I'm A BLOG LOSER!

I am well aware of my blog issues! I am the kind of person that gets really excited about something and then once the initial excitement fades for me, I like to take a long break. I partly blame it on not having any kids yet. Most blogs seem to be mainly about your kids so that will be my excuse. Well, I am a Christmas lover! But this past few weeks have been so crazy busy for Brett and I, I feel like I am missing out on the whole Christmas spirit and fun things you do at Christmas time. Any one who knows me at all, knows that I am crazy about Christmas! Most people share this love with me, however, my very own husband is not one of them. I know, it's crazy, I guess I was just so in love with him when we were dating that it didn't seem to bother me much that he was a Scrooge. (spelling?) Pretty much he just doesn't like all the comercialism and how everyone seems to magically be nice and caring and happy for 1 month out of the year. For those of you who aren't aware, Brett can't smell or taste. He had a surgery on his back when he was younger and was told by the anesthesialogist that it might effect his senses for a few months. Well 10 years later he still can't smell or taste a thing. So Brett doesn't get to enjoy all the wonderful smells and tasty treats at Christmas time like the rest of us do, and that plays a big part for me! So when we were getting our Christmas decorations down so I could start putting everything up, Brett suggested we not put up a tree at all this year. Can you believe the nerve to say something that outragous to me, the Christmas lover herself?!?! I assured him I would be putting up a tree and he was crazy for suggesting otherwise! Well, now we have about a week before Christmasm which we will be out of town for and I just informed Brett that it is time to put the tree back where it came from because I'm not putting it up to enjoy it for 1 week. I suppose I will just make up for it by eating extra Christmas candy, listening to more Christmas music and be happy for the time I saved by not putting up and having to take it down.

Trick or Treat

Our Halloween tradition is going to my brother and sis-in-laws, having dinner and taking the kids around trick-or-treating. The reason being becuase in their neighborhood there is a fantastic show every halloween. A couple doors down, their friends put on a huge production that takes months and months to prepare. In the past there has been War of the Worlds, Star Wars (Brett and probably every boys fav.), Phantom of the Opera and this year was inspired by the opening Olympic ceremony. You wouldn't believe how many hours goes into what they do and the money! They had 20 cast members. Anyway, it was great! Unfortunatly we didn't get any pics of it, but here are a couple of Jordan and Harlee (neice and nephew).

My most creative sister Jill brought this as the centerpeice for our dinner. Darling! I still haven't quite figured our why she got all the talent?

GO SUNS!!!

Brett got 4 tickets to the Suns game on Thursday night (opening night) so Matt and Katie went with us. The game was embarrassing to watch with all the turnovers and everything else that was going on but the highlight, and pretty much why Brett got the tickets, was because Brian McKnight opened with the national anthem and did the half time show. He is fantastic! It was a fun night, we also went to the Saturday night game against the Portland Trail Blazers and it was a much better game! We really like Matt Barnes, he is a great player!

Long Time, No See!

Thursday evening I got a call from a long lost freind. Heidi Bingham (Farnsworth) one of my best friends from Snowflake. We were able to get toether for breakfast at Terras house Sunday morning. It was great to see her and her two little boys (and 1 in the oven). And also an excuse to see Katie and Terra who I don't see nearly enough of!




If you know me at all, me and my friends can't be together and resist taking one of these. Only problem is Terras "ugly face" is a kissing face. Since when is that ugly? And truth be told, we needed Amy Langston in the mix!

Flavor of the Month

Well, October is here and almost gone. This months treat is Truffles.
That's a lot of truffles! 1/4 of the months total!

People might not like spiders decorating what they are going to eat but oh well.

Hola Senoritas and Senors. This is pretty much the extent of my spanish and I can't even spell it right. I just went to Rocky Pointe, Mexico last weekend with my sister, a couple of friends and some kids. I can pretty much say that if we hadn't stayed where we did, I would have no desire to ever return. This is partly why... Here is the view out our front door, which is pure Mexico...

