Only in Chicago: 

Pedestrian killed by Metra train

So last night I got a text from Ryan, he was on the train coming back from work and said "we just hit a person", I said "what?" he said "the train just hit a pedestrian". Woa, crazy. So we texted back and forth about what that meant, and after about 15 minutes I was out the door, going to rescue my man from being stranded in the middle of no-where because the train was going to be delayed 2 hours.  On my way out there I thought "ONLY in Chicago (or I guess a big city with trains) would this happen!" We took one of Ryan's co-workers home as well, and we talked about how crazy the whole thing was. Ryan said it was weird because they even have an automatic recording announcing when the train has hit a pedestrian. How often does this happen that they need a PRE-RECORDED message? Well, I got my answer this morning when I checked the news:

Tribune report

7:58 a.m. CST, January 14, 2011

An outbound Metra train on the Union Pacific/West Line hit and killed a pedestrian near the Kedzie station about 6:45 a.m.  Trains on the line were halted for about an hour, resuming by 7:50 a.m.  Service was still behind schedule, said Metra spokesman Tom Miller. He said it would take about an hour for normal service to resume.
Train No. 15 had been scheduled to arrive in Elburn at 7:50 a.m.  The Cook County medical examiner's office was notified of the death, but had no more information.

Another person was hit and killed just this morning! Is this a daily occurrence for the Metra train?? 

New Years Eve 
Final Photos of AZ

I know, you're probably thinking, how could there be any more photos?? :)  Well, I can't leave out NYE!! Here are the final photos... with captions because I can't think of anything right now to put inside of this post! Its been a LONG week and I'm excited for the WEEKEND in Chicago with my Ryan.

Mesa Temple during the day-- great NYE activity :) It was packed inside which was so cool to see. This temple is gorgeous, I am so glad we made sure we went.

The sun was not in the right spot for a picture...so we had to make do!

Aunt Julie's GORGEOUS roses. The first thing I noticed when we pulled up to their house, seriously love them.

Wanting roses like this in my yard; oh wait, we don't have a yard, my balcony??

Happy New Year!!! Devin and Lisette hosted NYE this year and it was SO MUCH FUN! I love NYE with the cousins.

Aunt Dee Dee made sure we had plenty of FUN games to play...

And of course Rock Band occupied the boys for most of the night.

Ty and his pipes.

I loved how into it they got- it was awesome!

Jayden ALMOST made it to midnight with us! He was a party animal.

The Lovely Ladies...and the food!! :)

Happy New Years!!!

On New Years Day we took Nanny and Popsie to lunch at a pizza place in downtown Tempe and then headed over to the Airport. Skyharbor airport was EMPTY (literally) it was awesome!! No lines for security at all. It was a quick and easy flight back to Chicago and back to reality.

Remember that time Ryan got Bucked?
Just another day at Stapley Ranch.

 Uncle Brent, Aunt Julie and Sheree were so sweet and took us horseback riding our first day in Mesa at their Ranch. It was so fun to meet their horses and learn how to ride!!

Fresh eggs every day -- can you imagine? I'm totally jealous!

Aren't they cute?

DK getting to know me a little better.

Sheree's horse Trigger.

I love their saddles.

I thought I could ride DK.

They love each other.

Ok, so here's the story. Ryan got a little cocky riding and his horse could sense it, so seconds later he was on the ground--- I tried to catch him mid-air falling...but he was so spry that he was up before I knew it! It was awesome. Thanks for the great memories, babe.

Sweet hat, right?

Getting to know DK.

Ryan taking control.

Ryan feeling confident.

DK feeling confident.

See Tom in the corner? He caught it all on TAPE.

Sheree trying to talk all of us into getting back in the saddle.

I stepped up and decided to ride Gomer and we got along just fine. Since it was my first time riding in about 20 years I think I did pretty well :) I can't wait for next time!

Concentrating WAY too hard!! :)

 

Thanks for a great day!!!!

 Thanks Uncle Brent, Aunt Julie and Sheree!!

Mesa Temple. 

Holiness to the Lord, House of the Lord.

Our first day in Mesa we spent the afternoon catching up Nanny and Popsie and the rest of the Merrill/Stapley fam. It was so fun to just hang out with everyone. We went to BBQ Joes for dinner which was amazing, and then headed over to the Mesa Temple grounds to see the Christmas lights. This was my first time at the Mesa Temple and it was gorgeous. I loved it all. The orange trees, palm trees, multiple nativities, and especially the temple and the reflecting pool. I loved walking hand in hand with Ryan around the grounds and thinking about the true meaning of Christmas. 

 

Sedona. 
A little piece of Heaven. (warning: long post ahead)

We decided go on a road trip to Arizona to see the Merrill side of the family the week after Christmas. It was pretty fun to go on a long trip as adults. Ryan's mom rented a minivan, and off we went. I took a few pictures of the beautiful mountain scenery while we drove down...

 
Our pit stop on the way to Mesa was Sedona. The Merrills love Sedona, and have family reunions there each fall. However, this was my first time in Sedona and I fell in love. It probably helps that we got there just as the sun was setting on the Redrock Mountains.

That night we went to Tlaquepaque to see the Christmas lights. I love all of the decorations in the courtyards, and especially the Christmas light contest in the neighborhood nearby. I wish all neighborhoods got this into Christmas!!

Love the poinsettias  on the chandelier!

This one was funny...

Who doesn't love Alvin? Christmas, Christmas hurry fast...

Awesome Shag Wagon.

My favorite.

Cute Gazebo lit up in Green and Red lights.

Me and Woody.

The whole Fam.

Sweet Carousel.

In Sedona the Redrock canyons are so beautiful and I loved all the artsy shops and boutiques. There were tons of hiking trails you could go on, but the only hiking we did was Ryan and I at 7am when we went on a morning stroll.

Sunrise.

Which trail?

Can you see my shadow? :)

I love all the cactus!

Morning glory :)

There is a church that's carved into a redrock mountain, so we drove up to check it out. There were tons of people up there, but I soon realized they were there for the view and not the church-- it definitely left something to be desired.

Prickly Pear...or something like that.

Family Shot.

Olivia and Jarron.

Our stay in Sedona was short and sweet and I can't wait to go back!