Phoenix::At the Hotel

We stayed at the Marriott for our first few days in Phoenix. Heated pool was definitely worth it! Rand worked from the pool because it never, ever ends and the kids swam and swam and did a little school work. There is nothing like finding summer for a bit in the middle of winter!

 

Someone's getting a little big for this activity!

Road Trip

We decided to take a little road trip down to Phoenix. We left at about 4:30 in the morning and got our first, "Are we there yet?" from Annabel exactly 18 minutes into the drive. :)

We managed to make it several hours south of Sacramento on the first day then got up bright and early the next morning and went over the Grapevine and into L.A. around lunch time. We stopped at Biola to show the kiddos our old Alma Mater. They are set to apply as soon as they can. :)

There was a little baseball practice happening which was totally surreal to watch with our own little baseball players, neither Rand or I had been there for over 10 years!

We continued our drive that afternoon and cruised into Phoenix late that night! It was awesome to wake up in Phoenix. Warm and sunny!

Kid Quotes::Vol. 60

Me: (hugging Annabel) "You're my favorite Annabel."

Annabel: "No! Call me daughter."

Me: "Oh. Ok. You are my favorite daughter."

Annabel: (sigh) "Thank you, Muzer (mother)."

Christmas 2014

Christmas morning came early after our wild and crazy Christmas eve. Kids were up around 6:30ish and the festivities began. Everyone stayed the night here including Joanna, Jon, Jordan and my mom. They didn't all stay super long after morning rolled around but everyone was here for the beginning of the present extravaganza.

We took our time in the morning opening gifts and then made breakfast, lounging around in our jammies for the rest of the day. Everyone came back over in the evening for dinner which was laid back and almost unnecessary.

There's always such a lull after Christmas ends...

Christmas Eve

This year both Joanna and I were in new homes. We decided to share hosting Christmas Eve. We started at her house for appetizers and then we went to church for a candle light service and then ended up at my house for more food and games and presents.
It was very fun and loud and crazy. The kids played musical chairs for several rounds of presents and the adults had a White Elephant gift exchange. Everyone got Christmas jammies and went to bed late!