Camping in January???

One great thing about living in Arizona is you get to enjoy the outdoors in the middle of the winter (without getting cold)! We wanted to get out before I started working so we met Peter about halfway in Lake Havasu. It was a beautiful weekend. We explored the town a little bit, Chad and I took a fairy ride to California, hiked a little, and sat around the campfire.

Chilling at the campsite, The blue circle is our site-we were right on the water


Peter brought Bridger we had fun seeing all his tricks. The other picture is Chad and I on the California side of the lake overlooking the AZ side.

This is the London Bridge in town

GO CARDINALS!!

Since we have moved to Arizona we decided to become Cardinal fans. We watched the playoff game a couple weeks ago and thought if we were going to start supporting our local team we had to do it the proper way. So we got decked out in our red and black and cheered them on to the superbowl! Chad was a good sport and put on a pair of workout pants I have. He normally doesn't wear red pants.

Hole in the Rock

We were able to finally get out and explore Tempe a little bit. We wanted to go for a hike and ended up here at Hole in the Rock. It is this little park next to the zoo. We had fun being outside in the middle of January!

Chad climbed around to the top (which was scary because it was slick rock and a straight drop off!).


the "Hole", The other side of the hole our desert with palm trees

1300 miles + 5 states + 3 days in a car = A New Year!

Well, after lots of help from family and friends we loaded up the U-Haul and started our journey to Arizona.
1st day- we left Boise on the 26th and started our drive to SLC. We had to drive through Pocatello because the highway was closed and it took us about 9 hours to get there! Driving the U-haul over icy roads with the windshield wipers not working was SCARY!! I'm glad I was driving my car... (yes, we were in seperate vehicles the whole time). But we were able to see Aaron and Melissa on the road on their way to Boise!

2nd day- Leaving Aaron's house we started our was to Las Vegas to stay with Chad's bro. We made pretty good time and got there early enough to go down to the strip and see the Wynn Encore, which Peter had been the PM on.

3rd day- We woke up and had breakfast with Peter and then packed up again and drove to Yuma, AZ. It took us ALL day to get there, we got to our hotel and I locked my keys in my car, so we had to wait for AAA to come, let's just say we were sick of traveling by then!

4th day- We wake up in Yuma, AZ and learn for sure that the company needs us in Chandler AZ on a different project, so after looking for housing in the morning we packed up again and headed to Chandler. We checked into another hotel and went and found Chad's job site!

5th day- We went apartment searching all day and decided to live in Tempe. We found a place but they were closing for the day so we had to go back the next day.

6th day- Our last day in a hotel!! We signed a lease contract and spent our New Year's Eve trying to find a restaraunt and playing a board game in the hotel trying our HARDEST to stay awake till midnight. We crashed about 5 min. after the hour. Let's just say we were happy to sleep in our own bed the next night!!!!



Our New Year's Eve


In some small town we passed through there was a Hobsonway road sign, cool huh?


Leaving the U-Haul in MUCH warmer circumstances!

Merry Christmas

Dad's Beautiful Christmas Lights! (and this doesn't even show the other side of the house) Good work pops!


As per tradition we all got new pajamas on Christmas Eve. We decided to do this pose in honor of Sam in Japan. He always does it. Chad and I moved in with my family for a week so we could pack everything in the U-Haul before Christmas day.


Our first Christmas together!! It was bitter sweet (we moved the next day). But we enjoyed being able to spend time with both of our families. It was a perfect way to end our time in Boise.


Later that afternoon we went and spent time with Chad's family, playing games and eating a delicious lunch! This is Chad's mom and nephew Chase.

Helium Fun

This video is awesome. We tried sucking the helium out of Chad's graduation balloons and were going to sing "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" but when we all turned around to sing the helium didn't work. It is hilarious, listen ver closely at the end where Haley is singing in a wierd voice trying to make it work...Chad and Tyler too. We all start singing in high voices all on our own. Enjoy

Let the Festivities Begin

To start off our Christmas season Chad and I both got sick and ended up sleeping at my parent's house one night because ours was growing mold and cold, but luckily we were there the next morning to decorate the Christmas tree. Sorry we look so disgusting!


We were also able to make it to Rachel and Tyler's choir/orchestra Christmas Concerts. Some were long but for the most part it was nice to get into the Holiday Spirit.


For Dad's Christmas present we all pitched in and got him Cable, yeah now that all the kids are out of the house Mom decided it was okay. We gave it to him a few days before Christmas so we could all get together and watch BSU in the Poinsettia Bowl. Sadly we lost but we're still fans! Chad and I even got new shirts for $3! Class of 2008, baby!


Dad enjoying the new remote during the game.


Some other festivities included the annual Hobson Caroling Party, always an adventure. It was fun seeing all the cousins before we left town.


And lastly the good ol' ward Christmas party. Our ward was a little high school reunion for me. It was sad to say goodbye to them and also our little primary class. Chad and I had a blast teaching the CTR 5 class this year. We acted out the nativity our last Sunday there.

And the Graduate is...

Well, Chad thought this day would never come but it has and I am so proud of him! He has worked super hard these last 3 years going back to school and doing something he enjoys (we hope). It all payed off too, we received a job from McCarthy Construction in Arizona as a Project Engineer. Thanks to everyone who supported him throughout the years, now enjoy the pics.

I hope Chad knows what he got himself into marrying a photographer. I made him jump a few times to get a picture to go with mine...what a guy!


Receiving his diploma and waving to us during the procession.


The faithful study partner and friend, Jay.


Okay isn't this the CUTEST picture? Jasmine Chad's niece at the luncheon, and our families at the pre ceremony.