tucson HEAT!

No, we weren't in Tucson (and frankly, it wasn't even particularly hot this weekend). I mean THE Tucson Heat! You know...the famous basketball team....? No? Well, they're famous to us. My fave player happens to be related to me and THE Tucson Heat happened to have a basketball tournament in Phoenix this weekend. Hooray for visitors! We love visitors...if you can't tell.

I have to say, one of the best things about having siblings is their awesome friends and how you get to adopt them like they belong to you. Meggie is getting a little old for this (however I still like to claim her freshman roommate...love you, Bergie...) but Josh is a real winner. He has some of the coolest friends (the football boys), and frankly, I'd drop just about anything in a heartbeat for any of my "brothers"-from-another-mother. Laramie, Aaron, Adrian...I love these boys and am SO proud of the wonderful young men they are growing up to be. Basketball has been a new adventure for Josh and he's rocking it and making new, awesome friends. This weekend, Mom and Josh brought up Nate with them (Nate the Great). Nate's an awesome basketball player and a really nice kid. Turns out he's into cell phone hacking and he and Christian made fast friends. J - thanks for keeping great company (most of the time) and for being friends with non-turds. I understand that at this age it's kind of a difficult task. Nate - we really enjoyed having you! You're welcome anytime. Thanks for suggesting we go bowling! We had a great time for our first experience at fancy-schmancy bowling alley, Lucky Strike Lanes (ATTN: MEGAN AND KYLE - WE'RE GOING HERE).

Nate the Great

Josh's first two games were at a way cool (as in, we could never afford such a thing in Tucson...Phoenix sucks the life money out of this state) sports complex in west Phoenix that had like a million basketball courts and, more importantly, two HUGE and AWESOME turf indoor soccer courts (is it a court if it's covered in turf??). SO COOL. Like, I would maybe drive my butt all the way to Avondale to play on those bad boys.

The weekend as a whole was successful. The boys won 3 of 4 games (They lost the one I didn't make it to. Coincidence? I think not...) and Josh got a lot of playing time. He's really starting to get the hang of this ultra-competitive club basketball business. I also went to a bridal shower for one of Christian's classmates who happens to be marrying another one of his classmates who happened to start dating the first semester of medical school (did you get all of that?). Oh...and Chris happens to be a groomsman in the wedding. :) It was lovely and I enjoy spending time with such wonderful and intelligent ladies (ie: I was the only one at the shower that was not a medical student somewhere in this country). Holy cow. It also happens to be my first wedding-related experience post my own wedding, which was strange. It makes me feel old even though it just happened. It feels like it was so long ago to me! I think it's just because we've been up to so much this year. The old wedding website still keeps a convenient tally in days (149, since you were totally wondering). 5 months SAY WHAT. We have two weddings in June, including the wedding of Christian's classmates (Jenn and Warner) and the much anticipated wedding of my nursing buddy and dear friend Angela (and Seth will be there too...)!!! I am equal parts excited about Angela getting married and being reunited with my nursing school loves. I miss these girls SO MUCH.

Last but certainly not least was that Saturday marked the 24th year on this planet for my best friend, Sarah O. Sarah is an amazing friend, amazing person, and is one of the most courageous human beings I know. She takes leaps towards the life she wants (and loves) every day and I admire her SO MUCH. Sarah, every time I talk to you I hope some more of you rubs off on me. You're incredible and I love you. Thank you for always being a wonderful friend to me.

With all of that said, I hope everyone had a great weekend and is ready for the week ahead. I'm working through some school stuff and am kind of limbo-ing between everything and guess what? I'm going with the flow. It's great being surrounded by supportive people. That means YOU.

XXXOOO.
Ash, Chris, & V

P.S. This is Christian's last week of classes before he finishes his FIRST YEAR OF MEDICAL SCHOOL (happy dance!!!). How fantastic is that guy?!

P.P.S. Do yourselves a favor (if you're okay with a little...okay a lot...of raunchiness):

JUST DO IT.