Holly and Todd: November 2009

Thanksgiving 2009

We were very fortunate to be able to go to Pinetop, AZ for Thanksgiving. John and Mimi asked us to watch their dogs while they went to Disney. It was a tough decision that took us all of 2 seconds to say "yes" to. They have a beautiful place on the golf course and live in one of the only places that got snow this Thanksgiving. The boys were elated and we all had so much fun playing in the snow, making snow angels and building one the the biggest snowmen I've ever seen. Scott, Tess, Cameron, and Collin visited and were able to play in the snow too. Thanks, John and Mimi!!!

Everett, Collin, Ethan, Cameron, and Emery...waiting for snow.

Our view from the back, storms are coming.

Another Golf Course view.

Snow falling during the night.

Holly, Tess, Collin and the boys bundling up.

Todd and Everett.

Todd, Ethan and Emery, Evy got cut out, sorry Evy!

Emery showing off his new toothless smile.

"SNOWBALL FIGHT!!!"

Lulu, kinda liked the snow. For a minute or two.

Todd and the boys in front of "Mt. Snowman"

John and Mimi's place, Beautiful!

A little preserve for the pumpkins.

Friends in town

We were surprised the other day with a visit from our long-time friends Susan Puls and Sandy Stewart from Florida. They were vacationing (Sandy from Florida and Susan from Utah) and stopped by for a visit. We played putt-putt golf with the boys and all had a lot of fun. Holly had lunch with them the following day at "The breakfast Club" in Scottsdale. Overall an awesome visit and it was so great to see them both.

Susan and Holly ready for competition.

Sandy "eyeing" how to attempt her shot.

Ethan waiting his turn.

Sandy, The boys, and Susan.

Camping in the desert with Ethan

Having been a scout leader for the past 15-years, this is the moment that I've been waiting for. Ethan is old enough for Boy Scouts and now gets to go on overnight camp outs. This past week was our council's camporee. The boys had lots to do including BB gun competitions, lashings, flag raising and river crossing. They all had a blast (including the leaders). We camped over Friday night and the temperature got down to 41 degrees. The following day it heated up to 89 degrees. It was a neat dynamic. Friday night we also were treated to several coyotes in our camp, who began to chorus and howl for 30-40 minutes. It was a great experience as the desert has a beauty all its own.

The desert we camped in.

All fires were in a "box" as to not impact the desert.

The desert sunrise.

Waiting in the chow line.

Breakfast cooked for us, "mmmm pancakes"

Jake and Ethan ready for the days events.

Ready to raise the flag for the morning events.

The boys lashed a tri-angle stand to carry a scout.

Poles lashed onto a chair, then the races began.

GGGGGOOOOOOO!

Our troop (minus several boys).

Ethan and Jake.

Shooting to kill (cans)!

The best way to get the man with the camera away!

Ethan trying to stay warm.

In Training!

Over the past few months, Holly has been training and getting into shape. One of the girls that she trains with asked her if she wanted to run a half (1/2) marathon on January 30Th. She accepted and began to train for this goal. It has been a personal goal for her to accomplish and now she has the chance. She runs 3x a week with a great group of women from the neighborhood and is getting ready to tackle the marathon. The boys and I couldn't be more proud!

Holly and her training partner.

Boston Marathon pic.

Weekend in Phoenix - the west side

Last weekend we traveled great distances to visit Scott, Steph and the kids (a whole 30 minutes). You would think that we would visit more often given the close proximity. Scott and Steph are constructing their backyard and we did our part by bringing our trampoline into the mix. Our new house has one "in-ground" so we had no room for the bigger/better one that Scott and Steph now have adorning their back yard in all of it's glory. It was a great visit and made us feel lucky to have family so close.

Hollywood and Tess.

Collin, Everett & Emery (left to right)

The boys and their cousins.

"Peace"

Double trouble, Cameron and Ethan.

Cameron looking excited as ever (crazy uncle with a camera)

Emery and Cameron on the new trampoline.

The new basketball court in Scott and Steph's back yard escape.

Still under construction, but lookin' great!

Scott and Steph's pad!

On the trail to Eagle

Holly's "Mothers Ribbon"

We have come to the conclusion that Scouts will be a major part of our lives for the next 10 years or so. Emery will be joining Cub Scouts in a little over a year, Everett is a Bear scout in Cubs, and now Ethan has crossed over into Boy Scouts. He was just recognised this past week for earning his Tenderfoot Badge. He is so excited to learn every knot and every skill that Scouts can teach him. He has become a master at starting a fire, sharpening his knife, and memorizing the knots (even the one handed bowline - for all of you ex-scouts). There was a mix up in getting the actual badge and pin from our council, but this will come shortly. Holly can then add another pin to her ever growing collection.