Well it has been a busy few weeks. Our weather did not warm up until this past Sunday. We finished the last day of school with little drama. On the 20th there was a Christmas light display with hayrides, hot chocolate and caroling in the Hualapais. We decided to take all the kids up to see the snow. We headed up the mountain. When we got within a mile of the caretaker's cottage we were stopped in traffic. Little did we know that we would not see Christmas lights or carolers. They were turning everyone back. They decided that it was a safety hazard with so many people up on the mountain, so the Sheriff's office sent someone to send us home. We were quite bummed, especially since I wasn't able to get a picture. Brad was a good sport, so we were able to stop at a pull out and get a few pictures. Here are Brian, his girlfriend, Visha, Sayre and her friend Tricia:
On Christmas Eve we all dressed and went to the vigil mass at church. Ask me about Father Cranky Pants and his antics during church. He's not a nice man. After church we went to Brent and Karla's house. It was nice being around family.
Christmas Day dawned clear and cold. Brian was up before 8 (the first time since the middle of the week before) and ready to open presents. I resisted and stayed in bed for a little while longer. After presents were opened, we had breakfast together. Gramma was not feeling so well, so we did not go to their house until after noon. Brian was actually patient enough that we did not have open presents right away. We actually were able to talk and snack on all the food we had prepared. Presents were amazing as usual. Gramma and Papa overdo themselves each year. As the day wore on, a storm blew in (and I mean blew in - the winds were at least 45 miles an hour and blowing lots of things down). We were watching Wall-e and listening to the storm. There was wind and rain and sleet. By the time we finally left around 8:30 it was really sleeting. Brad decided that he would give Sayre that white Christmas that she wanted, so we drove up a ways into the mountains. It was really snowing there and was quite beautiful.
On Friday the kids and I headed to Casa Grande to see my family. Friday night was Dawn and Chris's birthday, so we had a family dinner at Eva's in Arizona City. It was fun to see almost everyone. Saturday was our shopping day in Chandler. Sayre quickly went through her Christmas cash. I, on the other hand, was not able to find a single thing to buy, except lunch. Sunday was the family Christmas celebration. Dawn, Megan, Katie, Wendy, Connor, Caitlyn, Mom, Dad, Aunt Harriet, cousin Mikel, Gram and Crappa were there. We were treated to a concert from the kids. Megan (trombone) and Connor (electric guitar) played Ironman first. Brian treated us to a song Connor taught him on the electric guitar. Katie (clarinet) and Sayre (flute) played Frere Jacque. Caitlyn strummed on her new guitar a beautiful tune. Then there were assorted solos. It was a great day. My kids don't realize how lucky they are to have grandparents and great grandparents. I love my family.
Now it's New Year's Eve and the kids (many assorted) are watching a movie in the living room. Brad is up at Brent and Karla's playing Michigan Rummy with Aunt Ginny (from Michigan), Gramma, Karla, Kiersten, Dustin, Bree, and Matt. I came home so Brian's girlfriend could come over. Someone has to be the responsible adult. I guess I won tonight.Happy New Year everyone (OK, so not really for 55 more minutes, but I don't know if I will still be up). I hope 2009 has many blessings in store for you.
