What a WONDERFUL Christmas it was this year!! We were so thankful for everything and for everyone we saw ... so much food and gifts and friends and family, we're very blessed! Pics in the photo galllery.

 

PS - Added the Halloween pics too, yes, they are late as well

I went back to Oregon for a week after Thanksgiving to visit the fam and friends!! I had the best time and LOVED seeing my sister and her family. One day she even let me take the kids out early from school and we went for pizza and a movie - how fun!! A special thanks to my grandpa and Monte Preston for letting me stay at their house for the whole week. Also, loved seeing all the Lystra's as well as friends from Corvallis, Portland and Washington - what a trip!! Next time I go out, I'll have the baby with me and I probably won't be the center of attention anymore

My father-in-law spent a lot of time this year working on an exhibit at the Chandler Historical Society. I uploaded the pictures to the site here, take a look! Also, I completely forgot, but I made a little memory book for him and was going to give it to him for Christmas! I can't believe it got lost in the shuffle, but I'll be sure to give it to him next time I see him. It has all the pictures plus a few other articles from the newspaper. I think their work at the Historical Society turned out great!!

I just got back from a GREAT vacation with the nieces in Cali! We went to Universal Studios, Knott's Berry Farm, Soak City and the Beach (twice). It was loads of fun - check out the pictures!! We stayed at the Westin Bonaventure hotel, and it was fabulous!! The weather was perfect at 84 degrees with a slight wind, couldn't ask for much more. It was a wonderful time with the girls and I think they enjoyed themselves as much as I did. I did miss Paul and Lex :-)

Paul got the job at Intel! I'm so proud of him!! I'm not sure Intel's staunch corporate culture is ready for him, but I know he spreads fun wherever he goes!

 

Good job honey, you hit it out of the park!

 

... now to get you back from being nochturnal

 

I forgot to mention that Paul has been looking for a full time job for the past couple of months; currently he's running his own business and does contract web design. It's nice to have the flexibility of your own business, but with that comes long nights and weekends, as well as a less stable flow of income.  

In any case, he's been submitting his resume to different positions, and been interviewing. His style is so different than mine, and it really goes to show me that my way isn't the only way! At one of his interviews, he sat down too quickly in a chair, the chair swirled around and caused his feet to fly back up into the air, he said "Wow, that's how my wife described her last gynecologist visit!" There were several similarly funny comments he's relayed to me from his interviews, yet he's very real and endearing, not to mention talented, and I think people are drawn to that. I'm usually all business at interviews and such, but again, goes to show me his style works too because in the last couple of weeks he's had two offers, as well as one additional offer he believes he'll get next week. Must be nice to be in such demand :-) I'm so proud of him!! I don't know which one he'll land at, we're actually going to make a pros/cons list this afternoon and see if we can't narrow it down (see, the pros/cons list is me being all business!) 

It doesn't matter what he does, I'm so proud to be his wife!

 Wow, it has been SO hot this week! Dry heat aside, it is like opening an oven when you go outside. 116 degrees this week and at least two solid months before we see any relief. Though, I' d take three or four months of heat over having to endure ten months of rain in Oregon (which is where I'm originally from). Hard to believe I've been in Arizona almost seven years - my how time flies when you're hot! I keep my swimsuits on standby and am headed out for a quick swim right now!

 

Paul and I are going on a date later today, but I am going to go work out and try to get in some studying for my real estate test before then. One of my goals this year is to buy a house that needs renovation, renovate the house and sell it for a profit. I have a few friends interested in teaming up with me on this adventure, so I'm excited about it! My first order of business is to get my real estate license so we can save on the fees when we buy and sell these houses. I took all the classes earlier this year but have not taken the test yet. I've either worked or had some commitment every weekend for the last three months (or am I just good at finding excuses because I HATE studying for tests??). In any case, I'm going to fit studying in, as well as some work at the office and a date with Paul.

 

Lex and I went to the dog park last night and it was, you guessed it, HOT! Granted, it had cooled down to under 110 and it was dark, so no sun beating down. He and I ran around the park, both our tongues were hanging out when we left. He loves that place! Lots of friendly people for me to talk with and lots of friendly dogs for him to sniff.

 

Better get to my list for today. Have a great summery hot day!

Nieces - This weekend my nieces are staying with us while their dad is out of town. They are such wonderful girls and we are already having a great time. I picked them up yesterday afternoon and we went to the dog park with Lex. It is scorching hot out (like 113 degrees) and although there is usually 50 dogs running around, there was only one other lone dog. Funny enough though, he was a doberman who looked exactly like Lex! Afterwards, we went grocery shopping for some healthy groceries and prepared dinner. The girls were so helpful, I might make them come over and help with groceries and dinner every night! We had a wonderful steak, a fruit salad and a regular salad. Dinner was very good! Also, thanks to Alex, we had all the fixins' for bannana splits (well, it was healthy until that point, anyway!) Today I'm dropping Ashley off for work then Jessica and I are going to the Pheonix Swap meet. We've never been, so I think we're in for quite an experience. Who knows, may be for us, may not. I'll report back.

 

Nephews - Yesterday Paul's sister Carol, in North Carolina, had a little baby boy named Jackson! I love that name and I'm sure he is as cute as can be. Congratulations Carol and Scott!! We can't wait to see pictures!

 

Anniversaries - My mother and father-in-law's 44th wedding anniversary was also yesterday! Wow - what an accomplishment in this day and age. I love them dearly and think they set a wonderful example of love and committment, even 44 years later. I'm so appreciative of them both for so many things. Mary sends me the nicest emails and keeps the family get togethers on track! Chuck can talk with me about any subject and is very giving of his time! Two amazing and loving people who are a fine example for Paul and me! Happy Anniversary Mary and Chuck!!!