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!