The Piteous Plight of the Arizona Weatherman

This is how Arizona weather maps look 95% of the year. Needless to say, Phoenix, AZ is not a premium destination if you are an aspiring weatherman.

"Today's forecast, Sunny and hot. This week, Sunny and Hot. Next week, Sunny and Hot, etc. etc."

However, there is the summer monsoon season, which can get pretty exciting, and last week we had a winter storm that lasted a few days. Alec and I had to laugh when we first moved here and saw the weather report when there was a storm. The poor little weatherman was about to have a seizure, he was so excited to have something to report.

Well, it was the same way with this storm.

"We interrupt the show you have waited all week to watch to tell you that there is a Tornado warning for Scottsdale, blah, blah, blah."

3 Minutes later:
"We interrupt your favorite show again to tell you we were wrong about the Tornado in Scottsdale."

3 Minutes later:
"We interrupt the climactic moment of your show to tell you about a Tornado warning for Chandler, blah, blah, blah.

1 Minute later:
"We interrupt the punchline of the best joke in the show to tell you we were just kidding about the Tornado in Chandler.

Roll closing credits. Argh!

Then, the poor newsmen on the newscast were trying so hard to dramatize the actual damage that was done, which amounted to two tents at a car show blowing over. Oh No! Not the tents! If the tents blow over in a storm, what is next-- all of the Valley's Wind Socks, or maybe even garage sale poster ads?

A Perfect Christmas

Once again, we had a great Christmas with our families. I think we had the perfect combination of:
A little woodworking with Grandpa,

A lot of chubby baby,

A few angels,

A few crazies,

A LOT of humor,

And plenty of time with the families we love so much. Thanks everyone!

This video clip made my parental heart warm. Good job, Santa. No heartburn this year after all.

Ahhh, Santa--Bringer of Magic and Heartburn

Here are the kids sitting on Santa's lap at our Ward Christmas party. Eric spent the time waiting in line pointing out that Santa had everything he was supposed to be wearing, so he MUST be real. Alec and I both knew what he would ask for--a Lego Power Miner set that costs $100! We have tried to explain to him that he probably won't be getting this because that would be all Santa could give him, but he is a firm believer in the magical abilities of Santa and would not be deterred. Everyone cross your fingers for us, it might be a rough one this year. I think he'll be so excited about what he does get that he won't be too disappointed--hopefully. Thank you, Santa--Oh, and I would like a new car while you are handing out extravagant gifts.

Halloween 2009

A lot of work goes into Halloween and then its all over in a matter of hours. I guess I wouldn't know for sure, since I didn't do the work, but I'd imagine it goes even quicker if you are the one who put in the time and effort. So to give Jen credit where credit is due, and hopefully to bring a little smile to your face, here are a few Halloween pictures.

Coolness Transfusion

Our good friends Dusty and Jandee scored us some tickets to the U2 concert a couple of weeks ago. Alec and I aren't your typical concert goers, so it was a good opportunity to try to pretend to be cool, although I did see a few fans with rocker-style T-shirts tucked into their jeans with a belt and wearing Birkenstocks, so maybe we're not as cool as we thought. Although, the Black-Eyed Peas opened, so that certainly upped the coolness factor, right? Thanks again, guys. Now, however, we need to have you over to play Boggle with us to bring you back down to our nerdy level.