After our Christmas celebration with Jeremy's family in Flagstaff, we came back home to welcome my family for the rest of Christmastide (but missed Andrew, Lisa, and Aria). We really kept the celebration going this year!
My mom, Rachel, Elisabeth, and my dad flew in over a couple days and were here together the weekend after Christmas. We've had such mild weather that eating outdoors wasn't really the problem we anticipated it might be. (Since our dining "room" is quite small, we rigged up a system of outdoor heater and tarps in order to eat outside on the patio. We made good use of it, but it also helped that the nights stayed well above freezing.)
Clara is just about the funniest and cutest ever!
Caught in the act
Hannah and Luke flew in January 1st, and Elisabeth flew out the 2nd, so we had our "Christmas day" celebration on New Year's night. We had planned to do fairly inexpensive stocking stuffers rather than a full-on gift exchange, but of course, the stockings overflowed to a pile under the tree . . .
Youngest and oldest sisters . . . How can she be 21?! How can I be nearly 32??!!
We made gingerbread houses and decorated them on New Year's day, much to my children's excitement. Josiah "accidentally" dropped several jelly beans in the process and had to eat the dirty ones. There was much unsanitary licking of fingers and surreptitious eating of candy. But there was plenty to cover the houses liberally, too.
Having had Christmas in Flagstaff the week before only stoked the kids' excitement . . .
Abby
Clara trying to do a camera smile
Lydia
My mom put mustaches in everyone's stocking:
Elisabeth had to head back to MI on Jan. 2nd, so we missed her for our girls' outing to a tea and play place:
We also visited the Gilbert Riparian Preserve before my dad left. It was so beautiful there, with lots and lots of birds to watch and try to identify! The kids loved playing in the creek and by the banks of the pools. The trail was easy and short enough that we didn't hear much complaining. We picnicked after our walk before heading home for naps.
Poor Rach wasn't feeling very well
Birdwatcher . . . spot him with these!
Sonoran desert plants I need to look up and identify:
Abby
Not sure what was wrong with Hannah :)
Clara pleased with a stick
Lydia lay in a crook of a tree and let Grandma feed her
I didn't get pictures of our Epiphany celebration, but we did bake and eat a beautiful king cake! The kids were thrilled to find a ring (Abby), almond (Lydia), and button (Josiah) in their pieces. I think next year we may have to add another hidden item, because Clara was definitely suspicious that she was missing out on something good.
