A Tardy Thanksgiving Update

I realize that it isa Christmas Eve today and I am just posting about Thanksgiving, but I thought I should at least post a little blurb about the holiday before Christmas!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, with lots of family and old friends. Rob and I cooked a turkey and ham him all kinds of yummy sides. Nova made THE BEST coconut cake I have ever had, it is now my all time favorite cake! Vern came up from Tuscon and joined us along with Dave and Libby and their kids. Uncle Mike, Cathy and Noah also made the trip and stayed through the weekend.

On Friday I got out the Christmas decorations and Rob, Jake and I decorated for Christmas. We watched lots of football and had a great weekend. Uncle Mike, Cathy and Noah had to go back home on Sunday.

More about Fall-Break

Jake and I recently "celebrated" our annual two weeks off of school in October, Fall-break. We basically took it easy for the 2-weeks cheering for the Diamondbacks, going to football practice, sleeping in every morning and relaxing around the house. We decided not to go anywhere for our vacation because Jake still had practice and games; he enjoys football so much that he didn't want to miss any of the 8-week season.

We did get to go to the Wildlife World Zoo. This zoo seems like it is on the other side of the world from where we live, but it is actually on the other side of Phoenix, about 70 miles from our house. We didn't mind the drive! We were off of school! Yoohoo!
This zoo is a lot of fun. It is flat and open, with about as many animals (if not more) than the Phoenix Zoo.

It isn't as polished as the Phoenix Zoo and the animals are not in as natural and scenic habitats, but they are closer to you and it is much less crowded! It almost seemed like we were there by ourselves. It will be fun to go back sometime.

After the zoo we had lunch in Gilbert at Joes Farm Grill. It was yummy!

We had some other things going on during our break. Nova (Jake's G-mom) went on a trip to New York City and had a fabulous time. Dan (Jake's Grandpa) participated in the Chicago Marathon. He was on mile 16 when they cancelled the race due to heat. He is fine and had a great time.

Nova took Jake to Tuscon for an overnighter with Jake's best friend Conner and his Grandma Sherry. They had a jam-packed stay and did lots of fun stuff.

I had a great time watching the Diamondbacks make it to the NLCS and then get swept, but it was fun. The Cardianls are not eliminated from the playoffs yet (as of week 6) they are actually in 1st place; so I've been watching them with reserved excitement. And the Suns begin their NBA Championship season on Novemebr 1st against Seattle. So I'm very excited.

We are both back at school now as of yesterday; so far, so good.

First attempt at a book review

During my fall break I read Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Let me just say "I loved this book". I am not generally a fan of autobiographical, memoir type books but I found this to be very enjoyable.

Why did I like it so much? I think because the author has such a real way of writing. What I mean is, she writes what is going on in her head in a very intelligent, fun and likable way. I shared her journey and felt like I belonged with her, beside her every step of the way.

This is a story full of life and hope.

I am reading Oprah's next book club selection next, Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I will let you know what I think.

-Stacey

Almost Fall!

Yay! I think summer may be finally over. It only got to about 87 degrees today. It's just the best time of year around here. It's why we live here. Jake and I have fall break begining Friday 9/28 after school, and are really loooking forward to the time off. We don't have any big vacation plans this year but hopefully we can do lots of fun stuff around here. He is planning a short sleepover in Tuscon with his friend Conner and their two grandmothers, and hopefully Duane and Jack will be able to get here on their trip out west.
Jake is playing football again and is on the STYFL Jr. Pee Wee Cardianls. He is the starting center (the guy who snaps the ball to the guy who throws it). He really likes playing and watching football. He even watched the AZ Cardinals with me today wearing his Edgarin James jersey! So here's a question: Is it okay to have a back-up team to root for if you're an AZ Cardinal fan or does this go against the general-unwritten-rules-of-fandom? I say you have to make an exception for Cardinal fans! My back-up team ws supposed to be the Chargers but right now they have the same record as the Cardinals.

Rob's 2007 Ironman

My husband Rob completed his 2nd Ironman Triathlon on 4/15/07.