Thanksgiving 2008, we took a few days off and traveled to San Diego to visit family and friends.
On Wednesday, prior to Thanksgiving, we met my good friend Jennifer and her baby Jacob for lunch. This was Mark's first time meeting Jacob, and this picture proves Mark's theory that he makes babies cry.
Well, this got us caught up through February 2009. I hope to do better to keep everyone up dated with what we have been up to the rest of this year. Mark and I wish everyone a very happy year to come.
On Wednesday, prior to Thanksgiving, we met my good friend Jennifer and her baby Jacob for lunch. This was Mark's first time meeting Jacob, and this picture proves Mark's theory that he makes babies cry.
On Thursday, we had Thanksgiving dinner at my parents house. We really enjoyed the time we spent with my parents, brother and sister-n-law. Unfortunately Mark had to work on Friday, so after dinner we made the 5+ hour drive home to AZ.
We stayed in AZ for Christmas this year, but had the pleasure of my whole family coming out to celebrate with us in our home. We sure had a house full, including all five dogs (Obi, Anakin, Stryker, Jack, and Lucky). We also opened up our home for dinner to our neighbors, Reggie and Tracee. Our neighbors Rochelle & George, and some friends of Mark's from the restaurant, Judy and Francisco also stopped by for dessert.
For New Years Eve, we first attended the Insight Bowl at Sun Devils Stadium in Tempe. 
My company sponsors the event every year, and we are lucky enough to get free tickets. After the game we headed off to Four Peaks Brewery to have dinner with friends, then went to see Frank Caliendo (comedian) at the Tempe Improv. What a great show! It was even better since Mark was able to somehow get us seats on the main floor of the venue instead of being stuck way in the back up in the balcony.
My company sponsors the event every year, and we are lucky enough to get free tickets. After the game we headed off to Four Peaks Brewery to have dinner with friends, then went to see Frank Caliendo (comedian) at the Tempe Improv. What a great show! It was even better since Mark was able to somehow get us seats on the main floor of the venue instead of being stuck way in the back up in the balcony. The weekend of January 24th, we headed off to Vegas for a nice weekend together. We s
tayed at The Wynn Hotel. We were able to get a great rate on Hotwire, $114 per night! I still can't believe the deal we got. Vegas must really be hurting. We drove out to Vegas on Friday night after work. Our first stop when we got there was the Hooters Hotel, so that Mark could get his wing fix. On Saturday night, we went and saw The Blue Man Group over at the Venetian Hotel, and then stayed up gambling at the tables until about 4am in the morning. Sunday, we met our AZ neighbors (Tracee and Reggie) who were also in Vegas at the same time, for brunch at the Paris Hotel. I definitely recommend the Paris brunch buffet to anyone. It was awesome! After brunch we made the long ride home back to AZ.
tayed at The Wynn Hotel. We were able to get a great rate on Hotwire, $114 per night! I still can't believe the deal we got. Vegas must really be hurting. We drove out to Vegas on Friday night after work. Our first stop when we got there was the Hooters Hotel, so that Mark could get his wing fix. On Saturday night, we went and saw The Blue Man Group over at the Venetian Hotel, and then stayed up gambling at the tables until about 4am in the morning. Sunday, we met our AZ neighbors (Tracee and Reggie) who were also in Vegas at the same time, for brunch at the Paris Hotel. I definitely recommend the Paris brunch buffet to anyone. It was awesome! After brunch we made the long ride home back to AZ.Also in January, Mark's mome came to visit for 3 weeks, and to get out of the freezing cold 
Niagara Falls weather. While she was here, we took her to see a broadway show, The Lion King. Mark and I had already seen it, but I think Isabella really enjoyed it. We also took her to the Great Canadian Picnic that they have here in AZ every year. Unfortunately, this year was much smaller than past picnics. I am sure it was because of the economy.
Niagara Falls weather. While she was here, we took her to see a broadway show, The Lion King. Mark and I had already seen it, but I think Isabella really enjoyed it. We also took her to the Great Canadian Picnic that they have here in AZ every year. Unfortunately, this year was much smaller than past picnics. I am sure it was because of the economy.On Wednesday, February 11th, Mark and I went to the NBA All-Star Jam Session here in AZ. I 
got VIP tickets thru work. It was an invite only night before it was open to the public. They held it at the Phoenix Convention Center. I was very similar to the football experience they have during Superbowl games, but for basketball instead. The entire convention center was overloaded with basketball courts, basketball video games, etc. I am not really into basketball, but for people that were, they had players there signing autographs and such. It was definitely fun to people watch :)
got VIP tickets thru work. It was an invite only night before it was open to the public. They held it at the Phoenix Convention Center. I was very similar to the football experience they have during Superbowl games, but for basketball instead. The entire convention center was overloaded with basketball courts, basketball video games, etc. I am not really into basketball, but for people that were, they had players there signing autographs and such. It was definitely fun to people watch :)And last but not least, I purchased a new car in September 2008. I ended up getting a Nissan 
Murano. I wanted a small (crossover) SUV, which would be easier to haul the kids (dogs) around in. I am having a lot of fun driving it. Mark has been using my Honda Accord to drive back and forth to work.
Murano. I wanted a small (crossover) SUV, which would be easier to haul the kids (dogs) around in. I am having a lot of fun driving it. Mark has been using my Honda Accord to drive back and forth to work. Well, this got us caught up through February 2009. I hope to do better to keep everyone up dated with what we have been up to the rest of this year. Mark and I wish everyone a very happy year to come.
