ARIZONA BOUND
After Grandma Gordon's Christmas party, we made our trek to Mesa Arizona for our warm Christmas! Jay unfortunately wasn't feeling well. He came down with a fever and definitely didn't feel good during the trip there. He seemed to start getting better after a few days and then got worse again after Christmas. I don't know if it was just the life of the cold/flu that he had or if it was 2 different viruses. Either way the poor kid enjoyed his vacation as much as he could while we were there. Seems like one of us always has to come down with something on the way down to Arizona every time we go!
We stopped in St George that first night. We had to get a hotel room because someone was already staying in Ty's Grandparents' St George house. The kids always love a surprise hotel stay so it was a fun adventure! The next morning we jumped in the car and made the rest of the trip to Mesa (Jay hopped up on cold meds). On the way there we made sure to stop at the little Route 66 Diner we stopped at last trip. I think its now a tradition and we'll have to be sure to stop next time too!
We made it to Mesa and the kids were happy to play outside in the warm weather with cousins!
CHRISTMAS VILLAGE TOUR
We took a wagon ride to different houses that had their entire living rooms/dining rooms or garages filled with Christmas village displays. It was pretty cool to see! Ty and the kids rode a barrel train back to the car. It looked a little uncomfortable so I opted to wait with Brooke for the wagon to come back.
THE WORLD'S LARGEST BOUNCY HOUSE
The world's largest bouncy house was set up in Mesa while we were there so we just had to go check it out! The kids had a blast with cousins!!
GIVING MACHINE
We made a trip to the Giving Machine in Mesa so that we could make donations in the spirit of Christmas. We ate at a restaurant nearby. It had all sorts of games to play. Foosball was a hit!
We walked around the temple grounds in Mesa and looked at all the Christmas lights and displays they have. It was almost as impressive as temple square in SLC.
GINGERBREAD HOUSES
Jay made the oreo train that he missed when he didn't feel good at Grandma Gordon's party. The other kids teamed up to make a gingerbread Target and house. I think everyone had fun decorating and EATING the decorations in the process. We went to look at lights when it got dark. They had an entire neighborhood with ALL the houses decked out in lights. It was pretty neat.
ARIZONA FUN
We played in plenty of parks while we were there. Enjoyed the sunlight and grass not covered in snow. Aunt Brooke took Crystal to Walmart and bought her a soccer ball because she didn't think to bring hers. They named the ball Stacey. Crystal loved Stacey and got plenty of practice in while we were there. Dax tried to sleep with Crystal and Lily one night. I don't think he was actually able to fall asleep in the end, but Jayna slept with them a couple of nights if I remember right.
I don't remember where we went hiking, but it was fun to get out and enjoy the Vitamin D! The youngest 2 in the group fell asleep on the way there, so Aunt Brooke stayed in the van with them and the rest of us headed up the hill. Uncle Ty ended up with a nice sparkly backpack by the end of the hike.
Larmee the elf was apparently in a hurry and left the craziest note. He must have been drunk on milk that night. Haha.
DECORATING COOKIES!
CHRISTMAS EVE ANNIVERSARY
Due to Uncle Todd's work schedule we moved Christmas Eve up a day which meant we got to do all the fun Christmas Eve things on Ty and I's anniversary. It was an awesome way to celebrate! The kids opened sibling and cousin presents too!
Santa found us if though it was a day early! Everyone was spoiled as per usual! Later in the morning we went to Aunt Lori's for games and linner (lunch/dinner). That night we opened our gift from Grandma and Grandpa Cook. It was matching PJ's! So we had to get another picture in front of the tree!
We went to sacrament meeting in Todd and Brooke's ward. They had donuts and hot chocolate afterwards! Fun! Have I mentioned the awesome weather yet?
Uncle Ryan took us all bowling the next day! We found a fat cats and had fun with bowling, pizza, and arcade games! Crystal had unfortunately woken up with a sore throat so she stayed home with Brooke and the younger kids.
For Christmas Todd and Brooke got us all a trip to Medieval times for dinner! It was such a fun experience! Everyone had so much fun!
MORE SHENANIGANS
HOME BOUND
The first picture is the moment Crystal realized she left Stacey the Soccer Ball at Todd and Brooke's house. It was really sad. It's been 8 months as I type this and she still mourns the loss occasionally. So sad. Haha. We had gas station lunch on the road. They found 2 of their favorite things mac n cheese and cup a noodle! Passing through Provo the next day we stopped and visited with Andrew and Vanessa before we made the last stretch home!
We had a laundry folding party after cleaning all the clothes from our long trip. We watched a movie and folded clothes together. A family that folds together stays together! Right? That's what I told them anyway. Haha.
Ty made a charcuterie for the party. We had tons of other awesome food as well as usual. In fact we ate the charcuterie for weeks afterwards it was so big. Haha. It was delicious though!!! We played games, watched movies, and watched the ball drop together!
TECHNICALLY NEXT YEAR BUT .... our last Sunday hang out in front of the tree and village. Also Angel was trying to lay on my face and smother me. I think she missed me while we were gone!
