Hiking in Sedona

A couple of weeks ago Ally and I went on a hike up in Sedona with a group from our church. It was nice to get away from the heat-stricken valley of the sun for a day. We arrived around ten o'clock and were blessed with a beautiful Sedona day. We even managed to get some photographic evidence suggesting that the mysterious season of fall does indeed exist within the borders of Arizona.

Could it be! Trees! I always knew they existed...this is AMAZING!

What is the problem with these trees that have orange and red leaves? Wait a second, I've heard of this phenomenon before...fall, right? I can't believe this is happening in Arizona!

New Year's Vacation!!!

For the New Year Holiday Mike and I made a trip up to the Bay Area to see my family. It was a wonderful vacation and like always it went way too fast. We had a great time looking at homes in Sacramento (hopefully we'll move there in a few years), spending an afternoon with my grandparents and Aunt Barbara, going out to dinner with Marlene (a dear family friend), playing the Wii (an absolute blast) and hanging out with family and friends. We look forward to seeing everyone again soon. Happy New Year to all!!!

Belated Christmas with the Young's

Mike and Meghan playing Wii!!!

Dinner at Celia's with Marlene

Enjoying a beautiful sunset

Mike and my dad playing basketball

Christmas!!!

Mike and I had a wonderful first Christmas together and feel blessed to have so much family nearby to share it with. We celebrated an early Christmas at my Aunt Joan's house with my cousin's and second cousin's. Then, spent Christmas morning together just the two of us. Since we don't have a fireplace we turned on our television to a local channel that had a "real" fire for everyone to enjoy. Sounds cheezy, but it was pretty fun. Then, we headed over to Mike's parents house for Christmas day.


Christmas day with the Morriss's

Our first Christmas

Early Christmas with the Hoeffel's and Frankini's

The beautiful Superstition Mountains

A few Sundays ago we went over to Michael and Cha's house for lunch and then headed out to the Superstition Mountains. We hiked the Siphon Draw Trail about two miles in. The map showed us a supposed waterfall that became the goal of our day. After reaching the waterfall we realized why it is a seasonal waterfall, or maybe it's just typical Arizona "running water".

It was a great hike that had some great views along the way. Enjoy the pics.

Tis the Season to be Jolly!!!

Can you believe it?! Christmas is right around the corner! We know it has to be close to Christmas here in Arizona because it finally dropped to the sixties around here, and even rain. Yes, it does rain here...occasionally.

Despite the rainy weather Ally and I were able to get our first Christmas tree today! A little three foot bundle of Christmas joy!!

It has a nice little spot right there by our sliding door. Plenty of that good ol' Southwestern sun. After we found a place for it the decorating commenced. Lights, decorations... Us! Oh yes, lets not forget the stockings that found themselves hanging up in October!!

That's our Christmas story so far, stay tuned for more!!