My Friend Arizona

My Friend, Arizona has been in Illinois for over a week.  She is here under sad circumstances.  I had dinner with her and her family last week.  Today on our 12th Friendaversary, she brought her husband and boys to visit us. 
Twelve years ago today, Arizona and I walked into work for our first day of training.  My first impression of Arizona was, oh no, she has a pierced tongue.  When someone has a pierced tongue or face, I cannot take my eyes off of it.  No matter how much I try, going to be staring at that tongue.  Next I was amazed by her beautiful hair.  Most of the time she keeps it put up, when it is down it is something! 
We were hired to work in the same department.  We sat together in training and the friendship began.  After the orientation we were seated next to each other in our department.  It did not take us long to figure out we had quite a bit in common.  We loved to make each other laugh.  We loved to find goofy ways to have fun while we worked.  Twelve years later, I can still count her as one of the special people in my life.  Twelve years ago, she was not a "kid" person.  She did not see herself as someone that would be responsible for a child.  Today she is a Mom to two beautiful boys.  Not just a Mom, a great Mom.  Here are some candids from our visit tonight:

 Hard to get a picture of SBR.  Her eldest son.  He stayed busy.  Very quietly busy.  He is too pretty to be a boy.

 The Kid was very well behaved tonight.  He got out his cars for all the little ones to play with.  He loved Baby Arizona.  Impossible not to.  He is a happy baby.  Here he is trying to stand up.  I will not show the picture of his Mommy knocking him down so he does not grow up too fast.  (I'm kidding!)

 Here is SBR with Coco.  She and Tink had friends over to play all afternoon.  Looks like things got out of control in the very pink room.  Not sure why she is pulling her dress up.  Sorry Arizona.  You read the blogs.  You know Coco is a mess.

 Here is my normally precious, Tink.  She was not so precious tonight.  After a long day with friends, she did not show a cute side.  She growled at people.  She did not want to share.  She tormented.  She refused to listen.  Not a side of the Tink I want to see.

 Here I am with the happy, happy, baby.  Look at that face.  If he would have cuddled, I would have chewed on those cheeks. 

 The Kid was playing photographer.  Here is a great smile!

 This is a hot mess.  She is telling a story to Arizona.  Probably something she completely made up.

 Together again!  Celebrating our Friendaversary.  Love that face.  I would not chew on her cheeks.  Arizona is married to a very handsome man.  I did not take his picture.  I should have taken a family picture of them. 

 Here is SBR again.  Very well behaved.  He has a Mommy's beautiful eyes.  Love!

 This is how the little guy crawls.  Sits on his bottom and scoots.  The Kid had never seen a baby do this.  He took a good picture.  Amazing how quickly this gorgeous baby was able to scoot around.

Love you and your beautiful family Arizona.  You know my number if you need me.  Kisses and hugs to all of you.  The 12th Friendaversary gift is chicken.  It was delicious.