11.08.2008: Random Saturday

Most Saturdays, we have been going to Drake's football games. Vince is still coaching and having a blast doing it! This evening, Vince Jr, Sarah, Christina, Justice, Drake, and Sarah's Dad who was in town for the weekend...all came over for dinner. It was so nice having everyone here and for me getting to meet Sarah's dad for the first time. Here are just random pics from the day & night! Another wonderful evening w/ family!

11.04.2008: Dinner at Brent & Alisa's

On Weds night, we went over to Brent and Alisa's for dinner. Alisa's mom, Olivia, flew in from Costa Rica the night before so we went over to say HI and catch up! It was fun....sat around drinking wine...you know, what we all do best...heehee!! :) Or maybe, just what we all like to do most! Nana played Diva...2 going on 22!! Andrew spent most of the night curled up on Vince. Had a lot of fun and it was great to see Olivia again and just hang out in the middle of the week.

11.01.2008: Football & Dinner at Brian's

Another flag football game....Drake had a few really good runs, but the team didn't win :( But it gave me a good chance to play with my new camera! The "Sports" feature on this is amazing! Still playing with all the manual options...have some studying & practicing to do on those. I could probably always use the "Auto" feature though and still get great pics! But what fun is that!!!

That night, Brian cooked Vince and I dinner.....his special...Guadalajara Chicken! YYUUUMMMMO!!!!!!! :) We crave that dish!!

10.30.2008: Birthday Post #2

Oh....being so excited about my camera, I forgot to tell you about the rest of my birthday!!! Besides getting birthday wishes & gifts from all my loved ones...which made my day more than you can imagine!!!! I got a cake, flowers, some more little gifts, etc. Vince also took me to dinner & out for drinks. Dinner at our favorite restaurant, Houstons...and drinks at the Sanctuary on Camelback afterwards. Both wonderful! Here are some random pics from the night...

10.30.2008: Happy Birthday to ME!

Sooooo, for my 32nd birthday....yup, that is right, I am now basically 30-something! Can you believe it??!! I don't know whether to be depressed or happy? I definitely don't miss my 20's but saying 30-something means that the 40's are just around the corner. Argh!

Anyways, for my birthday, Vince got me a new camera...as you can see. Since the breaking of my old camera incident, I had been moping around, depressed like crazy. The only way to bring me out of my funk was to get me a new camera. And not just any camera....but THE camera! I have been eyeing the Canon EOS Rebel XSi...but just couldn't bring myself to paying that much for a camera right now. So, being less financially responsible, Vince took the decision out of my hands! Haha! In his mind it was worth getting me out of my funk. And I LOVE IT!!!!!

So, all I can say is HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10.25.2008: SURPRISE!! Happy Birthday Vicki!

On Sat night, Kenny, Nicole, Allison, and Matthew planned a big surprise 50th birthday party for Vicki at Kenny & Nicole's house. And Vicki was mighty surprised!!! :) Her parents drove in from Northern CA, her brother and his wife came, a bunch of us Durbins were there...and lots of friends from Flagstaff! It really seemed like everyone had a great time! Ken & Nicole did a wonderful job of throwing the party! The decorations were amazing...the food was wonderful...and the drinks were flowing!!! The Almond Champagne was a BIG hit with everyone and we actually ran out of the multiple bottles we had brought up! EVERYONE was having a blast. Andrew kicked off the dance party, as usual. It was all downhill from there!! Haha!!! Vince kept glasses full, Brent kept the music on track, the boys kept the dance floor packed.....so much fun!!! CONGRATS Vicki!!! What a way to mark the start of another 50!!! Heehee!!!

Oh - there are TONS of (mostly) dancing pictures from that night...you can see them all here:
Vicki's 50th Birthday Party

10.24.2008: Pumpkin Patch

Mom and Dad came out to AZ for Vicki's surprise 50th Birthday party this weekend. Friday night, we decided to take the kids to the Schnepf Farms Pumpkin Patch out in Queen Creek. Unfortunately we got there after dark, but it was kinda cool & creepy! It is a really neat little farm with carnival rides, a huge pumpkin patch, cornfield maze, petting zoo, pig races (wierd!!), lots of entertainment, food, and all kinds of other stuff! Unfortunately, Drake came down with the flu that day at school so didn't get to come with us. He, and we, were really bummed about that! But we went anyways, and had a good time! I got to ride a crazy little bee ride with Andrew. Andrew & Nana rode in their first airplane solo...with Andrew piloting...NICE JOB! No crashes, thank goodness! :) Kids found some baby pumpkins that Gramma and Grandpa bought for them. Nana wanted to find the most itty-bitty one she could, but the baby pumpkin patch wasn't lit and was too dark so we just went and grabbed her one ;) Oh, and Andrew got to dance a little too...which is always very entertaining!! A great start to a fun weekend!!

10.18.2008: Dinner at Brent & Alisa's

Since Drake & the kids don't get to see each other as often as they used to, we try to get together on the weekends so they get some play time. Vince, Drake and I went to their house on Sat for dinner and Halloween cookie decorating. Kids had more fun eating than decorating so Alisa ended up decorating most of the cookies. Which were very yummy, I might add!! Oh well! They had fun and were pretty proud of their cookies!! So proud, they wanted to..and did...eat them right away. Had to be quick with the camera on that one!!

Since my nice camera broke at Jason & Kerry's wedding and since Vince got tired of me whining, we went out and bought a little "temporary" camera. It is actually not a bad little thing! Takes great (ok, not GREAT, but very good!) pictures and has all the bells & whistles of most expensive cameras. AND is small enough to carry in my purse wherever I go, so as to not ever miss a picture moment!!

10.12.2008: Quick Update

So, this is just a quick update to explain why I haven't posted recent pics....I AM DEPRESSED!

Yes, that is right, DEPRESSED!

My camera broke the evening of Jason & Kerry's wedding...and I am lost without it. Luckily, if there is a bright spot in the whole catastrophe, at least I got lots of pictures from the night...mostly the ceremony. The cement killed it about half way through. If I could have killed the cement back, I certainly would have!! However, that would have been utterly futile.

Anyways, each time I go to edit pics from the night, I just get depressed again. So, it is taking me longer than usual to post the wedding pics...and events thereafter.

However, to bring me out of my funk, Vince & I bought a "temporary" camera that is good enough to take pictures, but not good enough to make me happy again...because it isn't as good as mine. I couldn't live another day without some type of camera though, so we got a temporary one.

I will only be happy again once the Camera Fairy brings my new baby to me...the Canon EOS XSI...or something equally as fabulous! Until then, you will have to settle for sub-standard pictures, and less than enthusiastic blogs.