An Arizona Christmas

We received this as an email today and found it quite appropriate for our "Arizona Christmas". We hope you enjoy! (and yes, I did sing this to Kevin).

Palm trees wave, are you listenin'?
In the pool, water's glistenin'
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight
Livin' in a Phoenix wonderland.

Gone away is the blizzard,
Here to stay is the lizard,
A warm sunny day, we like it that way,
Livin' in a Phoenix wonderland.

In the desert we will have a picnic,
Cactus, sand and rattlesnakes and sun.
Christmas dinner is an old tradition,
It's pinto beans and tacos by the ton.

Later on we'll perspire,
Temperatures rise even higher,
A warm sunny day, we like it that way,
Livin' in a Phoenix wonderland.

- Author Unknown

It's Here!!!!!!!!!

Perhaps you might recall my frustrations to an infant car seat I loaned to a friend. You can find that post here. Then, you might remember that I found out I could get all new seat covers in this post, due to a recall.

Well, what most people didn't realize or know...that the car seat drama continued. I was happy that I could bring Brayden home in a somewhat "new seat". However, after a couple months, we noticed the seat started show signs of breaking. Not cool! It got so bad, that I am currently borrowing the Guthrie's car seat (thank you, by the way). The handle wouldn't lock into place, and the screw on the side kept coming out, where if felt like I was going to drop Brayden by holding the handle.

Back and forth, I dealt with emails and letters to Graco. It was "my problem" since it was out of warranty. But, they would "cut" me a check for $20 off the purchase of a seat under $100 or $40 off one $100 plus. Okay, thats fine and all. However, this seat issue was NOT my fault and I had personally only used it by the time this happened 10 months TOTAL. So, I wrote back telling them how upset I was with them as there was a serious defect in the seat and that I know plenty other people who have seats more used than mine, and there is nothing wrong with their seats.

Many months later, after lost letters and a $31 shipping charge to send the used car seat sent back to Graco...A brand new car seat arrived!!!! When I got an email last Friday saying they ordered me new seat, I said I would believe it when I saw it. Then, being a little ungrateful of them sending me one, said that I really hoped it wasn't some "Winnie The Pooh" car seat. If you know me, I HATE stuff like that. I'll be nice and not say the other words I used to describe the seat. (No...I didn't swear...why would you think that?).

Lets just say I am BEYOND excited! I was so happy to see that this pattern is one I would have chosen myself. I found it online, but honestly, there is small pattern on it, that you can't see. I LOVE IT!!!! Thank you Graco. After the many emails, letters, headaches and shipping, I am FINALLY happy! Trust me, $31 in having to pay for shipping is a lot cheaper than having to buy this car seat. Plus, now Brayden has a brand spanking new seat!

And to the Guthrie's...I will be returning yours very soon. THANK YOU!!!!

4 Years!

Happy 4th Anniversary!

Crazy or Homesick?

You be the judge. Things I miss this season from home:








Instead, this is what I get this Christmas Season:






While I must admit, I do like the weather in Arizona around Christmas...I'm still a Chicago girl...BORN AND RAISED!!! :)

Work Christmas Party

Kevin and I went to his work's annual Christmas Party...or rather "Holiday" party where you bring your "Significant" other. Do I even need to expound on that? How sad it is that Christmas is now turned into HOLIDAY and spouse is turned into SIGNIFICANT other. Sigh... I grew up in an area where there were many Jewish people. Most of our drs and specialists were Jewish! I can't honestly remember one time when anyone got offended over the word "Christmas". I think everyone enjoyed the warm feeling and the kindness that all received. The whole reason we celebrate this time of year is because of CHRIST...hence CHRISTmas.

Anyway, I digress...

Here is a snapshot someone got of us that evening. I'm not entirely sure you could tell my left eye was blood shot as I somehow irritated it. Plus, so much for wearing makeup. I'm so pale that the flash appeared to have washed my face out. Plus, I wore my fake hair piece. Yes, did you hear that? I own a fake hair piece. But, too bad you couldn't notice it, since my hair was pulled back. Kevin and I were living it up on our virgin drinks, at the open bar. FYI...cranberry juice with ginger ale and fresh lime is pretty tasty. Kevin enjoyed orange juice with ginger ale. LOL :)

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Traditions

I'm not entirely sure WHY its hard for me to get into the Christmas season/spirit. I listen to all the music all the time. I LOVE CHRISTMAS...but find it just hard to get into it. Perhaps its b/c of financial reasons, not being with family, being in the desert and not having a "white" Christmas. I'm not sure, but something just doesn't feel "right" and I can't place my finger on it. Perhaps I need to start looking to others and serving them more...forgetting myself. However, its hard with our large family. Not going to lie...its very difficult.

Some of my fondest Christmas Memories are:

--Going to the Ozarks and renting a house with our family...spending Christmas there.
--Spending New Years Eve (but celebrating Christmas) with extended family in Aspen Grove.
--Lake Forest Tree Lighting Ceremony
--LFHS Christmas Spaghetti Dinner/Concert
--Opening up our secret Santa (from a sibling) gift on Christmas Eve
--PJ's from Mrs. Clause on Christmas Eve
--Ice Skating at Artesian Park
--Coming home from college and being so grateful for home cooked meals
--Seeing what family gift Dad got the family that year
--BAKING (my mother is excellent at this!)
--Giving the Savior a gift at Christmas and putting it under the tree
--Getting a new ornament each year
--First Presidency Christmas Devotional
--Brother Grundberg on the Euphonium playing "O Holy Night"
--Waiting for Dad to wake up and take pictures of all our presents BEFORE we were allowed downstairs.
--"Picture a stable in Judea (moo)"--inside joke.
--Downtown Chicago looking at the department store Christmas windows
--My matching gingerbread stocking (and Leanne's) with our names monogrammed on the front
--Our fireplaces and drying off after our bath in front of it
--Caroling with the girl scouts and church
--Christmas Lights at the Cuneo Museum

These are all happy memories. There are so many more that I don't know where I should stop! Sometimes I wish I was a kid again.

Family Pictures 2009

We had family pictures taken last weekend. Originally, my friend who was in from out of town was going to take them. However, she got sick and couldn't do them. Since I was desperate for pictures THAT weekend (holiday cards, brother leaving the MTC for a foreign country, etc), I asked a friend in our ward to do them. It just so happens, that she had a cancellation and was able to do it for us!

I hope she doesn't mind me posting this picture, but I love it! Check out her blog here for MORE pictures of us--and you can see some other pictures she has done. I can't wait to show everyone the other ones she has done. I know they are great! :)