Happy New Year!

On New Year's Eve we celebrated with friends at the house.

Me, Veronica, Megan, Ashley, Kevin

Christmas 2008

December in Arizona isn't exactly Christmas weather. The only sign of the holidays is decorations (here's one of ours in the backyard) so we headed for Albuquerque.

ABQ activities included:

Fixing the car


Setting up luminarias in the front yard.


And celebrating with friends

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

Our annual Ugly Christmas Sweater party was a blast as usual.

Welcome, Karis!

Karis came 7 weeks early, weighing in at 3 lbs, 15 ounces! She is doing well and growing into a strong, healthy baby.

Kristen's Baby Shower

Today was Kristen's baby shower at Kristie's house. Kristen is still not wearing maternity pants... just buttoning her jeans under her belly like a man. Hilarious! It was a beautiful shower with lots of friends. Less than two months until baby Karis arrives!

Two Years!

Today marks our two year wedding anniversary. We have learned so much about each other this year and celebrate this anniversary with great pride. As the economy has rapidly crashed, we have learned the true meaning of working together. We have supported each other through family losses, celebrated successes and become even better friends. We both love being married and embrace every day we have. We would also like to thank all our friends and family for always being so loving and supportive of us. We can't wait to see what year three brings!

Happy Halloween!

We had a great Halloween hanging out with neighbors. This beautiful bride was on the porch across the street. Pretty creepy at night!

Murder Mystery Party

Our friend, Kim, threw a 20's themed murder mystery party for which we all dressed up. Each person had a character to play throughout the evening as a murder mystery unfolded clue by clue.


The whole cast.


Tara, Kassia, Kristie and me


Jeff and Jason, looking suspicious.

Party #2

Conveniently, we had a 2nd costume party to go to Saturday night with some of our Albuquerque friends who live in Arizona.


On the way there. Thanks, Kristie, for the ride!!!!!!!!


Me and Jen


Me, Jeff and Trav (as the guy from Back to the Future, hence the checking of the watch)


Jeff, Mike and Scottie

Camelback Mountain Hike

During the week of October 19th-25th, we had a teaching intern from the University of Northern Iowa staying with us and interning in my classroom everyday. It is a special program the University does that allows students to clock intern hours while also experiencing a week in the life of a teacher. My intern, Rachel, had never been to the southwest so Jeff and I decided to take her hiking on her 2nd night in town. I don't know that she was expecting the rapid incline of the hike or the unexpected climb down in the dark but she was a good sport about it and it was an enjoyable week having her visit.


About 20 minutes into the hike.



Gorgeous Arizona views


Here we are at the top!

A Day Off!!!

We took the dogs out on the boat today for a much needed day of relaxation. We have both been working 55-60 hours/week lately and were thrilled to get some time to just relax.

The Love of a Family

Today our family suffered another sad loss with the passing of my grandfather, Robert B. Hendrick. In the wake of this loss I am again reminded of the most unbreakable bond in life, that of a family. Blogging about something as significant as this seems so trivial in comparison to the indescribable impact my loving family has had on my life. I'm doing it not only to pay tribute to my wonderful Grandpa Bob, but to thank my own father, not only for being an amazing human being, but also for opening up during this difficult time. The journey has been painful for everyone but your willingness to share has made all the difference. I love you, Dad, and Grandpa will be missed dearly.

OU Football... There's nothing like it!

Jeff and I have been waiting 4 years of Lewis being in college to come out to Oklahoma for an OU football game. It is truly an experience that can't compare to anything I have seen before. The school spirit is unbelievable as is the hospitality of the fans. Here are some pics from our wonderful day!


Walking from Lewis' apartment to campus.


On the way to the tailgate.


Stopping for a pic in front of the stadium.


The fam (including my cousin, Michael, who also goes to OU)


Beer pong... of course.


Jeff and Kathleen. Not sure why they are in the trees.


The boys.


Even the cookies have school spirit!


Finally at the game! Check out the visitors section (the purple straight across the stadium). A little outnumbered. :)


Rowdy fans!

Campus Tour

During the day on Friday we toured around the OU campus. Here we are stopping to rest in the empty stadium. Tomorrow it will be packed with people!


Kathleen, Mom, Dad, Sam, Jeff and Lew


Me and Sam


Mom and Dad, back where it all began.

Bricktown

Downtown Oklahoma City has an area called 'Bricktown'. It is a beautiful area with restaurants, shops, bars and walking trails. There is also a very pretty canal that runs through the middle. We went and had dinner there on Thursday night. Unfortunately, it was too dark to see much detail in this picture.


All the important men in my life!

Oklahoma

Jeff and I are in Oklahoma this weekend visiting my Grandpa Jim and Lewis. My parents are also here and Sam is arriving today. Here we are at Interurban having dinner last night with my dad's brother, Alan, and his wife, Mary. Randomly, one of Sam's friends from high school was our server.

Arriving in Oklahoma

Waiting on the curb at the airport. The start of our 5 day trip with the fam!

Mole check?

After we took the dogs for a checkup, I decided Jeff and I needed one also so we went in for a skin cancer screening. I had A LOT of anxiety about going, but luckily the doc said there was nothing alarming and we didn't have to get any moles removed!

A visit from Mom and Dad

My parents came out to visit for the weekend. One of the most fun things we did while they were here was ride bikes to The Good Egg for breakfast. On the way back we rode through the action packed community sports complex where we watched some youth soccer and baseball. We also rode through Fulton Ranch (a community by our house) where we spotted several cranes wandering near the water and flying overhead. It was a great day with family!

A trip to the vet...

Considering Daz hadn't been to the vet in about 7 years, we decided it was time for a checkup.

On the way there...


Waiting patiently.


Even though everything checked out great, Sierra still needed a sympathy hug.

Big News!

For all of you who have been complaining about my phone for the past year... you can STOP! I finally broke down and got a new one. And good news!... it only ended up costing $49.99. All this time I thought I was going to spend a small fortune. Little did I know it would be less than 50 bucks. So here I am parting with the old one (which had a cracked front, frozen caller ID screen and sent out random text messages to people in my contact list without my doing... it even paged Jeff last week!) And then here is the new one, complete with Navigation, Gas Finder, Movie and Event Search... you name it, I can do it! Just call me if you are ever lost!