We ARE Back!

Laundry, dishes, and various other items to get done... and here I am, blogging! I have my priorities straight. I am facing the fact that it is Jan 12th and I still haven't blogged about Christmas. Ack! Here we go...


Many of these pictures deserve their own posts and deserve to not be in a collage -- but, for the sake of space and time, this will be the cliff notes version of our trip to TN. A real cliff notes version - w/all cameras accounted for, we had something like 800 pictures! My CD of pictures got left behind in TN, so I am just drawing from what I had personally...

Christmas was a blast - full of TONS of family, which is what the holidays are all about! We had 13 (count it, 13!) stockings on the mantle at my parent's house -- my brother Joel & his family came as well as my Grandma and her sister - it was a house full and it made the trip!! It was so wonderful to be together and we're all looking forward to more holidays spent this way.

Below: Mason's first carousel ride (a look or terror/confusion while moving, look of glee when it was stopped), Matt reenacting a scene from Elf, the Worthams together at the potluck, Grandaddy playing with Mase.

My heart be still! What a hunk, right?

Our wee family -- this was taken in Opryland at the spot where Matt proposed, 5 years prior. Time flies!

Below: More carousel fun w/the kids (see Kenszie w/a HUGE smile on the right?), Mase spending time w/Uncle Chip, traditional breakfast at the Worthams, and opening more presents w/Grandma & Grandpa Spann.



Uncle Virgil w/Grandaddy, Grandpa Spann sharing his luxurious Harry & David pear w/Mason, the Boys, and Mom & Gram (love these pictures!)!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Mason got to see Santa this year, and, as usual, was perfectly pleasant with a complete stranger. Of course, he didn't quite get why we were all smiling so big and looking at him while he sat on this man's lap - hence the look of "ok, what am I doing here?". :) Maybe next year!

We're off to Tennessee for a two week break, so until then,...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FOR SALE

We did it - we listed our townhome. I only have slight anxiety every time I walk out of our house and see the sign. We don't know where we're going or when we're going there, but feel good about listing now. Tell your friends! :)


See our listing by clicking HERE.

It's his birthday, shout 'hooray'!

My handsome man is 26 years today.

Wish him a Happy Birthday!

An Apple a day...

...keeps Mason quite happy :)

He will take apple however he can get it --

in one of those mesh feeders, in a slice, an entire apple, eating off your core...

He has started going into the kitchen and standing next to the counter where the fruit basket is and hollering to get our attention as he points up to the fruit and signs "more" - he is addicted!

Note the look of sheer glee on his face after he takes a bite!

Arizona Sunshine

Thanksgiving was WONDERFUL! Lots and lots of good food and great company. I just realized I took a lot of pictures with Jennifer's camera, so this is what I have at the moment. Mason loved playing with his cousins and also quite enjoyed the fresh citrus, cows, chickens, cats, and dog! (he only ate the citrus)

A HUGE accomplishment to note: Miner won his 600th basketball game while we were there! Wow. WAY TO GO!

*Matt making use of the cornucopia, Andy's friend Ryan trying on footed pajamas in the middle of target --- not pictured: everyone hanging spoons from their noses at Thanksgiving dinner*

I braved black Friday for the first time ever - with Aunt Sarah and Jennifer blazing the trail! I think I am hooked. It was so fun! Thanks you two for introducing me to the 'sport'. :) This was the scene post-checkout at about 5 AM.

On Friday we went to the Mesa, AZ LDS Temple to see the lights be turned on for the Christmas Season -- it was beautiful and fun! As we walked around Mason pointed at all the lights.

Not pictured (sad day!) - we got to spend some time visiting with Mike & Tia!! They only live maybe 10 minutes away from Gilbert and it was GREAT getting to see them! Annabelle was cute as always and litte Asa was a doll (first meeting!) and we even got to see their new house they just bought. We miss them!

The new bridge being built at Hoover Dam - simply amazing. We were both awestruck as we rounded the corner and saw it. It is a few years behind schedule because 2 cranes crashed and fell into the river a while back. Whoops?

Finding a room in Vegas to stay in on the way down was a slight fiasco, so we booked one for the trip back. Amazingly enough, this Hilton was the least expensive. Here is a morning view of part of the strip and Mason lounging in the bed.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We are heading out to sunny, warm Arizona this afternoon, so I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving before leaving! We have much to be grateful for and I enjoy this time of the year that causes many to reflect on those blessings and remind eachother (and myself) to do the same.

May your holiday be safe and spent with loved ones!