Random Updates

Wow, it's been a while. It seems like it's so much easier to just jump on Facebook these days and get an update on everyone, and that means I've been neglecting my blog! Rocklin and I are back from Georgia. We had a FUN time there, but were glad to get back here to Adam.

Last Friday night we took Rocklin to the Phoenix Children's Museum downtown. We rode the new Metro train for the first time with Katie (Adam's sister) and her family down there. The museum is free every first Friday night in the Summer. It was really, really crowded, but we had a lot of fun.

Rocklin's favorite thing at the Museum was an air vent that was censored when you walk over it. He kept running back to it so the air would blow thru his hair.

Rocklin had noodles the other night and I think he really liked the freedom of feeding himself...hence the BIG mess.

We had a FUN July 4th - we celebrated at Katie's house (and sadly I didn't get ANY pictures). We went swimming, had a yummy BBQ and played games. We were having so much fun at her house that we didn't end up leaving to go watch fireworks, but we caught a couple in the car on the way home.

I've always wanted to make the American Flag dessert for July 4th, so this year I did it. It turned out SO yummy! I've posted the recipe below the picture...it's so easy and so delicious. It basically was like a fruit pizza in the shape of an American Flag.

American Flag Tart

Serves 12 (although I doubled it)

1 Pkg. refrigerated sugar cookie dough

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

2 Tbsp. butter, softened

2 Tbsp. milk

1 c. powdered sugar

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a cookie sheet and then press the cookie dough into a rectangular shape that is about 1/8th inch thick Press your thumbs into the edges to create a scalloped border. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes or until the edges begin to brown. Remove from oven and cool completely.

While the crust is cooling, mix the cream cheese, butter, 2 Tbsp. milk, powdered sugar, and lemon juice in a bowl; beat until fluffy. Add more milk if necessary until spreading consistency is reached. Spread over the cooled cookie, leaving the scalloped border exposed.

Arrange the fruit in an American Flag design. Cut into squares and serve. Serves 12.

Meanwhile, on June 10th, Adam and I shared our 3rd wedding anniversary. We didn't do anything too spectacular to celebrate, but we did get to go to the Diamondbacks game (without Rocklin), which was a fun treat. They played the Angels, Adam's favorite team.

First time for everything

Tonight Rocklin had a couple of firsts...a Popsicle that I let him eat all by himself and running free in the backyard and eating dirt without me stopping him. My Mom insisted that I let him be a little boy and just get dirty, so I just let him at it. We don't have a backyard at our place in Arizona, or big green trees for that matter, so Rocklin was in his glory. And, as you can tell from the pictures, he LOVED the Popsicle!

Pictures

In case you've been wondering where I've gone...just take a look at the pictures below. My little brother Adam got married on June 5th in the Mesa, AZ temple. I had family and friends in town for a week (so fun) and then I flew with Rocklin to GA for 9 days (thanks Mom & Dad!!) and we are here until Friday. It's been so fun, but we miss Adam terribly! He had to stay behind in AZ to work. Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

The Bride and Groom - Adam and Amanda, and her parents and my parents.

The Twins - Aaron & Adam Melissa (Daniel's girlfriend), Me, Megan (Aaron's wife) and Sarah (Justin's wife)

My brothers and I - Kevin, Me, Adam, Justin, Daniel and Aaron

Rocklin and Daddy

Rocklin

It's so hard for me to get a picture of Rocklin actually looking at the camera. Here he is dancing at the reception and having a great time!

Mom, Kevin & Dad Mom, Amanda, Adam and Dad

Dad & Mom

Mom & Adam

Megan & Aaron

Adam & I

Sarah & Justin

The whole family in front of the Mesa Temple

The cupcake tower my Mom, Sarah and I made - so cute!! (And about 99% of the credit goes to Mom and Sarah).

Brynna worn out from the day!

Amanda

This is from a Diamondbacks game from before the wedding, but I just thought I'd upload it since it's a cute picture. :)

Adam B. representing

All the cousins with Adam & Amanda

Maryn & Adam being silly

Me + Hiking = NOT a match made in heaven

If you know me even the slightest, you know that I'm not the rugged type. I'd rather doing marathon shopping rather than run a marathon. I'd rather hike through the outlet mall rather than hike up a mountain. But today we wanted to get out and do something "active." We opted for hiking South Mountain with some of Adam's side of the family. Bless their hearts, they would get to the top and then wait for me because I was "that girl" that had to stop and sit and experience near-death like conditions before getting up and attempting to hike the next 20 feet before breaking again. Seriously, I was so proud that I didn't die. And yes, even my little 6, 7 and 8 year old nieces and nephews were making it to the top before me.

I am sure some of you may disagree with me, but this is just not pretty scenery to me. Maybe I live in the wrong state, because I just can't get excited about the "desert terrain" where I live. I think I'm just missing my GA trees today. I'm sure that going hiking when I'm a) super out of shape and b) hotter than h-e-double-hockey-sticks outside, probably doesn't help.

Well, while I don't think it's "pretty" I did think this picture of this cactus I took turned out pretty cool looking. (This picture was taken at the end of the hike when I felt pretty sure I was no longer going to die at this point).

I know, my face looks like a tomato, and yes, I know I'm looking soooo rough, but this is my "proof I made it to the top" picture.

Here's some of the crew just chillin at the top.
Adam and Rocklin taking a break.
Tyler and Luke eating some gummy worms for energy. :)

Rocklin was a trooper (and so was Adam for carrying him!!). Rocklin whined a little (he must get that from his Mom), but overall I think he liked it.

Are we such the outdoorsy-looking family? Sike.

To say the least, I don't think backpacking is in the near future for the Birkmeyer family, but I'm happy to report we did something out of the norm for us (well, for me) today.

Weekend Update

This weekend we were supposed to go camping, but Mother Nature had other plans with all the rain. Instead, we just hung out here with Adam's family. We had a great time! His parents and sister and her daughter were in town from California for Kameron's (Adam's nephew) graduation from high school. I didn't happen to take any pictures from the graduation party, but I did get a few when we all went bowling on Saturday. We had a great time!

Rocklin (in desperate need of a haircut) sneaking in to go find Daddy

Adam and his Dad, Ron
Rocklin and his Grandpa Ron (Don't be fooled by the look on Rocklin's face in this picture...he really loves hanging out with Grandpa Ron!)

Adam giving Alexis a few of his bowling tips (for those of you who don't know, Adam has been on a bowling league for the past couple of years and he really enjoys it!).

Rocklin and a few of his cousins (Alexis, Abby and Kate)

Tomorrow we're going on a hike with some of Rocklin's other cousins. I'll try to remember to snap some photos along the way so I can do another post tomorrow. Hope everyone has a safe and fun Memorial Day!

He takes after his Daddy...

If you know Adam, or you've been reading my blog for a while now, then you know that my darling sweet husband is a CLEAN fanatic. He's always cleaning, vacuuming, sweeping, etc. I can't complain...most girls would die for this out of their husband! Anyway, I think Rocklin is following in his daddy's footsteps because lately he LOVES the broom! Whenever I'm doing laundry, he sneaks the broom out of the laundry room when I'm not looking and runs to the kitchen with it. Hopefully he'll keep this cleaning streak when it comes time for him to learn to do household chores!