Thanksgiving 2012

Yes, I am that for behind.  I have many posts to get us caught up on our Howard life, but I am determined to do so.  John and I have been asked to go on Trek this summer and one of our assignments is to come with a name that we are 'trekking' for.  I have have quite a few Mormon pioneers on the Allred (my paternal grandmother) and Brinton (my paternal grandfather) sides.  I have been looking at family history books and I have been thinking that if people hadn't taken the time to write down stories and experiences they would be gone forever.  So for our family history it is important to me to keep up on this blog.

So now to Thanksgiving.  For the fourth year in a row we have made our way down to Arizona.  we have the system down pretty well.  Hannah spends 90% of the time with the Cheney's.  We spend a couple of nights at John's cousins' home and a couple of nights at my cousins' home.  It really is a lot of fun to spend time with cousins and enjoy the beautiful weather.  we always do some shopping, because AZ shopping is WAY better than shopping in Utah.  I remember when I was in college roomates saying how terrible the shopping in Utah was, I didn't understand until I lived in Arizona.  However, in defense of Utah I have lived other places where the shopping is even worse.  Anways.....

The one thing I do miss about Thanksgiving in AZ is having our own Thanksgiving dinner.  I would love to have a more formal Thanksgiving dinner.  Where everyone sits down together and we use fine China.  I guess I need to start having a Thanksgiving dinner before we head down so I can make the food that I want to make and do things the way I would like to do them, and then just enjoy the experience with family down there.

Car trip.  Can you tell who is excited and who is annoyed and being forced to take car pics?

Hannah jamming in the back.

Our first glimpse of the new Gilbert temple.

Hannah with her best friend.

 Hannah loves these girls.

 Shopping trip isn't complete without a drink and an ipod to document with.

Lots of Hannah and her friends.  This one is them ice skating.

Howard/Flower cousins.

Enjoying the beautiful weather at the park.

Can you see why we love going to Arizona for Thanksgiving.  Look at that green, lush, grass, the shorts, the smiles.  I think I could move back.  Shhh.  Don't tell the kids they would be on me.  I think we might just have to.