Thursday, December 11, 2008

There's No Place Like Home

My dad took this beautiful picture


We just got back from a fabulous Thanksgiving in good old Arizona. So fun. We took the kids down the weekend before so we could spend more time with family and make the hideously long drive worth it. Sadly, I got sick the first five days we were there and had no voice. It was my kids best Thanksgiving ever. Why is it when I finally get a vacay I get sick?  Anyway, I was spoiled and loved every minute of it.

Usually Thanksgiving is a big production on my part and I'm cooking and baking for two days. This one was awesome! All I had to make was creamed corn. Weird. I didn't know what to do with myself. I was spoiled. Dave and Chandy cooked our turkey in the neighborhood BBQ pit the whole night before which turned out to be... interesting. Aaron stuck his gross feathery bones in my mashed potatoes while I was feasting which I think tainted the wonderful BBQ turkey experience. I still haven't decided about the BBQ turkey. . . love you Dave and Chandy. But everything was delicious. Katie even insisted on making Mom's pie crust for the pumpkin pies. Good job, Kate!  

We weren't planning on staying as long as we did but I was so glad. My Dad wanted to drive back with us and he couldn't until Friday so we decided to wait. Dave left us the day after Thanksgiving for a week so I would have had to take that drive alone. What a pair we were . . .  a seizure victim and a half blind old guy (love you, Dad). We made it!

Our days were filled with eating, lounging, playing in the sandbox, swinging, swimming, eating, setting up Katie's Facebook, eating, visiting, playing with cousins, shopping, eating, helping Katie set up her blog, chasing dogs, playing cards and eating. Not every family wants to spend time together but thankfully mine does. I am spoiled. Aaron always gives me guilt for living so far away and I always roll my eyes and say leave me alone. But it's nice to know I'm loved. I love my family. And there's not a whole lot of time left to be able to drop everything and leave for two weeks so I'm glad this time we did. It was so worth it.



The Sibs, minus one


Avery wasn't interested in getting in the picture


My dad the pirate


Our attempt at the nativity with five toddlers. Not bad.


Fun at the park


All the cousins


Andie's absolute favorite thing. . . next to swimming


Three adult men. . .


My little brother Aaron.  Isn't he precious?


Andie in an underwater photo


Alex's turn


Yay, for Arizona in December!  Thanks ,Dad.


11 comments:

Marianne said...

Steph your hilarious!! Are you kidding I am crying! How fun we wish we could have seen more of you!

jakeandstephanietaylor said...

So cute Steph! Nothing like Home...
Nothing like Family...

Dana Goff said...

We were in Arizona, too. We must have just passed each other at the temple and the park. We'll have to compare notes and see if our relatives know each other. Yes, I know Mesa is a pretty big area, but you never know. - Erin

Anna said...

The nativity picture is my favorite! We need to do that on Christmas Eve.

Mandee said...

I have your same swimsuit- it's my favorite. Except that I feel the need to wear pearls with it? Strange.

Looks like so much fun, but I'm glad you're finally back. Life just isn't the same without the Nibs around.

Anonymous said...

Steph, This has been a special thanksgiving for me. As usual you and your family add greatly to it. Mom is proud of you. My heart and mind are filled with warm and fuzzy memories. Hair color when I was a dad, Nasty look when I took YOUR seat, and all those turns and scenes that reminded me of our little family treking back and forth to SLC. These are the nuggets that we will take with us where ever we go in the eternities. Love you lots, Dad

Anonymous said...

So fun...didn't want the partying to end!! We ate way too much chocolate and enjoyed too many late nights on the couch watching "Britney, for the record." And I will never forget being a doorbuster for the first time!! Awesome!! MISS YOU BAD!!! xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

So fun...didn't want the partying to end!! We ate way too much chocolate and enjoyed too many late nights on the couch watching "Britney, for the record." And I will never forget being a doorbuster for the first time!! Awesome!! MISS YOU BAD!!! xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Stephanie-
I just found your blog in a very random round about way...the craziness of the blogging world.

I was just thinking the other day about our 'building manager' meetings at those white apartments. What did we get for going to those? :-)
Your kids are darling and I am definitely jealous of the swimming in December. Hope you don't mind my blurking!

-Laurie Jacobson

k8shoe said...

I can see why you stayed so long but YES we really missed you here and are glad you're back. The picture of you and your siblings is so cute!

Heather's Blog said...

Of course not just any neighbor took my picture...I'm going to correct it and say Stephanie...the best neighbor in the world who feeds me and gives me leftovers. That underwater picture is killer. I want to know what kind of camera took that. Glad you got to see your family.