Hotchkiss

Maid of The Mist

2007-10-02T16:39:00.000-07:00

The Maid of The Mist was so much fun. We couldn't stop laughing because we were getting soaked. We thought the name of the tour should be "Shower From the Falls".

We had a great time in Canada and hopefully i can add some more race photos soon.

2007-10-02T16:38:00.001-07:00

Breakfast overlooking the falls

Niagara Falls

2007-10-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

This is the view we had from our room at the Niagara Falls.

2007-10-02T16:32:00.000-07:00

This is a view of the downtown from Toronto Island. We went to the island for lunch and it was so amazing. The downtown is where we started and finished the race.

Hockey Hall of Fame

2007-10-02T16:25:00.000-07:00

Although I don't follow hockey, it was fun to go to the Hall of Fame and see how good my slap shot was and also what it feels like to be a goalie. It was neat to see the locker room setup and the old uniforms and skates.

Toronto Waterfront Marathon

2007-10-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

Ashley and I traveled to Toronto for me to finish my first marathon. We don't have any finish line pictures yet because we traveled with just the two of us. I will try to put one on here when I get one from the race photographers. But, I did finish with a time of 4hr. 50min. 58sec. Being my first one I didn't know what to expect, but I am already inspired to beat that time on my next one. It was an awesome experience and it felt incredible to cross the finish line. We had a great girls trip together and we think we should travel somewhere once a year to do a marathon and see a new city. Toronto was beautiful.

2007-09-17T19:30:00.000-07:00

2007-09-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

Marlee and Harley got along great. Marlee loved to sleep next to Harley and have her do tricks to give her some treats.

Lisa got kidnapped

2007-09-17T19:13:00.000-07:00

The Thursday before the wedding we showed up at Lisa's house and kidnapped her for breakfast.

2007-09-17T19:02:00.001-07:00

All smiles at the rehersal

2007-09-17T18:57:00.000-07:00

2007-09-17T18:51:00.000-07:00

The wedding party

2007-09-17T18:49:00.000-07:00

Looking beautiful and trying to relax before Lisa walks down the aisle

2007-09-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

Hair and makeup is done, we just need to put on the dresses.

2007-09-17T18:40:00.000-07:00

All smiles and full of excitement the night before the wedding!

"The Fox Wedding"

2007-09-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

All the girls practicing for the big day. Jessica, Gina, Lisa, Cara, Marlee, Laura and Jen.

Bull Riders Only

2007-07-15T07:26:00.000-07:00

Chris grew up in Texas and loved going to rodeos as a boy. So a few weeks ago he took Marlee and i to our first rodeo. It was actually very fun and entertaining. I will sometimes see it on tv where the guys get stepped on by the bull or hit by the horns. It was harder to watch in person. Two guys went unconscious, one broke his jaw and the other had to get stitches on his head. We had seats very close to the riders and a few times I had to look away when they got hurt. Marlee let me know "Rara, bull riding is not a place for scarredty cats". She doesn't want the riders to get hurt, but she definitely wants some action in each ride. It was a great time though, the rodeo clown was very funny and entertaining. I actually told Chris I thought he could do that job, he is always keeping Marlee and I entertained.

2007-07-15T06:46:00.000-07:00

We use to have a pool company come once a week to clean our pool until Chris said " I can clean it myself, every Friday." So on Fridays, Chris sweeps and he likes Marlee and I to help skimmer the pool with a net. Well, when Father's Day came up I asked Marlee what she wanted to get for Daddy. She was so thoughtful, she got him a remote control boat with a skimmer to make cleaning the pool more fun and easy. The funny thing was, the day before Father's Day, Marlee was at her mom's house and Chris thought of the idea of getting Marlee a gift on Father's Day.... and guess what we drove around from pool store to pool store looking for. The remote control boat. Luckily, no stores had them. I had actually bought the last one a few days earlier. When Marlee called us Saturday night, Chris told her how he wanted to get that boat for her, but every one was out so he ordered one, which he actually did. I was shocked that Marlee didn't say on the other end of the phone"that is what I got you for Father's Day". Well, on Father's Day, Chris opened his boat and we all laughed at how they both had the same gift idea in mind for eachother. I am still not sure who wanted the boat more....i think Marlee. Either way they were going to make sure we had a remote control boat to clean that pool.

