Hiking and decorating

Just before Thanksgiving last week we went hiking at Madera Canyon. It was in very nice day for a hike and we enjoyed being outside. We saw Mount Hopkins, that made us remember our sweet friends in Wenatchee. We miss you Scott and Jenn and Caleb and Ashley! The girls wanted their pictures on the log... Which turned out to be funny when Vivian got off and fell in the little bit of water we found.

Yesterday we decorated for Christmas! It was fun to get everything out, even though it doesn't feel like Christmas since it's still in the 80s down here. We also went to get a Christmas tree... That was a little bit of a painful experience. Let's just say we found out if you want to buy a cut Christmas tree here in Arizona you are going to spend a lot of money! Hence our shorter tree. But it's beautiful nonetheless in the kids and daddy did a good job decorating it!

Thanksgiving 2017

What a Thanksgiving! Josh was able to take some time off this last week and through next week, and we have sure enjoyed having daddy around. Our Thanksgiving was super special because my grandpa got to come spend it with us. He is the most joyful man I think I've ever met. He's very loving, kind, giving, and caring. I really enjoyed his stories from his younger years. Just spending time with him has been super special to me. I got to go grocery shopping with just him, which is always fun! We enjoyed playing games as a family here at the house. And we spent a day at the Pima Air and Space Museum. This will definitely be one of my most treasured Thanksgiving holidays.

And now Arizona!

I have not been good at keeping up on our blog.  And I don't know that that will change.  Life is busy ~ homeschooling our kiddos, work, playing, grocery shopping (love Click List!!!), AWANA, church, homeschool co-op, making our house our home, making new friends and keeping the old, drag-strip-races, gymnastics for Vivian, horseback riding lessons for Shelby (soon!), smoking yummy food on Josh's birthday present, planning vacations, making s'mores on our fire pit, bike rides, swimming, cul-de-sac play with new friends, making healthy food, celebrating 14 years of marriage, LIFE!  :)

Yes, we are doing well down here in AZ, but fall is definitely not the same.  We are in the 80's and glad that we seem to be done with the 90's and 100's!!!  We are going to have to get used to a totally different way of life.  It was hard to me to even think about decorating for fall when it was hot out.  But, we press on, decor out, hearts thankful.

You can pray for us as you think of us ~ That Josh will adjust well to this new station.  That we will learn to live well in the heat.  That we will be a light to whoever we meet whether at home, work or play.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!