Mesa Temple

Mesa Temple

Life Size Nativity Wisemen

kids sitting by an orange tree

kids posing by an orange tree on a large petrified log

Lemon tree

Very small grape size orange fruit tree (not sure what type of fruit)

Palm trees
Cactus garden

It was really fun and interesting to go see the lights at this temple. It was very crowded and there were lots of lights however, I haven't figured out how to take pictures of Christmas lights. I was amazed at all the fruit trees and really wanted to take some fruit off the trees but it just didn't seem right to steal from the temple. I did however get pictures of the fruit trees because coming from Utah, oranges and lemons come in a box or bag. To actually have them on a tree was crazy and the people walking past me as I was taking the pictures of the trees probably thought that I was a little crazy as well.

All I want for Christmas...

Lincoln lost his 4th front tooth this last week so we have been singing the famous two front teeth song to him all week. I keep offering him pretzels and he keeps reminding me that he can't bite them. hee, hee!

This is Brinley as a Starlette for her dance recital. She did really well. This picture is of her second dance. (her favorite) Her first dance she was a fairy and just as they started the music she decided that she needed to go potty (right then and there, front and center) I think she was nervous and couldn't hold back however only I noticed until she ran off the stage crying. We got things taken care of and she was able to do a wonderful dance to "dance with me Santa". What a memory and I need to keep in mind for the next recital that it doesn't matter how many times you ask if they need to go potty, you make them try. I have to say that Miss Katrina her dance teacher did an excellent job. They actually learned more in that short amount of time than most kids do in 2 years. What a great teacher!
This is our front room that has the tree in it. This would be the only place we decorated this year because there simply just isn't time. The picture is a little messed up because my disk apparantly went bad so I took the best of what I had and will invest in a new one this week.

This is what I have been working on for the past few days. We bought it in three small boxes with about 500 pieces and I managed to put it together in about 8 hours. I love it. I was able to set my computer up and feel like my world is back in working order.

I really think it has been fun out here. I have to laugh because when we go out shopping, we will see one guy with long pants and a sweater and walking with him will be a guy in shorts and a short sleeve shirt. We are still trying to figure out what we are supposed to be wearing to fit in.

The other funny thing that I really wanted a picture of is a couple days ago, the ice cream man came down our road with his cute music on, it was getting dark and as I watched him drive by the christmas lights were on all the houses as he drove down the road. That is something I haven't seen before. I wasn't able to get a picture because all I could do was watch him drive down the street.

Our house is starting to feel like a home and the neighborhood seems really nice as well as the ward. I have got to get out and steal an orange off of someones orange tree. That still amazes me that there are orange trees just on the side of the road. The palm trees are beautiful and the cactus plants are amazing. I will definitely get pictures of these things that probably everyone here in AZ thinks are just normal and put them on the blog.

For the record, anyone is welcome to come out and stay with us anytime they want. We are so lucky to live in a time where we can email, call, blog, chat, facebook and keep in touch with one another continuously. Thanks for being there for us and we will definitely miss not being there for Christmas.

Feeding the ducks

Goofy kids!

weekend news from Lincoln

My dad went to Arizona. I cried in bed. I miss my dad and that is why I was sad.
I went to IHOP and a play and that was a date.
(Lincoln took Doug's place and went on a date with me to IHOP and to see Curtains at Hale Center Theater. He was so excited that he went on a date with me.)

Lincoln's got it, do you?

Dresser updated

I have been corrected. This dresser was not made by my grandpa Ellis, it was my great grandma Standers and before that I don't know. I may need to refinish it back to it's original look someday!

I have had a dresser in my garage(s) for over two years and have finally found time to repaint it. This dresser was made by my grandpa Ellis for my mom when she was little and my mom painted it fuchsia pink and black to match her bedroom when she got married. I wish I would have taken a picture of it but didn't think about it until after it was done. After shortening my life by inhaling the lead paint that I sanded off, I feel pretty good with the outcome. Sorry it is so dark. I have it all painted but will need some help getting it out of the garage and into the house.

BRINLEY REALLY IS GROWING!

Today we (Brinley and I) jumped the gun a little and bought Brinley a big girl car seat. We thought she would be in the front facing baby one until she was 10 years old. Turns out we were wrong!

Height is great Weight- 2 smidgeons off perfect - Give her a glass of water!

Rules for Doug's info
New fancy chair that Brinley says is awesome and she can't believe that she gets to have it.

I found one that is just her size WOOH-HOO!