Can you keep a BIG Secret???

Our kids are getting one of these for Christmas!
(the burgandy one)
The kids and I left for AZ this last Friday and Andy went to pick up this puppy (literally) on Saturday...our kids have no clue and I'm so excited and a little nervous (okay, a lot nervous!) Andy is bringing it with him on Christmas Eve.
JUST HAD TO TELL SOMEONE...wish us luck, I'm sure we'll need it!

ummmm...I thought this was a DESERT!

Well, my Saturday morning...one minute Andy and I were sleeping IN quite peacefully...the next thing I know the girls are screaming, something about snow. Enough to play in all morning and not even bring up breakfast until 10. Everyone claims it has been unusually cold this past week and I hope that's true...I do not like to be cold. ever. Snow is fine and dandy...to look at from inside one's warm house or to ski/sled in on occasion, that is about it for me.

The inevitable snowball fight begins!

Poor Elisabeth, poor aim dearie!

The boys kept throwing snowballs at me while yelling, "This shows our LOYALTY to DAD"!

ummmm....what does actually bringing these two into the world get me???

The "sista" team (they lost horribly).

Snow Fun!

Driveway sledding on a boogie board (I knew we kept that for a good reason)

Too cute!

After being hit with a snowball!

A real sled...much better.

I LOVE BIG, SWEET, PINK MARSHMELLOWS!

ummm....I could literally eat her up!

Our ANNIE Girl

Okay....so I feel as if I am always behind on this blogging thing, another thing I don't seem to get done (could list about a million)!

SATURDAY was a special day...our DEAR ANNIE turned 5!!!

I know everyone says it...but it's so true...so I'll say it too,

WHERE DOES THE TIME GO???

Everyone who knows our family well, knows...Annie has definitely made our lives more exciting and at times, more exasperating! I truly love this girl, she has so many traits that are and will continue to be amazing strengths as she grows. With each passing year, I realize more and more she is STRONG for a reason and I feel so LUCKY she is mine!!!

In My Next Life, I'm....

Thank you GALS...

This last weekend I went to Time Out for Women here in town, thanks to lots of dear friends in VA...they sent me a ticket for my birthday present. I would not have taken the time to go on my own, so I am sooooo glad they provided me the opportunity, I needed it more than I realized. The entire thing was so uplifting and I came away from it feeling empowered to do better and with some clear, specific goals for myself. Hilary Weeks was there and I just love her...she has such an amazing talent and I'm so grateful she shares it with others. I got to go with Dixie, Andy's aunt that lives here and so enjoyed spending time with her as well!

So, THANK YOU...to wonderful friends, who gave me such an amazing and timely gift that has blessed my life, I love and miss you all!

p.s. The CHOCOLATE was also greatly appreciated and had incredible timing the day it arrived on my doorstep, you are TRUE friends, indeed!

My piece of FALL

My FAVORITE season of all is AUTUMN!

As you know, we now reside in a desert and I was not expecting to see any evidence of my favorite time of year...this saddened me greatly.

To my complete surprise and JOY I have been able to see this for weeks now!

I know, I know... many of you will say it doesn't even compare (to you know where) but for ME it has been just what I needed. Having not expected anything at all, I have been completely pleased!!!

Oh and BONUS...the cool, brisk mornings of (45-50 degrees) followed by the lovely and splendid afternoons of (70-80 degree) consistent weather has added to my love of this new place...the WEATHER is PERFECT! Sweaters in the mornings with flip flops...FABULOUS.

FRIENDS!!!

Friends are so important...
I keep reminding myself it just takes time when you move,
I miss so many of you from VA, more than I can put into words!

We've been so lucky this month to be able to see some dear friends of ours...
The Hungerford's just came through and stayed with us overnight...it was so GOOD to see THEM and visit! It was like picking up right where we left off 5+ years ago in med school...they will always be so special to us, because of going through that experience together. It meant so much to us that they took the time to stop and see us!

AND then, earlier this month...
Jaesi and her cute kiddos came to SG to be with family and we were lucky enough to get together a few times...I love that girl and her kids, they are so fun and it meant so much to me to see their familiar, wonderful faces! Nancy and Kristy also came down with their kids and it was just so fun to see them and get caught up.

ANYHOW...
I have noticed a big difference in how happy I've felt recently and it sounds simple, but it has been because of FRIENDS...I have been so BLESSED in my life with wonderful friends, I mean amazing people, who have enriched my life and experiences wherever we have lived...I wish I could transport all the ones I hold dear to SG, but I can't! I'm sure if I'm patient here and perhaps a little more outgoing, I will find those blessings (friends) here. In the meantime, I am so grateful that FRIENDSHIP continues on and on no matter what or where you are!

2 QUOTES that sum it up nicely:

"Good friends are like stars...
you don't always see them,
but they are are always there."

"Friends are like bras:
close to your heart and
there for support."