Michael & Whitnie

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

Haley was able to visit for the long Memorial Day weekend. She came down on Thursday afternoon (after a missed flight). I worked on Friday, but Michael had the day off and they took me to lunch. We were able to go to dinner with my grandma and grandpa Voorhees on Friday as they were down here for my cousin Keisha's high school graduation. Michael was able to meet my aunt Dot and uncle Steve at dinner. We floated the Salt River on Saturday, hung out by the pool, saw Angels and Demons, and just had a great time all weekend. Michael made a dinner on Sunday that he insisted on taking pictures of. It was delicious! He made a pork roast in the crock pot with his own recipe. He made a rub with mustard powder, garlic salt, dried onion, salt and pepper. Then he spread spicy brown mustard on top and cooked the roast on a bed of diced onion, carrots, and celery.

Whitnie and Haley

Michael, Haley, Whitnie

Before

After

Haley made asparagus with parmesan cheese.

Michael made rosemary roast potatoes. Look out Ruth, they were GOOD!

The finished product. Yum!

Making brownies.

Twins - Haley and Whitnie

Our apartment is in the background, on the third floor. Our windows overlook this pool, which is one of the smaller of the three pools on the property. Fortunately this is one of the quiet pools and we aren't bothered by loud people too often.

I KNOW...I KNOW

2009-05-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

I want everybody to know we haven't completely forgotten about our blog. We realize our blog postings could use a HUGE improvement. We promise our goal is to try much harder. We do get a little frustrated with the downloading capabilities of our internet. All we want is to upload a simple picture which can take FOREVER. Okay, I guess we cant completely blame the internet. We will take SOME of the responsibility. Please do not give up hope.

Love

Michael & Whitnie

Sisters Visit

2009-01-27T16:53:00.001-08:00

Niki and Haley came to visit a couple of weekends ago. We had so much fun.

I loved having them here, I wish we could see them more. It's hard being this far apart from my family.

Michael, me, and Haley

Michael, Haley, and I went off roading the last day

Haley was here.

The Girls

Dax and Brock

Mckynlee loved resting with Michael.

Mckynlee

DINNER @ THE YARD HOUSE

Me and a silly Michael

Michelle, Amanda, Haley, and me

Haley and me

Christmas 2008

2009-01-12T19:20:00.001-08:00

Michael and I had the chance to go home for a few days over Christmas. It was great to see family and friends. Splitting time between the families can be hectic, but we love them all. As always, the time flew by and we are eagerly looking forward to out next trip home.

Whitnie, Tyler, Haley, and Trent.

Whitnie, Michael, and Mark with kids.

Mike, Cathy, Michael, and Whitnie.

Dinner with friends.

Katy's baby shower.

Michael and the twins.

Michael and Jewkes at the Jazz game. Michael is wearing a shirt around his neck that he caught from the Jazz Dancer's.

Jewkes somehow managed to lose Michael's new Jazz beanie (he promptly replaced it).

Thanksgiving Weekend

2008-12-03T19:37:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-24T20:28:00.001-08:00

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

2008-11-12T19:53:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-11-09T20:18:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2008-11-09T19:29:00.000-08:00

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

2008-10-28T18:47:00.001-07:00

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.