Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year, Billy and I stayed in Phoenix for Thanksgiving Day. Billy went and played flag football with the ward and played against another ward from Laveen. He had a great time since he absolutely loves football. Later that day, we spent the afternoon with Billy's family (his Dad and Margaret, Uncle Bob and Aunt Shelly and all of Billy's cousins!) We had a great Thanksgiving feast, enjoyed each other's company and ate outside and enjoyed beautiful Phoenix weather.

Here is Billy and I after our big Thanksgiving dinner hanging out on the grass.

I thought the patio was set up really nice and we enjoyed our meal out there. This is definitely one of the huge benefits of living in Phoenix. Not many other places in the country can you sit outside and comfortably enjoy Thanksgiving.

Here is the Cunningham family. It was great to be at the temple with them and to share the special day with Chareese and Richard.

Paige and I are showing off our pregnant bellies together. I think we are about 5-6 weeks apart and she is also having a boy...You can definitely tell who is having the twins though...My significantly larger bump kinda gives it away! :)

Friday morning Billy and I packed up and drove to my brothers house in Southern California. We had some dressers that we weren't using and he had some baby stuff to share with us, so we took the long weekend as an opportunity to go out there and trade stuff around. Michele was wonderful and had collected quite a bit of baby boy clothes for 0-6 months. I started to go through them, but soon realized that they were all cute! It was fun to start accumulating baby stuff and makes it seem more real that in a few months we'll be parents. While we were at my brothers, we went to a pizza buffet that was so good. We all ate way too much food and then played games in the arcade. We had a lot of fun and it was great to spend time with J and his family.

Emma definitely enjoyed all her food! She loved the ice cream especially and even shared it with her hair!

Emma and I are playing Deal or No Deal. Let's just say I didn't do well at the arcade game, and if I ever got on the show and did that bad, I would be so disappointed. I guess it is all about luck and not as easy as you would think.

Here are Fenton and Rosemarie picking out the prizes they were going to get with their tickets. Rosemarie decided that she was going to save her tickets up for a lava lamp but Fenton quickly spent his and played with his toys that night and the next day.We had a great Thanksgiving and are so blessed!

We were fortunate to be able to see parts of both of our families and we look forward to Christmas when my parents, siblings and their kids all come to Phoenix to spend Christmas with us! :)

Congratulations Billy!

I am so proud of my husband! He found out on Monday that he was selected to be promoted to management!!! This is so exciting because it is what he has been working for as long as I've known him. There have definitely been some bumps along the way and managers who don't know what's best, but after changing jobs in July and taking a leap of faith, it looks like it is paying off. We are so blessed that Billy has this opportunity to advance his career and know that it is truly a blessing!

What can I say...he is so amazing! :)

20 Week Update

Well, today I hit the 20 week mark. It is crazy to think that I am officially half way done with this pregnancy (and I am sure I won't make another 20 weeks since twins never make it that long). Tuesday last week I was able to go back to work. I was so excited to go back and my team welcomed me and were excited to have me back. It's been great to be back, but it is amazing how far behind I am...and it is crazy getting caught up! But I am getting there. :) I think the hardest part is how tired I am at the end of the day. I have a hard time functioning the last couple of hours at work! These kids are already sucking the life out of me! :)

This past weekend we started to register, but didn't finish since I was starving and needed something to eat! It's a good thing you can finish up and adjust your registry online. We also shopped for some more maternity clothes...I swear I will have to buy a lot more before I am done because I swear nothing will fit for long. I told Billy the other day that I swear I grown an inch a day!

Here I am at 20 weeks!

I have to give Billy a shoot out...he was called to be the Elders Quorum President in our ward. He is amazing at his willingness to serve even with twins on the way. I know he will do a great job and is already actively serving! I love him and am proud of him!

For all of you out there wondering what sexes our babies are going to be...here you go! We are having twin boys!!! :) We are really excited to know what we're having so we can get planning. Since I have been on bed rest, I have wanted to know what we are having so I could feel more productive. Instead of spending my days reading books (I have read 5 1/2 so far plus all the school reading I do) I am cruising the internet looking for bedding and ways to decorate their cute little nursery.

