Thursday, February 4, 2010

Back to Blogging

Yep, it's been a good chunk of time since I've last posted what is going on in our lives.  To sum it up - ALOT.  For details, continue reading. :o)




Work Update:
Nine months ago, Sun announced it's sale to Oracle.  Finally this past month the acquisition was complete.  I'll spare you the details of why it took as long. Beginning January 27th, Oracle took control. The employee integration process began and employees in the United States received notifications with either an offer to work at Oracle or a separation packet.  I received an Offer...which I accepted. I overnighted my signed offer and it's been non-stop Oracle integration processes since then.  I've joined a new company and everything will soon be changing.  I feel so fortunate to be in the position I am and am so thankful for an opportunity such as this.  That's my work update!

Home Update:
Remember "Painting Man"?  Well, Painting Man is gone.  Backyard Man has replaced him!  Greg has worked non-stop on one thing or another to complete our backyard. 

Before Picture:


After Picture:


Although the path looks like dirt, it's not.  It's 11 tons of crushed granite that Greg wheelbarrowed in and spread all through out the yard where you don't see grass or flowerbeds.  Back breaking work but Greg is a machine, he did it in 2 days and in the rain, which makes the rock heavier.



I've done my part to though!  I finally made our patio more presentable.  I found everything you see at garage sales. :o)

I also found this three person swing at a garage sale.  Please take note of the stone deck the swing is sitting on - thanks to Backyard Man!  We also got plants this week which makes such a huge difference.



Personal Updates:
Part of the hiatus from blogging was just due to sickness.  Nathan and I have been sick but we're on the upswing now.  We are also entering a very busy time of year - it's what I call, "Hull Birthday Week" because all of our birthdays are just 2 days apart.  I always forget mine though because my birthday is sandwiched between Nathan's and Greg's.  I'm so preoccupied with what to do for both of their birthdays, I never think about my own!  Which is why the next event really touched my heart.  The Nortons and Incorporated had us over for a birthday celebration...just for us.  How sweet is that?  Really. 

Talk about a fun birthday party.  We had a fabulous dinner but the best part was the dessert. Elaine's creativity has no limitations, she made these amazingly cute cupcakes that I just have to show you.  These flower cupcakes were for me.

These basket weave cupcakes were for Nathan.

And these assorted sides were for Greg - corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots. HOW CUTE IS THIS? The secret? Food coloring, Icing, M&M's, Starbursts, Caramel! Fun.



Gifts were also shared and Nathan received a bug catching net and massive magnifier, which led to this very special picture of Greg that is so near and dear to my heart.



HAHAHAHA!!!!
Is that not so FUNNY!

That's it for today, we've got Nathan's birthday and Superbowl parties coming up, so still alot going on!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Texas Forever Cousins

While we were in Texas during Christmas, some of Greg's cousins asked if I could take pictures of them. Well.....I can't do it for everybody else and not do it for family so of course I said, Yes! We went to a small lake and it was cold (by my standards). The kids did such a great job dealing with the weather and taking direction though. Real troopers! Here are some of the pictures:

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Love how Landon is peeking around on this one! He turned out to be my little star for the day, I couldn't take a bad picture of him if I were trying. Just TOOOO cute!
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I love how kids have no inihibitions. I brought an empty frame and Camie just struck this pose, it was so cute and natural right off the cuff!
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I rarely see a picture of a kid, besides my own that stirs up feelings like this one.
*love*
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See ya'll next year kids!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Fiesta Bowl 2010!

My friend Dawn works for Frito Lay in Texas and since she was in Arizona working the Fiesta Bowl event, she asked if I would like tickets to the game. Whaaat? FREE Tickets? Of course! We met up last Saturday and caught each other up on all the major events of the last ten years of our lives! It was so nice to just sit and chat, I only wish we had a little bit more time. (good sigh)

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And then she gave us the HOOOOOOK UP! Not only did she send me home with 3 free tickets AND a parking pass (that alone was ahmazing!) but check out the goodies she sent home with me:
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On Monday, we headed out to Glendale, it was our first time to see the new arena since it was built.
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We had phenomenal seats...with more goodie bags!
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LaDainian Tomlinson was there.
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John Cena (Wrestler/Actor) was also there.
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Michael McDonald sang the National Anthem but he was on the opposite end of the field so I couldn't get a good picture of him. His hair is completely white now, no gray at all. Striking resemblance to Kenny Rogers. hahaha!
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During the anthem, they released this Eagle, which was really amazing but hard to capture in a picture.
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We sat right under Pat Tillman's name in the Ring of Honor.
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Here is TCU coming onto the field.
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Boise's Bronco.
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Nathan was enthralled. There was something to observe in every direction and it was LOUD.
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I asked Greg to get a picture of the three of us.
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Then Nathan took the camera from me. Here's a picture he took of me.
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Here's a picture Nathan took of the guy in front of us.
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Here's a picture of the guy next to Greg, with a hook'em sign.
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Then Nathan asked me to take a picture of him which was so cute of him to ask and his smile totally captures the fun time he was having.
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Hope you had fun on the cruise cause you missed a good time Dawn!
Again, thank you so much for everything, it was a blast!!!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

2010 New Years Brunch

Welcome New Year 2010! This was our 5th year to do our New Year's Day Brunch, such a nice way to begin the new year with friends and neighbors!

Our guests this year were...

Grandma Mary Edith Esau with her Happy New Year tiara. How cute is she?
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The Gordons

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The Nortons

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Half of the Kleimans

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The Staffeldts

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The Dercks

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The White Family, I love that Case has the play safety goggles on top of his head!

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Another White Family :o)

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The Augers

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The Studenicks, love that hat!

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Three quarters of the Fifields. Amber made an amazing new dish, French Toast Casserole. TO DIE FOR!!

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Mr. Benedetti, a GREAT surprise!!!

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and us, the Hulls!

Happy New Year To All!