Thursday, November 26, 2009

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ok, I know it's technically the night before Thanksgiving but hey...I'm early.

Ya, it's going to be one of those posts where I get all sentimental so just be ready!

I know a lot of people are having a hard time finding things to be thankful for nowadays. I am friends with some of tose people. They have lost jobs, lost homes, lost family members or friends. They have lost a sense of stability in their life and they don't know what is coming next..or from where. In the middle of all the chaos and hardships I am constantly reminded of the blessings I have in my life. Sometimes the smallest blessings are the ones that keep you going. So here is my list, in no particular order of everything I am thankful for this year (and every year of course)

*I am thankful for 4 healthy, happy, intellegent and humorous kids
*I am thankful to have a husband who loves me more now than he did 18 years ago.
*I am thankful that said husband still gives me tingles when he comes home from work
*I am thankful that Alyssa has heard my greeting to Shane when he comes home so many times now that she too yells "There's my SEXY BOY" when her daddy comes in the door from work :)
*I am thankful that I have my parents and my sister close by
*I am thankful that I have the mom I have
*I am thankful for our home and that Shane has a good job
*I am thankful for my online friends, you know who you are...my Babycenter friends who I've been chatting with since September 2006 and my overseas friends I've been chatting with since 2001.
*I am thankful for the school that the kids go to, the amazing teachers they have and the principal we have. I love that I feel safe and secure when I drop them off in the morning
*I am thankful that although I am on weight watchers and working hard on a "better me" I have a husband who has never said anything other than I am beautiful and how much he loves me
*While it's sometimes hard to up with something positive when I think about having lost my grandma, at least I had 28 years with her. although I wish I had gotten many more.
*I am thankful for my sense of humor. Of course, sometimes it is twisted and wrong but at least I have it!
*I am thankful and comforted in the knowledge that I have friends who love me and family who want to be around  me for more reasons than 'we are family'
*I am thankful for my friends at church because I had pretty much figured that I'd never find a church where I felt I belonged or felt comfortable. I have found both.

much love and blessings to you all on Thanksgiving

San Antonio Pics




























Friday, November 20, 2009

Happy 10th Birthday Cassandra! San Antonio part 2

Hello!

Well we had another eventful day in San Antonio yesterday! We had a wonderful breakfast and headed down to the barge tour on the river. We had a great tour guide and learned a lot. Probably my favorite was the building built by 2 investors for $3million in 1927 and then after the "crash" the city of San Antonio bought it for the back tax amount of $30K. It is beautiful architecture, gargoyles and all!

It started raining after dinner last night. That was really cool and really a bummer because we had a Ghost Tour scheduled for Cassandra's birthday. The guy is a member of TAPS (those of you who watch Ghost Hunters on Sci Fi) understand this :) so we got there, got the tour started and then it started raining buckets of water. After an hour we gave up and went back to the room. Alyssa had also fallen asleep on Shane's shoulder before it started and you can only carry 30+lbs of sleeping baby for so long! Reluctantly, we headed back to the room but tried to make up for it by ordering churros, ice cream sandwiches, a pot of hot chocolate and other goodies at 10:30.

Today is supposed to rain all day so we are going to the mall for a bit. Tomorrow we head back home.

XO

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Greetings from San Antonio!

Hello everyone!

I don't have pics uploaded yet but when we get home to AZ I will get them on here. We are having a fantastic time in SA! It looks totally different than I imagined. The weather is gorgeous, we hit maybe 70 during the day and the nights are chilly. The kids love love love the River Walk! We didn't bring a stroller because Alyssa won't ride in it anyway and she is doing amazing :)

Day One: Tuesday we got in and had dinner at the Republic of Texas Restaraunt. It was delicious! They are very friendly here. We walked  a good portion of the River Walk too. It was dark and chilly but everyone loved it. They are putting up Christmas decorations right now. Nothing is lit but it sure will be a sight when it is all done.

Day Two: Wednesday we went to the Alamo. I wish I had paid more attention in history and geography in school. I knew very little about the Alamo but I learned a lot. It is a beautifully maintained site, They have amazing artifacts from jewelery, guns, knives, missionary jewels, uniforms, pottery, etc. The gardens that surround the site are equally as beautiful. There is a live oak tree that was transplanted on the site in 1912 when it was 40 years old (the tree) and it is amazing to see. We took some great pictures. Fountains, flowers, greenery...I wish I were a better writer to give it justice. I'll let the pics do the talking.

We also went to the zoo on Wednesday. It is a very nice zoo. Very kid friendly, lots of hands on, kid activities to do. The trees and foliage are just breathtaking. We couldn't have asked for better weather. All the animals were out, some very upclose. I swear we could have touched the anteater in his pen if he had just stuck his nose up to our hand on the fence! I also saw some animals I've never seen at any other zoo.

We had to make an emergency stop at a shoe store for Alyssa, poor little girl. Her shoes must have been too small because she rubbed a terrible blister on her toe. Sure enough, we got measured, she's a size 9 now and she got new shoes. She never said a word after that!

We had an amazing dinner at Morton's Steakhouse. Look it up if you get a chance, taking 4 kids their age to that place was a little nerve-wracking but we made it through with NO spills, breaks, accidents or meltdowns. We were given many compliments on the kids' manners and behavior. Considering all the board members for Shane's work were there...that was a big pat on the back.

Well I have more to tell but the natives are restless. Today is the barge tour on the River and Cassandra's Ghost Tour tonight. Who knows what we'll get into inbetween!

XO
Susan

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Shane's Birthday


Here is my dad (left), my sister and shane's dad (right) hovering over the food :)


Savannah, Andy, Nancy and Griffin nibblin before the burgers and dogs


Savannah letting me know she really doesn't want her picture taken


Cassandra playing hostess to Alyssa and my nephew, Brandon


cool, FIRE!


One of those moments where Shane's abundance of hot air comes in handy!


Me, waving a large knife


Shane cutting his cake (spice cake btw)

Papa is wowing the kids with his ghostly tales in the toyroom :)

Well at Shane's request, we had a very low key birthday get together for him. He wanted burgers, hot dogs, beans, veggies and spice cake. He got just that :) He had a wonderful time doing not a whole lot. My mom, dad and sis came. Shane's dad and stepmom came as did his brother, sister in law and our niece and nephew. He watched some of the ASU game which I'm told was disappointing and enjoyed the company.

I still think we should have played musical chairs.

Happy Birthday Shane

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Trick or Treaters!







We had a great time Trick or Treating! The kids and Nancy were all dressed up for festivities :) We went to a wonderful lil party at some friends' house in the neighborhood. After that, Cassandra rode on their flatbed hayride to do her ToT'ing. The younger ones went with me, Nancy, Mimi and Auntie. Alyssa did great, she said "trick or treat" and thank you at every house. She didn't seem afraid at all. The hay wagon came by about 1/2 way through and picked up Savannah and Griffin so we finished up with just Alyssa. After dropping Mom, Auntie and Nancy off I took Alyssa back to our friend's house to pick up the kids. Their costumes were super cute and they had a great night with many treats