Check Her Out!

Ok, ladies and gentlemen, we are so proud of this girl! While in Phoenix for a D-backs game a couple weeks ago, we dropped by to see Kiley's new Skechers Store at the new Tempe Marketplace (awesome new shopping district). And when I say Kiley's new store, I mean she is the head honcho, and she fits there so perfectly! So, next time you are in Tempe, swing by and support this amazing woman, she so deserves it! We love you, cutie!

Western Caribbean

Ok, we've been back for like 3 weeks now, so we're a little late in getting this posted, but our cruise to the Western Caribbean was a blast! We sailed on the Carnival Liberty for 8 days over those pristine blue waters thanks to Grammy! Thomas and I snorkeled on the second largest barrier reef in the world, then ejoyed the sun at Uvero beach in Costa Maya. In Costa Rica we visited the sloth sanctuary (with adults and babies) and hiked/rowed through the rain forest during (gasp!) a rain storm! We visited the pirate village of Portobelo in Panama, with its coral forts (original canons!) and Black Christ Church, then cruised over to the the Gatun Locks of that well known Canal. When it was time to debark the ship, we has some time in Florida to ride on a fan boat through the Everglades and see some 'gators. Plenty of time at sea on this cruise, too, so there was loads of opportunity to have fun onboard!

Something Happy!

Many people have been saying they want to see happier things from us, since the pictures of Thomas' accident. Although the accident is not something we will forget any time soon, I agree with everyone! So, this is a little update on Thomas, about 2.5 months after his roll-over.
Back to work full time (actually has been since about 1 week after the accident), Thomas just got the official go-ahead from his doc to live his life at 100%, despite the still-broken (1 inch apart!) collar bone! He was basically told by his doc, with backup from the orthopedic surgeon, that he could live his whole life with it separated as long as he doesn't have discomfort or other problems. He is still getting x-rays and going for follow up visits periodically, though. This picture was taken a little over a week after the accident.

So what did the other guy look like?

Yes, Thomas looks bad, but at least he's still functional after a little fight with the work truck! We went by the towing company's yard today to see the SMA truck, which was not towable and had to be hawled away from the scene of the accident. Gordon and Zack got all of the equipment, etc., out before it was taken away, and the instruments are all still functional. Here's the "other guy:"

"I think I rolled the truck..."

Indeed, Thomas did roll the SMA truck up on Airport Rd. yesterday... one of the most frightening days of my life and one of the most painful of his. We are so fortunate that he is in such "good" condition. He's got a broken collar bone (the same side he broke before), some mean road rash to the scalp, a very nicely scraped shoulder, and some pretty extensive bruises and scrapes. Despite it all, he's standing right behind me at this time telling me what to type! Now, without further adieu, some pictures of the injuries that many have actually been asking to see!

Still white here...

Ok, school was back in session as of Tuesday, and we were all back at work... but it is still white as can be!!! It snowed a teeny-tiny bit yesterday, but it's mostly just iced-up snow on the ground, now. But, this is so unusual for our little part of AZ, for those who are thinking "this is nothing!!" I cannot remember a time here in Safford when it snowed and didn't melt within a few hours of stopping (or melt as soon as it hit the ground)!!! We have Icicles and the trees are all white!!! I took some pictures this morning, but I don't have my camera at the moment, will post pics later.

Let it SNOW... in Southern AZ

A snowy day in Southeast Arizona is always a treat!! The last time we had close to this much snow down in the valley was in the spring of 2001. Talking to Grammy, she said the last time she had seen this much snow here was in the 60's when they recieved 2 feet plus of snow. When you get that much snow around here it is usually followed by a flood, which it was in the 60's. We'll just have to wait and see if the little Gila turns into the Mighty Gila in the next couple of weeks!! But for now we are really enjoying the snow. The schools were closed for a snow day, so Nicole got the day off. I called my boss this morning and asked if surveyors get snow days, and on my way to work I really thought that surveyors should get snow days. =( Lucky for me though, the electricity in town went out, so we couldn't even do office work, and I got to come home to a snowball ambush by the whole family. OUCH!! We built snowmen and sledded (tried to sled) and drank hot chocolate. The snow started last night at about 7:oo PM and didn't stop until about 1:30 Pm today, but it looks like this is just a little respite in the storm so we may see some more snow yet!! Total accumulation all around Safford is 8 to 10 inches at this point. Awesome!!

