It's been a hard days night

We made our annual trek out to Arizona the day after Christmas for our New Years festivities! We decided to take N8's car so it was a tight squeeze, but we made it!

Our trips usually consist of hikes, eating and visiting! This trip was a good mix of all of it!

On Thursday a crew headed out to White Tanks on a small hike:

Then they were off shooting:

Hot tubbing is always a part of staying at Grandma & Grandpa's house!

And playing in the backyard!

 

And hanging with Grandma!

 

 

This year there was a little home improvement with Mark & Taylor (with me as the gopher!).

We usually try and swing a dinner out without kids (we went to Lucille's BBQ and N8 will forever be know as the guy that eat's a whole rack!).

And more hiking!!

Then it's up to Ruth & Jim's for games, food, gingerbread houses and this year SNOW!!

Nate went for a 7 mile run (Yes he is crazy!)

And the kids played in the snow:

 

 

Game playing a visiting:

And the gingerbread competition!

We also took pictures of all of the grandkids that were that with Grandma and Grandpa:

 

 

Happy New Year!!

As a side note, we left Ruth's with one kid barfing, a 2nd joined in the car ride home, a 3rd once we got home and I joined in the middle of the night!! Here's hoping for a speed recovery!!

On Sunday we were able to attend church and visit with Justin and Kirsten. They had a great ward with interesting speakers followed by an excellent 5th Sunday discussion on emergency preparedness. After church we headed back to their house where the kids played, we ate and played games (the story of our lives :))!

We had to get some family pictures!

Cousins!

We told the kids that they couldn't get up until 7am on Christmas morning! They were up before that, but didn't come out until then. Santa brought them a basketball hoop!! We're excited to play some ball. We just need to set it up!

I found these hats for Bud, Emma and Mo :) I thought they were pretty funny/cute!

N8 got me a soda stream! I'm looking forward to making my own soda. Maybe this will help my curb my bad habit!

We also got the kids a tablet (to SHARE!!). So far they're loving it!

One of my favorite gifts was what Mo got Henry-a hot dog slicer~~

On Christmas Eve we hung around the house getting things done and then in the afternoon we finally put together our gingerbread train!

Then Henry and I made rolls (twice!! I forgot the yeast in the first batch)!

And then after a dinner of yummy tamales and going out to look at Christmas lights, we made cookies for Santa! Henry loved the sprinkles!

This morning we took our annual Sunday before Christmas pictures! We got some good ones this year!

And of course we have to do a "CRAZY" picture!

Tonight N8 and Bud have the wonderful opportunity to be in our Stake's live Nativity. It is put on annually the weekend prior to Christmas and each year we love to go and experience the Nativity. This year N8 signed himself and Bud up (they need one boy who needs to be at least 10, he made it this year!!). N8 was asked to participate, but they already had the Shepherd boy. Unfortunately for the boy he got sick at church and Bud was asked if he could do it! It's cold and windy, so they're very bundled up under there! Our good friends Spencer and Megan got to be Joseph and Mary.

Henry was checking out the baby Jesus: