Softball! Nope, Just Kidding.

Nah, I don’t wanna talk about work. I’m not on speaking terms with the quality of my job right now. *Hissssss.

In other news…

The good thing about not living on base is that we have that separation of work life and home life. Granted, there are many benefits of residing on SAFB grounds, but we opted to settle off base. The most noticeable downside of not having all of our Air Force friends as neighbors is that we don’t see them as often outside of work hours as we might if we were just a few doors down. That being said, it was nice to have Lorne over for a few hours to hang out, even if it was coincidentally because softball was cancelled due to soggy fields. Ha. We’ll take it. 

addicted.

Yep. That + pizza = entertainment for about the same duration as two church softball games. I’d say that it was a pretty good substitute for stomping around a muddy diamond for four hours J.

Tomorrow’s Tuesday, again.

See ya next week, Monday!

xo | cmd

A[n actual] Day of REST...

scott | sun & water | beauty at the base

Let’s talk about lazy days…

This was one of those lazy days.

I honestly don’t have much to report; for the first time in quite some time, Joe and I didn’t have a single thing on the agenda today other than church, and a late evening soccer game at Vetta. Other than that, we really did, in fact, do nothing but relax at home and hang out with Sydni all day long.

This is the stuff weekends are made of. ♥

See ya tomorrow…

xo | cmd

Golfing Guys & Galleria Girls

galleria | st. louis, mo



Yeah, shopping. *Kidding.* I’m not a huge free-shopper, meaning that I pretty much lack the ability to and am also not a fan of mall-walking and window shopping. I’m more of the need-it?-ok,-go-get-it-and-be-done kinda girl. So this was a refreshing change of scenery, more or less.

The day started with Joe, Sydni and I loading up and trekking to the Kobularciks’ on base. One of the Sandven’s were there, along with Nick & Caitlin. The boys took care of transferring all the golf clubs into our car, strapped in 1 of the 2 Kobularcik boys, and headed off for a day of golf.

Meanwhile, I stayed behind with Sydni, Caitlin, Bonnie, and the smaller of her two boys. We spent some time relaxing and enjoying the mid-morning weather from her back patio before loading up into her Subaru and setting off for the Galleria in St. Louis.

just keep shopping.....

Hi, 3-story mall.

Sure, it’s not the Mall of America, but for being so accessible, it will definitely quench the thirst of any local wandering shopaholic. Needless to say, we barely covered a quarter of the mall before we left, but it was worth the trip and admittedly nice to have some adult female company (nothing personal, Syd).

Back home, it was a quick sprint from the Kobularcik’s to the Sandven’s for a grill out. We managed to beat the rain, and had a fun evening of grilling out, playgrounds, conversation, and of course, cornhole.

Not too shabby for a first weekend back, I’d say. =]

xo | cmd

Coffee Table? Check.

Here’s a reality check for me: Today, I will not visit any national parks.

*Super, super sad me.*

What to do instead? Well, it’s back to the real world that is Belleville, so I figured I would make the very most of it and tie up some of the loose aesthetic ends in our newly-settled home.

= Coffee Table.



hooray, surface space!

It’s nothing extravagant, but it will serve its purpose and I’ve already taken quite a liking to it. Plus, it’s always a little less complicating trying to watch a movie without juggling any edibles (and sometimes child, too) in your lap. We’re proud of this addition. Ah, the simple things. Haha.

And really? That’s just about all I did today. Aside from somehow maneuvering a table into the back of my car with two full-size cornhole boards and a carseat, I was quite the unproductive sight.

Tonight was another session of small group Bible study at our pastor’s home. We’re still talking about how to raise children without raising our blood pressure. If it were up to me, we’d continue this track indefinitely. Ha.

But heeeeey, it’s the weekend… and we finally get to sleep in!

xo | cmd

Home Sweet Home

Sam finally had to face reality and go back to work, so Kalyn and I decided to hit the pool. But no, not just any pool. This pool is part of a gorgeous resort lodged into the hillside above Sam’s apartment complex.

falls resort | phoenix

We set up camp just after 9:30AM, and it was already 94 degrees. We took advantage of the resort’s waterfall, waterslide, and even attempted some water volleyball. I honestly wouldn’t have any qualms going there every day for even just a few hours. It’s serene!



pools | waterslide exit



waterfall!



Once we decided we had baked for long enough, we grabbed some Chinese and headed back to the apartment to cool down and eat.