Happy New Year!

Back to the grind today, but the Holiday Break was wonderful! Lon, Leone, and Jennie were down, arrived on Friday, December 22. Saturday the 23rd, Thomas and I took a drive with the 3 of them up the mountain to see the snow (as if they don't have plenty in Minnesota). And, guess who happened to meet us at the top... Josh and Jordan (with cigars, of course)! Beautiful day on the mountain!

Christmas Eve, Thomas and I hosted a breakfast at our house for everyone, then that afternoon we took all the gifts to Mom and Dad's to open... yes, I know, that's what we usually do Christmas Morning, but I was scheduled to work Christmas Day... then a good ol' game of Uno Attack! Oh, and a visit from Sants, of course!!!

Well, got home on Christmas Eve and had a message from the hospital telling me they were putting my on call for the next day... WOO HOO! So Thomas and I were up early Christmas morning, cell phone in tow, to head to his Grandma's house... Good to see everyone! Then we headed back to my parents' house so Thomas could make Christmas Morning breakfast for everyone... apparently everyone likes the way he does breakfast! It was actually pretty nice to have Christmas day to just relax and have fun! We spent plenty of time swingin' the new Golf Clubs Thomas got for Christmas... I think we could all use a little improvement! We also had a mini trap shoot behind the house... just did all the stuff you can do when you have nothing else you have to do!

The Johnsons left on Tuesday, and I spent the rest of the week being lazy while Thomas had to work! I think it got to him, because Thursday night he actually answered the phone when the hospital called, which led to me working on Friday!

Went to the Hinton house for New Year's Eve... poker and visiting, too much fun! And, here we are... 2007!

Christmas Past & Christmas Present

Ok, this weekend was awesome!

We stayed at the beautiful and historic Hotel San Carlos in Downtown Phoenix. Brass elevator doors, a pool on the roof, and suites named for stars who stayed there... the whole works! They even have stars in the sidewalk out front with the names of stars! Apparently, they also have a ghost tour which we were unable to attend because of timing... but wouldn't it be so cool to go back there for that?!!!

The purpose of the stay at the hotel, though, was to go to Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding!!! Grammy bought tickets for everyone in the family (Thank you, Grammy)!!! Let me tell you, this was an AWESOME concert, and all for charity, too! Check it out at www.alicepudding.com !

Look what Grammy gave me!

This ornament was made by Granny, it's porcelain and hand painted! It's one of three (two santas and an angel) that were given to Mariah, Erick, and myself. How cool is that!!!

So, after days of looking at lonely little Smokey under the tree...

I've finally wrapped most of the presents! Doesn't the tree just look more complete now?

So, tonight, we'll be packing for a little weekend trip to Phoenix to go see Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding!!! Grammy bought tickets for the whole family to go! Thanks Grammy! We'll be staying at the historic Hotel San Carlos in downtown Phoenix... it looks so cool on the website! And, they have ghost tours, which we will unfortunately have to miss on this trip because of the timing with the concert. But, this should be a very awesome weekend!

Reaching for Christmas...

Ok, the tree is up and decorated, the inside of the house is decorated, the vast majority of the shopping is done... and it's still November!!! We don't have lights up on the house yet, though. Am I pushing it? Maybe a little, but I work too much, and this is such a busy season anyway, I just figured we could get it all done while I had the time! Plus, now we can just enjoy the season, which is what it's all about!
For now, though, we have got a seriously cold and windy day on our hands today... well... as cold as Arizona gets this time of year! Sounds like a good afternoon to curl up with a good book... and later, maybe a nap!

A Little Holiday Fun!

