The Valley Metro Ride

above: Sean and kid (aka Cameron)
above: Sean, Keith, Steve, and Carley
above: Grandad, Spencer, me, and Carter
above: waiting to get on the next train

My family and I went downtown today to ride on the light-rail that opened. The rides are free until December 31st so we thought we would take advantage of it. All of us loaded the train (Nana and Grandad included) and went down to the Diamondbacks Stadium and back. We then headed to Costco for some yummy pizza and ice cream. Carter loved the "choo choo ride," except for the ride back which was so crowded, we had to stand the whole time!

Merry Christmas!

We had a very Merry Christmas this year and hope you did too! Here is Carter at Nana and Grandad's house on Christmas Eve acting out the Nativity as Grandad read the story. A special visitor stopped by with an early treat for all the cousins! Carter actually liked Santa this year!
Christmas morning at our house. I LOVE our tree this year. 
Opening gifts. It is definitely so much more fun watching your kids open presents. Carter was so excited this year and loves his kitchen, train set, race cars, and scooter the most. 


Oh and I guess I was good this year too, because I got everything on my list, and more! I am so lucky to have a great husband! 

I hope your Christmas was as great as ours! 

Don't open your presents early!!

I saw this on a friend's blog and thought it was a great analogy for this time of year. I think I often want to have everything figured out so I can plan or prepare or just know what may or may not happen. And now especially, with Sean leaving for 7 months I am finding myself anxious to know what the future holds for us. But I will be much better off if I have faith and take life one day at a time.

"Christmas Presents and a Lesson on Lifeby Hilary WeeksI have many wonderful Christmas memories and one not so wonderful Christmas memory. It was the year I spoiled the surprise. I couldn't help myself. It happened when I was about 17 years old. Everyone was gone so I had the house to myself. With Christmas only a few days away, the presents were piled high under the tree. I had looked to see if there were ample gifts with my name on the tag, and sure enough, there were plenty. As I passed by the tree, the gifts seemed to call, "Open me...open me!" What was a girl to do? Well, I'll tell you what this girl did at least...I took every single present up to my room. I shut the door. Then I carefully removed the tape and wrap from each package and peeked inside. An outfit from my mom. Pajamas from my grandma. (Like that was a surprise.) A new journal. And a several other thoughtful, wonderful gifts. After I finished re-wrapped the gifts, the guilt and regret set in. "Why? Why did I do that!? I just ruined Christmas! Now there would be no surprise Christmas morning!" Let me tell you, it was not worth it. I have experienced other things that were "worth it" such as, eating that third piece of blueberry cobbler with ice cream. Now, that's worth it, but opening your presents two days before Christmas definitely was not. Sometimes, now, I wish I knew what was ahead in life - if I could just see around the bend, even just a couple of days or weeks. Sometimes I would really like to know what the future holds. But I guess that would spoil the surprise. So, even when I'm feeling anxious about days to come I need to trust, not try to figure out or fret, I just need to wait and open the gift of each day, one at a time." ~by Hillary Weeks

Graduation Present

Once I found out that Sean was moving into an apartment in Louisiana I decided that for his graduation gift I would have some pictures of Carter and I taken and then frame them.  My SIL, Katie took them for me. I think they turned out great. Here are some of my favorites. 

HE DID IT!

Sean graduated from ASU, from the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, in Construction Management on Friday. He has worked hard over the last few years to get to this point. I am so proud of him (and so excited that he is done!). 

First, here is a picture of the cupcakes I made for Sean's graduation party. Can you tell what they are?
The Klippel Family
The Collins' family (a big thanks to all who came to graduation and the after party!--we had LOTS of fun).
The proud family!
The graduate

Surprise...

Cajun chicken anyone?

I hope Sean likes it. We found out this week that Sean will be working in Fort Polk, Louisiana starting January 7th through the end of July. He will work 10 days on and have 4 days off. On his 4 days off, he will fly home to see us. Since I am still working full time, Carter and I will stay here and live part time with my parents to help out with my hectic work schedule. Sean and I will leave with a Uhaul at the beginning of January to drive to Louisiana and get him moved into an apartment. I will then fly home, and begin counting down the days to his return. Funny how you have one plan set in your mind, and then life takes you in a completely opposite direction. 

All I Want for Christmas...

I stole this idea from Emily. A triathlon top (a pink one!)
Yes, gummy bears. But not just any kind. Black Forest Gummy Bears from Costco. I like to have these with me when I drive to schools throughout the state-to help me stay awake. So a nice big bag from Costco would be a great stocking stuffer!
A jewelry box
A pink necklace to go in the jewelry box.
A Kitchenaid

A Camelpack for running. 

Just some ideas. (hint, hint Sean)

The Polar Express

Last weekend we went up to our family cabin for the weekend. It was so cold, it was fun to sit by the fire and drink hot chocolate. On Saturday we went to Williams to go on the Polar Express. First we went to the town's light parade and then we waited and waited and waited for the train to come. Carter was so excited it must have seemed like forever to him, waiting for the train to came. Once it came, he kept saying, "all aboard." We got on and had hot chocolate and cookies (just like the movie), went to the North Pole, Santa came on the train and gave everyone a bell, and we sang Christmas Carols all the way back to the station. Carter was exhausted by the end of the night. When we left he said, "bye choo choo train, I'll miss you." The kid loves trains.Notice that Carter and I are wearing our pajamas (again like in the movie). Sean did not want to join in on that fun. But most people were in pajamas--Sean definitely missed out on that one!

Check these out

Go check out these puzzlekins and the contest that is being held for a free giveaway. They are so cute! If she gets more than 50 responses she will give away 2 more! Carter absolutely loves puzzles. So does his cousin Hunter, who Carter has for Christmas. So go sign up, but I hope I win! ;)