Better late than never!

Ok, so we know it has been a LONG time since our last post, 8 months to be exact, but we are back and figure this is the best way to keep our loved ones updated.

We had the best summer! To start, we had Jaclyn's graduation from ASU on May 14th. We couldn't be any more proud of our little sis! Then at the end of May beginning of June, Jaclyn stayed with us for a whole week in VA. We had so much fun going to the beach, botanical gardens, navel ship tour and a wine tour. For Labor Day weekend Eve came out to visit us. It was so incredibly nice to spend time with her too. We spent a bunch of quality time with her and tried to keep it mellow but still went to the beach and took her on the wine tour as well. We missed them both as soon as they left and wished their trips were longer but we were grateful to have spent the time we did with them. Love you girls!

Randy's birthday was September 20th and his mother, brother and I got him Redskins tickets. We went to the game in middle of October and had an awesome time even though they lost. :-(
Sorry honey, there is always next year. :-)

I need to run. Will post more later, I promise!

So last Sunday night we finally saw snow! It snowed for about 24 hours giving us about 3-4 inches of snow. Since our roads are not maintained and not many drivers in our area know how to drive in snow, we decided to work from home. Precious didn't mind the snow at all, in fact she licked it and ran through it. We would take her leash off and she would take off running in circles as happy as could be. One week later we are in the 70s and possibly the 80s. Gotta love VA! :)

Things have been going great. We are training for the Shamrock Marathon (8k, 5 miles) in two weeks. We are running it with Deb and our friends Rachael and Sarah. We hope to beat our times from last year. Otherwise, we are both busy with work and greatful to have jobs.

We hope you are all doing well! Miss you and love you all!

Snow in Virginia

I couldn't not
post a picture
of Precious.

Hello All! It has been a while since our last post but better late than never. :-) Our holidays were absolutely wonderful. We enjoyed our very first Christmas together as husband and wife. We spent Christmas in Phoenix with family and friends and couldn't ask for a better visit. Sonia, Randy's mom even came out for a couple days. We took her to Sedona with Jaclyn, Randy and I. When we got home to VA we were lucky enough to have 2 more Christmas dinners, one with Mike (Randy's brother) and Sonia and the other with Barney and Deb. How lucky are we! I think we were full for a week after all the yummy food in AZ and then coming home to 2 excellent dinners. Needless to say we haven't been dieting since the trip. Ha Ha

Hello! I know that it has been a very long time since we have published a post so I will try and fill everyone in. First off and seems to be most important lately, Precious is still bleeding! After a visit to a specialist we found out that she has an infection and SIPS which means that part of her placenta did not attach to the uterus after she had a litter in April. We are hoping that she hasn't been bleeding since then. We feel so lucky to have found her and we think she is happy to be with us too.

Randy has lost 10 lbs on the diet that we were both supposed to be on. I am so very proud of him and his dedication to the diet. Unfortunately I did not do as well and I think he gave Precious and I some of the pounds that he lost. J/K Ha Ha Way to go honey, I am proud of you!

Work has been busy, got a new dining room table and looking forward to the holidays. That about sums it up.

Love to all! The Mars Family

This is my friend Brandi's daughter Madison. She was a cowgirl and looked so cute with her red hair and freckles! We had a great time trick or treating. It has been a while for me. Ha Ha

This is Precious as a pink bug and her friend Sohpie the chicken. We went trick or treating with my friend Brandi and her daughter and had to take the dogs. Too cute! ;)

My new sweater that I REFUSE to walk in. I stand at the top of the stairs and sit real pretty when my mom and dad try to take me for a walk. I don't care how cold it is outside, I refuse.

She did not want us to leave. :-(
So cute!

This is what happens when my husband falls into a deep sleep on the plane. I couldn't help myself. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard on a plane before. Sorry honey, had to do it.

Trip to Kansas

In the middle of September Randy, Dad and I took a trip to Hays, KS for the weekend. We arrived Thursday morning and left on Sunday. We had a great time visiting with Grammie, Papa, Maxine, Larry, Art, Becky, Elsie, Candy and Scott. Dad and Randy did a couple things around the house like fixing the stove, working on the computer, working on the sump pump in the basement and setting the special brick that Dad had for Grammie and Papa in front of their house (see below for picture). Aunt Maxine and Uncle Larry came over on Friday and spent the day with us. The boys all went to have coffee and I got to go to the excellent Chinese restaurant across the street with Aunt Maxine to have lunch. I don't think Aunt Maxine and I have ever had one on one time, it was very nice. Thank you Aunt Maxine. We also got to see all the beautiful quilts that Grammie has been busy making, she had pictures to show. Then on Friday evening we had Uncle Art, Aunt Becky, Elsie, Candy, Tony and Scott over for hamburgers. It was wonderful visiting with everyone. Saturday Dad made ribs and Papa made milk noodles so we were definitely full. :) Papa was able to show Randy all of his antiques in the front office and Uncle Art brought over his race car (see below). Then on Sunday we had to leave. It was a quick trip but well worth it. Randy keeps telling people that it helps him to understand why I am who I am. I forgot to mention that Papa told lots of stories about his kids. Good stories, but I found out that I am a lot like my Uncle Mack. We both want things 'our way'. So Uncle Mack, you aren't the only one. :) Plus, with almost all the kids with tempers I didn't stand a chance. Ha Ha
Thanks Grammie and Papa for having us out there! We love you!

Happy Birthday Mike!

On September 8th we celebrated Mike's (Randy's brother) birthday. We had dinner over at Sonia's with Sonia, Mike, Ashley, Randy, Precious and I. As you can see, Mike was VERY surprised when he opened his gift. :)

We love you Mike!

Football with Dad

New Addition!!

We have a new addition to the Mars Family!! Her name is Precious and boy isn't she! :) We got her from a guy in the navy that did not have time to spend with her nor care for her. She is 15 months old, 16 lbs, fawn color and healthy. We just took her to the vet today to get a check up. She did not come from the cleanest or safest area so we wanted to make sure that she was healthy and caught up with all her shots. She has adjusted to us very well and we already love her to pieces. There are a couple things that we have to work on though. She has fleas (not a lot) but we already gave her 2 baths and a medicine from the vet. She is also in heat. Crazy, huh? Randy and I have no clue what that is like, so this should be an experience. Ha Ha In about 6-8 weeks we are going to get her spayed so she does not go into heat again. Can't wait, but isn't the diaper cute? We have to put a maxi pad in the diaper for her. Too funny, makes me chuckle. We finally get a pug and she has fleas and is in heat. :) She is all worth it though. We love her! Welcome home Precious!

You may wonder why I am wearing a diaper? That is because not only do I have fleas, I am in heat. :) How lucky are my owners! Ha Ha

Best Life Diet

After gaining a total of 20 pounds between Randy and I, we have finally signed up for the Best Life Diet. Of course deciding on the diet plan was not an easy process. We had to look up the 'best' diets on consumersearch.com and consumerreports.com. Yes, consumer reports rate diet plans, only Randy would know this. :-) So after 2 days of research we have picked thebestlife.com. We apparently need the structured plan. Wish us luck!