When we first found out we were having twins...and that was about 12 weeks ago, Billy said he wanted to have twin boys and decorate their nursery. So he is definitely getting what he wants! I am excited that they will have someone to buddy around with and hopefully they can entertain one another. I just hope they get a long! :)


In about 4 1/2 months we'll have pictures of our kids instead of ones I found on the internet! :)

Picture Tag

My friend Laura tagged me. Thanks for keeping me busy! :)

The mission:

Open your first photo folder.

Choose the tenth picture.

Tell the story of the picture.

This is Billy and I in Seattle in July 2008. We took a week trip with my parents and had a great time. This picture is from the Underground Tour we went on. It was crazy to see that the city used to be about 15 feet lower that is now. We love Seattle and hope to vacation there many times in the future during the summer!

I tag:

Monica Scott
Heather Ellis
Heidi Jones
Kristen Housley
Heather Stratton
Lauren Vining
Winter Rowland

Visits

Over the past three and a half weeks my mom and sister Christi came out to stay with Billy and me since I am on bed rest. It was great to have them here keeping me company and making dinners for us. Thank you so much to my mom and Christi and also to my dad who survived at home without them! :)

Last week, my other sister Kelly and her family also came out for a visit and to help out. Kelly has two daughters, Rebecca and Alyse, who are adorable. Let's just say that Billy and I got plenty of practice and enjoyed having Alyse around. Alyse is four months old and absolutely cute!

Alyse constantly smiles and is such a happy baby

Billy will be such a great dad...he loved holding Alyse and making her laugh and giggle. I can't wait to see how he is with our kids!

I helped Kelly give Alyse a bath. I love the way clean babies smell :)

I have the best family and appreciate all their love and support! Thank you to everyone who is praying for us and our babies. We really are so blessed!

15 Weeks

Today marks the 15 week mark of pregnancy for me. We are so excited that things are moving right along...especially after our ER scare three weeks ago. I had a doctor appointment this morning and the doctor is happy with my progress and the health of both babies. They seem to be growing at the right pace and each weigh about a half a pound. Even though he is happy with my progress, he is keeping me on bed rest for at least another two weeks since I am still spotting. He isn't exactly sure where the blood originated from, but it looks like the blood clot in my uterus might have been at one point a sack for another baby. That means that I might have originally been pregnant with triplets, but if that was the case, the third baby didn't make it through implantation. That would have been crazy and I don't know what I would have done! I am hoping that in two weeks if things still look good, he will let me go back to work. We'll see though! :) For now, I am trying to enjoy my time at home stuck on the couch or in bed while I can since I know in about 5-6 months, that will quickly come to an end. We are very grateful for all our blessings and for the two little ones that will be coming to our family. Even though there are road bumps along the way, it definitely could be a lot worse!

Here I am at 15 weeks. I definitely feel and look pregnant and I'm only 15 weeks. I guess that happens when there are two babies in you!

Three Years and Counting

So last week Billy and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary. It was low-key, but we plan to really celebrate when things settle down around our house (More to come on that later). As I have reflected over the past three years, I can't believe how quickly it has gone. I have to admit I have the best husband ever. I am so fortunate that Billy waited for me while we were dating to figure things out.

Over the past three years, we have had such a fun time. We have traveled to several great vacation spots including New York, Seattle, Lake Powell, Mexico, Hawaii, and of course to California and Utah to visit with family. I also am also fortunate that Billy has such a great sense of humor. I find myself laughing at all his random jokes and comments. I think it is his goal to make me laugh and I love it.

Here we were in California for the 4th of July in 2008. We spent the weekend at my grandparents ranch with the whole family and swam and had a great time!

We love the State Fair in Arizona. It's a great excuse to eat crazy food that you would only eat at the State Fair. Last year my parents and sisters came out for the fair. Rebecca, my niece keeps asking when she is coming back so she can go to the fair.

Here we were in Seattle last summer at the Space Needle eating a great dinner. There is an amazing view that circles while you eat.

Here we are in New York taking a carriage ride through Central Park. It was raining and cold and the perfect way to see that part of the city in that weather condition.

Here are a couple pictures as I reflect about our wedding day...it was the best day ever!

