OK. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year, we have missed 3 seasons of blogging

Jamee and I are living the dream. We love where we are at right now in life and the past few months only prove it. Although it was fan-tab-ulous to see all the friends and family over the holiday's the cold weather was not. Here is a run down of how the holiday's went, and what is happening right now.

::Thanksgiving (a long, long time ago)::

We spent Thanksgiving in Arizona. We were graced with the presence of a short couple (Ryan and Ashley) and a tall couple (Manda and Charlie) and a solo flyer (Brad, my buddy from college) coming to visit us from the north. We had Ry and Ash with us most of the time crammed in our living room with Brad.

We went to Angies for lunch and had a marshmallow fight, since we didn't have snow, we pretended the marshmallows are snow balls. Pretty low key and just enjoyed the company. Manda and Charlie then stayed with us the last night and we really enjoyed hanging with them and going on 2 dates in one night. Mande is now hooked on the Yougurtology craze just like us!

Then we waited to go home for Christmas...we thought we were ready...

::Christmas (a long time ago)::

We first celebrated with our friends in Arizona before we all went our separate ways. We had a party at Kyle and Leslie Morris'. They are some of our good friends down here. Along with the Bost family, Motte's, Webb's, and the solo flyer Paul Colman.

We were flying in to MSP during the supposed "storm" that we were supposed to get. Well to Gil, there is no such word as storm when you drive a Tundra. So we got in and home just fine. We stayed in MN a couple nights hanging out with Jamee's family just to catch up and have some fun. Thanks Brenda for the great Christmas Eve program! =) Always a fun tradition...

We then got to Iowa and got to see my family. It was great to see all of them as well. We did our annual white elephant exchange, while the girls could just call it a "purse exchange" cause thats what it is. Anyway Kyle won the NCAA'10 family tournament...I was ousted by the winner at least! We loved being around all the loved ones and seeing everyone again, especially Tyler and Megan as we hadn't seen them since they got married. Pretty weird he's married now, yet cool!

::New Year's 09/10? (some time ago)::

So we had a good time with our friends and family's combined on this night. We went to my parents house and met up and caught up with everyone, then went to the Blackhawks hockey game in town. It was a great game that went to a shoot-out. No fights though! Then we went to a lounge where one of our friends band was playing. Which was nice because it was only blocks from the game, and it was freezing out!

All of our friends were there and it was a good night of dancing and just talking with them all.

We then just relaxed the rest of the time enjoying the snow, as much as we can. So we got in the hot tub when it was (-20) which made it feel really hot, it's my favorite thing to do in the cold winters.

So that is our holiday update. Now we will keep you up with the everyday happenings going on so this thing isn't so doggone long! I/We will try to do something weekly, if there is something to write about. Nana/Bumps....I know I told you I would update it, so I PROMISE!

Till the next time, have a great week and keep it in the short grass...I mean in the foot deep snow in the cold weather :)

Reminiscing with a good ole' concert

Creed. Thats right Creed was in concert and we went. I got a text yesterday morning from a friend saying he had some extra tickets and wanted to know if Jamee and I wanted to go. Thinking to ourselves we both LOVED Creed in their hayday (and ours for that matter), we decided it would be a fun night. 'My Own Prision' was the first CD that I ever bought, due to it being great, and every song a classic. So we went and it was great. Scott (lead singer) really put on a good show, and it was solid to see him in his element.

We have yet to determine his religious beliefs as many of their songs are about the golden streets, arms wide open (written about his daughter running into his arms), and asking to be taken to a place where blind men see...He has to know the BIG GUY upstairs! Anyway....

We went with some of my friends from down here. Grant Fuhr (NHL Legend and Hall of Famer), Travis Marting (played on my college golf team with me), and Jonny (he is a general contractor...don't have anything good on him) and had the entire suite to ourselves. Pretty sweet gig for the night!

So just thought that I would share some pictures of our night, and maybe bring back some memories for all of you.

One quick memory for me was listening to Creed in the parking lot during before soccer practice with Nick, Kyle, Schoon and myself all trying to get our radio's to sync so it would be as loud as we could get it! GREAT, GREAT memories.

This is all of us, and Jamee, she was out numbered , but still knows how to have a good time no matter what the crowd!

This was our view the entire night....not bad.

The arena is in a really cool area as the hockey and football stadium are a stones throw apart. But there was a little mini-Vegas like fountain, and tons of cool little shops all around. Overall a great atmosphere to get ready or relax for the game/concert...

Below is a little clip of the concert...battery was dead, so this is all I got.

That is all for now....enjoy the rest of the week!

Jamee's Turn & Some Lake Time

So Derek can't have all the fun on here! I decided that I should learn how to post on here so that I can balance out some of Derek's talking... which can range from exaggerated to completely politically incorrect! As much as I get worked up when he says stuff, I completely love that he says what he thinks and is honest. What you see/hear is what you get! Derek keeps me on my toes and reminds me to chill out every once in a while. I'm always telling him not to say this or say that so I decided that we can just share the posting responsibilities on here.

We went on a little "adventure" on Saturday to find a lake in AZ! Coming from Minnesota, where we could easily walk to 3 lakes from our home, AZ is a little bit different. When we first moved here I was at work when some of my co-workers were talking about going to the lake. Thinking there might be one really close that I didn't know about, I got really excited and asked which lake and where. My high hopes went away pretty fast when they said the closest lake is 40 minutes away. Needless to say, we decided to check it out and see what an AZ lake was like. In my mind it could have been a pond or a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. We packed up some food and hiking gear and headed on our roadtrip to find this so-called lake.

