11.30.2013: Vegas Baby...Rockin n' Rollin Style

Well, it's finally here.  Brent, Alisa, Vince and I had been training for months for this weekend....and it's finally here!  Well, Vince and I really only trained for 12 weeks for this race, and both went into it with injuries....so were definitely not expecting any record breaking times....we just wanted to finish!  We signed up for the half-marathon...a first for us all....and why not do it in Vegas!  Dad decided at the last minute to run with us.  Like didn't train for it, just showed up with some running shoes and signed up on the spot.  Yes, he is crazy, as in crazy in shape.  Dad has really been training his whole life....so was more ready than we were haha!!

 

Mom and Dad, Kenny, Vince and I got into Vegas on Friday night.  Yes, we tried to get Kenny to run with us...no go on that one....maybe next year.  :)   The race wasn't until Sunday night.  So we checked in to the registration on Friday afternoon then got our Vegas party & drink on (bad idea).  We said we were gonna "take it easy" but who really does that in Vegas?

Ugh....

 

11.23.2012: Fall Photo Shoot

We took advantage of the gorgeous afternoon and beautiful backyard to do a little fall photo shoot!   Both Alisa and I needed Christmas card pics....so figured this was a great location for it!  Kids were ready first and outside playing, so I took some pics of them first.  They LOVE having their pics taken...how 'bout here?  How 'bout like this?  So cute!!!  At the end they just wanted to do silly fun shots.  For some reason if they are all in the backyard, and there is a camera around, they want pics of them jumping off the wall.  Goof-balls.  Avery wanted to be part of it...but not really participate in it :)

 

 

 

11.23.2012: Papa's Christmas Light Installation Party

Every year Gramma and Papa have the best best and most lights on the whole street....but Papa hasn't been able to put them up himself the past year or so.  So, Mom & Dad usually end up putting most of them up for him.  This year, we all deployed over there on Friday to help out.  It turned out to be a lot of fun, and a lot of funny!  Papa still loves to dictate what goes where and exactly how things should look and doesn't mind telling you when it is wrong.  He was giving instructions to Dad & Brent up on the roof...making sure each light is facing the correct way...not string of lights, but each individual light.  The "system" is pretty amazing though.  I see where the OCD DNA trait started, Haha!  It really was fun though, and I think Papa really appreciated having everyone there....even though I know it really wore him out!

 

 

 Nana a little worried about her Dad and Grandpa on the roof.

 Put Avery to work picking up leaves & putting them in the bucket.  Except, when she got a few in there, she liked to dump them back out.  Hmmmm, is this how she cleans at home??

 Making sure the lights are facing the right way....

 Assistance from the ground crew...and Papa close by to supervise

 Better view to tell people what to do from the chair :)

 We had laid out ornaments that hang on the light strings that go from the tree to the house.  Avery thought they were all balls, and kept picking them up and walking away with them.  Really messed up our color coordination!  Oh well!



11.22.2012: Happy Turkey Day and Being Thankful for All

This was the first year, in 6 years that Vince and I didn't spend with the Hearn family and have his kids all come out to AZ to celebrate together.  We all had so much going on it just didn't work out for us this year.  :(   Instead of doing a small turkey celebration in AZ, Brent, Alisa, the kids, Vince, Drake and I decided to relocate our party to CA.  It turned out to be a great weekend, and a great idea.  We were able to spend so much time hanging out together and with the family.  I know Mom & Dad were glad we came out & invaded their house too :)

 

For turkey day, Christina, Lex and Justice came out to Riverside from Newport to have dinner with us.  Christina even brought some homemade greens and a delish cranberry sauce.  We had a big turkey, Thelma's famous Hearn dressing/stuffing that I made, Alisa's delish banana and yam dish (I hate yams and LOVE this dish!!), mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, salad....and lots of other foods!!  We had enough food for 100 people I think...but seems like we sure finished off a whole lot of it!!  Such a good gathering of wonderful family.  Truly reminds us how thankful and lucky we are for all we have in life...mainly for having each other.

 

 

 The serious chef....

 I think she is stuck in this pose

 Hiding behind the food...

 Piggy made a pretty flower...

 Crazy kiddos....

 Damn, caught me....

 Always ready for the camera...even with a bowl full of greens!

 Missed her nap...but ready for some dinner!

 Ya right?!

 My lil' girl....

 Full bellies...time to chill.