It's been forever

I haven't posted in forever for a good reason- we don't have the internet anymore. our nice neighbors have been letting us use their connection, but they just cancelled it which means we are living primitively for a while until we can muster up some mula to buy our own. It was so kind of them to let us use their's for so long. We never realized how spoiled we were until it was taken away. I am using my friend's computer right now, but I don't have any of my photos to post. What was life like before the internet you might ask. I can tell you, it stinks. Anyways thank you Sharon and Rob for letting us mooch off you for so long.

As of late Zac and I have been keeping busy with school and work. Not a whole ton going on here. The weather is epic. Sometimes we forget it is January. I have been to the pool at least five times this month. LOVE IT!! There are two things I need to make me happy, Zac and the sun. I am a happy woman.

Happy lover's month tomorrow.

You Complete Me

Happy Birthday Zachary Turley!!

A thank you to my husband for being so:

*thoughtful
*selfless
*entertaining
*gracious
*forgiving
*dedicated
*resilient
*funny
*laughable (is that a word?)

Favorite things about you:

*you laugh at Geico commercials really hard
*you love to spend time with me
*you want me to be happy and will do anything to cheer me up on a bad day
*you'll drop anything for me when I need help
*you'll drop anything for anyone when they need help
*you never question me
*you never judge me
*you never judge anyone
*you never assume anything
*you never expect anything from me
*you never ask me to change
*you never say never
*you always listen to me
*you always support the parties I like to throw
*you always put the toilet seat down
*you always wash out your hair from the sink after you shave
*you always save me leftovers, even if you really want them
*you always call me when you are on your way home
*you always call if you are running even five minutes late
*you always tell me how much you love me
*you always tell me all about your day
*you always make me happy to be married to you!! (well, almost always)

I love you so much! Thanks for being born 29 years ago.

Don't be scared....

In case you were wondering who this is, it's my husband.  He was sick of the sun in his face and so he solved the problem.  So typical of Zac, always practical, never vain.  I love him so much for this reason.  I miss him so much when he is studying.  I can't wait to have him back.  Our Christmas vacation was so fun because we got to spend so much time together.  He does a great job at making me feel number one in his life despite how busy he is.  He's the best.  He has a birthday this month and so I thought I would embarrass him a little.  I kept asking him to smile and this was all he could muster.

Happy New Year!!

Every Christmas Eve my family does a talent show.  It is usually pretty entertaining considering the fact not one of us has any talent, at least not on a stage.  Zac and I performed a synchronized swimming routine to Andrea Bocelli.  I'll tell you what- not easy with out a pool.  We made do with a blue sheet the water.

As if that weren't enough humiliation we carried on our annual American Idol night the week after Christmas.  We always do this to kick off the season.  This was the fourth season of this tradition.  We performed to the song entitled "Jessie's Girl."  Not the best, but it was acceptable.  My family is a tough crowd to please.  There is a competition factor involved so sometimes it gets a little ugly.  The prize is cash .... do you blame us??

Three reasons for me posting this picture for all to see:

1.  Zac starts singing "Who Let the Dogs Out" every time I make this face.

2.  Anyone ever seen the Seinfeld with the pirate blouse-enough said.

3.  This is what having to get up when it is still dark outside to get to church by 8:00 makes you want to do- be ugly!

Can you say Ralphie from the Christmas story?  Pretty close look alike, but he is actually just my very cute and incredibly bright nephew, Nathan.

Just what the doctor ordered- a little bit of physical activity for the Carli girl.  Thanks to Zac for showing her how to play some of the games with out actually having to move.  Gotta love her.

Zac and I on Christmas Eve, the last of my red and green apparel.

Carli enjoyed matching every day I was there.  She would go change after she saw what I was wearing every morning.  It was pretty flattering actually.  Some classic quotes from Carli this vacation:

1.  "I tooted"

2.  We were playing Catch Phrase, it's Carli's turn and the word is "nothing."  She says, "you know what I do around the house."

3.  I ask her one morning, "How many Kraft singles did you eat?"  She says "what?" with a puzzled look.  I hten proceed to count six wrappers hiding under the table.

4.  "Whatever."  "Pllleeease!"

