A turkey, some trotting, and a day with the Duffins

So I am a bit behind...and backwards when it comes to posting on this blog. First Christmas and now Thanksgiving. I am proud to report that I actually got my butt up out of bed Thanksgiving morning and went and ran the Mesa Turkey Trot. I did the 3K fun run...which actually was kinda fun. After a quick rest and a shower we headed south to Casa Grande to spend Thanksgiving with the recently re-located Duffins. We had lots of yummy food and snapped some great pics.

Christmas in Iowa

We were so blessed (thanks mom and dad) to spend Christmas in Iowa with my brother and his family. It was truly one of the most fun family trips to date. There was lots of snow, lots of food, and lots of family fun. Alex absolutely LOVED seeing his cousins Jack and Ethan. He thinks they rock! They had loads of fun building lincoln log houses, playing hide-n-seek and Aelx's favorite...SLEDDING! (He also loved playing Dr. Alex with his super-cool Auntie Shannon who is an RN at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines). Emma loved getting to know the "Haller boys" and getting lots of love and attention from everyone. MayMay and Bompy had fun too...and shed a few tears at the thought of eveyone together for the holidays. Even Brian got to participate in some traditional Iowa activities ( specifically...shoveling snow!)

TV Days of Christmas

I must admit, one of my favorite things about the holidays are all the Christmas specials on TV. True, most of them have nothing to do with the reality of what Christmas truly is--a day to celebrate the birth of the Savior, but I like them just the same. They give me that "no place like home feel" and I recall memories of watching them with my family as a kid. This year has been fun as Alex has now joined me in my quest to watch as many hokey "Santa movies" ( as he calls them) as possible.

The days before Christmas.....

Life is crazy! Or maybe I am crazy. I sit down to do something and my mind starts to wander and the next thing I know 2 hours have past and all I've done is watch mindless TV and eat reduced-fat wheat thins. Maybe I am just in Christmas overload since we'll be spending the holidays in Iowa. My house is decorated..no tree due to aforementioned holiday travel...my Christams cards are purchased ( but not addressed or sent due to impending Duffin family photo shoot. I bought all my "Arizona people" gifts. Hmmmm....maybe I am not crazy...maybe I am just exhausted!! That sounds much better.

Book Club Beauties

The above pic was taken at our semi-annual ( read: whenever we can get away) bookclub overnighter in Payson.We had a fabulous time and at the most yummy food.I took pictures of the food but can't get my computer to give them up so I can post them here. Why am I forever technically challenged?? We slept in, went antiquing and returned home refuled and ready to rock..actually I was ready for a nap but my kids had other ideas.

Halloween 2007

My two cutie tooties all ready for trick-or-treating. Alex had a blast, although he pooped out pretty soon. Emma had fun riding in the stroller and checking out all the costumes. Can't wait for next year...we scored big on some post Halloween costumes!

Soccer Mom

I am officially a soccer mom. Alex started soccer last week. He's on a team of 4-5 year olds....8 boys and 3 girls. Their uniforms are green & yellow. I think they are calling themselves the green alligators...or crocodiles, lizards...it keeps changing. Sadly we missed the first game (hence no cutie picture of Alex). Games are on Saturday's so look for photos next week. Alex loves playing with the other kids and actually does a good job manuvering the ball and following the number one rule of soccer...."No touching the ball with your hands mom!".