Christmas x 2

Christmas is so fun, why not have 2 of them?
One in Utah and one in Arizona.





In Salt Lake City, a visit to Temple Square and the Gateway
with Suzy, Casey and Claire.












































Then a Christmas dinner, presents, and all!





























Claire loved playing with the little nativity scene.















Then on to Arizona for sun and azure skies.
Making gingerbread houses and other structures.















Can you guess which one is the Notre Dame and who built it complete with flying buttresses?















Yes, you are correct if you guessed it was Kevin.

There was the traditional Christmas Eve Play, complete with scenery.














Instead of riding the donkey to Bethlehem, Mary carried it.














The shepherds doubled as Wise Men bringing gifts.















The next morning, it was fun to see what Santa brought and open more gifts.
















Baby L's first Christmas.




















Back at our house for Christmas Day dinner, Ashley and Ryan brought some cookies. But watch out . . .



















Here's what happens when you tip the plate a little too much!



















Enough of the cookies, let's eat some vegetables.



























What? More presents?





























Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

San Francisco

I recently had to go to San Francisco for work. Ken decided to come along for a long weekend in the bay area. After the work was finished, there was still time to see some sights of the city.


















At one of the shops on Pier 39.
















Nice view of Alcatraz from the pier.















Looking back at the city from a long pier just in time to see all the lights come on with a nice sunset in the background.

We stayed the weekend with Ken's parents. They are ready for Christmas.














We had lunch with his brother Keith and sister Kim and family.















We also had a chance to visit my cousin, Dede.















Just a couple of California girls!

Thanksgiving and more

Thanksgiving in Tucson.

While the snow was falling in SLC, we were enjoying the sun in Tucson.

Pecan Festival.












































Fun with the kids playing in the backyard.
































Watching Toy Story 3 in Ryan's new theater room.
















Thanksgiving Day family photo.














Naptime.
















Bathtime.















Making s'mores in Kevin's backyard.














Back to Utah and the snow.
I guess it really is winter now.






What is this white stuff?

Little Helper

I have a new helper around the house.

She likes to cook ....



















and water the plants.



















She also likes to go on walks and feed the ducks.
She has a vocabulary of over 50 words which is growing every day.
She sometimes voices her strong opinions, but she has a smile that can light up the room.

It's fun having Claire around!

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween!
















Having Suzy, Casey, and Claire here means we get to share their Halloween fun!
















Even in the rain, Claire looked very cute in her giraffe costume and she enjoyed playing with all the candy.

















We also enjoyed having my sisters and their husbands over for dinner, pie, and games.



Thanks for coming! Let's do it again soon!



























Happy Halloween!!

San Diego

San Diego - fun in the sun at the beach, the Zoo, and SeaWorld!
Spent a few days at Mission Bay in San Diego with Kevin & Caroline and kids, along with Suzy and her baby girl. We rented a beach house on the bay and enjoyed the biking, walking, playing in the waves and sand and all.

Mission Bay - biking along the bay with sailboats. This is the same part of the bay I used to come to with my family when I was a teenager and we sailed the boat my dad built. Good memories!
















Mission Beach making sand castles.




















































San Diego Zoo

















The train ride was a must do for the boys.





























Sea World
So many things to see and do and not enough time to do them all.
Shamu is still fun to see, but the trainers don't go in the water with the Killer Whales anymore.






























































I think these shark JAWS are big enough to fit all 4 of us!
It still didn't scare me enough to keep me out of the ocean.