5.  I say, "Carli rinse your ice cream bowl out."  She replies, "Are you kidding me?"
We had a fun time in California, but were happy to get back to Arizona.  Thanks family for making Christmas 2008 so memorable.  Love ya lots.

Correct me if I'm wrong but.....

I think I need some praise.  I am the furthest from crafty as it gets, but lately I've been expanding my horizons in the creativity category.  Don't be jealous, but it's true, I actually made this dazzling tree with my own two hands.  If you'd like I could write up the directions as to how to make such a creation, no problem.  Totally kidding- it looked way cooler in my head.

This is an idea I stole from my friend Teri.  It is so fun to turn the fan on and watch the rings fly.  So entertaining, but beware, it makes you a little dizzy.
Here is the picture to go with the Tortilla soup recipe I posted a while ago.  Did I mention how good it is??
These are the scarecrow cookies I made today.  Why scarecrows in the middle of December you might ask.  I am teaching on loving yourself and others in Young Womens tomorrow.  The girls are suppose to set up their own scarecrows to keep negative thoughts from destroying their self esteem.  Not my idea, I got it online of course.

So that's what I have been up to lately.  It's been nice and distracting, keeping me away from shopping during this tempting time of year.  Twelve days of Christmas starts today.  Hooray!!

Christmas Fiesta 2008

We had a Christmas party with a bunch of friends tonight.  We had an ornament "white elephant" gift exchange.  It had to be an ornament you would NEVER put on your tree.   Zac was pretty stoked about this anchor he chose.

Honest, there was no alcohol.  I am not sure why Zac looks so drunk.
Here's a shot with all the girls.

And another shot with the whole group.

What party is complete with out Christmas BINGO?
I finally got to show off my awesome snowman sweater I won at a gift exchange last Christmas.

I couldn't decide which shoes.  When is it more appropriate to wear one of each than to a Christmas party?

I made a chocolate zucchini cake that was suppose to look like a giant ornament, but so didn't.  It tasted good though.

This is a spice cake with a butterscotch syrup that we drizzled over it.  Pretty tasty as well.
Thanks to Teri and Ben for being such great hosts and for everyone else for bringing so much food and fun!  Till next year I guess.  Merry Christmas to all!!

Thanksgiving recap...finally

Wait is Thanksgiving already past?  Where has this holiday season gone?  I know we still have Christmas to look forward to, but now is about the time I start getting sad because it'll be over before we know it.  I know I am a little late with the Thanksgiving post, but better late than never, right?  Here is the whole Freestone gang in front of the hotel we stayed at in Texas.  We had so much fun visiting Zac's sister's family.  We happened to fall in love with Texas during the few days we were there.  It's since been added to our "potential places to live" list.

This is one of the major factors contributing to our love for Texas, Rudy's.  It's a delicious Texas barbecue food joint.  It's attached to a gas station and you eat off wax paper, but don't let that scare you.  It is TASTY!!
Here I am devouring my corn-on-the-cob.  You could drink the Rudy's sauce I am holding up, it's that good.  Thanks for the recommendation Wendy, definitely a winner.
On Thanksgiving day we had a heavenly feast and then went to see Bolt in 3D.  We all really liked it.  I would recommend it to both kids as well as adults.  
Here are my amazing in-laws, Margo and Steven.  I don't wonder what Zac is going to look like in about 35 years, his father.  I am so lucky to have such fun and supportive in-laws!
Before we took off for Texas we went to Utah for a little skiing and snow time for Zac.  He missed the mountains so much in Arizona.  The weather was actually nice at Alta, about 40 degrees and sunny.  I was even warm.  I was wearing a coat that was warm enough to climb Everest in, but that's beside the point.
While in Utah we had a busy schedule with only a few days and many restaurants and movies to see.  We saw the Bond movie, and Twilight, although definitely not a highlight.  We ate at Brick Oven, Bombay House, Bajio, Maverick (for their soft serve cones), 7 Elleven for the slurpies and chocolate sinkers (Zac's favorite donut ever made) and Will's Pit Stop for the best Kettle popcorn on the market.  We ate well to say the least.  We were thoroughly entertained and got to spend quality time with family.  It was a vacation much needed and so appreciated.  Thank you Freestones.