy, I know.

But we made it safely.

And there was plenty of produce and delicious foods to go around.

Also, I have said it once, and I'll say it again, I LOVE farmers markets.

(warning: farmers market photo bomb coming....now)

Those last ones are watermelon radishes.

SO COOL.

This farmer's market was one of the best I have been to.

Huge variety of common and uncommon fruits and veggies. 

If I lived there, I'd go every weekend.

Baby took a nap and we got some good friendsie times in.

Shopping and Shave Ice.

While daddy built and decorated the crib.

I mean, how cute, right?

(Julie and I played hundreds of hours of Mario Brothers as kids.)

And we ended the night in style.

Kale Chips & Emma.

Nothing says you've grown up than leafy greens and the grown up version of Clueless.

If our 14 year old selves could see us now.

We were pretty nerdy.

So we'd probably be proud.

And this guy, well, I took home his smile in my heart.

Like a little souvenir. 

And these girls,

well,

we keep making new memories,

as the years go by.

And we let a little one into our fold.

He's alright.

Thanks again to our incredible hosts with the mosts, and no doors.

(like literally, not one single door, but it's cool, "open concept" has new meaning)

Can't wait to visit you guys, and your new doors, again soon.

And to this little guy, rest up, your Auntie wants to adventure with you again.