We thought we had planted an Arizona Sweet Orange variety orange. Turns out it is a blood orange! What a fun surprise!
Even though the first few years of oranges on the orange tree aren't supposed to be good, and even though I have never been that excited about the flavor of blood oranges, AND even though we probably picked it before it was ripe--it was still surprisingly delicious! Awesome!
Can I just say how much I love flying instead of driving to Utah for Christmas. Yes, it is a lot more money. Yes, it is a pain to find a ride to and from the airport. Yes, it is tricky to try to do presents and luggage in as small a space as possible. Despite this is it definitely the cushier way to go! An hour and 20 minutes of flying instead of 13+ hours of driving. Yes, please! It was Holland's first airplane ride! She was a champion both ways. She loves being nursed to sleep and just held while she naps. This was the perfect opportunity to do that.
My sweet family met us at the airport as a surprise. My grandma, parents, siblings and their kids were all there. They greeted us with a round of 'Happy Birthday' (it was my birthday) and posters with my kids names on them. I hadn't seen most of them in a year, so it made it all the more sweet that they would do this.
These photos are from Christmas morning!
We went and saw John's parents on Christmas Eve. And spent Christmas Day with my family. These pictures are from Christmas morning. We didn't know if my phone camera or the point and shoot camera would be better, so there is a variety of shots. My dad gave them a learning tool from his old classroom. The kids called it their "tablet." So funny!
The "tablet" from Grandpa Deru.
We probably had the nicest year yet, with our kids being pleased and sweet about their presents. This is ironic because we certainly didn't spend the most we ever have on them this year. I just think they are all in a really sweet phase right now. They really are. Love them!
Holland's first Christmas!!!
It was so great to see all of these cousins together again!
Little Holly really only got in the present opening action with one present from her grandma. Of course, her initial interest was just in the paper, but when she saw that baby doll her whole face lit up. It was adorable.
My sister is the queen of gift giving at Christmas. Seriously, there is not any way to match her awesomeness so we don't even try. This year she cut, sanded, and dyed this super cool set of blocks for my girls.
The girls photographed themselves building a tower with them in my parents' basement.
The Epic Block Set
My Aunt Carol is another one, you don't even try to match. She gets everyone a present. She is my aunt, and I wouldn't expect her to give something to my own little family, Let alone, getting a nice individual gift for each of the children. She is so nice! This year she gave the girls adorably soft minky pillowcases.
Pillowcases from Aunt Carol.
On Christmas afternoon, we played in the snow (see the pictures at the end).
That evening we had a nice Christmas party at my grandparents' house. My grandpa was alert (unlike last year) and even helped sing songs. We had a nice dinner, sang the Twelve Days of Christmas, and opened presents. It got a little tense because Grandpa and Grandma had by far the most gifts to open, were the slowest at opening, and they didn't want things to get crazy while they were doing it. Also, no one else is allowed to open a present while they open theirs. Anyway, the process was drug out way too long and all of the children ended up on various electronic devices to keep them quiet and entertained. But it was still a blessing to have this Christmas at my grandparents' house with both of them there.
We spent one evening at John's brother's house (Jeff), where he and his family introduced to the game Pie Face. It was pretty hilarious!
Pie Face at Jeff and Kaylyn's.
We also spent a lot of time playing on the Pearson side. We met the new babies and saw Spencer. I still love how sweet my girls are with him.
We finally got a good picture of Holland sucking on those cute toes!
We visited the Guinns and Glenn and Andrea, which was nice! It was so cold that night though! David and Patti took some pictures for us. We went with them to dinner at Golden Corral and played games at their house after. Our girls had a sleepover at their house (not the baby of course), which they were beyond thrilled about. They had a disco ball, and the girls had a dance party before bed.
We tried visiting my Grandpa at the Veterans Home three different times. Unfortunately he was too tired to wake up to see us any of the times. It did give a good opportunity to chat with Grandma and my mom though.
Poor Grandpa--I wonder if I will see him alive again.
On our last night there, we had a goodbye party. It was fun to see everyone.
Little Samuel and Holland. (Holland is older by a couple of months.) All of her boy cousins make her seem so tiny.
Such sweeties!
These girls are hilarious! Love them!
Our flight home was uneventful, which is a good thing! I am so blessed with wonderful children!
Love my girls!
We were sad to leave our family in Utah, but not so sad to leave the cold! Eliza's backpack was packed and she looks absolutely miserable waiting for the airplane.
All smiles from the Miri girl! She told me recently, "I don't believe in jackets." Good thing you live in AZ sister!
Our vacation was a whirlwind of fun, but we were exhausted when we got back! See the proof!
Our friends, the Jacobsons shipped us this gift. Apparently there was a mix up in the order. :)
This is our Christmas day snow fun. Once a year is enough for me! That wind was cold!
So beautiful though!
Miss Eliza desperately wanted to have a snowball fight! Unfortunately the snow wasn't sticky enough to do good snowballs or snowmen.