We have had a great three years of marriage and we are so fortunate to have a wonderful marriage! I am sure the next three years will be different as we are expecting twins in the spring...wish us luck! :)

Camping Fun

It has been forever since I have posted anything. We had issues with our main computer so I wasn't able to attach or browse for any photos to post. But the issue is resolved now! :)

In June, Billy and I went camping with our friends the Curry's. We had a great time playing with their two little kids and hanging out with them. We didn't get many pics since we weren't there that long, but I captured Billy enjoying the camping trip...

So we got a flat tire and Billy got stuck changing it...that definitely was not a highlight! :)

But at least we were pulling into the campsite instead of on the side of the road! :)

What a good man doing all the hard labor...he is my man!

We had a great time with Kimmy and Rob and hope for another camping trip sometime this summer!

Water Fun!

So last weekend we had a couple of our friends over for a BBQ. Both couples have kids, so I decided we needed to get some "toys" for them. My big idea was to get a slip and slide for them. It wasn't until I was at Wal-Mart that I realized the kids were too young to truly enjoy the slip and slide the way it's meant to be. But they had a great time anyway. Here are a few pictures from the evening...I can't wait to have a child...someday! :)

Here are Brady and Noelle...just enjoying the water on the slip n' slide and "pool"

Stanton wasn't as fond of the water as Brady and Noelle were...but he was still adorable!!!

Noelle just can't get enough!

Disney World

Earlier this month I went to Orlando with my company. It was my first business trip ever (hopefully my last)! It was a top performers event for the entire Southeast division both ground and online. While I was there, we had a lot of meetings, social hours but the best thing we did was go to Disney World. I was only there for about 4 1/2 hours, so not long enough, but luckily I was able to ride all the rides that I wanted. We got to ride thunder mountain, splash mountain, Pirates and the car ride. Here are a couple pictures from the trip!

Here is Zina and me waiting in line for Thunder Mountain. It was so hot while we were waiting!

Here is Zina, Tim and I waiting in line for the car ride. It wasn't my favorite...I forgot that the cars went super slow and you had to stay on the track. Initially I thought it was a racing ride.

New York

Billy and I had the opportunity to go to New York in April because of a work conference Billy had. We were there for about 5 days and had a great time. I know people have been waiting for pictures from New York (thanks for being patient Mark...you are the best!) so here they are! :)

I have always wanted to go to the restaurant Serendipity because I enjoy that chick flick. After some coaching from my friend Heather, we made it there. They have the best hot fudge sundae's. If you are ever in NYC be sure that you make a trip there. I wish we could have gone a second time while we were there, but we went on the second to last day.

Billy and I met up with Anna one of our family friends from Windsor who lives in New York with her husband John. We met up with her on her lunch break and had some excellent Chinese food. Billy loved it because it was the cheapest meal we had there!

I just loved this picture because of all the flowers behind me. They were beautiful.

Billy and I saw the Phantom of the Opera. Billy is not a huge fan of musicals, but he consented to seeing the Phantom. We had a good time and it was pouring when we got out of the show...we needed a boat to make our way down the street.

My friend Sarah told us about the Trailer Park Lounge. It is a restaurant that was decorated like a trailer. We decided to take the subway to have dinner there and it was a hit. It was the funniest restaurant ever!

Billy and me on Time Square

Billy and I at the Yankee's game. We were at the first game in their new stadium that they won!

Billy and I at the game

The new stadium

I decided that I wanted to ride the carousel in Central Park, so I rode it with my friend Sarah, while Billy was the photographer

Sarah, Billy and me at the park after we ate the best cup cakes ever!

Sarah took us to the best hamburger place. It was a small restaurant that was tucked away in a hotel. If you weren't staying at the hotel or if you weren't a local, you would have no idea where it was. The rule in the restaurant is that if you don't know what you want to order when you get to the front of the line, they kick you to the end.

Here I am with my other friend Sarah. We had dinner with her at the stardust diner. The servers danced and sang while you ate...it was like a dinner and show all in one. We had a great time and it was great to see Sarah. We hadn't seen each other for 5 years!

Billy, Sarah and me at dinner

We had a great time in NYC...more has happened since then, but hopefully I'll make another posting later this week...stay tuned! :)

My New Team

About a week ago and a half ago, I found out which team I will be the manager for at work. From what I had heard previously, I assumed it was going to be a newer team that was just formed because of growth within our division. However, a week ago Wednesday, I found out that I was to be the manager of my own team. The previous manager had the opportunity to manage a beta group of counselors and the director team thought it would be natural to slide me into my current team. It will be an interesting transition from working as a co-worker to now being the manager. I started this on Thursday when I returned from New York and I feel that the transition is going well. So keep your fingers crossed.

