Warm Up

When January is just too cold and freezing. . . it's time to go to Tucson to warm up over a long weekend.








The kids love the park and doing some assisted pull ups on the monkey bars.
















Saturday morning means 2 soccer games.
Soccer chaos for 4 year olds. The little one is the baseball cap is my favorite!















Then the 6 year olds really show us how to play.
The tall one in the middle with the green team shirt is my soccer star!














Later it's time for a hotdog cook out at the firepit in Kevin's backyard with Ryan and Ashley and all the kids. The blue Tucson sky says it all.
















The baby is getting so big. She can pull up to standing already and she's only 9 months old.



















And then it was back to the snow. Oh nooooooooooooooooo. . .

Happy New Year!

Back in Utah for New Years.
The AZ kids were in Utah too for the week visiting Caroline's family.
They were able to come up and spend an afternoon with us on
New Years Eve.














How many kids can fit into a play tent?














That's too many! Claire loves playing with "the cousins"!

We were planning to go outside and play in the snow, but it was just too cold outside!

The next day, a little drive down to Provo for pizza at the Brick Oven.






























Then it was on to a BYU Basketball game.

This picture was taken about 20 minutes before game time, when the place looked empty. The seats were actually mostly filled by tip off time.

The kids had a great time

. . . and BYU won!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

P.S. For those who might have been wondering. . . Yes, I DID make the New Years spagetti. It's a New Years tradition I just can't break.

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!