christmas 2011

happy winter solstice....brrrr

Joe's Farm Grill out in gilbert is fast becoming my favorite go-to spot. A perfect place to celebrate the winter solstice with my now intact family.

Gourmet yumminess tastes even better - if that is possible- when eaten out in the orange groves.

Hmmmmm...building a snowman or climbing an orange tree. They each have their moment, but I am with Preston on this gorgeous day.

here is an idea !

I pulled up behind this car...and light went off...here is the vanity plate I should get.

" 6 COCKS"

What do you think?!

ok, this was way fun !! On our way to get a christmas tree we stopped by a you-pick-it orange grove. For $5 you get this orange sack and then go out in the groves and pick various citrus to your hearts content. My heart was Bursting with content!! The orange smell alone was so darling. But to be out in the sunshine in december...divine. Great new tradition.

The plantation shutters got lit up ( have you seen the "mad men" blue leather chair?! I love it.)

The front door went gold, jingly festive.

And..ta da..the two palm trees that we now own got their own lights!!

Next year we are going to tackle the cactus !!

Feliz Navidad !!

A truly fun part of moving - no, not the unpacking - is a new way of seeing christmas. Even traditions and old decorations take on a new glow. And our decorations have some miles on them. I remember where they sat in Reno, or San Carlos or Wilsonville...and now here they are in Ahwatukee..hello Santa.

Nice day for an outing

who would you choose ?

Preston chose the giraffe.

I don't think that I have ever gone to the zoo ( and carousel ) at christmastime!

grateful for thanksgiving in hawaii

Pick your Quirk

Some people call them "pet peeves", I prefer quirks. Something that inexplicably gets jammed in your brain and you can't shake it out. Mine is daylight savings time. You too ?!!! Well, I beat this bugger..I simply moved to Arizona where they know what is what. No changing time here for No reason. Every 6 months it drove me crazy to Have to change my time - I didn't want to, but try as I might it was a very hard thing to boycott. The cute little rhyme just confused me more. And if I really tried to "wrap my mind around it" I got dizzy. Easier to move to Arizona. I hear that Hawaii doesn't change either..another nice option. I woke up such a happier person, and no one heard me screaming," Kevin, did you change This clock?!" I am all about making life a little easier.

Ok..moving onto something with a tad more substance. The most incredible thing happened last night. I was clearly recognized for my dessert making skills. It was at a Ward Family Home evening held at the park. They have it on the first monday of every month. Alpine wards take note...they served hotdogs and dessert. Thats it..no vegetable plates, no sides, no sign ups or "ask these people to bring dishes so we can get them there". No posters, no flyers..nada. And no one was complaining about the meal. There was a prayer on the food but then no program of any kind!! The turn out was good. Men folk were playing basketball, just playing not some tournament thing set up. And then people started asking who made the tres leche cake. At first it simply made my heart sing, but then people were really talking about it. I would hear, "oh, you've got to try that cake." This happens to my good friends and daughters..but not me. As Porter once lovingly said," your desserts always taste good,but they look like hell." Ok, this tres leche cake was not a stunner either but the taste was apparently spot on. Oh, and the other thing is that the sista's down here don't do" homemade". You show up at events and its all costco pie this and Safeway brownies that. Two people had even brought nothing-bundt-cakes, and they were still choosing mine!! Brought a tear to my eye. It is not a huge thing, but I am going to take it.

All this because I finally don't have to reset my clocks. It is MY time you know.

hello november

Halloween was fun this year..except for two pumpkins missing. Arizonians get INTO this holiday. They come out of there houses - it being delightfully "cool" now ( 82 today)- and sit on their front porches with fellow neighbors and pass out candy. They visit while the kids trick or treat. They decorate their houses up too. We sat in our living room with the door wide open and Preston gave out candy after he was done with walking our neighborhood.

Denver was an Unbelievably good sport. We decided that Buddy the Elf was the perfect costume for him..but we couldn't talk him into it. But he did go for the Pillsbury doughboy hat that hasn't seen the light of halloween since Kevin wore it back in 2002. Harrison had two buddies from school and Denver ( never one to make plans ) went out with them. Someone asked him if he was the dad !! And Denver just takes it in stride. Plus neighbors were very generous with him..so who cares if they think your a dad?!

Devin is putting this on her blog too..but I took the picture and love it..so it goes on mine as well. Porter is the other good sport in the family. He went as a pepsi can -of course. We don't go all out on costumes. Oh, random tag-on. Harrisons Jr. Varsity soccer team won the championship last week. They had a "banquet and awards" and Harr received, "the team hippie". The only LDS boy on the team, and he is seen as a hippie. Interesting. Probably has to do with his hair, but I believe it is more because of his groovy thoughts.

autumn in arizona

It is a different autumn for us this year. Today was the kick-off Farmers Market in Scottsdale..the beginning of the season ?! The nights have cooled down, but the days still beg for the AC to be on. Being outside is lovely. The ward had its "trunk or treat" tonight and we ate dinner outside before the kidlets paraded around the parking lot. Last time I went to one of these parties was with Devin and Kelly back in Reno. I was with Devin and Kelly again..plus a few other little goblins tonight. Preston chose to be Santa Claus. I made the beard.

Cooper was a darling monster. The fur became too much and he went down to a onesie. Ok, this costume would have been perfect back on chilly halloween nights in Utah. And the little fairy foo-foo that we would have to cover up with winter coats, would be ideal here!

Jane made a precious elf to her brother Santa. Mom and dad have reindeer antlers to round out the theme. Despite how cute she looked - and the heat hadn't even hit her yet - the costume was OFF before we were even in line for dinner. Jane has a mind of her own...and if she didn't want to wear that costume at that particular time..end of discussion. I hope to get a full length shot of it on monday because the outfit is just perfect. You have got to see the hat !!

I wanted to add this picture because it so reminds of Devin.

It is all different down here - turned around - and yet just the same.

Trick or Treat.

the old goat remembers

The Wortons went down to Disneyland and we were able to have Preston and Jane for four days, aka the grand sleepover. Darling children. And Denver and Harrison are the best uncles when it comes to entertaining and helping out. My only complaint is those dang car seats..such a pain and one that definitely makes me think twice about going somewhere. Don't worry..I am using them, and I did use them when my kids were little (ok, most of the time.) Why do I always have to throw in disclaimers?!

The car seat issue - as well as every other tiny daily item - came back to me. The brain just needs a jump start you know ! Day 1&2, Kevin and I were simply sleep deprived and exhausted. Oh yeah, that memory came back Real fast. Except this time when I woke up on the little bed we made up on the floor, and Preston is up in my spot in the bed because he had a monster scare in the middle of the night I am Stiff and creaky. Or on sunday-sleep-in-morning and Preston wakes wide up at 7:05 to greet the day after not the best night. I do remember this stuff but -wow- the "older" element is really making this so much harder.

By day #3, we are all sleeping better and hitting our rythmn. Jane is falling asleep in Poppy's arms watching the world series rather than in her crib..but it works for these old goats. Jane looks so much like Porter, but she is also a dead ringer for Devin at this age. This is a Good memory..and a fun one. My day slows down considerably..and it consists of play food, and my favorite little books being read over and over again and sharing fruit snacks. It is a nice , simple world. I remember that now.

Beaver Nation

Oregon State is pretty cool. Went up there for the BYU game last saturday and this is what I found.

Phoenix zoo

ohhh..Phoenix has a lovely zoo. And I am tough on zoos. They really have to be open and humane as possible. This one seems to fit the bill. And the weather was perfect. Kevin took it easy and had many rest breaks. A nice Columbus Day was had by all.