My team is very thoughtful too...we all went out to breakfast a week from Thursday with the old manager and the team got the old manager (Julie) and I flowers and a card. We also took a team picture and they put it in a frame for Julie and me. I am fortunate because I know that most of the counselors want to be successful and are very hard working!

Here are the flowers and card they got for me...I just wish I was around to enjoy them instead of leaving for NYC that afternoon!

CONGRATS KATI!!!!

I want everyone to know that I am proud of my wife, she is the newest manager at University of Phoenix. She can manage me very very well so I know that she will do an outstanding job. I am very proud of Kati and am excited to share this great accomplishment with all of you. Way to go kati your hard work and dedication paid off and a big congrats to Billy as well for catching such a great suga mama

New Addition to the Cunningham's!!

So Billy and I have an announcement...No we are NOT pregnant...but we are so excited. A couple weeks ago, Billy and I got our rebate from Costco from using their American Express card. We decided to not delay in using it and we ended up buying I think Billy's favorite purchase...We bought one of those robot vacuums, the Roomba. I have to admit, it is amazing to push the button on my way out to work and then have the house vacuumed when we get home. It If you have been over to our house in the last two weeks you know about the Roomba because Billy is so excited about it. is worth it and we L-O-V-E it!

8 Things

My good friend Laura tagged me with this post.

8 T.V. SHOWS:
1. Survivor
2. Dancing with the Stars
3. Biggest Loser
4. 90210 (I know...I am way too old to be watching that show, but the new one is pretty good)
5. One Tree Hill (Drama, Drama, Drama)
6. Property Virgins
7. Wheel of Fortune (I am going to go on that show someday)
8. The Office

8 Things That Happened Yesterday
1. Had an interview at work for a management position
2. Had a sleep over at my house with the young women
3. Was undefeated at Speed
4. Stayed up until 3:30 AM
5. Made my favorite Carmel brownies!
6. Played Apples to Apples (I should stick with Speed, because I am much better at that game)
7. Was early to work (doesn't happen much)
8. Did some homework

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To
1. NYC in April
2. Seeing my old roommate Monica when she comes for a visit in three weeks! :)
3. Going to California this summer to see my family
4. Saving money
5. Kelly to have her baby in June
6. Hopefully a Lake Powell Trip this summer with Billy's family
7. Keeping my job in a tough economy
8. Getting a management position

8 Things on my wish list
1. New car (not anytime soon though)
2. Not having a mortgage...their overrated!
3. Moving out of Laveen into Ahwatukee or Chandler
4. Trip to Europe before we have kids
5. Loosing weight
6. Being a stay at home mom
7. Living closer to my family
8. Getting this ring at Tiffany's

8 Things Billy did yesterday
1. Helped clean the house for the sleep over
2. Hung out at his dad's house for the evening...since our house was invaded by girls
3. Worked
4. Ran errands to help me get ready for the activity...he is the best!
5. Had lunch with me
6. Cleaned out the vacuum
7. Talked on the phone
8. Missed our Friday night date time

8 People I tag:
1. Kelly
2. Monica
3. Heidi
4. Heather Ellis
5. Kristen
6. Heather Stratton
7. Nicole
8. Lauren

Good-Bye Primary...Hello Young Women's!

About 7 weeks ago, the second counselor in the bishopric pulled me aside after church and asked if I would serve in the Primary as the Primary Chorister. I was shocked...I am not a singer and am not really musical at all. A former roommate told me once that I am more of a follower when I sing than a leader...so needless to say, being the Primary Chorister is definitely out of my comfort zone. I was ready for a change though and knew that was where the Lord wanted me. It was really my first calling in the Primary (except for two months in nursery right after Billy and I were married, but that doesn't really count because you don't go to sharing time or singing time). The first couple of weeks, I was really stressed out before Primary concerned at how it would go. After a couple of weeks, I started to get more comfortable. Last week, I thought singing time went really well. The junior primary was very involved and enjoyed the game we played to help reinforce the song we were learning (How Firm a Foundation is not an easy song to teach to 3, 4, 5 and 6 year olds...but I did it!). When Billy and I were driving home, he asked how singing time went. I told him that it was a lot of fun and I wasn't worried or stressed out at all. I told him that I was starting to feel comfortable and really enjoying the calling.