And this is the reason why I would like to go back. This is the view from off our balcony at Belle Sirena...
Crazy the differnce of scenery from one side of the building to the other! Here are a few more pics of me and Jaci, me and Jill and all the girls, and the sunset of course.
Pina Colada anyone?
I know this is silly of me but pretty much when I looked in the mirror after getting ready this day I told Jill I felt like I was one of James Bonds girls undercover and should be doing something adventurous. Let's be honest, we all know I wouldn't last a day, I'm a really bad liar! And have far too much clothing on.
Shout out to my Lover!
Gotta love a great Sunset! That's probably one of my favorite things about Arizona is the sunsets.

Yeah, we know we all look alike
Girls definantly don't got ups! You win some and you lose some
Come on ride the train, ra a ride it, CHU CHU!

The Birthday Boy!

We just celebrated Bretts 26th Birthday. Can't you tell how

"happy" he is from his picture? Yeah, he was just being a stinker. Brett isn't so big on celebrating any holiday at all, which is odd but oh well. Anyway, he just wanted to stay home for dinner but I refused because, well pretty much I think it is a great excuse to go out. It turned into a fun night, at least I think it was and tomorrow is actually his Birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE BOY!

Erica's Bakery

I am crazy! Always coming up with some grand idea of something new I can do. Work at the airport (for free flights of course), work at a hotel (again, cheap travel), peir 1 (for Christmas decorations) etc...etc...etc... Well one of my ideas was to start baking treats for dental offices. I was pretty much considering quitting my dental assisting job and starting up the baking company. (Good thing no one from work has my blog address!) Well, I got over my day dreaming and decided to stick with my great job. Long story short, I am now making treats for the marketing rep of my company to take to all the offices. I thought I was going to be doing like 20-22 doz a month but I am now realizing it is more like 50-75 a month. I can't complain, but it sure is a lot of work. Pretty much a part time job. Anyway, here are a few pics of my first day on the new job...

Snug as A Bug in A Rug

Well, Brett and I just spent this past weekend in Heber in a cabin my family goes to every couple years. We had a lot of fun as usual. It's always interesting when you get 32 family members in one home for a weekend. As my sister Jill said, it definantly wasn't a relaxing vacation but what do you expect with that many kids running around?

Of course there is an obnoxious story to go along with this incident! So, Brett noticed one day that we had a couple of these fun holes in our bedroom window. We didn't know where they came from but a coulpe days later the truth revealed itself. We had just sat down to have a nice little romantic dinner together and we hear something hitting the side of our house. We went to the window and discovered two little hoodlems on the other side of the wall from us with sling shots and rocks! Well, Brett went ahead and wooped out the video camera so we would have some evidence. Eventually the boys saw us and we came to the quick conclusion that they weren't the most intelligent kids we have ever come across. They just kept right on with thier routine, knowing that we were taping them. They flipped us off a few times, put on some halloween masks and even broke another window. In the meantime, I am on the phone with the police and they showed up in no time. Yeah, I know, it might be lame that I called the cops instead of going over and saying something. But lets just say the fellow outside (who ended up being the babysitter) was a little sketchy looking and let's be honest, you never know who the crazies are. Long story short, the two 9 year old boys came over and apologized and their parents are paying for both windows to be repaiered. Keepin it real in the hood!

Our Fantastic Hawaii Trip!

Brett and I went on a two week trip to Hawaii this past May/June. We had so much fun except for the issue of me getting a fever blister the day we got there, no, not a coldsore, a huge fever blister that took over half of my lip and Brett always wanted me to be aware that he could see the water sloshing in it. Too much info? Sorry, it's what I do best. Anyway, Brett loved playing in the water with the Sea Turtles, while I kept my distance and my eyes wide open for any predators that might come my way.

South Mtn. Hike

Jan. 26th, I took the blazer scout group (11-12 years old) to complete their 5 mile hike requirement, up South Mtn. Well 5 miles was exactly to the top, and the scouts were DONE hiking so we turned around. I hate being that close and turing back, so....

Feb. 2nd, Erica and I hiked up South Mtn. (Thats the one with all the red tower lights) It was 2.5-3 miles each way, about 6 miles round trip. The weather was great, the view was fantastic (if you can get beyond all the smog) and it was alot of fun. We took some Video from the top as well.... but I am working on getting that posted here as well. Brett A. Paxman

Brett and Erica Paxman

After a 4 month engagment, 7 months of dating, and years of friendship, Brett Paxman and Erica Scott were married in the evening of June 2nd of 2006 in the Snowflake AZ Temple.