Our First Christmas Tree

"It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas"

There are always 'firsts' when you're in relationship and this one is magic. A cloudy Sunday morning woke Scott and I as sunlight filtered in between the curtains. With the energy of little kids we bounded outside to put up our Christmas lights. Twinkly white icicle lights light the eaves of the home, while color lights make the plants and door frame sparkle.

To reward ourselves with a job well done we had peppermint ice cream and ginger ale. What a great snack. There was basketball watched, of course, and we bid our time until it was off to my mom's home for dinner.

There really is nothing like BBQ hamburgers, baked potatoes, and beans. Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm. For dessert we roasted marshmallows. Maybe I turned it into a war, but they were still good. After chatting and laughing with the family Scott and I excused ourselves. We were off to hunt for the Perfect Tree. We found ourselves at Moon Valley Nursery. Our look was over....

We pulled up to the Nursery and it was exactly what a Christmas tree lot should be. There were little fires lit to keep anxious tree hunters warm. The make shift forest was full of Blue Spruce and Noble Firs, their aroma was intoxicating and you couldn't help but smile as the nostalgia of Christmases past flooded your thoughts.

There was much hunting about until we found the perfect tree. A 6 foot Noble and perfect for our home. We had Aaron strap it to the top of the car and we were homeward bound.

We got the tree inside and I set to work with the Christmas lights. 6 strands of white lights and 3 strands of unique candle fickering lights created the majestic atmosphere. Ornaments of red and white, candy cane stripes, and of course some Arizona trinkets found their way on our branches. At the top of the tree, a silver star. This is my touch of Disney as the star has delicate details depicting the sillouette of Mickey Mouse. The tree is Perfect!

With "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" playing in the background Scott and I took our first (I'm sure of many) Christmas picture.

I hope that you are already filled with the Holiday Spirit. I know that at our house it is twinkling from Christmas lights, fireplaces, and smiling faces!!! I hope you are all well and enjoying this time of year.

With all our love,

Scott and Stacey

Duel in the Desert

We Came, We Saw, We Conquered

UofA 31 - ASU 10

Viva Las Vegas

Saturday started just as normal a day as you would imagine. It ended however in an epic defeat in which gold melted and maroon sadness dripped across Arizona Stadium as the ASU Sun Devils hung their heads in shame.

Mike Thomas and Nic Grigsby had quite a game. They were both on point and helped the AZ Wildcats reach a 31-10 victory. A sea of crimson drenched the field as the Zona Zoo escaped from their eager bleachers and poured onto the field. It was INCREDIBLE to watch. Check out the video below!!!!

Bahama Bucks

Last night we were talking about a conversation I had with one of my most dear friends Rachael. We talked about how her inlaws live up at Lake Havasu. That got Scott talking about the shaved ice he'd had once upon a visit.

I mentioned to him that Bahama Bucks was the place for shaved ice and that we had to go there. I looked up the closest location and when I got back from boot camp we left to go.

The line was OUT the door. Apparently they were doing Free 12oz shaved ice treats for everyone that day which is Crazy but we took advantage of the opportunity. After a great internal conflict of which flavor to get, Scott made his decision. As tempting as peaches & cream, guava & passionfruit were he settled with Creme Brulee and 1/2 Fuzzy navel. I had a strawberry daiquiri with cream. They were splendid and even better than Lake Havasu for Scott. We have to remember to take Tim there next time his is in town. All in all a Successful ice visit.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is here and gone and what a holiday it was. Scott and I wanted to be with both of our families so we had to figure out how to get it done. We decided to spend breakfast with my crew, have him play in the Turkey bowl, and then drive to his family in California for dinner.

We knew it was going to be a lot in one day but we knew we could make it work. Breakfast was fun with Toni, Seann, his daughter Ashley, Jake, Nikki, Zach, Mom, John Reed, Beccs, Brody, Scott, and I! Pounds and pounds of bacon, coffee cake and mamosas. We ate and watched the parade as Scott scooted off for the Turkey bowl.

I left to get home early, I had to prepare for the road trip. Scott ended up coming home about 12 covered in bruises. He had taken quite a hit in the Turkey bowl. They played in Scottsdale and there must have been 20 + people there. A bunch of guys from work and then old friends from college days showed up for this hallowed of football games. Scott of course if the most quick and speedy from any team and had touch down after touchdown. People were singing his prasies and commenting on his speed and agility. He was defintely the MVP of the game. There was also one hell of a hit where his face met the hip of an opponent. This resulted in a mild concussion, bruises on the corners of his eyes, an injury under his right eye, and a lump on his forehead. What a hit!!!!
There was furious packing, a pit stop into the gas station and then we hit the road. A short 5 hours later and we walked into Aunt Jan's home right as Thanksgiving dinner was being dished up. Everyone was there. Grandma & Grandpa Pickering, mom, dad & Timmy, Jan & Ken, Cathy & Steve, Scott & Rachel, Steve, Renee, and Katelynn, Kristi, Greg & Emily, Phillip, Ino, their daughter Serena & baby James, newly engaged Nicole and Chris. What a greeting. What a family.

The home was bustling with Thanksgiving warmth and there was love and laughter. It was the sight that I feel most families long for and few can create. Not this group, it was second nature and a completely natural habitat. The food was delicious! I had heard tale of Renee's cranberry salad for months and that was the first things Scott went to (later it because his favorite after leftover snack). There were rolls, sweet potatoes, ham, turkey, veggies, smashed potatoes, stuffing, all the fixings and lots of desserts. It was idyllic.

When all was consumed in a feeding frenzy there was time for digestion. Some stayed home and slept, others went to play horse shoes and a few of us toddled off to the movies. The idea was to see Four Christmases, but we had arrived moments to late. [To help progress the story along, I had just finished the book Twilight] The alternative was seeing the movie "Twilight". This was quite alright by me and seemingly fortuitious and willingly I agreed. Katelynn had seen it three times already and was beeming with the idea of seeing Edward saunter into the cafeteria once more.

When it wrapped it was home and to bed, there was yet another day or so of festivities ahead and it would be best to be rested. Friday brough tournaments. After a visit to Norco best for a early morning pastrami sandwich and a ride over to Grandma & Grandpa's house it was back home and out to horse shoes. This is a competitive group which is quite alright by me. Now I recall I didn't win, but there is nothing as exhilarating as playing horse shoes in the darkness of a southern California night by the simple glow of a landscaping light. I highly recommend it. Following horse shoes it was time for Thanksgiving leftovers. This lead to a breath taking rendition of cheers performed by Becky & Jan in the kitchen. I think that may acutally be a highlight of the day. Afterward it was up to the loft for Catch Phrase in a battle of the sexes. I maintain that we Dominated! This is a game that brings out the best and the brightest of the competitors the charades that happen are epic! After we wrapped that game a very inpromptu rendition of pool took place and we are fortunate we didn't break a finger. :)

Saturday morning took Scott and I into Anaheim for some Christmas shopping at the World of Disney store. We weren't there for more than an hour but we did Work. It doesn't take much more than the word "go" to set me off in that place. There needed to be a reprise of Pastrami so another stop of Norco's Best lead to the whole family joining us. Great minds really do think alike.

There was one more horse shoe tournament and then a little more catch phrase this time with was the "Kids vs. Adults" I think it is safe to say that we won in that challenge as well. We had to say our sad goodbyes and gave hugs after hugs after hugs. Scott and I slipped off to our car and then drove home. We blinked an we were back. Thanksgiving quickly became fond memories and we can not wait to see the family again soon.