Cheaters Never Propser

It's November first and we are still wearing shorts and t-shirts:

Taken November 1st (this just doesn't seem right, I should be wearing three layers!)

I feel as though we have cheated winter and having an extended summer. Which is why I am starting to worry about where will we end up moving in January. I'm starting to think that our punishment for cheating winter will be a move to Alaska. However, I'm banking on the fact that Karma doesn't know how good of a cheater I am (see any member of my family for details on this)

We have been taken advantage of the wonderful weather by doing lots of out-doorsy things, such as jet skiing. We went jet skiing when we were down in Florida, which means we were in the same water as alligators.

Kevin was not allowed under any circumstance to throw me off the jet ski. I could have been eaten alive! (I have very sweet blood - they can smell it, you know) The alligators turned out to be too fast to catch on video, but we did find something else....

We plan on taking lots of advantage of the weather before shipping off to Alaska!

Remember The Lions

This past weekend Kevin and I got to go out to Florida to watch Trevor and his fellow lions, of Oviedo High School, lay the smack down on Hagerty (a big rival school.) It also happened to be Trevor's senior night, and my first ever high school football game. So when you add the two together, it made for a very exciting evening! Which will hopefully explain the following videos:

I learnt a valuable lesson from this video: don't be embarrassed to just keep filming. What you miss here is the commentator announcing Kevin as older brother "Keevie" and then the longest most awkward pause: "and wife Nicole." I also missed us all shaking the coaches hands and me proclaiming that: "we are just SO proud"

A few things here: a) the players go from linking arms to holding hands (which made me feel very uncomfortable. Note Trevor was not touching anyone!) and b) that yes I did scream rather loud when the canyon went off....it was so unexpected.

One Hump Or Two?

Camelback Mountain is a very popular hike here in Phoenix. It is just one mile to the top, which doesn't sound very hard, but when that one mile is at a 100% incline, up medium sized boulders and an increase of 1100 feet in altitude (facts obtained and then exaggerated from Kevin's gps watch), things become more challenging.

It was super bright up there - hence squinting!

Camelback on Camelback. Despite what you may think, this in not a bum bag (or that heinous word you Americans use to describe it). It's my water carrying pouch!

Rather large Saguaro (or for you non-desert experts: cacti)

Demonstration of steepness:

My little 2-mile-round-trip hike though is nothing compared to my mother who just hiked 70 miles across Spain. She and a friend decided to go on a Pilgrimage in Northern Spain (apparently you spend less time in purgatory this way.) So for the last week they carried all their belongings on their backs, slept in monasteries and struggled along the Pilgrims trail. I find it very hard to believe my mother did this, I personally think she spent the last week at a resort and spa. I need photographic evidence!

Hip Hip Hooray

Hip hip hooray,

Kevy had a birthday!

One more year old,

Life is just beginning to unfold.

And still decades away from the gray.

The day was lots of fun,

And would probably equate a home run.

He received lots of stuff,

27 candles did he puff,

Getting them all out in one!

Apparently the theme for this birthday was the colour red! In true Saltzman tradition he had to try on all his new clothes. However if you look quickly, it looks like he is just wearing the same thing and I take too

many photos of him.

Kevy had many birthday requests, one of which was that we all played Settlers of Catan! And since we are all such a loving family, we let him win (although I don't think Katie was too happy about it)

And this is because: being sung to isn't awkward enough:

Judgemental

Yesterday we were offered third row seats to the WNBA playoffs....The Phoenix Mercury against the San Antonio Silver Stars (who's job is it to name these teams?)

Black Jerseys = Silver Stars. White Jerseys = The Mighty Mercury

We went with the attitude of considering our appearance to be similar to community service. Someone needs to support them, right? But we ended up having a really good time.

The game was really intense, and I ended up getting far too in to it. And am embarrassed to say I would go again.

My biggest regret was not having my video camera. The WNBA has a very interesting fan-base, who offered countless amazing footage moments. I may have matched the fans in intensity but there were many other things that separated me from them. Such as: a biker chain, an Ellen DeGeneres hair cut, oh and a husband.

This is Charles Barkley one of the top 50 players of all time. I learnt that if someone points out Charles Barkley in a crowd full of Basketball fans and you go "Gnarles Barkley, where?" The person in front of you will turn around, and give you a very dirty look, and Kevin will have to jump in and explain that you are from England and don't know too much about basketball.

Moral of the story: Don't judge basketball by who is playing it. A good game, is still a good game. (Kevin will pretend he doesn't agree with this statement, but I saw how much fun he had last night. Don't let him tell you otherwise)

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to me! I have now been in America for 5 years. Look at me go.

I moved to America at the beginning of September 5 years ago, into my far-too-small dorm-room at David-John Hall. Much has changed since then, but it has been a wonderful 5 years. So to celebrate I have dedicated the whole of September to my anniversary (think of me what you will.)

So far to celebrate we have been country dancing. We had lessons beforehand from an old G-pa Cowboy. We quickly became friends and he started using me in all the demos. He liked to come around and critique us as we were dancing. Apparently I bob around too much. He suggested I keep my upper body still and take smaller steps; "save some energy for when you get home."

We also went out for some good old American BBQ, at a small whole in the wall known as Stacey's. It has been voted number 1

BBQ in Phoenix, and I now understand why. Nothing like good ol' fashioned smoked BBQ ribs, served to you by someone with a hic accent to let you know your in America.

To accompany the celebrations I have been increasing my American knowledge by reading about Abraham Lincoln. My knowledge on America is somewhat embarrassing. I also plan on being able to label a map of America before the month is out.

Since we are only half way through September there is still plenty more time for celebration. I just need to think of more American activities....Ameritivties?

(ps. I still love England, as is evident by my past costumes for halloween.)

Spot The Difference

Kevin and I went for a bike ride with Sean (Kevin's cousin-in-law) on monday, the difference between biking in Arizona and Utah was HUGE!

Can you spot all the differences?

1. No dad in Arizona

2. Kevin's and my outfits don't match

3. My jersey, well Kevin's, is way too big (hint hint, Dad)

4. Lush green v. desert waste land.

5. Cacti! If you look carefully you can see them in the background, they were everywhere!

6. I had to carry my own backpack with Kevin!

7. Kevin is sporting his Cougar pride (he actually got a few comments from fellow riders)

8. There are clouds in Utah!

As fun as it was, 20 miles in the super heat isn't necessarily my first choice to spend a holiday. Maybe next time only 10 miles?