Well, I've heard that when you reach that point, you end up getting released. Well, that is exactly what happened. On Wednesday, I got a message from the first counselor in the bishopric wanting to come to our home and speak with me that night. I am glad that they don't really plan ahead, because I am someone who wonder's what they are going to ask of me. Well, that evening I was asked to serve as the second counselor in the Young Women's Presidency. I was surprised that my time came to a close in Primary so quickly, but I am excited to serve the girls in my ward.

We have a small Young Women's, so we don't separate Beehives, Mia Maids and Laurels, but we just have all our activities and classes together. I am excited to serve with them, and hope to be a good example and role model for them, especially since so many of them are lacking good examples in their lives. I am sure it will once again be a great learning expereince for me but I am looking forward to it. Wish me luck...we'll see how it goes! :)

WHAAA HOOOO!!!!

This is one of the most exciting days in Billy and my life...we are a couple that is dealing with an unfortunate problem...we have two houses. Our renters moved out in October and then we had to go in and remodel the downstairs, replacing all the floors and part of the kitchen cabinets, patching walls, painting and replacing some carpet upstairs. We are just about done, except for the carpet upstairs, but we got a family to sign a year lease for the house today!!! :) They are the cutest family and already live in the area. They are the first people to look at the house that didn't have any questions about the crime in the area...I am so excited to finally have someone moving in that will hopefully pay their rent. It is not fun paying two large mortgages, but we can once again breath and save money.


This is how Billy and I are feeling right now. Definitely counting our blessings and everything that the Lord has blessed us with. This definitely is the answer to countless prayers!

Go Cardnials

This post is for Billy. Yesterday was his birthday, and he kept saying that all he wanted for his birthday was for the Cardinals to win...luckily he got his wish! Over the past 3 1 /2 years that I have known him, he has always said that "This was going to be the Cardinals year!" In years past, they have always let him down, but this year, he was right. It is the Cardinals year! He is so excited to see them play in two weeks in the Super Bowl!

These are my two favorite players...Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner. I haven't ever seen a receiver as amazing as Larry Fitzgerald. I love all his crazy catches! (And for a girl, I have seen quite a few foodball games!)

Christmas and New Years

This year for Christmas, Billy adn I went to Utah to be with his mom and sisters for Christmas. It was my first ever white Christmas. Let me tell you that it was freezing and it snowed a ton. We had a great time though visiting with his mom and Dave, and his sister Jana and Anthony, Teighlor and Trent.

While we were there, I also got to see my Aunt Wilda and Uncle Nick and cousins Nicole and Steve and their families. It is always great to see them and when I am there, I realize how much I miss living so close to them. Billy and I were also able to have dinner with some college friends, Elizabeth, Kyle and Monica and Tommy and Melonie. It is always fun to get caught up. I was also able to have brunch with Laura one of my college roommates. She is a great friend and it was fun for us to hang out with just the two of us! :)

Here we are on Christmas Eve: Dave, Kathy, Tammy, Jana, Billy and I

Anthony got Guitar Hero, so I played it a little and finally got to Medium! (I never play video games and never have, so that is a huge accomplishment for me)

Cathy is also rocking out to Guitar Hero. Billy and Anthony are cheering her on.

We all got Cathy a new TV. It is something she has wanted for her home for a while, but she is the most giving person and puts everyone else before herself. We thought it would be a great opportunity to give back to her and to show her how much we appreciate all she does for each one of us.

So this year for New Years we hung out with our friends Rich and Julie and Isabella. We went out to dinner, played one of the only board games that Billy likes (Settlers of Zarahemla), went hot tubing and played rock band. We had such a good time that we were there until after 1:30 AM. For those of you that know Billy, that is amazing!

Isabella and Billy at dinner

Isabella and Kati at dinner - Isabella is such a happy girl!

Here is a picture of Billy documenting the time we left Rich and Julie's on New Years Eve. I don't think he has stayed up that late since we got married! :)