UP UP and away.....

Our November 19th started like any other day except for the surprise which my family had just been told about 48 hours prior. The only clue was "we would be outdoors". This whole adventure was planned by me within 1 week, thanks in part to our schedule being free this particular Friday evening and for the fact I got an excellent deal through Groupon (sign up if you aren't getting the daily emails, it is worth it!). Even Robb had no clue what the plan was. So, by 3pm the kids and Robb were home, and I then got behind the wheel of the Rover and drove us 5 to Deer Valley airport. There, the surprise was revealed. Hot Air Balloon Ride!!!! It was met with nervous and excited children. A van was waiting to escort us with 5 others to our balloon about 5 minutes away and within 45 minutes we were airborne! A perfect way to spend a Fall Friday night in Az.....







Group Photo ~ Say CHEESE!!!!!




Take off.....




Balloom kiss!



Balloon below us, as we go up, up and up!


Wet & Wild

Lake Pleasant

Sandra Day O'Connor High School









All done...

Thanksgiving 2010

Our Thanksgiving weekend was filled with turkey, Christmas decorating and SOCCER! Here are some photos from dinner at Papa Scott's with my brother Ryan's family.


Turkey with a hint of cinnamon....cooked with love by my daddy



Paris & her cousins

Dessert (and see the tree!!!)

Tree Trimming Papa Scott's Christmas Tree




Aiden's soccer team placed #1 for their age bracket! Everyone got a medal and the "club" got a trophy! Go Stars!

Buon Appetito ~ Pizza Oven Debut

My dad's pizza oven is now complete, so what better way to celebrate then to invite some family and friends over to enjoy some authentic "brick oven" pizza!! Buon Appetito



The Italian cook is also the pizza oven company owner, who is from Italy but lives in Texas!

Photos by the oven :) Dusty and Evan

A perfect Fall evening outside....

I voted.....and took my kids too!

The 2010 election polling station was not only visited by myself, but also Aiden and Paris came with me. I explained how it worked before we went in and while I was voting they quietly watched me. The volunteers gave them stickers also. My young Republicans :) And Yay, Prop 203 passed! I am a strong believer in legalizing marijuana for medical reasons. Never heard of anyone OD'ing on pot, and it's natural! Got my 2 thumbs up over opiates for pain relief (form a heroin, that yes is legal). I guess I could be called a Republican with some liberal views. I personally think we need to get 5 "main" guys to co-run the office as president to get this country back in shape. We are a mess right now. Warren Buffet, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump being 4 of the 5 men. Not sure about the last spot...... just my idea.

The Swimming Pool is Done!!

Photos I took weekly of the progress of the "pool". Finished the last week of October 2010!















Done :)







Even though the kids really did not get to use the pool, they are using the jacuzzi a lot! Almost nightly. I do have to say, they did get into the pool quite a bit the first few weeks we got the pool, but the water is so cold now. It is a heated pool, but we have not turned the heater on in the pool. No need yet! Jacuzzi is just fine for these 3.