Nat King Cole on the stereo

Love this time of year. Love the shopping, Christmas music and movies- just love it all.

My family was invited over to the Halls for Thanksgiving. We had a lovely meal, the best stuffing (my favorite part) and Amy and I spent the afternoon watching Christmas movies.

This weekend Kate, Al, and I went and saw the Goo Goo Dolls at the Scottsdale Civic Center. It was a free concert put on by Mix 96.9. I have loved the Googs for years and Johnny isn't bad looking either! It was a great concert and perfect chilly December weather!

More fun to look forward to..... Phil concert this Thursday, basketball game in Globe (I have become a fan of 3A basketball), the last week of school (always fun with a "holiday" party), and an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party my friends and I are throwing! Seriously, I love this time of year!Some of the Thanksgiving Crew
We celebrated Katie's 29th birthday at Oreganos. I love to get gifts that I can benefit from as well. :) I got Kate the 8th season of FRIENDS.

Sad, but this is as close as I will ever get to Jon Bon.

Getting Desperate

Want to be my best friend? My class is in 1st place in a little "friendly" competition at school. A pizza party is at stake... so this is serious. There is some heavy competition, so I am asking for your help. If you see a box top such as this on any groceries you buy (muffins, ziploc, cake batters, etc) PLEASE cut them out and save them for me. I am not going to think I am cool enough to have people I don't know reading this blog, but if that is the case, I will accept them from anyone. My sweet little class deserves a party :) Let me know if you save some, and I will come and get them from you! You are the best! (Even you out of staters can mail them to me). HA, I am desperate. Katie and Lisa, I know you read this.... it is ON!

Shalom Jerome

This is why I love living in Arizona. To enjoy the beautiful weather we have been having (except this week, it has been hot) Amy, Allie, and I rented a convertable to take a drive up through Prescott to Jerome, one of my favorite places. The drive was beautiful and we had so much fun. We started the trip with a stop at QT for a diet coke and treats. Amy's friend Melanie was down from Utah and came with us. She didnt wind up in any of my pictures though. We had lunch at the Haunted Hamburger (so yummy) in downtown Jerome and enjoyed the nice weather.I recently joined the best book club. This month (well, October) we read the Twilight series. We discussed the book and the author, Stephanie Meyers. It was fun to hear who everyone prefers for Bella- Edward or Jacob. I choose Jacob, I know most of you don't.. reasoning is a long story. I want Edward for myself. Mindy Udall- she is a HOOT!!The gang....

Here's to you Ash! 6 things you didn't know about me... (or maybe you do. I have never been one to keep anything in)

1. When I was little I dreamed of being a cleaning lady. I wanted to be like "Charlie Mae" the cute little lady who cleaned our house in Coolidge. I would still love to be some sort of personal organizer and clean and organize other people's crap.
2. My sister Allie, Amy, and I are in the process of writing a book. You will all want to read it. I am sure we will make it to Oprah (I may turn her down) and hopefully go on a national book signing tour. Our book will be discussed at book clubs around the nation.
3. I am not a car person, I consider any car that runs, one that suits me- Although my dream car is an Audi- When I was little I bought an Audi keychain cause I thought it said my nickname, Audie...
4. If I could be famous, I would want to be a star on Broadway, or a Lounge Singer. Too bad neither of those would ever happen. I have the worst voice.
5. I once sneezed so hard while I was counting someone's money at the bank that a booger flew out of my nose and onto my hand. What did I do? Stared at it, then calmly wiped it on my pants and continued without batting an eye. Instances like this occur so often that I have the ability to just continue...Then I quickly emailed Allie who worked at another Wells, so she could pass the word along to her branch. Thanks Al.
6. I love the Goo Goo Dolls. The last time I told someone this, I was criticized.

What NOT to Wear

So, kids are honest.... I have been waiting for the time when one of my kids tells me something that doesn't mean to come across the way it sounds. YEs, that has officially happened a couple times in the last week. Last week I was reading a book to my class and they were gathered around me. I was wearing a skirt and a kid in my class says, "Miss Askins, aren't you supposed to get those ugly purple veins when you get old?" Then another kid chimes in "Yeah, my grandma has those; they are called spider veins"....... Really? I was a little hurt, but got over it. :) THEN yesterday one of my girls comes up to me and says, "um Miss Askins, I saw that necklace you are wearing last night on the show What Not to Wear." Um, thanks and I am pretty sure you didnt. I am no fashion diva and I will admit that to anyone, but it is a sterling silver letter a, from Tiffany's. I busted out laughing so hard. Good thing I have some thick skin.......Kids say the darndest things.

The Big Apple

Kate and I had a wonderful trip to see Cale, Ashley, and Dane. They were great hosts and we loved spending time with them. Dane is the cutest. We took the train from Connecticut into the city Friday and spent the day shopping, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, and enjoying the sights of the city. This place is so random, and you see the funniest things. View of the Manhattan Bridge from the Brooklyn Bridge. Defying Gravity- Cale and Ashley, Katie and I went and saw Wicked on Broadway. It was absolutely amazing. Dane and I getting ready to hop on the train in Stamford.
We took a stroll through Central Park and a "little" further to find this place. It was recommended to us by one of Kate's co-workers and said that they have amazing hot dogs. He was right.

Central Park
Central Park- There was a dog show and I literally saw 3 of the ugliest dogs I have seen in my life.
This one not so much ugly, but just funny looking...
I want to own one of these some day. A little flower stand. I love walking by these and they are all over..... love it.
Rockefellar Center- People were already ice skating. That made me happy.

I'll be honest. Ashley Parker Angel is the main (one of them) reason why I wanted to see Hairspray again. I saw Hairspray when Jen and I went to NY in June, then the movie came out and I saw it a "couple" of times, went back to see it on Broadway again in October and the maddness does not stop there. I bought tickets for my family to go and see it when it comes to Mesa Center for the Arts in January. I love it. This picture makes me very happy, although I am pretty sure that he practices this pose in the mirror. I told all my kids in my class that he is my new boyfriend...
Yes, you are right... that is Lance Bass. Former N'Sync member, astronaut, author, now Broadway star. Umm really, why did he smile like that first off- Surprisingly he was a great Corny Collins.
Sorry, don't know how to rotate the pics. This is at Times Square... Thanks Dillingham's for the wonderful time. Hopefully, you will see us sooner than later!

October Break

I can't believe October break has come and gone...
Hope you are hanging on to the edge of your seat because NEW YORK pics are on their way.. you will be jealous of who we met and all we did. We had a fabulous time.

Jersey Boys came to Gammage and us Askins' girls are obsessed with Broadway musicals. We grew up listening to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons (thanks to dad)so we sang the whole time. Allie liked to whoop and holler like she was at a real concert. Of course (the groupies we are) stayed after to meet the performers. We seriously got so giddy and Allie wouldnt shut up...(she talks and talks when she gets excited... it is funny) It was an amazing show!

Us with "BOB" and Frankie's mom in the play
"Frankie Valli"

We took Nan on a quick road trip to see Uncle Bob and Aunt Dolores in California. We had a wonderful time visiting with them.