2013 Chris b-day/holiday's in review

I am a little behind in catching my blog up to date, so I will have much to review!

Our trip to Phoenix for Thanksgiving would mark our first real visit back together since we left.  We were so excited to see all our friends and family!

Getting a chair massage whilst on our layover in Houston

It was such a whirl-wind when we landed, I didn't think enough to get my camera out and take pictures, which would be the case for most of the trip.  Bummer! I will have to do better next time.  First we stayed with my sister in Queen Creek for the first part of our visit.  My first morning there, I was up early of course, because of the time change. 

My partner in crime in the early morning hours!

View from my sister's back yard.  

Taking my big sis to work in the morning

The first few days we were busy preparing the Thanksgiving meal, catching as much time together in the process as we could.  

Baking pies at my sister's

After our wonderful meal, the Scat toury came down to these two titans! Lucy took the pot

We were so grateful to all our friends and family (some from NM) who came to spend the holiday with us.  All of them are so special to us, and we miss them so much.  We so enjoyed our time on Thanksgiving.

While it was difficult to see everyone we wanted to,  we were able to spend some quality time with our dear friends the Marsh's.  Love this family so much, and we were so grateful that they hosted us for a night! Me, Tiffany and the girls.

I planned our trip long enough so we could spend Chris' birthday with our family in Phoenix.  We had a wonderful time.  Our friends from Cottonwood, the Dutton's, came down and ate with us at Chris' favorite place, Village Inn.  I know they were probably laughing at us, but that is what he wanted!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband!

The rest of our visit, spent staying at my parent's, went by so fast, and we tried to enjoy it all as much as we could.

Both of us had bed head from our nap!

Enjoying some our favorite foods - Smash Burger!

Enjoying MY favorite, Culvers!

Us girls  had our day of Hand and Foot, which I tried so hard to win, but didn't manage.  The trophy went to Cassie

Going home was tough.  Our flight was changed and Chris and I were not sitting together on the way back.  I tried to get it changed, but the airline was  not willing to work with me at all.  By the time we had said to goodbye to all my family at the airport and got seated all by ourselves on the plane, I was a wreck.  I started crying and couldn't stop for a while.  It was a long flight home! Back in North Carolina, Jan and Rocky were there to pick us up from the airport.  We visited all the way on the short trip from Raleigh to our home in Greensboro.  We were so happy to be back, and I'm already looking forward to the next trip!

Christmas was really quiet with not much to tell.  Chris actually had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so we ended up missing all the normal activities we do for the holiday.  But on a good note I am typing this post on my new Mac Book!  SO excited that I have a new laptop, and will no long have to fight with the old one.

A combo birthday/Christmas gift was a pool table for Chris - he had to put it together himself!

After a job well done, the first game!

Some beautiful craftsmanship from my dad, love!

I got several pairs of great earrings, these being one of them.  

And that catches us up! The holiday's are over and now I am packing up all the Christmas decorations  and life is returning to a bit more normal.  Looking forward to a great 2014.