A cute Quiz that was being thrown around on SplitCoastStampers today!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate (Or coffee)
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? If Santa's Gifts are small enough to go under the tree, he wraps them, and often delivers them early! If they are too big for the tree, they are delivered on-time and unwrapped!
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White this year, but I have an appreciation for both!
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Yes, it has a special hook that hangs above my door!
5. When do you put your decorations up? As soon after Thanksgiving as I can convince Thomas to get them out of the garage!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Stuffing... I just love the stuff!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Decorating the tree... complete with tinsel!
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't understand the question. What "truth?"
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Usually one gift on Christmas Eve, but this year I am working Christmas Day, so we are having our big "opening" on Christmas Eve!
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Love to play with ribbon, and then ornaments! The tree is pre-lit!
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Snow??? You meen that stuff up on the mountain?
12. Can you ice skate? I have never actually tried (the only ice around here is indoors, anyway)!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My camera! And Jewelery!
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with Thomas and my Family.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas Eve... it's always our biggest family gathering (and it's at night, so adult drinks are acceptable)!
17. What tops your tree? A star. With a bow underneath, this year!
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving. I usually want to give everyone their gifts before Christmas because I can't wait to see their reaction!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Christmas is All Around (you have to see the movie "Love Actually" to appreciate it).
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Yum if I'm in the mood for one, Yuck if I'm not!
21. Stockings? Or no Stockings? Stockings hang all over the walls at our house, with two large ones that get filled for us every year!
22. Do you like sledding? Never actually been. I've been tubing on the mountain, does that count?
23. Farthest you've traveled for Christmas day? Well, I guess the 8 hour trip to Bullhead City to see my Dad every other year was the longest.
24. Do you leave out cookies or carrots for when Santa comes? Cookies... I guess it would be nice of us to leave out carrots for the Reindeer, too... never thought of that!
25. What gets you into the holiday spirit? Decorating... Christmas Music... Shopping!
26. Does your wrapping color coordinate? I try... but then, inevitably, Thomas picks some paper that so doesn't "go" with my scheme!!!
27. Favorite gift you've ever given? I think that would be the first year we were married, I gave Thomas a really nice shotgun that he wanted, which he still loves (it sounds redneck, I know, but we are a hunting family, and we treasure our guns)!!!
28. Most fun Holiday memory? Last Christmas... setting up our "glorious" 9 foot tree we had bought, and hearing Thomas say he thought we should have gone with the 12 footer!!!
29. Do you wrap your own gifts? Well... I wrap the gifts for Thomas and others, then Santa and Thomas wrap the rest!
30. Most missed memory from childhood Christmas? Christmas morning at Grammy and Ponka's... Everyone just kinda does their own Christmas morning thing now, I guess because there are no little ones!

How was everyone's turkey?

So, Thanksgiving was nice! We had dinner at Brenda and Shawn's house, with a whole slew of family, including my Mom and Dad, Grammy, and Liz. Dad, Stephanie, and Hannah were also down visitng from Bullhead. And, just because the dinner was at another house, doesn't mean we didn't fire up the pit to cook a turkey of our own!!!

Friday, Thomas and I took a ride with Dad, Stephanie, and Hannah over to Bowie for some good ol' wine tasting (and buying)! Then it was off to The Thing! We were in need of a pecan roll and we figured that was the place to find it (and they did have them)! Then a loooong ride home via Ft. Grant precipitated by a failed search for Apple Annies! All in all, though, it was a fun trip!
Saturday, I bumbled off the the Craft Shows with Mom and Liz, found some really nice things for Christmas gifts (and for myself)! Meanwhile, Thomas and Dad worked on our truck which ended up needing a new fuel pump, among other things (I don't pretend to be the expert). Uuggh!
Sunday was all about decorating for Christmas and stealing Mom and Dad's furniture! Yes, Mom and Dad gave us the Prohibition Chest, a beautiful piece, along with Granny's tea service. It looks great in my dining room, if I do say so myself. Then Mom asked the lethal question: "Do you want anything else?" So, we also accquired a beautiful old red chair, and an awesome ice bucket with a stand. Oh, and a mirror... and Mom's rocking chair from when she was a little girl! Wasn't I just telling Thomas the other day that I needed to "do something" with the dining room.....?

Summer's Over...

I haven't posted for a long time... but, on the flip side, there hasn't been much to post about!!! Another great summer has come and gone since I posted last... filled mostly with work! Thomas and I did have a chance to get away for a weekend to Phoenix. We took in a D-Backs game, shopped, and were generally lazy!
I also had a chance to go to Tucson for some R&R with Mom and Mariah. Very Nice! And, on a very happy note, Mom is Cancer Free!!! I'm so proud of her for the way she has soldiered through this, she is an inspiration to all women! And, she has a full head of blond hair now, which is just beautiful!
Now, we're all back to work (of course, some never really stopped work for the summer), and enjoying the hell out of it!!! Have a fabulous day!!!