Christmas in Arizona

As the family anticipated the arrival of Santa Claus, we dined on green chicken enchiladas, rice, beans, and margaritas.  It was yummy!

After dinner we each opened one gift and then decided to watch a movie in Spenser's room.  We've never done that before but he does have a 32 inch tv and a PS3 that plays blu-ray's - which is what we needed.  So we watched "This Christmas" cuddled up on his bed.  Then we all had to go to our beds so Santa could come.

On Christmas morning, Spenser came in to wake us up about 8 am, and then it was downstairs for gift opening.  Here is Buddy with some of his gifts - 

and Sienna with some of hers.

The boys display their traditional gifts from Grandpa.

Perhaps Rob's favorite gift - his family accompanying him to church!  Here's the proof!

Actually, Rob's favorite gift was probably the one he got on Christmas Eve - 

How awesome is that - a KISS flash drive!

After church we snapped a picture before the monkey suits came off and the turkey preparation began.

Getting ready to say grace and then eat!

After eating and cleaning up, it was time to prepare the cake.  Yes we actually baked a cake, and frosted and decorated it!  Here is that process.

Sienna was chief decorator.  She has been to Cake Boss after all!

It was a great day!  Hope you had a great one too!

Merry Christmas!

Turkey, Stuffing, and Cornbread

It may be December 13th, but I am just getting around to the Thanksgiving post! Oops!

Three staples of our Thanksgiving meal are turkey (of course), stuffing, and surprisingly - cornbread.  All were present at the feast we shared this thanksgiving, along with the presence of Grandma and Grandpa - all the way from sandy strewn New Jersey! Not only did they enjoy those foods plus green beans, mashed potatoes, cranberry, and rolls, but in Arizona we also have  e - l - e - c - t - r - i - c - i - t - y !  In addition to electricity, we also have temperatures worthy of sitting outside on the patio to have morning coffee and read the newspaper.  That must be what got Grandma and Grandpa on the plane!  I guess seeing us may have played a small role!  And we can't forget their first Samour Sounds Bash!  So there's lots of reasons to be here I would say!

Thanksgiving morning looked like this - Grandpa working on a project, Rob starting the meal, and Grandma drinking her morning coffee.

The kids got in on the action, preparing celery for the stuffing.

I stayed out of the kitchen entirely, and tackled the turkey day crossword - check it out!  It's huge!  Sienna helped.  No we did not finish, but we had fun in the attempt.

When it was time to eat the turkey, stuffing, cornbread, and trimmings, all were happy.  Grandma led grace and then the grubbing commenced!

What a treat it was to have family with us on Thanksgiving!

Grandpa bought and installed a badminton set for the kids.  He and Spenser went right to playing once it was up.  Check out Grandpa's skill!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Spenser Celebrates

Spenser had his second birthday party to commemorate his 12 birthday.  The first was celebrated in New Jersey, and the second with his family in good ol' Arizona.

He got lots of gift cards from Papa and Papa Rose, and a cowbell from his parents for his drum kit!

He got a new fancy keyboard, 

and a headset to talk to his computer buddies.

A colorful birthday cake for the birthday boy.

And the birthday song....

Happy Birthday to our little Bud!

September Sentiments - Video Style

Finally an update for Snippets!  The Samour family celebrated a joyous occasion this weekend with two birthdays marked in New Jersey and the lovely wedding of our nephew and cousin, Kevin Keener.

We all played hooky from work and school and jetted off to the east coast on Friday.  That day happened to be September 21st - the day Dewey entered this world - 44 years ago.  What better way for Rob to celebrate it then being home with his mom and dad! He got his favorite cake - Carvel - so I'd say it was a good birthday.

It wasn't the best birthday song rendition, but somethin' is better than nothin' right? 

The next day was the WEDDING day so we all spent the morning getting ready.  We all got "spiffy" in our "monkey suits" and "headed to the chapel" so Kevin and Danielle could "get married."  (You gotta sing it while you say it!)  Here are the vows....

the rings and the kiss...

There was a break between ceremony and reception where we congregated at the Keener home.  Then it was off to Lucien Manor for the cocktail hour, and then the big reception reveal....

That's pretty darn fancy!

Then it was time for the wedding party introductions.  Check out the first very important couple!

Then the parents of the groom rockin' to AC/DC!

Lauren, Tara, and then Nikki!

And the new Mr. and Mrs.!

The traditional mother and son dance......awww!

Some fun being had at our table!

We danced the night away and didn't get home til almost 1 am! 

We needed some recovery time before the boys headed to Great Adventure and the girls went to Cake Boss.  Both groups were successful and Spenser celebrated his birthday with his Jersey family and a Cake Boss cake!

 I would call that a very successful trip!

HBTM!

We are halfway through our birthday season with my turn occurring yesterday.  Now we wait and prepare for the next two big birthdays in September. 

I started my day with dropping Sienna off to 6 am practice and then to Village Inn for breakfast, splurging on strawberry and whipped cream topped pancakes. YUM! I then went to work where I received many happy birthday wishes from students, staff, and friends.  Ms. Dorf, the Spanish teacher, brought her classes to sing me happy birthday en espanol!  That was cool! We celebrated at lunch with carrot cake cupcakes too, so it was a good workday.

For my birthday dinner I chose Logan's Roadhouse and had garlic butter salmon and broccoli.  Then it was home for cake and presents.

I picked a chocolate mint cake.  Not the family's favorite, but birthday girl gets to choose! (And it was great!)

Presents came next.....

and I got what I love - chocolate, gift cards for clothes, and my FAVORITE show - The Big Bang Theory!

Thanks and much love to all!

Back to School

August is here which signals the start of my school year.  With Sienna and Spenser starting school 2 weeks before me, I found myself a bit bored and thought the best use of my time was to get into my classroom and start setting up.  I'm glad I did! By the time I was required to report, my room was ready.

Here is the front of the room.

Here is the back of the room.

The right side of the room.

The left side of the room.

My "Ode to Twilight" calendar and favorite part of the room!

This is where I spend my weekdays, so I figure I better like my surroundings!

Sweet 16

Today Rob and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary! I couldn't think of a quaint anecdote to tell so I thought I'd put my thoughts into an acrostic poem -

S - Shell Beach, July 28, 1996

I - I said "I do" he said "Me too"

X - Xerophilously we began our life in Arizona, a

T - Teacher and an

E - Engineer

E - Evolving into a family with Sienna and Spenser

N - Now living happily ever after

To celebrate sixteen years, we headed to Red Lobster for our favorite shrimp extravaganza. 

And we saved room for dessert - chocolate ganache!