We were able to celebrate a second Christmas with our AZ grandparents this year. In addition to this, we also helped them celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary. What a blessing and gift it is to say my parents have been married that long. I must brag a little here and say - they look pretty darn good for grandparents too!!
Grandpa G. and T. posing in their new stylish ski goggles. I was a little hesitant to be seen on the mountain with these two..
I am a woman of simple taste you could say. I asked for socks this Christmas (my mom informed me that she was never going to buy me these again as it is too boring of a gift), but I was thrilled. I have about 12 pairs of really wild socks now (that is what you get when you tell everyone you want socks)!! T. thought it was great fun to try them all on - they go up to about mid-thigh on her!!
My favorite picture of the season!!
Grandma opens her gift from T.
Papa looking so young and full of joy on Christmas morning!
We were very blessed to have a memorable Christmas this year. I knew going to into this season that it would be a tough year for me and my family. We lost a beloved grandmother and friend this year so I expected many bittersweet moments in it all. I was most blessed by my children this year and the gifts they lavished on me and my family (some actual gifts homemade and bought from a store and some just pure gifts from their hearts). This year my grandmother gave me the idea of encouraging them to get to buy for others so I allowed them to do some extra work around the house to make a little money, and then I took them to the dollar store where I let them buy for whomever they wanted. That was such a funny experience it was hilarious to see what they picked out for everyone (and watch them whisper as they tried to buy for me without me knowing what they got), and I was most delighted when on Christmas morning they were so excited to give out the gifts! They insisted on everyone opening their gifts first and watched each of us so expectedly - it was worth far more than a dollar the gift they gave me this year!!
One bear stuffed animal and matching outfit.... $2.00
One really red fake Christmas tree (that I am sure we will have to put out every year)...$1.00
One strand of gold garland with attaching ornaments...$1.00
One BIG box of our very own Mike and Ike's candy...$1.00
Spending $5.00 any way we want to at a dollar store with our great grandma Betty... priceless!!!
This last week the Idaho girls enjoyed having their great grandma in town! We had a great time with her even if we did lose our heat (on one of the coldest nights of the year so far), and our house got hit by the flu bug. She is a great sport and we are hoping we did not scare her off from coming back to visit another time. Thanks for all the memories GB!!
Our school had a fund raiser last night that we attended! We had a great time watching the movie Kung Fu Panda, and at the end there was a raffle drawing where you could win all kinds of fantastic prizes - a spa treatment, gift baskets to Hallmark... (So as not to confuse any reader - this next part is written in complete sarcasm): but the Idaho Girls won the most coveted prize (actually it was) by all the kids - this "GINORMOUS" bear! He reminds me of the stay puffed marshmallow monster from the Ghostbusters movie. We have named him Po (from Kung Fu Panda of course) Marshmallow Bear! Oh lucky luck us.... now where to put this Po???
We love our new cousin!!
A rare family photo...
What a handsome crew! 
The Idaho girls hanging with their new cousin. It won't be long and she will be sharing in the fun just wait girls...
The Idaho Girls celebrated another Halloween with great enthusiasm! We mooched off of my cousin's "hood" again this year! It has become quite a tradition to celebrate this day with them. This year the Idaho girls were especially excited to share the fun with their new cousin (technically I think she is their third cousin) Makenzie! She was born a week ago and is the cutest newborn I have ever seen (pretty darn close to that title at least)! More pictures of little Miss Makenzie to come soon I promise.
