Monday Night Football in Arizona

After our tour of ASU
I don't think this ever gets old!
The boys loved playing outdoor lawn chess
Brotherly love!
This is how I enjoy the pool!

We toured Chase field where the

Diamondbacks play.

Stayed at the Arizona Biltmore. What a neat place!

Monday Night Football. Cardinals scored again!

What a fun night!

We took a trip to Phoenix for Veteran's Day Weekend. What a great four days! Chad's favorite football team is the Cardinals, so it was fitting that we go to a Cardinal game for Monday Night Football! We arrived in Phoenix on Saturday morning, took a two hour tour of ASU, then headed for the Biltmore to check in. What a gorgeous hotel. The weather was gorgeous so we hung out at the pool and then spent the rest of the day checking out downtown. Sunday started with brunch and then we stayed on the hotel grounds most of the day. There was so much to do. On Monday, we had a tour of Chase field where the Diamondbacks play. Then we went across the street to see where the Suns play, then had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. That evening we headed over to watch the Cardinals play. We had tickets on the 30 yard line, 7th row. It was so much fun. Phoenix fans are crazy! It was an amazing game as they won in the last 2 seconds. Awesome way to end the trip!

Family Pics

Fall Decorations!

Mmmmm! Oreos and Candy Corn!
Double Yum!

Put the favorites on the bottom so I won't eat them all!

Oh, and the World Series!

So much fun decorating!

Homecoming Queen Mary

Chad went to Homecoming at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. He asked Lauren, who he's known since preschool. Chad and his two buddies got together and made a huge cookie and attached a photo of him and Lauren when they were in kindergarten together. He brought the cookie to her and asked her to the dance. She said yes, and it was so fun going through the whole thing about what to wear, getting colors to match, flowers, etc. Fun memories for Bobby and I. They had dinner with a large group at another boy's house, then off to Long Beach for a great time. High school is in full swing!

Chad's 8th Grade Graduation

Filing in to the high school stadium
Receiving a pretty special award

Receiving his diploma

Chad with Brandon, his junior high youth pastor,
and Brenton, his high school youth pastor!

In June, Chad graduated from Brea Jr. High School! He had a great two years there. We love that he just dove into everything he could, and he recommended to Kevin that he does the same when he gets there in September! Chad enjoyed playing basketball and softball in the after school sports program, he took Video Production and loved it so much that he took it three times, he dabbled in journalism, was a member of NJH and was the president of Club Rock, the Christian club on campus. We're holding on tight... high school in three months!

Mark and Cori Russell!

Aren't Mark and Cori so gorgeous?

OK... at the risk of embarrassing my husband, you HAVE to click on this photo. Ahhhh, nineteen years of staring at those bluuuuuuuuue eyes. Sigh...

Getting dressed... I love my seester!

Cori and Dierdre in the limo on the way to the ceremony!

All the girls! Lorena, Chelse, Cori, Criss, Jaynie, Dierdre,
and Brooke (Dierdre's daughter) as flower girl.

All gussied up!

My parents, Bob and Ronnie. Don't they look great?

Chad escorting Grandma Ronnie to her seat... Pretty special.

Bridesmaids: Jaynie, Lorena, Dierdre, Chelse, and Criss

Bobby, Chad, and Ronnie

Here comes the bride... and Daddy!

Bobby's mom! I told Cori, "My mom-in-law is your mom-in-law!"

We love Martha!

Our new niece, Chelse!!!!!!

May 30, 2008 was a pretty special day! My sister Cori got married! Cori and Mark were married in Palos Verdes Estates, California at the La Venta Inn. It was a perfect day day for a wedding with the ocean absolutely gorgeous during the day, and the city lights making a perfect backdrop in the evening. I was Cori's Matron of Honor (can we find another word besides "matron?"), Chad was the reader, Kevin was a groomsman/ringbearer, and Bobby was so handsome!!! The pastor for the ceremony was Cori's long time friend Lon Whelan, and the bridesmaids were my new niece, Chese:) and Cori's CHILDhood friends! The bride and groom were stunning and it was a perfect day filled with family and friends. Congratulations!