We spent another lovely Christmas down in Arizona. Since this would be the last time we would be going down to Arizona before Drew turned two we decided it would be a good time to fly without having to pay for 3 tickets. Both kids did a great job on the flight, but we did look a little funny holding all of our carry on luggage through the airport. There was no way we were going to pay extra to check-in any luggage. Luckily the flight people didn't give us any problems with the size of our bags and the few extra items we had in our hands. We got in on Tuesday night and my parent's borrowed my sisters van to pick us up. We ended up staying at my sister Emily's in-law's house which was nice because we would have a whole floor to ourselves and wouldn't have to worry about our kids making noise at night. On Wednesday we hung out at the house and visited with my sisters and made caramel apple of which I didn't get any pictures. That night we walked around the neighborhood and stopped by a house that had their lights along with 4 other houses lights going to music that you could listen to on a radio station.
Drew loved hanging out with his uncle Scott and walking with him down the street to see the lights. Back at the house we enjoyed each other's company and Rachael enjoyed having all of her nieces and nephew's sit on her lap.
On Thursday morning my cousin Kari was able to finalize the adoption of three children that her and her husband Scott had been foster parents for over the last year or so. It was great to be able to help celebrate this wonderful time that they had been waiting for for so long. We met at a church by their house and had lunch together.
Thursday afternoon we made ginger bread houses out of graham crackers. The kids loved putting their houses together and putting as much candy on it as possible. Michelle and I helped Drew put his together and he did quite well although I think he enjoyed eating the candy more than decorating the house. While the grown ups talked the kids continued making their houses, played outside, and then completed their houses.
We love these kind of shots of Drew. He loves to cross his legs when he lays down. We think he looks so cute. Especially in this picture as he reads a book or at least looks at the pictures.
Friday morning Emily made reservations for us to go to a bounce house not too far from my parent's house. Some of our other cousins and their kids were able to join us at the same time. Drew was still a little young to be able to handle most of the toys without any help or getting knocked over, but overall we had a great time going down the slides and playing with all the different blow up toys. Even the adults had some fun doing the same.
Friday afternoon the adults left the kids with a sitter and went to the Mesa, Arizona Temple and did a little work for some names that my Uncle Kirk had collected while doing genealogy for the Cardon family. Afterwards we went out to dinner and enjoyed some adult time alone without the kids running around.
Ryan had a free night at a hotel so he had taken his girls to stay over Friday night. He invited us to come swim at the pool on Saturday morning which was Christmas Eve. Drew loves the water and he started to get a little too brave around the water. Right before we left the pool he was running away from me and fell into the pool. It startled him a little, but I hope it taught him a lesson to be weary around the water. We will have to get him into swimming lessons this summer so he can be proficient and as good as his father and the rest of my siblings.
My cousin Nicole was generous, as usual, to use their home for the gathering place for the family Christmas Eve party. It is something we have been doing ever since I can remember. Since we had so many little kids we decided we needed to get a picture with them. It was easier said than done, but I think we got a few good pictures.
As tradition goes we had all of the kids put on their costumes and act out the Nativity seen as we read the birth of the savior from the bible. All of the did a great job and because we had so many kids and two newly born babies we ended up having two Mary's, Joseph's, Christ Child's, and stars. We even had a family dog participate as a sheep. Thanks to Emily for coordinating the production.
My Mita always gave us a brown lunch sack with little gifts in it as our present on Christmas Eve when we were kids. Nicole and other cousins have done a great job of providing these same sack of gifts for the kids now. They were really excited for what they got and Drew loved the little bell he received to shake while we sang Christmas carols.
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