Where to Start

When you take almost 6 months off from blogging, it is hard to know where to start.  I have been feeling guilty lately, that I am not recording all the amazing family adventures and memories we are making here in Arizona.   

So here are pictures of our Christmas adventure to Flagstaff . We started a tradition a few years ago to have a fun family outing during the day on Christmas Eve. This year Flagstaff was the place.  In case you didn't know, there is a portal there that takes you to the North-pole to visit Santa himself!

We stayed at the Little America, then the morning of the 24th, we waited to board the magic trolley that would transport us to the North-pole!!

When we got there, the kids got to help the Elves make toys for Santa to deliver that night!

Jace also tried out this toy gun, to make sure it worked properly. It did!  Ryan can attest to that!

They wrapped presents

They wrote notes to Santa

We even got to meet Mrs. Clause!  She was super sweet. 

This is how they track Santa when he is in his sleigh making all the toy deliveries.  Jace was fascinated!

And last, but not least, we got to sit on Santa's lap!

We arrived home around 4:00PM.  Just in time for  dinner, and our traditional family devotional.

We had an angel this year!

And a taller and wiser Joseph.

Mary was very great with child. 

And she brought forth a beautiful plastic son and laid him in a cardboard manger.

And our Angel was THRILLED and shrieked for JOY!

When the children were finally all nestled all snug in their beds, a Jolly old elf came to visit!

Jace got a stash

So did Gracie

and Kjersti

This is what Ryan and I received. 

There is no morning better than Christmas morning!  If you have any doubts about it--just ask Robin and Rue!

Go-go my walking pup--what every 4 year-old needs!

I gave the Dr this pen.  I ordered it weeks before Christmas.  It was handmade just for him.  I got to select the wood and everything.  So fun.  He was really touched.  I was sick of  the plastic pens in the pockets of his scrubs leaking all over.

For the first time in 8 years, the Dr was able to buy something for himself.  He got this .22

Can you say Play-doh?

Here's my little angel baby!  She thought Christmas was fabulous. Unfortunately this is where our camera died and we have no more pictures.  We looked everywhere for that charger and didn't find it until days later.

That afternoon we had my sister Malynne, her two sons Colton and Cragun, Ryan's sister, her husband Cameron and daughter Piper come to our house.  It was the first time we have had FAMILY on Christmas day!

The guys all brought their guns and went shooting and the girls drove to Kingman to see the house I want to buy.

We came home, had a lovely dinner, then we all parted ways.  Hopefully next year will be just as wonderful.

I feel so blessed to have a knowledge of the birth of my Savior -Jesus Christ.  I know he lived and died and showed us the way, by living a perfect life of love and obedience.  May we all try harder this year to come to know Him and live our lives more like Him.  That is what we are striving for this year both individually and as a family.

We wish you a wonderful 2015!