Friends

We have lived in Arizona since September and we've just been busy with getting settled in and with Chase and just getting comfortable in our surroundings. FINALLY this past weekend we were able to meet up with some of my friends from high school and go out to dinner with them and their significant others. It was so much fun! We realized that I hadn't seen Tiffany in over 3 years and Jamie in about 6 months which doesn't sound that long but considering Jamie and I live like 4 miles from each other it's just crazy we don't see one another more often! Anyhow we went to Macayos, a great mexican restaurant, and we just caught up on what's new in everyone's lives for almost 3 hours. It was very much needed! Tiffany is getting married on March 8th in the Mesa, AZ temple, so we got to meet her fiance, Jacob, whom we absolutely adore! He's just the best thing that has ever happened to Tiffany! We're so excited for them and it was so fun to see Tiffany so happy. Jamie and her husband Brad whom we also think the world of, don't live very far from us but we have been so bad at getting together with them it was just such a blast to see everyone again!

Me, Tiff, Jamie, and Katlyn in front of Macayos
Jacob and Tiffany (aren't they cute together?)
Brad and Jamie looking good as always!

The Melting Pot

For my birthday Kyle took me to The Melting Pot. It's a fondue restaurant and it was so yummy! It's a bit on the pricey side and when we go back (which we definitely will) I think we will just get the cheese fondue which comes with dippings including three different types of bread, veggies, and granny smith apples. Then top it off with the dessert which is by all means the best part! When we went we got the four course "big night out". It came with delicious choices for salads (I think their were 6 or seven different kinds to choose from) and also a meat entree with lobster tail, shrimp, filet mignon medallions, pork, and chicken. We loved the shrimp and the lobster but we weren't too sure about the other meats. The dessert was so delicious though. We got what was called the "flaming turtle" it's milk chocolate fondue with caramel and walnuts (optional). They flambe it table side and provide yummy dippings . I also had their strawberry basil lemonade (which you have to request virgin because all the specialty drinks have alcohol in them) and it was the best lemonade I've ever had, but finding out it was $4 a glass was not so great especially since our server refilled my glass a few times! It was such a neat experience, and so fun to just take a night to ourselves and splurge a little. I have been told though that they have specials from time to time where you can get couples fondue (salad, cheese fondue, and meat entree) for 1/2 price which would be about $30-38 dollars per couple. You'd have to order the dessert a la carte though which would tack on another $14 dollars but the dessert is so worth it!

This is what it looks like when they flambe the chocolatey deliciousness!

These are the dessert dippings: strawberries, bananas, cheesecake, brownie bites, pound cake, pineapple, oreo crusted marshmallows and plain ones, and rice krispie treats (not pictured) So so delish!
This is the Yin and Yang dessert fondue which we almost got because of how cool it looks, but Kyle's not a huge fan of dark chocolate. It's dark chocolate and white chocolate artfully swirled for a yummy balance of flavors!

Christmas Cheer

We hope everyone's Christmas was wonderful and filled with lots of joy and laughter! It's sad that it's actually over already it seemed to come and go so quickly this year and now we are already starting a brand new year. We were lucky to have a couple Christmases this year. Since we were traveling to Arkansas for Christmas we couldn't bring all of our presents with us on the plane, so we had a mini Christmas in Phoenix before we left. These are the fun presents that Chase got from us and from Kyle's side of the family! I think he really enjoyed himself! This is of Kyle and Chase after Chase opened his first pair of Christmas Eve pajamas from Nana and Papa Fife! He loves the way they feel and any chance he gets he tries to stuff them in his mouth!
This is Chase and Jessica on Christmas morning opening his toys!

For Christmas this year my mom and dad treated us all to tickets to Showboat on the Branson Belle in Branson, Missouri. My two sisters and their husbands and Kyle and I all went and Nana, Papa and Brendan took on all four grandchildren for almost eight hours! We absolutely loved the show! This is Kyle and I right before we boarded the Branson Belle!
This is us on the boat. They try to decorate it like a mini Titanic inside. It was really beautiful, which you can't really see from the picture. We were treated to a wonderful three course dinner and an amazing show. Such a neat experience! Thanks Mom and Dad, we loved it!

Cousins!

Chase and his cousin Avery giving him kisses (she's about 3 weeks older than him)!
Chase and Avery talking. Chase was venting to her about his tough day! It's hard being 4 months old!
Chase and Mommy making silly faces!
Chase was sad to see his cousins and aunt leave Arizona
All three cousins playing!

We just had Cassandra, Ethan, and Avery stay with us before they made their big move to Arkansas for Jesse's new job with Unilever. Our family here in Arizona is slowly diminishing and we will really miss them. Nick and Brent had better not leave us too soon! There's not too much that is new with us lately just trying to finish Christmas shopping without breaking the bank. We're really excited for a southern christmas in Arkansas and just hoping Chase's first airplane flight goes smoothly! Anyhow, here are some updated pictures from Cassandra's stay with us!

Christmas Elves!

Everyone's elfin' themselves! This is really cute, thanks Katy and Taylor we loved watching your family elf around!
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1120692122