Home for the Holidays

Last night I told Curly that I was sad that school was starting and wanted her to stay home with me.  She seemed suprised and asked, "Then why does the song say, 'Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again.'?"

Why does it say that?  I loved having my girls home and they had so much fun playing together every day.  We didn't go anywhere (very far), which was a first for us.  Instead family came to visit us and we had a wonderful time.  Here is our lengthy Christmas wrap-up -

The last day of school Curly's school has a "Jingle Bell Jog."  Not really a race just an excuse to get kids moving before they cram themselves full of Christmas goodies.  Parents are invited to participate, so we did. 

Curly and Lou at the Jingle Bell Jog

Fisher grew up receiving an ornament each Christmas and we have continued the fun tradition.  This year we wanted to find some cactus ornaments to commemorate our first Christmas staying home in the Arizona sun.  We failed to find any, so on Christmas Eve we made salt dough ornaments.  We had a good time and they actually turned out very cute.  The finishing touch would have been to decorate them with twinkle lights (as people do here), but the craft store was out.

Salt Dough wreath and "blob"

For Christmas Eve dinner we had a traditional German meal - Rouladin, rotkohl, spaetzle, potato dumplings, gravy, and german cheesecake.  We had a couple in our ward over for dinner.  They were very entertained by our darling overly ecstatic children (at least someone was :).  After a quiet drive to look at Christmas lights it was off to bed.  Fisher and I were excited to go to bed at a decent time, but it was not to be.  Poor Berry was up most of the night with a bad case of croup.  Christmas morning came all too soon with exhausted parents and girls  bouncing with excitement.

Feeling better - a happy girl even when she is sick

In spite of our exhaustion, it was very enjoyable to see the girls exclaim over every present they received.  They were just as excited about a new toothbrush as they were about receiving what they had asked for. 

Toothbrushes!!!

A baby doll!

Books!

Lou's loot - The Pillow pet was on her wish list and is very loved

Curly asked for slippers and a locket and Santa came through!

Christmas being on a Sunday, we enjoyed a quiet afternoon.  We were able to have a conference call with the whole Lovell family plus some as we talked to Paisley on her mission.  The girls and Fisher decorated a gingerbread house and we all went for a walk after dinner.

A few days after Christmas the Lovells arrived!  Lainey's parents, two sisters, and brother + girlfriend, gathered from all quadrants of the US..  We attended a Lovell cousin wedding in Mesa the first day, visited museums, took walks, played games, and just enjoyed being together.

The family at the Mesa Temple

Girls waiting with Aunt K-Rae during the wedding

We had three pics of our whole family together last year - My goal this year is to take one each time we have the opportunity.

Sisters with cousin Sydney at the reception

My sister K-Rae gave dad an inflatable floating remote control shark for Christmas (the gift for the man who has everything :)  Everyone was entertained by the bobbing shark, which did look pretty life like as it swam along.

Eating mom

Watch out!

Taking a stroll to see the neighbors.

Waiting for dinner at Abuelo's - Yum!

K-Rae and Berry

Gifts from Aunt JG

Gifts from Grandma C

Lou doing some morning Yoga with Dania

On New Years Eve, we took an outing to the Musical Instrument Museum.  It was impressive and interesting (especially for the adults) and there was a lot more to see than anticipated.  We ended up spending most of the day there.  In the evening we enjoyed, sparklers, games, and food.

The experience room at the Musical Instrument Museum

Having fun with sparklers and a camera on New Years Eve

Playing "Body Jam" on New Years

Aunt JG gave the girls a science in the kitchen kit.  Here they are making fizzy drinks. 

Playing "The blindfold game"

The dryer is a fun place to hide

K-Rae and mom and dad left a couple days before Nate, Dania, and Jeniel.  We hiked at Thunderbird park and visited the Science Center.

Berry is ready to hike, but not thrilled about it.

A few minutes later

Nathan and Dania

Happy to have family visit!