Last weekend a miracle occurred: Andrew and I BOTH had a 3 day weekend off work.
(OK, actually, I had a chance to 2nd shoot a wedding, but I chose to spend the weekend with the hubs instead).

So with this wealth of time, we decided to go to Phoenix – to visit my parents, for the Fourth of July, and to celebrate both Andrew’s and my mom’s birthdays.

Early (too early) Friday morning, we piled our clothes and technology gadgets into my truck for the 6 hour drive across the desert. Listened to several podcasts, listened to several CDs, I read a bit, didn’t sleep even though I wanted to, Del Taco for lunch….. and arrived in Phoenix around 1p.

Just in time for Andrew to jump in the pool.

He spent much of the weekend in the pool.

My parents had been planning to take us to Richardson’s for awhile. Spicy food, New Mexican cuisine. Right up Andrew’s alley.

The specials are up on the wall on a chalkboard and (seriously) EVERYTHING sounds good…. the grilled salmon, the steak, the pizzas, the salads, … after looking at the menu for a bit I had my choices narrowed down to about 12 different dishes…

Obviously we need to visit again …

My dad got BBQ Chicken pizza …

I got this combo platter with a sirloin quesadilla, bacon wrapped shrimp, New Mexican sausages and (super spicy) rice and beans …

Andrew’s: a pork chop stuffed with chorizo, and a green chile stuffed w/ baked potato …

(for some reason I don’t have a pic of my mom’s dish, but she got a fish trio platter)

me & my BFF

after dinner pics …
(isn’t Andrew’s arm ridiculously tan?)

My mom had bought a special dessert for Andrew’s birthday … (fake) Dippin’ Dots! The Ice Cream of the Future. …. One of Andrew’s faves …

Although, frankly, it’s a strange dessert that you have to bang against the countertop to make it more appetizing .. .

Cookies and Cream and Banana Split

(my dad was very confused …. wait, what are you doing? what is that? is that ice cream?)

Then the 4 of us went out back …. feet in the pool … sunset in the sky above …eating our dippin’ dots …

Such a relaxing evening (after the 6 hour drive) ….