In October Chris and I took our first trip without the boys since Cedric was born. We chose the Pacific Northwest because it's so completely different from where we live in Arizona. Although we're learning to love the desert we still crave trees that are tall and abundant, green, rain, cold and water. We knew we'd find it all in the Pacific Northwest. And we did. Visiting our country's national parks is something I want to spend the rest of my life doing so we set our sights on Olympic National Park with our last night in Seattle to visit... Read more →

Last Saturday, in those long hours between nap and dinner, the boys were getting restless and so was I. Chris was happy to be at home with Cedric and so Dashiell and I made plans for an outing. First, we headed to the library where we walked hand in hand through the doors and Dashiell returned our books through the slot, one by one. We stopped by the giant doll house behind glass and searched for the hidden pumpkins, as is the theme this season, before combing the shelves in the children's section. After filling our canvas bag and checking... Read more →

Last weekend, Chris and I escaped the Valley heat and spent two nights in Flagstaff, just the two of us! It was our first time to go away together since Dash was born and it. was. awesome. I took a paltry three photos so I fail as a blogger but as a gal spending a relaxing weekend with her husband I think I get an A+. The weather was perrrrrfect and by that I mean NOT HOT. I wore jeans and (!) longsleeves. The air smelled fresh and crisp and piney. We ate amazing veggie burgers and fries at Diablo... Read more →

Hi friends! This week I'm taking a little break from blogging but I wanted to pop in to say hi and wish you a happy 4th of July week if you are celebrating in the U.S. and a happy first week of July regardless. I hope you are having a fabulous summer! It's really hot here but I'm trying very hard to stay positive. Just three more months to go! (Woooooo) We've been able to enjoy being outdoors in the early morning and in the shade of the late afternoon so that is definitely helping. This week I just have... Read more →

For the past two weekends either Chris or I have been out of town and I'm so excited to have a weekend with all of Team Wharton under one roof. On Saturday, we're planning to visit the farmer's market and the nearby splash pad in the morning and in the evening we're celebrating Chris's tenure at Sleepy Dog with with friends over beer, Spinato's pizza and cupcakes! Our Sunday is gloriously plan-free; perhaps I'll make a pie and check a June goal off my list. I hope you have a lovely weekend, too! Read more →

Two weeks ago, Chris received the best possible news about his career; news that we've been anticipating for six years. Chris has been promoted from assistant to associate professor and granted TENURE! It feels like we've been talking about tenure for six years, since Chris started his job as a tenure-track professor, and discussing the possible outcomes. It's an understatement to say that it is a huge relief to have the decision behind us and for it to have been the best news. We both took last Wednesday off of work to bask in the awesomeness and go on another... Read more →

We are so lucky to have a gorgeous public library just down the road. If you didn't know already, I heart the public library with a capital HEART. I love that it's a public institution (your tax dollars at work!) dedicated to making knowledge accessible to everyone. In that way I see public libraries as essential to elevating the intelligence, creativity and empowerment of a population. Isn't that what being in a democratic society is all about? So clearly I have a bit of a crush on the library. My mom took my sister and me to our local public... Read more →

On Saturday evening we flew back home to Phoenix after a week in my hometown of Austin. As usual, I had a knot in my stomach at the airport as I anticipated leaving. It's always hard to say goodbye to my parents and sister, the house and wooded yard where I grew up, friends, and that funky city of Austin that I love so much. Even as I felt sad to leave Austin and all that I love there I started to think of the routines of home and how I thrive on them. Getting out of my routines is... Read more →

Hi friends! I had hoped to keep up the regular programming here while I'm in Austin for the week but alas! I'm not sure why I always think that somehow I'll have extra time when I'm traveling. I think I fall in love with the idea that I'll have all this time that I need to fill but of course in reality I'm enjoying visiting with my parents, seeing friends, soaking in Austin, and of course keeping up with my busy baby. I do hope one day I might get to do a little writing retreat here to my hometown.... Read more →

Chris and I both had a holiday on MLK day and so we seized the day and when on a day date, just the two of us! We left Dash with our wonderful baby sitter and went on an adventure in Phoenix. We went to Federal Pizza (sweet potato, ricotta, and fried sage pizza OMG), Churn, and The Musical Instrument Museum, which was AMAZING. Chris and I have been wanting to go since it opened in 2010 and I'm so glad we finally made it allll the way up there. The museum has instruments and videos of music being played... Read more →