This is why....

I am here sitting at home on my day off and the house is quiet. It seems like old times. I have been thinking of all the different reasons why we moved back to Mesa. And I am sure grateful we moved back closer to family.

We celebrated Veronica's birthday at my cousin Sophia's house. Since it was Friday the 13th she hosted a dinner. It was a game "How to Host a Murder" I think. It was like Clue. It was very fun and the dinner was wonderful.

Far Left to Right-Veronica, Keith, Mike, Jacqueline, Sophia, Suzette, Brian, Solana, and Adam.

(The other people that are not shown are Sara and Glen. They were the "servants" in the kitchen.)

Then after a yummy dinner we had to play Rock Band, hang out with Bruce, and enjoy a relaxing night until 11:45pm!

P.S.-We missed you Tyler!

Show Low

This last weekend we headed up to Show Low for our niece Michelle's blessing. We left late Friday night and we weren't but 2 miles from the valley when Ryan puked. We don't know why this is a trend for him but it happened twice on the way up. Poor kid. I know its my fault too. I use to tease my sister Veronica for being carsick and always having to sit in the front. I should of been nicer to her. Look what happens. Hee hee!

We stayed at a lovely condo with Mike's family. We had so much fun with them. I have to say we have missed them terribly. The typical staying up until 2am just talking and laughing. There is not much we need to have a good time.

As you can see my coolest brother in law Trevor doesn't take much to make us laugh. Then we got Ryan into it. Just harmless fun! Until...the lady downstairs from us didn't really appreciate us having a good time at 1:30am. She had to make it known by a knock on the door asking us to keep it down. Good thing the extended family wasn't with us....that would of been a true complaint!

We got up the next morning and headed to Sunrise. There were some dog sledding races going on. The weather was perfect. We saw more family and had the joy of introducing the snow to Ryan. Yes, he is 2 years old and it was his first experience with snow.

Thanks to my cousin Maria for having the proper equipment for Ryan to play in the snow. He loved it! He loved it even more when Uncle Jim and Dad taught him how to make a snowball and throw it. He kept saying "cold".

We hung out there for awhile, saw the lodge etc and headed back. By this time babies had to be feed and put to bed for naps. I think Ryan need a little R&R from the drive and late night.

Maya with Grandpa & Grandma Thompson

Michelle & Brooke

Ryan's Hang over!

We had a great evening with everyone. We went to church for the blessing and then the goodbyes. The Moore's were leaving. Bye "Papa Scott" Bye "Grandma" Bye "Trev" Bye "Madt" Bye "Trav". Those were from the sweetest boy Ryan.

OH, I forgot one thing. Ryan went into their car the night before to go back to the condo and guess what??? Puke! Thanks to Madison feeding that kid a million grapes! Poor kid.

We stayed hung out, ate and watched the Super Bowl. No need to say more about that! It was a wonderful weekend and as always..... We love you Show Low!

Raygon your still so lovely...

As we were leaving the house for Show Low on friday night I ran into an old friend.

Raygon that lives in Idaho was visiting her family just 2 houses away from me. I saw her get out of her car along with her oh so handsome boys! I couldn't just pass by. As we hugged and talked for just the short 5 minutes we had to spare we tried to catch up on our lives. And of course as devoted bloggers we had camera in hand.

We said our goodbyes and as I drove away those childhood memories came flooding back. You know those ones of Barbie playing, Flintstones collecting, and the typical fighting and making up kind of drama. OH those were good times. All I needed to make it complete was Traci. Oh, how I miss her and Raygon. But look now, we are mommies and follow each others blog almost daily. Good thing for that. Blogging is not so bad after all.

Brings back memories....

If you were like me, this should bring back those Junior High days.

French Fries and Ice Cream...yummy!

Maya's laugh

Since we had videos of Ryan on our blog, we couldn't leave Maya out. So with camera in hand and a few props (i.e. Ryan, the dogs and dad) Maya's laugh finally got caught on tape.

We hope you enjoy it.

I promise it will make you laugh too.

Why thank you!

Since I started working at my new branch I have some across some very interesting people. If those of you are familiar with the town of Apache Junction you will know what I am talking about. But there is one customer that seems to stick out among the crowd.

His name is Mr. B.

To make a long story short, us gals help him out at the branch with things he is not able to do himself. He is always so grateful and likes to tease and give us a hard time. In a friend loving kind of way. He doesn't have any family out here and is dealing with health issues. Well, the other day he sent 5 dozen red roses to the branch! They were all individually marked who they were to go to. I was one of them. It was from Mr.B. He was thanking us for the help we provide to him. I thought that was very nice. He didn't have to do that. I hear from the other gals that he does those kind of things to show his appreciation.

President Obama

I know everyone has their own opinions and views about politics. And many of you that know me, I really don't talk "politics". But I do have my own opinions and views on issues regarding our nation and state. I have been brought up by parents that have done a very good job about letting me use my agency to form my own beliefs and opinions in the political world. They have been very good about teaching me the importance of voting too.

As I am aging gracefully and have my own family, I have come to realize that things that are happening now is paving the path for my children. They sure are not off to a great start. Poor Maya is going to be known as being born in the worst economic time in history. From foreclosures to war to unemployment, it is just what we didn't need to end 2008. But I foresee a brighter future for them now. It is sure not going to happen overnight but it will happen. Could it get any worse?

I feel in my heart that my vote counted this time around. As I watched our new President yesterday get sworn in and with all the festivities that go with it....I had hope. Change does need to happen and I am glad this guy was voted to do it.

Go Cardinals!

Dear Bishop,

Mike can't make it to church on Sunday. I hope you understand.

His Loving Wife,

Jacqueline

Random

We have some pictures we like to share with all of you that have been taken in the last 2 months.

Ryan is really not a morning person, can you tell? Maya being her cute self.Ryan playing tugs with the pugs.Maya enjoying being outside. Can't complain when its in the low 70's.We rode the new Metro. We started in Mesa and ended in downtown Phoenix right by the Chase Stadium.

Ryan isn't scared of this anymore.

Who is the person that took this not so straight picture?

Happy 2009!!!

It was a bitter sweet 2008 for the Moore Family. But we are ready for a New Year and some new adventures. So far it has been very good. It started out with wonderful family and friends surrounding us wishing good fortune and health. Then at least for Mike it was the Utes kicking major booty! We can't complain. I know its only been 3 days but optimism needs to be our friend.

Ryan is doing very well these days. He has amazed us with his ability to love unconditionally. He has developed those 2year old attributes but we know they are only temporary. He loves to play outside and do his chores with Papa. I don't know how much leaves he sweeps or dog poop he scoops up since his attention span is like 2 min. But he is earning his keep. He spent a few days with my cousin Sara and crew last week. He loved playing with all of her kids and the dog. His favorite words now are "park" and "play". How it would be fun to be a kid again.

Maya is getting so big and still loves her food. She has become very familiar with her play jumper-saucer thing. She turns round and round and likes to pull and play with all the toys attached to it. She is coming up on 6 months and is showing it. I have had to pull out a bigger size of clothes the other day. Everyone has told me she only has eyes for her mommy. It does make me feel good that people say that. I can't complain about that comment. What mother wouldn't?

So a new year and many goals set.

I think this is going to be a good year.