2009 was an amazing year

WOW 2009 is almost over!
2009 represents a big stepping stone in the life long path we are walking together.I really have to admit 2009 was one of the most amazing years. It came with many firsts. January 3rd 2009 Greg proposed to me up in Sedona on Devils Bridge and I have to say it all started from there;)We started planning the most amazing destination wedding. I married my best friend in May. We had family and friends visiting us or we were visiting them almost every single month of 09. Ryan moved to Israel and started his new journey in life. We were very blessed this last year and it is emotional to see it pass us by. We wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year!!!!!

First Cardinals Football Game 09

Tony and Heather spoiled us this Christmas. We went tailgating and to our first Cardinals Football game. We had a blast! We had great seats, well a few great seats ate some awesome HOT jalepenos, enjoyed the comments the lady behind us kept shouting out from our our second seats and had a great time hanging out with Tony and Heather's families. We are so thankful to have you all close by! The Cardinals won, but I also have to point out that the Patriots won this day too;)Yes I am a Patriots fan and that makes Greg a Patriots fan, he has no choice. So wearing another teams shirt was hard, but since it was Kurt Warner we made an exception;)

Christmas 2009

We kicked off the Holiday parties at Greg's cousin Tony's New house for a Christmas Eve get together. Tony and his family put together a few different types of soups and sandwiches. We hung out for a few hours with friends and family. Of course I may have had one to many Christmas treats;) I experimented this year and made Andes mint chocolate chip cookies. I'm a big fan;) For Christmas our Neighbourhood just went all out for lights! I felt like every house was a Griswold house!Greg and I were able to spend Christmas morning together. Like every year we felt like kids opening our gifts. I really enjoy the "guessing" game, since a lot of times you will find rocks or something crazy to throw you off track in the box:) Greg really spoiled me this year. I am in love with the beautiful necklace he bought. He has such good taste:) And I was VERY surprised:) We were very thankful for our family and friends and their thoughtfulness. We wish we could of been there to share the day with them but we were happy to at least be able to talk on Skype. We chatted with my brother in Israel.We found out he had received our Christmas package a few days before, we were worried it wouldn't show up in time. He said he was the only guy that had gifts to open. I miss him so much but I know he is doing what he loves:) Later Christmas day we made Ham and all the traditional items. We relaxed on the couch with Abby until we began the Martini Christmas. Chocolate martinis for Mara and I;) We played a few games and really had a relaxing evening. We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Spirit in Flagstaff AZ

Last weekend Greg and I drove up to Flagstaff AZ. We were hoping to snowboard but only part of the resort was open and the snow was not the best. So we decided to shop the little stores downtown.
The drive up to Flagstaff was gorgeous as always. We passed the decorated Christmas tree on I17 North. It is just a pine tree that someone decorates each year. I have tried looking up a story behind it but I havent had any success. It really added some charm to the drive. I tormented Greg with non stop Christmas music as well:)
The temperature was perfect. It was in the 50's, still a little chilly for me anymore. So Greg and I found a cute coffee shop and started on our hunt for the perfect First Christmas together ornament.
We found some great decor in the Armadilla Wax Works store as well as PJ Chilcottage. The old town shops downtown Flagstaff remind me of Main st in Cedar Falls.

We met up with Gregs cousin Tony and his Girlfriend Heather. Though Greg and I weren't finding any ornaments we liked we did find a Christmas Wookie as we were getting our picture taken. Actually it was supposed to be someone dressed up as big foot. The wookie was handing out fliers for the restaurant Bigfoot BBQ which is downstairs from the store PJ Chilcottage.
We relaxed,ate some wings, warmed up, watched football and then headed out for a few drinks.
We walked around in the now teen temps and enjoyed the christmas lights. We took pictures under the pine cone at the Historic Weatherford Hotel. They drop the pinecone for New Years. The weatherford was known as one of the finest hotels in the west, and Wyatt Earp even stayed there.It seems to be haunted as well, they say there is a ghost of a bride that roams the halls. The hotel opened New Years day in 1900.

Greg and I had tried to get tickets for the Christmas Story at the Doris Harper-White Theatre. They told us it was all sold out but that we could be put on a waiting list. Well it turns out that Heather's Grandmother is Doris! So with her help we were able to get in to the sold out show!! It was a full house. Everyone did an amazing job.
The Flagstaff trip really made it feel like Christmas time;) Thanks to Tony and Heather for showing us a great time in Flagstaff!
Christmas always gets me in the baking mood!! Greg made his tasty Chex Mix mixture and I made some fun snowman cupcakes. We were like little kids frosting all of our little sugar cookies. Of course we couldn't eat them all ourselves so we have been sharing the pounds, I mean cookies with everyone else too;)
I was a little bummed that I didnt find the perfect ornament and I made a comment to my friend Alicia in Massachusetts. Well Alicia surprised us and sent a small gift. She was on the hunt as well and sent us the most beautiful ornament! I thought it was the most thoughtful gift and actually got emotional when I opened it. It is something we will always cherish. Thank you so much!

We wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas!!!!

