Grateful for Talia, her birthday, and Phoenix

In this season of gratitude, I am thankful for our Talia Lily.  A week ago this beautiful gal turned fourteen.

Time just won't hold still!  Our blonde babe still loves apples but does a much better job of chewing with her mouth closed these days.

To celebrate, Talia, Jason, and Eli took a short trip to Phoenix for the weekend.  While I haven't been inside myself, the new terminal of the Salt Lake City airport looks beautiful.

Talia admires the inside while Eli checks out the demolition outside.

It's not every day you get to see a wrecking ball in-motion.

The mighty saguaro--a tell-tale sign you're far from home.

Fortunately for us, this beautiful landscape is home for Aunt Christy and Uncle Ben.  First order of business was a hike with Aunt Christy.

The Arizona sky is just incredible.

Eli, Talia, and the glory of a sunset.

After a delicious dinner, it was game time with Ben and Christy.  Better cover those assets!

Eli, sleeping casual.

Hairy evidence of a great night's sleep.

Second breakfast: chilaquiles.  Oh my delicious!  Ben and Eli roasted tomatillos, jalapenos, habaneros, and garlic to make their own salsa.  Eli declared it "the best savory breakfast I've ever had." 

Next order of business: a bike ride along the canal.

These strong folks went for a four-six mile trail run as well.  Rumor has it that the distance varied depending on whether or not you lost the path.  Look really closely and you can spy Talia as a speck among the cacti.

For their next project, Talia and Eli helped build a couple of cat houses.

These fine residences are for a couple feline friends that Ben and Christy are looking after.  Their neighborhood has an assortment of feral cats that roam the backyards.

Sheba and Socks took to their new residences right away.  Sheba seems the right name for this royal beauty.

Apparently they invited their friends as well, because last I talked to Christy, they had four cats hanging out in the backyard.  

Truth to be told, the house in Utah was way too quiet with half the family gone.  I really missed them!  While they would have loved to stay in Phoenix for longer, I was so glad to have them home in time for Talia's birthday on Sunday. 

Our birthday festivities were quite simple, mainly because Talia's birthday fell smack-dab in the middle of the governor's order banning social gatherings outside of immediate family.  We started off the morning with a giant pile of crepes.  Delicious!

Next up was presents.  Our crafty Talia was super-excited for this quilting kit from the Andruses and Wilhoits.  

Annika and Jason, wishing Talia many happy returns.

For dinner, Talia requested her favorite butternut squash soup.  Topped off with homemade bread and some bubbly, it was the perfect celebration.

Daddy Jason admires his not-so-little girls.

Talia Lily, you are thoughtful, insightful, creative, and beautiful inside and out.  Thank you for blessing our family for these fourteen years.  Cheers to many, many more!  #GiveThanks