November Recap: 2014

November was another great month. Dustin and I managed to get a sitter and go out on a romantic double date with our friends to the Melting Pot! That was an experience! I've never been there and the food was divine!

Date Night Selfie!

Dinner is served!

Dessert!

The kids and I love exploring the valley. Phoenix and it's surrounding cities are so full of culture and things to do, places to see. When the weather is nice, we can't stay indoors! We made a trip the the McCormick-Stillman Railroad park. We took the train ride, rode the carousel, and toured the other exhibits and cars. The kids enjoyed a scoop of ice cream before we left. What a neat place!

Train ride!

Under the tunnel!

Ice Cream!

November was also the Gain Fall Festival! I am proud to say I was the winner of the bake off contest! I made pumpkin whoopie pies and the crowd loved them. The fall festival was fun, the kids had a blast, and Laila even won the hula hoop contest for her age!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

My assistant!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving ha always been one of my favorite holidays. The smells, the food, the dessert. I love being surrounded by family, but being so far away from home, that's just not possible.

This year, I officially hosted my first "Framily" Thanksgiving! I've cooked the last 8 years for just my family, a small turkey and a few sides. This time, I made a whole feast! Our friends came over for dinner, and more friends showed up in time for dessert. My new home was filled with love and our bellies were full of delicious food. I was thrilled, and can't wait to do it again next year.

I didn't get any photos of the food, it was gone faster than I could put it on the buffet! The girls had a sleepover with their friend and we ended November on a great high.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cranberries!

Pecan Pies!

Sleepover!

Family Visits and October Recap: 2014

October was a month of family. It was a whirlwind of laughter and love.

After my amazing Mexico trip, we got back to the daily grind of school and life.

Halloween crept upon us quickly, and the kids had a great time carving pumpkins. The girls each made their own real "Jack O'lantern"!

Laila!

Kenadi!

The kids had a great time trick-or-treating at their school, and again at night around the neighborhoods. My dad was visiting and passed out candy, so I was able to take them from house to house. It was a blast!

Frankie Stein

Tangled

Hulk! Smash!

My crew!

We had quite a load by the time we were done trick-or-treating. The kids each picked a small bowl of candy they wanted to keep and the "Switch Witch" stopped by to take away all their candy!

Post Trick-or-Treat madness!

Thank you, Switch Witch!

My dad stayed for a week. Whew. That's always stressful on me. However, this time, we had another visitor! My brother, Mark, came in from California. To have my dad and brother here was amazing. I miss them both terribly, I miss home. We had a great time celebrating Dustin's birthday and dinner together, and just soaking up each other's love.

Father and Son
I love this photo.

Picking cotton!

D's birthday dinner!

D's birthday dinner family photo!

Post dinner drinks!

My loves.

Me and my daddy.

I'm so grateful for the relationship I have with them. No matter how many miles apart we are, a phone call can bring us close again, even just for a few minutes.

Viva la Mexico!

It's been on my bucket list since I can remember to travel outside of the country. Even living in MI so close to Canada, I never made it. October, I finally changed that.

Brandi, Bobbi-Jo, Tracey and I packed our bags and drove down to Rocky Point, Mexico! I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. It was honestly one of the best vacations I've ever taken. And a much needed break for all of us.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the trip.

Our first stop! Wrecked!

My favorite picture. Ever.
The beautiful beaches of Mexico.

Heading out for the day looking hot!

View from our resort!

View from our room! Glorious!

Sun-kissed!

Sunset.

Another beautiful sunset!

Goodbye, Mexico!

I soaked up the sun and had the time of my life. I saw dolphins, shopped, drank, ate, and laughed until I cried. It was a trip I can't wait to take again.

September 2014 Recap

September 2015 was an amazing month for us, big changes in the Smith family!

We bought our second house! Signed, sealed, delivered! It was a long summer of renting week to week until our paperwork was finished, but we made it and we are thrilled to be here. None of us have ever lived in a 2 story house before, so it's taken some getting used to, but we all love it.

Our new house key!

Our new home!

View from the back balcony! A pool!

I am so truly blessed to have an amazing husband who works so hard to make sure we have the things we need, and many of the things we want.

September also brought another season of soccer for the Smith girls! Kenadi's first time playing went well, she is loving being goalie! Laila enjoyed her 3rd season and is constantly improving!

L 8 and K 3

Jerome!

I realize this post is out of order, but it was such a great time, I want to be sure to get it down on paper.

For our anniversary, Dustin and I took a quick 24 hour trip to Jerome, AZ. We left the kids in the care of my amazing friend, Jennifer, and headed out. We arrived in time to taste some wine, have dinner, and make it to our guided ghost tour! We stayed in the most haunted hotel in the city, and I enjoyed the most delicious Bloody Mary I've ever had. I truly had a wonderful time and can't wait to return, there's so much we didn't get to see!

We made it!

Our hotel-the most haunted hotel in the city!
It used to be an asylum...yikes!

Room 22-old fashioned keys!

Our room. That was about it!

Owned my Maynard of Tool!
One of my dreams was to go here!

Delicious food!!

Heading out on our ghost tour!!

Mile High Grill-our breakfast stop!

This city was so amazing and so full of culture!

So beautiful, one of the main drags in the city.

The views were breathtaking up there.

Still old and authentic, and totally awesome!

The original jail, just weathered and shifted after years and years.

The woman swore I attracted spirits.
She said she's never seen so many orbs.

Old brothel. She said this was a "happening" place for spirits to hang out.

Heading home.