Fun small projects

Just having fun with the sewing machine;)Knotted blankets are more work than I thought but still pretty snuggly:)

Beautiful December Sunrise

The first photo is from our back balcony, the second is from our Guest Bathroom window. The picture doesn't even capture what I saw this morning. It was just gorgeous.

A week of fun with Dad

The day the Caldwells all flew out my Dad Thom flew in. It was fun to have family here around the Holidays.
I was able to take my last vacation day Friday to spend time with my dad while he was in town. The long weekend was nice.
For those who were not aware I applied for an internal position and found out Thursday afternoon that I received the job;) So Dad and I were able to celebrate the good news Thursday evening with a few cocktails:)
Friday was a long day for us. We spent a lot of time at the design studio getting things in order for my parents home that they are building here in Arizona. It was really a neat experience to be a part of. Ill let them share details.
Plus my dad had rented a car so he could buzz around town while Greg and I were working so he drove all day Friday. I was able to sit back and relax;)
We stopped to visit Greg at the branch while he was working. I gave Dad a branch tour and we headed out for lunch at Oregano's. If you have never been to this restaurant I suggest you find your local one and head there immediately;) The food is great and the atmosphere is energetic. It was a great way to break up our appointments for the day. I really had a great time just hanging out one on one with my dad;)
After we entertained ourselves driving in circles we dropped the rental car off and realized we should probably head home since it was almost 7pm;) Time flies when your having fun!
Saturday we cooked a turkey to prep for Turkey noodle soup so the house smelt like Thanksgiving all over again! We made home made noodles as well. Lil Abby gained the most weight out of all of us I would guess. Grandpa Thom spoiled the heck out of her!
Greg and I had our company Christmas party Saturday night so all three of us headed out for a night of bowling;) It actually was really fun! It was nice to visit with everyone in a relaxing atmosphere. I don't see professional bowling in my future any time soon, though I was happy to break 100 the second game. We had fun that was the main point.After bowling we went to Rustlers Rooste steakhouse for drinks. They had amazing appetizers! Not to mention the view of downtown! Priceless! Greg and I are already planning our next dinner date for this location! You can take a virtual tour on their website http://www.rustlersrooste.com/
Sunday was spent enjoying our new fridge and eating homemade turkey noodle soup with homemade gravy and taters!

Dad experienced a normal AZ winter;) Sunshine, warmth, chilly evenings, rain for one day and then blue skies the next:) He also was a trooper and went to the mall with me to pick up some things for Greg. He did much better than I did haha Of course the Yankee candle store makes everything better. Our house seriously smells like Christmas now:)
Greg and I are truly blessed with some great friends and a wonderful family:) It really was wonderful to have everyone visit;)

Abbys 11th birthday

December 1st our lil Abby turned 11 years old. She is our princess and since shes such a good snuggler she received a snuggie for her birthday. She wears it all the time;) Such a spoiled lil Bizz. We love her!!

2 1/2 weeks of BUSY fun!

The last few weeks have been great!
Gregs sister Jama and father Craig flew in to Phoenix the Sunday before Thanksgiving. His mom Jan flew in the day before Thanksgiving.
They all kept themselves entertained. Craig was nice and mowed our lawn as well as trimmed the hedge. Our yard boy "Rico" aka Greg may have a run for his money;)
This was Greg and I's first time hosting Thanksgiving. I was up around 430-5am to prep and start some casseroles. Greg and I stuffed the bird with red apples, carrots and celery!! It was yummy and moist!! I have to say we make a great team:) We had plenty of food for sure. The only thing I will remember for next year, whoever bakes and cooks does not have to clean up! To cook for almost 7 hours, eat for 20 mins and clean for another hour can really take a lot out of a person!:) Thankfully Gregs Uncle Mike came up with the great idea to have a Cornhole tournament. Not only did this get our energy level up it helped burn off some of the extra poundage we packed on:) This is the first Turkey day ever that I never once took a nap:) Congrats to Mike on winning the Tournament..........just wait until next year:)
Greg and I set up Christmas with Craig and Jan. It made me wish family lived closer so we could have traditions like this in years to come. With family being out of state and out of country we have found comfort in using Skype. So we were able to chat with my brother Ryan in Israel and hear all about his Turkey day experience and man did he have an experience! lets just say he had one of the freshest turkeys ever;)

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we headed to Greg's cousin Tony's new place for a nice dinner party. It allowed the Caldwells to get the tour of Tony's new pad and for me to eat Janet's yummy brownies! Tony was a great host as always. It sounded like he was able to get some amazing black Friday deals!
This year I did venture out with jan and Jama for christmas sales. Normally I order online and avoid the mall like the plague. It may be because I worked at the mall for so many years that I just cant stand the crowds! Everyone should really work retail around the holidays to get an appreciation of what those employees go thru. Remember the next time your checking out, just smile whether they are or not, you NEVER KNOW what they just had to go thru or discovered in the fitting room!!!!!
Jama and I ended the Caldwell visit with a nice hike at the White tank mountains. We took the waterfall trail but there was no water, big surprise;) Of course after last nights nasty rain fall I'm sure it is flooded up there:)
I hope everyone had a safe Holiday!