Kate's Hair

My little sister Kate had her hair chopped off last week while visiting in AZ. She plans on giving it to Locks of Love. She looks super cute! Before:

After:

However, over the last few days, she has been complaining that she misses her long hair. It made me think of Little Women when Jo has to sell her hair and is lamenting its loss after it is too late. Jo's sister Amy says "Oh, Jo--your one beauty!"

Even if Kate's hair did NOT look good, she thankfully has many beautiful features to be grateful for. :o)

Love ya K8!

Or else.

We saw this nice reminder on a bill board in Montgomery, Alabama.

A little larger for those with failing vision:

Well, you read it--now you have no excuse.

Get yourselves to church this Sabbath and have yourselves a Merry Christmas!

Highlights from our trip across the South...

Holiday Traditions

Jared's mom always purchases a new ornament each year for us to place on our Christmas tree. She writes each person's initials (and the year) on the ornament so we don't forget when we received it. I think it's a great tradition and I am glad she passed this tradition on to us. Jared has some of the sweetest little ornaments from his childhood. When he puts them up, I think it causes him to reflect upon the fact that he is getting old!

This year we were all able to help decorate Jennifer's Christmas tree on Thanksgiving. Kayleigh was a great helper!

Welcome to the world, Allyson!

Allyson Blake McCrary

November 24th, 2008

9:40 a.m.

7 lbs 4 oz

20 inches long

Proud Uncle Jared and Aunt Adri

Thanksgiving

We bumped Thanksgiving up by 4 days this year (to Sunday). Jared's sister Jennifer had a scheduled C-section on the 24th of November and we didn't think she, baby and Granny would be home in time to feast with us on Thursday if we waited. Moving up the day took so much of the last minute stress out of the holiday! And, since left-overs are the best part, we were actually able to eat them on Thanksgiving Day!

The Turkey

Jen's Greenbean Casserole

Judy's Homemade Yams

Adri's Brownie Cheesecake Pie

Yep, she's definitely Jared's neice: "Kayleigh the Carnivore"!
Jared and Jennifer breaking the wishbone...hope your wish comes true, Jared!

McWane Science Center

Last week, Jared and I spent some time with our neice, Kayleigh. She is 2 and a half, a chatter-box/parrot, and is super friendly--even with strangers. Since we are so close to Birmingham, we visited the McWane Science Center and the "Just Mice Size" exhibit--perfect for toddlers.

We played in sand, water, and even the sky! We had a great time!

http://www.mcwane.org/

First In-N-Out Experience

On the way home from the Mesa Temple, Jared and I had the chance of a lifetime this afternoon--or so we had heard. The bus (carrying many hungry active duty military LDS members and their dependents) stopped at In-N-Out Burgers for dinner. Our West Coast friends have been raving about this burger joint for years but we had never had the opportunity to sink our teeth into a sammich until today.

The best part about In-N-Out was getting a meal on the cheap--LESS than $5 for a "value" meal--and milkshakes were a steal at $1.79.

The worst part was the french fries, by far! Equivalent if not worse than Wendy's. Totally over-hyped! And there was a limited menu--particularly for the non-red meat eater in our group.

Overall rating: B-

Overall Temple Trip rating: A+

Sunday Drive

Jared and I drove to Parker Canyon Lake this afternoon after church. It is on the southern side of the Huachuca Mountains (we got an additional 30 minutes of sunset) and is about 5 miles from the border.

Hence this sign:

Here are some pictures from our trip:

Wait a second--what? Is Jared...HIKING?

And did he just ask me how you are supposed to pay for camping "next time" we come here?

Our New Home

We arrived here in Arizona last week after some terrific flights back to America (no delays or lost luggage) and no snags with the cats. I will tell you though, it has taken a full week for the cats to want to snuggle with us again--I think they hated us there for the first 3 days. Poor babies. A 10 hour flight with at least one hour's worth of strong turbulence is no fun for pets!

Although we were planning on living on-base, the housing the Army base offered us was unfortunately very small (1400 sq ft) and very dated--1950s to be exact, with no character to the lawn or any other part of the house. And, the house on base did not come with a W/D--only the hookups! Jared was actually the one who first wanted to decline it, if that tells you anything (and we all know he is not picky). We could have been wait-listed for new(er) base housing, but it would have been a 6 month wait or longer, so we signed a rental agreement on Friday for a 1800 sq ft 4 bedroom home out on town.

It is a nice corner property about one-quarter mile walk to the mall. Since we moved in on Halloween, we were able to hand out candy and meet a few of our friendly neighbors and their kids, though a few of the neighbors teased us about not having any furniture in the house yet! The gas is supposed to be turned on today and I can't wait--we have been taking cold showers and haven't had use of the dryer or the rangetop in the kitchen.


I love the backyard--it even has an orange and a lime tree! Rock garden all the way! I am going to miss my green-thumbin'!

I am glad we bought those gorgeous pots back in Okinawa so we can use them for water accents here--they will fit right in!

The property has a 2 car garage, W/D in the home, and is only 5 years old. We were lucky to come upon it and grateful it is below our BAH rate so we have some extra money to contribute towards utilities.

This picture is the view we see when we look out one of the two front bedrooms. In the background are the Huachuca Mountains, and technically, the Mexican border. The base is located in that general direction. Also, the sun sets in that direction, so it actually goes down fairly early--530 or so--because the mountains block it from view rather quickly. The sunset is beautiful!

Thank you for all your well wishes and prayers. Everything is working out great!