I Am Grateful

I can't believe in a little over a week it will be 2009. Where has the time gone? I am getting way too old that is for sure! This month I have been thinking a lot about things I am grateful for.



*I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life

*I am grateful to feel like my move to Arizona was one of the best decisions I have made in a long time

*I am grateful for my sister and her family and for the amazing example they are to me of living the gospel

*I am grateful for the 3 most adorable niece and nephews in the world who just make me happy being around them

* I am grateful for the most amazing dad in the whole world. I am grateful for the 19 years I had with him. I am grateful for his love and kindness.I am grateful for all he taught me. I am grateful that I will be with him again.... forever. I really miss him

*I am grateful for friends new and old. For all they teach me and will continue to teach me. For the examples they are to me. For all they do for me. Thank You, Thank You

*I am grateful for trials and tribulations and for all they have taught me about myself. I know that I can handle anything....I am never alone.

*I am grateful for missionary work. The blessings are unimaginable.

*I am grateful for my mom. For all she does for me. For all she has sacrificed for us. For all she has endured. I love you very much Mom.

*I am grateful for my brothers. Brandon for always making me laugh. Colt.... Know I Love You !

*I am grateful for Sarah and for her decision to be baptized. Not only have you found happiness in your own life but you have helped me in more ways then you'll ever know.

Christmas Party at La Casa de Brannigan and Cassie

Brannigan and I decided to throw a Christmas Party at our apartment this year. Can I just say it was ...... AWESOME! The pictures above are some of our decorations. We invited family and friends and ate lots and played some great games. We had a White Elephant Exchange as well.

Me enjoying the food

Most amazing party planners ever! We wanted to match our silver sparkle decor!

Bryant and I

Shelley and roommate Andrea

My cousin Kyle and his girlfriend Katie

Me, Amy, Whitney, Kirk, and Chelsey showing off our white elephant gifts

Sarah, Heather,and Valerie showing us their gifts.

Bryant with his gifts. A book of dog poop art. Disgusting.

Our tree with all the gifts under it

Cousin Shelby with a few peoples gifts on her.

Playing pictionary. Team A

Playing Pictionary Team B. We couldn't really see the board so the game wasn't that exciting.

Brannie and I up to draw for pictionary. Cheese

Shelley and Kirk into their drawing

Sarah, Me, Cameron, and Brannie. Bran and I bought a few gifts for white elephant. This was one of them.... a pirate dress up set.

The night was so much fun and over too quickly. I think we'll be having more parties now that we've seen how much fun it is! Thanks everyone who came and to those of you who didn't make it ..... you missed out!

Happy Birthday Sarah

Friday December 13, 2008 was my friend Sarah's Bday. We had a little party for her at our apartment. We ordered pizza, played lots of games (we had a "speed" tournament. I was the big winner), and ate delicious brownies for her birthday treat. I hope she had a great birthday!



Catchphrase - my team lost . Shelley, Mary, Sarah, and Bradley

Still Catchphrase: Bryant, Shelley, and Mary

Bradley, Heather, and Brannie

Brannie and I after creating our brownie cake or tower... whatever!

Yummy
Getting " Happy Birthday" sang to her

Sarah and her delicious birthday treat. Brownies had just come out of the oven and were gooey. So the candles were not wanting to stay up!

Group Shot! Bryant, Shelley, Me, Mary, Sarah, Heather, Brannie, and Bradley.

Getting Our Tree Last Year in DC

I found these pics from last year when I lived in DC. I thought it was funny how bundled up Shelley, Rach, and I are. I think we were at Home Depot picking out our tree. It had sn0w on it even. So to pick a tree we had to cut the strings off shake the snow off and see if it was a good one. It was freezing outside. Funny compared to getting a tree here in Arizona in shorts late at night! : ) Good Times

Christmas Tree in Arizona

So a week or so ago Brannie and I decided we needed to get our Christmas Tree. Both of us being raised in the Northwest and Always having real trees that smell amazing we knew we had to have a fresh tree. So.... we settled for a tree stand off the freeway. Turns out all the trees were from Oregon. I think it was meant to be.......



We really wanted a nice tree ( i forget the name of the kind we wanted) . However when he told us the price we were like no thanks we're cheap. He insisted we were "frugal" not cheap. So.... the tree above is what we came home with.

Here she is strapped to the jetta to be taken home! And yes.... I am in shorts....Gotta Love AZ!

And............here she is almost all done and decorated. We need a few more ornaments and a tree topper and she should be complete. Once again ... I Love Christmas!

It's That Time Of Year

Friday Night we decided to get a group together and take my friend Sara who is investigating the church to temple lights. We got to watch a few movies at the visitor's center and walk around the grounds. It was beautiful. I love this picture my friend Bradley took.

Here we all are in front of the temple and reflecting pool.


Nothing like ending the night with dinner at "Costa Vida"


I love Christmas ............... !

Change of Plans

So a while ago I posted all the races I was planning on training for in the next 6 months. There has been a change of plans. First.... I was going to train for the Las Vegas Half Marathon which is
scheduled for tomorrow. We then changed it to the Tucson Half Marathon which is also tomorrow b/c it was closer and Shels had a friend running it. Then we decided that since the race is on Sunday we shouldn't do it. We should try to only run races on Saturday. So...... there are no
Saturday half marathons in December so that puts us running our half marathon at the end of January here in Arizona.

The next on my list was the LA Marathon. We were suppose to run this in February. New people have taken over the organization of the LA marathon and have decided to move it from February to Memorial Day Weekend in May. We were not big fans of this so..... we decided to find a new marathon to run..... on a Saturday of course. So..... we are now running the ......

And I cannot wait. We are slowly getting a group of people to run it with us. So far we have Shels and I , Meg, Ann, Rob, Rich, and maybe Nicole. Let the training begin! : )

I also had listed the Arizona Ragnar Relay as well. The team we were going to be on is no longer being put together and I really have no desire to do the Ragnar again. Atleast for now. The DC one kicked my butt. Maybe another year!!!