Reunited, and it feels so good!

Sam Beano has returned! He got home late Wednesday night and for his first meal he requested Buffalo Wings (duh)! It has been a great weekend with friends and family coming over for a Homecoming Dinner on Saturday and Sam giving an amazing talk on Sunday. I have so missed his wit, his intensity, his passion for things he loves, watching him play with my kids and just shooting the breeze with him. He is a big guy with an even bigger presence.
So good to have you back!

Our whole Fam is very proud of Sam for the devout service and faith he put into his mission. Sam jokes, "I've heard that if I work hard on my mission my family and I may be blessed for my service, but I never would of guessed my favorite NFL team would reap such great blessings."

Still fit, nice tan and very polite...the Marshall Islands has done him good.



The Fab Five - together again!

Who would of thunk? Parker seems to have remembered Sam and has quickly embraced having him back. Gracie is still working the system - Sam better have potato chips or candy if she is going to give him the time of day.

He really is the best! He brought me home this beautiful handmade Kili bag that is only made on the Marshall Islands. Jackie Kennedy made them popular in the late 60's when she started carrying one around. Other celebrities have joined the trend and all the President's wives since Jackie O have been gifted with one. Watch out Michelle Obama; you don't have anything on me!

WELCOME HOME SAM!

Holiday Bliss

We may not of had a "White Christmas" but spending part of the Holiday in shorts on a beautiful day hiking South Mountain ain't too bad of a consolation prize.



We hiked clear up to Fat Man's Pass. Gracie and I were able to squeeze through, but we did witness one lady who wasn't quite so lucky!

Gracie and Grandma take a breather.

Later on the trail a woman stopped my mom and I and said, "you two must be sisters, you look just alike." Great for my mom, not so good for me. Come on lady, I am still in my 20's!

Parker held his own leading the pack on the way up...coming down was a different story...the kids rode mules named Grandpa and Dad.

FYI: Sam built this fence at the trailhead for his eagle project 4 yrs ago. Big Sammy is coming home from his mish in just 8 days!


Maddie and Jack vying for some attention. Some things never change.

Christmas 2008

Do you ever feel like Christmas just isn't as great as you used to remember it? Then you most certainly do not have a 2 and 4 year old whose favorite movie is Polar Express, read Olive the Other Reindeer very night, can't leave the tree ornaments alone, obey at the very mention of Santa, sing rudolph and jingle bells at the top of their lungs, and eat candy canes, fudge, gingerbread, hot cocoa and cookies like they are the 5 food groups. Thanks Parker and Gracie for making these past couple of Christmases the best I have ever had!







The best gift of all!...Gracie had a break-through week in toilet-training! (notice the new undies, she conveniently lost her pants).

Oldest is Best!

I grew up complaining that there were no perks to being the oldest child (i.e. pushed the hardest, full-time babysitter, the guinea pig, ...you get the idea). But hey, I'll admit it, I'm wrong! My sister just reminded me of one more reason I love my lot in life...



I have siblings that willingly choose to make a mess like THIS with my kids! I can't say the same for myself.



Thanks Vess!

I Heart Arizona Cardinals

You better believe it, baby!Kirk and I have been Card fans for the past 3 years, despite the anger, heartbreak and glares we have had to endure. It is FINALLY oh so sweet to be groveling in the glorious success of the NFL's biggest underdog!

I don't want to jinx anything, but after the big victory over the Cowboy's (bonus perk: breaking the fingers of Jessica Simpson's boy toy) and beating the 49ers last night for their 1st Monday Night Football game win in 20 years, Cards are about to be the great comeback story of the year. I just might pull out all the stops and purchase a Boldin Jersey.

Come join the Cardinal Bandwagon...this is as good as it gets!

OCTOBERFEST 2008

This October has been crazy, ooky, spooky and fun! Here is a glimpse of what we have been up to:

Grant and Carsons 3rd Annual Halloween Luncheon

miss diva held her own with the boys

Black and green.... the new Halloween colors?

Hot dog mummies, spider crackers and ghost cookies made for quite the kids meal, along with crafts, games and goodie bags.

Greene's Spookilcious Recipe Club

The Ladies

Excellent food, as usual, and the Greene's really decked the place out. Dave had some games up his sleeve for some serious competion and good laughs to end the night.

The fellas

Halbison Men "Roughing It"

Kirk's Dad pulled the troops together for a trip up to Payson.

No Girls Allowed!

Parker was super excited to hang with his cousin Jacob from Joseph City

Parker also got to go with Grandpa Nielsen to his ward campout at Canyon Lake. He had a blast with his buds Evan, Max and Colton...the 4 yr. old brat pack.

Arizona State Fair:

My lil' piglets feeding the pigs

Should I be concerned that the ride operator thought Parker would be an appropriate guardian for Gracie on the Bumper Cars? Probably.

Can't tell who is having more fun, Mom or the kids?

HALLOWEEN

Started the festivities a couple days early at the Ahw. 1st Ward Trunk or Treat. Grandpa served up his homemde rootbeer.

Gracie posing with Grandma to show off her face painting.

The kids went gaga for candy on Halloween night. They would literally walk right into strangers' homes. We stayed at home and were able to go to a block party, see lot's of our neighbors and have family over for pumpkin chili bowls. Wouldn't of had it any other way.

Ready...Set...Go!!

A gorgeous morning on South Mountain, the best running partner/coach next to my side, fresh legs, steady pace and then...MILE ELEVEN. Some genius decided that the last 2 miles of the race should be uphill!!?? I was not physically, emotionally or mentally ready for this! Not to mention, my stomach was getting the best of me. The last 2 miles were nothing short of a NIGHTMARE! As slow as the last mile was, I ran till the end and all things considered I am happy with my time. This was the 1st Half Marathon for my Dad and I. At 51 he is still the one leading the way and helping to push me through the race. Just emailed me with 2 new races he thinks we should do...I can't even think about it yet.

This is the form of someone who doesn't know if they can even make it 5 more feet to the finish line. After a few days of recovery I can finally admit this whole ordeal may have been worth it.