Amazing! I'm blogging whilst on vacation. I think this will make going back to Buffalo a bit easier, knowing that at least part of the blogging is done! I've been anticipating this vacation for a long time and it has not disappointed, so there is lots to talk about.
The night before I left, Gavin and Rach came over and the boys swapped their first Christmas presents. Collin made out big with the cutest fleece blanket with.... BALLS on it. This is big news if you know this kid. So cute. Thanks Rach!
The next morning brought freezing cold and wind, but not much snow. Phewf! I was so nervous our flight would be canceled or delayed, but it went off without a hitch! We got to travel with our two fav companions (pictured below) and even snagged seats for our unpaid tots. That made a huge difference. As did the continuous playing of Curious George on the portable DVD player. The elderly gentlemen next to me had some noise canceling headphones on (smart fellow), but he really didn't need them much. Collin only had one crying episode when he woke up. I think I planned for the worst and was pleasantly surprised when I didn't want to strangle him upon arriving in Phoenix.
My family knows me well and treated us to Gecko Grill for dinner, then it was off to bed for Collin and I wasn't far behind. I actually made it to an early bedtime the whole week I was here before Trav showed up. Nice change from the usual schedule!
Tuesday morning we visited Grandmother and he had a great time playing with her toys and eating Cheez-its off a dolie. He wouldn't take it any other way. We must be fancy at Grandmother's house.
Did I mention that AZ has FABULOUS weather in December? To be honest, it was actually a bit warm the first few days. Record heat in the 80's. I was driving down the road, listening to Christmas music on the radio and it occurred to me that something didn't feel quite right. How can it be Christmas time when it feels like July?! Where is the snow? I quickly scolded myself for even contemplating that snow could be appropriate right now (wasn't I SO excited to get away from it?!) That's a firm yes. So we have been cherishing every sunny moment since.
Collin loves to play outside and see the "CAT!" Minners is good to not scratch his eyes out when he {plays} with her. We have gone to a few parks and spent lots of time in Grandma's backyard. Grandma Evans had a couple of little, yippy dogs, so when we are over there he runs to the back door and starts "woofing" to let us know he is ready to see the dogs... or "woof woofs".
On Wednesday, my good friend Jenni and cousin, Leah came over with their kids. Oh and of course Shell bell! I made the ever delicious Cardamom Bread and an Olive Garden soup recipe for Zuppa Tuscana. Fun afternoon visiting and eating! Wish I had taken a picture.
Thursday consisted of top secret Christmas stuff at Shelley's house. It took up most of the day and Collin had fun playing with his cousins. I also visited some old coworkers at the doctors office I worked at for several years in college. I cracked up when I was leaving out the back door because they all panicked and told me, "Oh, it's raining! Are you sure you're ok to go out the back door?!" I just smiled and told them I thought I'd be fine. It was still a warm day (ok, a bit cooler than usual, but still not cold) and everyone was in a tizzy over the {cold day}. I love Arizona.
Yea for a Mom who likes to babysit her grandkids! Trav flew in Friday night and she watched Collin so Trav and I could go get him then go out to eat (yum, Cafe Rio). I was missin' my husband so I was glad when Friday finally came. Saturday night, she babysat again while we went to dinner with Travis's married siblings. I guess my sister had also asked her to babysit that night and they had a wedding reception to go to, so here they all are ready to head out! I was a bit nervous about it...Collin really does need a leash most times... but she was excited and ready to have fun with the grandkids. I guess she did have 7 children, so maybe this wasn't such a big deal to her. I on the other hand would have been stressed.
We went to BJ's Brewery for dinner, then got icecream at a place called Udder Delights. It's supposed to be organic icecream or something and they have interesting flavors (apparently Reddin had been there when "hotdog" was on the list once). It was good, but expensive. I think I'm ok to have icecream produced by cows on a non-organic diet. Probably won't be returning, but it was fun to be out with everyone!
Sunday night was the Udall family Christmas party at my parent's house. We had dinner and the traditional reading of Luke 2, interspersed with Christmas hymns, and then came the presents! My mom counted 52 people above the age of 10, so we probably had around 65-70 bodies in here!
Grandma and Grandpa got the great grandkids a little something....
Yea! A truck!
Someone had the idea to get a picture of all the "greats" with Grandma and Grandpa. What an organized picture!
Almost as good as this one.... all the grandkids holding their children with Grandma and Grandpa. Such models.
The married grandchildren do a White Elephant exchange and there was a theme this year of "Food Storage". Boring, but practical. Of course, almost none of it would have been conducive to flying back across the country. Thanks to some {cheating}.. thanks Leah!.... we made out with batteries. Choice pick Shelley! We were just sad we couldn't take home the 4, 12 packs of Dr. Pepper. We brought beef jerky and trailmix and.... Twinkies! Trav made the good point that those are supposed to last through a holocost, so we felt it was appropriate to food storage. Jesse had them at one point, and couldn't resist digging in.
Monday night, Trav's parents treated us to.... Gecko Grill! Shocker. :) They know us well. Afterward we went to the temple lights and enjoyed a concert by the Robin Harris family. Collin wasn't a peach, but he lasted, and I'm really glad because the music was beautiful and really brought the Spirit.
And nothing else really brings the Spirit like icecream! We tried out Sub Zero... where you pick your base (premium, custard, yogurt, etc.) then add toppings and then watch as they use Nitrogen to freeze your treat before your eyes! Who thinks these things up? It was yummy... I'd go back.
How I have no more pictures of the following... I don't know. But on Tuesday night we had the Lindblom family party at my cousin, Jill's, house. They simplified with pizza, salad, and desserts, then we had the usual "talent show" program. Always a strong showing from our family.... nada. Collin managed to sit on Brooklyn's head and make her cry, creating a disruption, so I guess that was our contribution. I missed the hayride since I was visiting, but Collin and Trav had a good time on it!
Wednesday night my mom babysat for us AGAIN, so that we could go to my friend, Jenni's sealing. They just adoped another child, Macy, which makes 5 kids total for them! 3 of their own and 2 adopted. I had never been to a sealing before and it was beautiful. Really, the Spirit was so strong and it was such a blessing to witness their family sealed together forever to this new, sweet baby. It was my favorite part of our vacation so far. I'm so grateful for the gospel!
Afterward it was fun visiting at their house and eating yummy Joe's BBQ. Thanks for being amazing Jenni and letting us participate in such a special occasion. You will always be Super Mommy to me.
Finally, last night we had the Evans family party. They hosted it at our parent's ward building. We ate "Flora Specials" aka. chimigangas and had another talent show. I sure hope one of my children comes up with some sort of musical talent, because I will probably never initiate a family talent display. As it is, we are supposed to have something prepared for the talent show tonight, and we've got nothing.
I believe that gets me caught up on the last two weeks! Still lots to fit in, but there is time! Merry Christmas Eve to all!
(A pic of me and my sistas that I found later on Marcie's blog while we were at the Lindblom party)
1 comment:
I just love Az and am so excited to visit in a week!! The only problem is that I will miss seeing you;( I seriously think it's been about a yr and a half since I've seen you, wow!! I love that you were able to make it to all of the fam Christmas parties and it's cool that even though the family is huge, they still have them.
I laughed so hard at Collin's repsonse to Santa, good thing it was caught on film. Did you scan the pic in, or how did you get it online? Have fun while you're there.
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