Well, Bartlett Lake was absolutely beautiful! We had a great time walking along the beaches and jumping in the lake when the AZ heat became too much to handle. Here are a few pictures that we took...

We decided next time we're going to make an entire day of it and bring some music, shade, games, chairs, blankets, floats, and a few more drinks! We have all these huge plans... wow how I took for granted all the lakes that we had back in the midwest!

One thing off of my list of places to go and things to do while we're here in the southwest, however long that may be! Might as well make the most of it!

Love you all and miss you,

Jamee

Another visitor...and a couple checks!

So another visitor came to the valley to say hello recently. My mom Lynn. She got in right after Kris left. It was great to see her as it has been since we had moved out here. Basically relaxation was the word of the week. We laid by the pool, went shopping (will touch on in a little bit) and ate out. All together a great week.

So to explain the shopping thing. I came to this realization when my mom came. Kris came and had a great time with Jamee shopping at the malls and going to try on the new clothes, and do the 'girl' thing. My mom and I??? We went to the grocery store. That is where I like to shop...she knew right where to take me much like Kris knew where to take Jamee. Funny how they are so contrasting....yet the key to my heart will probably always be my stomach! THANKS MOM.

So also one night we went out to eat with Sandy as Ken was out of town. Went to the infamous CPK. It was fun. anyway we actually got a picture as we learned the first time around that is what we forgot to do. So here we are on our night out at Desert Ridge.

On a side note I have some good professional news to share with everyone. This week I made my official first few checks golfing. I am putting food on the table...holla! I finished in 3rd place in a two day tournament and then finish 10th in a 3 day tournament right after that. So for all of those that say I don't "work"...I worked 5 days in a row, and made a profit. Exciting and all the hard work is paying off...finally. Now to keep pressing and seeing what I can get moving forward. I have a good schedule lined up and am ready for it!

for now....THE HAWKS LOOK REAL GOOD! I mean REAAAL good. So all you Minnesotans, Sorry but you again, won't have a chance!

In the words of Elmer Fudd...."Th-th-that's all Folks!"

Greatness...

OK another thing i forgot, today I was driving and when I hear this song I turn it up full blast and sing like no-one is listening (Jamee would argue I do that with every song). It just has the best lyrics in the chorus and I can't ever get enough!

Everything that has happened in my life: great high school/college friends, losing a friend earlier than expected, marriage, moving, being blessed by family...just anything you can think of, this song ALWAYS make me feel like a million bucks, because I woke up breathing and thanks to God, I get lucky enough to enjoy yet another day.

I thank God everyday for the family and friends that I have been surrounded by. My wife is UN-BE-LIEVABLE! SHE LOVES ME MORE THAN I CAN ASK FOR, and she loves God more. What a life, I was just enthralled when I heard this on yet another GREAT day in the valley of the sun!

Click on the link and don't make fun of the mullet!

Mom and Mom again....

Well, sometime has passed now since the last time I wrote, but this will pick up I promise. So since last time there is a lot going on. Jamee's morning job had a change in management for the worse (they were lazy and didnt care about employees or customers), so after talking it over she QUIT...the next day..hahaha! But she is LOVING her job at the PT's office. They have good people and the time fly's by. So she is getting more and more hours there since she doesn't work in the morning.

I am working everyday as much as I can. Still trying to figure out how to hit the ball straight every time...let me know if you have any thoughts! But consistency is key in golf, and i feel like i am slowly getting closer to making that a reality, now it will come down to wedges and the short game. The theory says that everyone that is good at golf hits the ball the same, it is just the short game that makes money or not! So I have another tournament this weekend, looking forward to it after having a week off.

The reason I have had a week off was because Mama Kris came to visit. She came in on Thursday and was here for 6 days. It was great to have her here, Jamee got some special time in (shopping, and laying by the pool) with her mom. Then she went on to spoil us and took us out to eat basically every night...so there are tons of leftovers still that we are sorting through! It was great to see her and always looking forward to the next time.

Now my mom is here...so we did a mom swap and are getting spoiled once again. I will update more at the end of the week...and may take some pictures so this isn't so boring, we were having such a good time that we forgot to take any pictures!

The New Baby...not what you think

So Jamee and I sold my oldmobile (notice there is no 's', because it is old) before we moved out here so that we didn't have to be in 2 separate cars for the 24 hour ride on the way out. This was NOT the easiest thing for me to do. I LOVED that car. It had all the memories from my high school buddies, college times, and just good old fashioned fun burnt into my memory. Needless to say, things I will never forget. I know that this is something I had to let go of....luckily its still in the family though so when I go back home to Iowa, I can see my baby. (Thanks for taking care of it Kyle).

We just got a new car (to us). A Honda Accord. Jamee is obsessed with it because it reminds her of her high school days, and the first car that she had. I like it because it reminds me of her high school days when we had our first kiss...wait what?!?! Anyway....I have put a picture on here of what it looks like, for those who care. I think I am going to call her the "Green Goblin - (she will gobble up good times)" Haven't run that by Jamee yet but she will live with it.


Also, I have been talking to many people on the phone and tell them I have a better view than them, guaranteed. Mainly because I can get stable reception everywhere up there, but also I just like to talk up there and look for myself. My Aunt and Uncle have blessed us beyond what we deserve, but we are having a blast, and hopefully they aren't sick of us yet... ;)

So I thought that I would post some of the pictures of what it looks like...it is better at night but maybe I will add one later.