Thanksgiving Weekend

I really enjoy this time of year. I love being able to get together with family and friends for Thanksgiving. This was the first year I hadn't lived in Utah and I was able to go home for a few days. Unfortunately, Michael stayed behind because he had to work on Friday, but he spent the day with some good friends and had a wonderful time.

It was great to be home. It's only been four months since I moved but I was ready to see my family and friends. I really miss spending time with them. Although going home is great, it can get quite hectic trying to fit everything and everyone in. On Thanksgiving day we had two feasts, one with the Voorhees side of the family and another with the Hicken's.  We've never spent time with both families and it was really nice. There were other family members from out of town that came home and its rare that we're all together at once. I absolutely loved it.

As many families do, we saw some movies during the Thanksgiving break.  Having already read the first three Twilight books I had high expectations of the movie. The acting was okay but the movie seemed rushed. Obviously the book was much better. We also saw Australia, which I absolutely loved and can't wait to see it again with Michael. He's waiting to see it with his brother when we are there for Christmas. I usually have a hard time sitting through movies that are more than two hours, but I didn't even realize it was three hours long.

With my sister Niki living in California, me in Arizona, and my brother Tyler preparing to leave on a mission in February, we took the opportunity to take some family pictures. We haven't taken pictures for about 3 years and there have been some new additions to the family since then. 

Most of my time in Utah was spent with family, just as I wanted it. I did manage to see some friends too, but most of my closest friends also live out of state and weren't home for Thanksgiving. They are all going to be there for Christmas though, so we are looking forward to that trip too. I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, even though it flew by. However, it was nice to come back to Michael in Arizona.  We've really enjoyed life down here and are having lots of fun.

Thanksgiving with my moms side of the family.

Thanksgiving with my dads side of the family.

I love my mom and sisters.

Niki, me, Mom, and Haley.

OFF ROADING

Two months ago Michael traded in his 4Runner for a new Toyota FJ Cruiser.  Although he was sad to say goodbye to the beloved 4Runner, we are happy to have the FJ. Michael's been wanting one for a few years now. His parents used to let him drive their various 4 wheel drive vehicles growing up and we have really enjoyed becoming more involved in the 4WD culture. There is a group here that we have gone out with a few times called 'AZFJ'. They are a lot of fun, and seem to be very happy to lend help whenever possible. We have also enjoyed going out with a few of our friends. These pictures were taken last week in an area about 45 minutes from our place. 

Michael, me, Brad and Michelle, and Dan.

Monday Night Football - Cardinals vs 49ers

Michael and I had the opportunity to go to a Cardinals football game 

this past Monday. We hadn't ever been to an NFL game, let alone a

Monday night game.  I'll be honest, I'm not the biggest

sports fan, but I really like attending sporting events. Anyhow, we had the best time. I have never experienced anything like it.  The game ended up going right down to the last play where the Cardinals made a goal line stand to win.

Halloween Weekend- Sand Dunes!

Over Halloween weekend Michael and I and a group of friends headed down to the sand dunes right outside of Yuma, Arizona.  Every year over Halloween and Thanksgiving a large amount of people gather for a good time at the sand dunes.  I couldn't believe the amount of people that gather down there. It was a mini city of trailers, tents, and sand toys.  It reminded me of  Sand Mountain in Utah during Easter.  However, this seemed much bigger.  There were a lot more people.  The weather was also nice even though it was a little hot.  It was 96 degrees on Saturday.  We were listening to the radio down there and it said it was the hottest November 1st since 1968.  It was actually the hottest November 1st I had ever experienced.  Its definitely not that hot in Utah.  It was really weird to me that it was that hot in November.  I am still adjusting to the weather down here.

At sunset every night there are drag races at the top of the sand

dunes.  Many people get together with different pieces of 

equipment (trucks, quads, sand rails, dirt bikes, etc) and race 

for about thirty to forty minutes before it gets dark.  The cops 

allow it till dark and then stop it because it can be dangerous.  

It draws quite a crowd and was really 

fun to watch.

Michael and I are standing in front of the fence that is being

built to separate the U.S and Mexico.  Its probably not the 

exact border but very close.  There was so much border patrol

at the sand dunes I couldn't believe it.

This is probably my favorite piece of equipment.  Who

would have thought a lawn mower could be so much 

fun?

Michael on a dirt bike.

 

Thursday Hikes!!!

Every Thursday a group of us at work try to get together to go on a hike up South Mountain. We have been pretty good about going most Thursday's, but sometimes things come up and we don't go.  Anyway, its something I really enjoy doing.  The view is absolutely gorgeous.

 This is a picture of Molly and I.  This is right 

 up Mormon Trail on South Mountain.  It had a 

  spectacular view of downtown Phoenix.

This is Dana and I up National Trail on South

 Mountain.  This too had a very nice view.

First Post

I have officially started my blog. Yea!! I am now a blogger.  I have enjoyed looking at everybody elses so thought I would start one for myself.  With friends and family living far away I figured this would be an excellent way to keep up to speed with what is going on in each of our lives.   I think I have talked my friends into starting (you know who you are) so I am leading by example. I have recently moved to Arizona and although I am a little homesick have really enjoyed myself down here.  Hopefully I can post some pictures soon so you can see what Michael and I have been doing.