Thursday, December 15, 2011

Thanksgiving and Mexico

Thanksgiving this year we spent with Anthony's mother and our dear friends the Liberatores. Since we have no family close we have made our friends family. In the sense we spend holidays and special events with friends. Of course if our parents had the time and money to come spend every special occasion with us they would. Life just doesn't work that way for most of us. Grandma Hoffman flew in and celebrated my birthday with us and Thanksgiving. I had a picture of the birthday celebration, but it got deleted. Sorry.

 The Saturday after thanksgiving Anthony and I kissed the kids and Grandma good bye and headed off to Mexico. Anthony had winter meeting with the company. Since we all had to travel to meet. We met in Mexico. Brilliant idea in my opinion. First time I have ever left my babies. And yes it was hard, but got over it the second I spotted the beach. Thankfully we have great friends that watched them the whole week after Grandma left. Knowing my kids were with people I trusted made it easy to let go. The trip was amazing! I went to the spa twice! Laid out in the sun almost everyday and ate great food. Plus we saw all the great friends we have made in the company. Including my friend Tonia. She made the first year  living in Arkansas with no family bearable.

Arianna at Brendon's Preschool Feast.

Thanksgiving with the Liberatores






WHY I NEEDED A VACATION!!
Found the bathroom and arianna like this after a shower. Yeah that was fun.

 Our Hotel Room in Mexico

View from our room. Yes, that is the Ocean.

Private pool on our balcony.
 The First day we spent in Mexico was Sunday. We got the opportunity to find a LDS Church near by and attend Sacrament meeting.
Anthony trying on the nacho libre masks.
Amazing Sand Art. 
dinner with the Garner

Beautiful Sunset on the Boardwalk.
fun friend that hung out by the pool at the resort.
Scuba Diving




Christmas Tree outside our hotel
One of the nights most of us on the trip went on a Rhythm of the Excursion. First we took an hour boat ride to an island. Had dinner and enjoyed a great performance.
Sunset on the boat ride




 swimming with dolphins. It was unbelievable. 

Last day and Breakfast with the Hawkins
WHY I CAME BACK FROM VACATION 
Love these kids more then words can express


We had a great time in Mexico enjoying the weather and seeing the sites with great people. Reminded me how blessed I am. We even got to be apart of a robbery. While touring some sites with a member we met at church. Lenny and his wife left their backpack in the car. When we came back to the car it was gone. We were in the middle of nowwhere and had only been gone 5 minutes. Unfortunately they had their passports in the backpack and had to spend the next day getting a temporary one. Lesson I learned... Mexican Prison is not a friendly place. Even on the outside. When the week was over I felt ready see my kids and jump back into life. Good thing because  after  two days everyone in the family got the stomach flu. We all got over it by the end of the week and are now playing catch up before Christmas.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Brendon's Preschool Program
HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Monday, November 14, 2011

Catch up and Halloween

I have had a lot going on the past month and got behind on updating the blog. Here is what we have been up to the last few months.
The Brewers came to St. Louis for the playoffs. With them being that close Anthony wanted to go to the game. We worked out plans with some friends and drove down to St. Louis. Anthony and his Friend John went to the game. I stayed at the hotel with Cristy (john's wife). The next day we all went to Six Flags and had a great time. I forgot how much I love roller coasters. Brendon was unsure about most the rides. I finally persuaded him to try out a few. His favorite was a log ride that had a miniature drop at the bottom. I think he rode it at least 5 times. Arianna enjoyed being out side and all the people. She went on a couple rides, but decided it was not her thing. I have a feeling it will be one day.

What is the best thing about staying in a hotel?? Jumping on the bed!!


Entrance to Six Flags

Arianna loved this Red Pepper.

Scooby Doo where are you!


Train Ride 
Brendon's Favorite Ride



 The last two years My Uncle Michael has come into town for business with Sams Club. He is able to attend his meeting and we get to have him stay with us and enjoy his company for a few days. The kids loved him. Everywhere he went the kids followed. There are a few perks to living in Arkansas.


HALLOWEEN
This Halloween was both very busy and fun. We had multiple activities that we attended. First came the family day at the pumpkin patch. Every year we go to the same pumpkin patch and pick out or pumpkins.Second was Brendon's Preschool Halloween Bash. It was amazing. I helped plan it and got blown away by all the detail that went into the party. Next we had our ward trunk or treat. I am now in the Primary and got to help plan out this activity too. We had a great turn out and came way with a lot of candy. Finally it was halloween. We did are usual Halloween sonic stop and trick or treating. Sonic in our town serves free hot dogs and drinks on Halloween. We have made it a tradition to go eat before we go out trick or treating. It has become a tradition we look forward to each Halloween. Both Brendon and Arianna looked cute in their costumes and loved everything about halloween this year.

PUMPKIN PATCH







PRESCHOOL HALLOWEEN BASH




 WARD TRUNK OR TREAT
My Primary President and good friend Gene Ann with the kids and I.



Arianna loved going by the Liberatore's car. She got a sucker ever time. 

SONIC STOP



TRICK OR TREATING






She would not let anyone help her carry her bucket. It was her candy and she was not sharing.

Happy Boy!