2007-07-07T18:12:00.000-07:00

Dad grilling his famous tri-tip for us in Az. Chris makes sure he gets his tri-tip fix when we go to Ca. or Dad comes to visit....thanks dad

Marlee with her Uncles

2007-07-07T17:57:00.000-07:00

Marlee loves to come to Ca. with me and see all the family. On Saturday morning we were going to Ian's soccer game and as we drove there Marlee asked "Who will be at the game" After I named off everyone that would be there she looked at me and said "This is so cool, I am going to watch three cousins play (Ian, Matthew and Chris) one of my uncles is the coach (Johnny) my aunts will be there (Lisa, Gina and Laura) Char and Mingo will be there and plus other Uncles (Steven and Stan)" She was so excited and it was so cute for me to see how much she thinks of everyone as her family.

2007-07-07T17:43:00.000-07:00

Marlee loves hanging out with Uncle Steven.
Flat Stanley with Uncle Steven and Girl Lou at Marlee's school. It was a school project to send Flat Stanley to stay with someone you know far away to spend a few weeks with. Marlee sent him to London and he flew back to the states with Steven and Laura. Steven pushing Marlee on the swing in Ca. next to Lou. I can't wait till we live closer....

Aunt Girl Lou and Uncle Steven in the states...cont.

2007-07-07T17:34:00.000-07:00

I never finished posting all the pictures from Steven and Laura's trip home. We all loved having them here and are counting down the days till they are here again. Marlee and I also went to Ca. to spend some time with them and I got some cute pictures of our trip. The day Marlee and I flew back to Az. there were of course tears. Tears from Marlee, Lou and myself as we had to say good-byes. As we were walking to the plane Marlee asked me, "Why was Uncle Steven not crying like all of us. We will see Girl Lou in a few months for Lisa's wedding but we won't see Steven for years. I was crying cause I will miss Uncle Steven so much." It was really cute and I tried to explain to Marlee that boys don't cry as easy as us girls, but I assured her that Uncle Steven I know will miss her very much.

Dinner at Claim Jumper

2007-07-07T17:26:00.000-07:00

After a day at the pool and looking at model homes (we're working on getting all my family to move out to Az) we headed out to dinner and a little bit of dessert.

Future triathelete

2007-07-07T17:18:00.000-07:00

Marlee was inspired by Rara finishing a triathlon and she really wants to do one soon. She is a great swimmer. One day Chris, Marlee and I were swimming in the pool and she did a flip kick to turn around we were suprised at how well she did it and we asked her how she learned. She smiled and said "Adam tought me". I think he needs to teach Rara too.

Lisa and Adam come to visit us in Az

2007-07-07T17:10:00.000-07:00

Aunt Lisa promised Marlee she would come see her before the "big day" in Ca. So Lisa and Adam made a weekend trip to Az. to have some fun in the sun.

Fun in the helicopter

2007-05-28T09:59:00.000-07:00

2007-05-28T09:54:00.000-07:00

We were driving and these deer were right off the road. There were eight of them and we were about 10 feet away from them. It was really neat, we stayed there awhile and just watched them. Marlee said at that point, it was the best part of her trip. Of course she had not been it the helicopter yet.

Our trip to the Grand Canyon

2007-05-28T09:44:00.000-07:00

We took Marlee to the Grand Canyon this weekend. It was her first trip there. She was shocked at how big it was and wanted to hike down into the canyon. But, she did not like it at all when Chris would get close to the edge. And I'm sure you all know that it made me nervous too. We had a great time, we stayed at the Grand Canyon village on the south rim and we took a helicopter ride over the canyon. It was a little scary at first, then once I was o.k. with being in a little helicopter, it was awesome.

2007-05-28T09:20:00.000-07:00

Pose for a picture while we bowl.

2007-05-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

Hanging out by the pool.

Lou and Steven come home!!

2007-05-28T09:11:00.001-07:00

It was so great to have them home. Marlee loved it when they went to have lunch with her at school.

2007-02-25T08:53:00.000-08:00

Welcome everyone to the Chris, Cara and Marlee blog. What a wonderful way to be able to share pictures and memories with friends and family. I have really enjoyed being able to get on my cousins and sisters blogs to see pictures and read the fun stories. So I am going to do my best at this blogging thing and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I have.