I packed my bag, and, in true Cori fashion, did not include the D90. Of course I would leave behind my camera; fortunately, it’s in good hands until I get it back, and for what it’s worth, I didn’t lose it anywhere. *Whew. Kalyn and I set out to venture into Phoenix for a bit before I had to head to the airport, and stumbled upon an adorable little row of stores with all the handmade, Indie, and vintage stuff we could want. I snagged another string doll at Frances for my collection before we headed off to the airport.



frances boutique | stinkweeds record shop



frances'

cute kids tables | toms inventory

Flying standby can always create a little apprehension, but luckily for me, the flights weren’t nearly filled and I got seat for a direct flight back to St. Louis. Joe met me at the airport and we drove home.

string dolls

Tomorrow, I’ll tell him all about the trip. Right now, I’m spent.

Loves.

xo | cmd

THE GRAND CANYON!! [& Sedona, too!]

I officially ♥ Arizona.

Well, at least Sedona & The GC.

bell rock | sedona!

After sleeping in to a whopping 8:30AM [we’re crazy like that, *smirk], the three of us loaded up in the Benz [yeah, I said it] with first destination: Sedona. Kalyn drove us up there, and I had the liberty of riding shotgun in the White Spaceship [aka Mercedes C-Class] through the gorgeous landscapes of Arizona on the way to Sedona.



benz c class



delicious.



We stopped at the Sedona Olive Oil Company for an open tasting; I very well could’ve stayed there all day if it weren’t for the impending appointment with the Grand Canyon. We were educated on the truth behind vinaigrettes, their origins, and how to discern between a real vin and an imposter. Fascinating. I have a form for ordering, because although snagging a bottle of $16 vinaigrette was tempting, I have no desire to check my bag at the airport on Thursday for its sake. We lunched at one of the touristiest [new word, chya….] places around, meaning the food’s well-overpriced and pretty lame at the same time.

After choking down some weak margherita pizza and what I’m convinced was just a melted craft cheese square quesadilla, we set out for the canyon of grandeur, as it should aptly be credited. We rendezvoused with Aly and another park ranger, and tailed her back into the park. [[THANKS!]]

aly | our very own park ranger!

While I was absolutely breathless by the intrinsic beauty of this national park, I was sorely disappointed that Joe couldn’t have been there to share that moment. I made myself a promise that we would take another trip out this way as a family and we would go there together. Of course, throwing in a planned hike and/or a camping trip wouldn’t hurt, either. ;) As I stood marveling at this creation whose scenery reflects the inherent spirit of the one who created it, I was refreshed. I can’t explain it, but I needed this. Thank you, Lord.

the. grand. canyon. || thank you, lord.

Here’s a true story: we’re immersed deep in elk territory, yet are still waiting to set eyes on an actual elk. So we’re driving back from the canyon, conversing about horseback riding when I spot four very large silhouettes perched on a bank right along the roadside. Before I could spit it out, we had zoomed right past the largest bull elk I’ve ever seen. We turned around just to see them again, but, instead of intelligently reacting when we spotted them the second time, we screamed at them through open windows like 12-year-olds a Bieber concert.

Not my proudest moment.

BUT, it doesn’t change the fact that we did see them and they were incredible, from their towering body size to their massive antlers. Good stuff.

Long day. National park #3, in 3 days. Tomorrow I fly back to MO/IL. It’s bittersweet.

Time to dream about the Canyon….   

xo | cmd

National Park #2 || ARIZONA!



national park #2 : painted desert & petrified forest

Our final leg of the trip into Arizona was interrupted when we whizzed past one of those telltale brown signs indicating proximity to a national park. We had to. So there we were, turning off the highway onto the entrance drive to the Petrified Forest National Park in AZ.

We ended up driving all the way through the painted desert and the petrified forest, stopping along the way to take pictures and convince Kalyn not to smuggle out a piece of shiny rock-wood for a necklace. Ha. We were shocked when we left that the park ranger’s version of inspecting our vehicle [for illegally collected items] was her saying, “Did you do any collecting today?”

“No.”

“Okay, have a great day.”

Really? Well, I guess they can’t legally force you to submit to a full search, but it seemed silly that that’s all they did to control the inventory of a national park. *Sigh.

petrified wood

petrified forest || pretty pieces

saguaro field



Moving on, we jumped back onto the road and picked back up on our planned itinerary, which meant we were headed to our final destination: Sam’s apartment. We pulled into the driveway and took deep breaths of relief that we had safely navigated our way across the country and had arrived whole. We wasted very little time unloading the mini trailor attached to Kalyn’s jeep and transferring her life into Sam’s place. Sam’s uncle Fred came by to help with the heavy lifting. Kalyn and I made dinner and then the four of us played a little pool volleyball before calling it a night.

 

Tomorrow = Grand Canyon!

**exciiiiiiiiiiiiiiited. J

xo | cmd