Christmas 2010

We've been home a week so I guess it's time to stop dilly dallying.

We spent 10 days in Arizona this year for Christmas.  It was the best 10 days I've ever spent!  I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with family and just plain relaxing.  It's been hard getting myself back in gear since being home.  I just want to keep relaxing.

This post should really be title  "The People I Love".  Get ready for a bucket load of pictures of the many people I love from our Arizona adventure.

First up, Christmas Eve.

 The below picture is of Mark's youngest sibling and oldest sibling who turned 40 while we were there.

 Grandma and Grandpa attacking our kids became a recurring theme.

 

The Christmas story was acted out not once but twice so that all could participate.

 Don't worry, we had some dancing to keep us busy during the intermission.

 It ended up a late night which had the kids not waking up until around 8 on Christmas morning.  We were grateful Santa left money instead of big gifts so we wouldn't have too much to fly home.

 I think Lauren's quote was that she loved the Russian doll from Grandma the best.

 After digging into stockings, we headed across the street to Great Grandma Ray's and saw some more of our favorite people...

 and to play ping pong.

 Needless to say our kids are lacking in the ping pong talent.

Christmas Evening brought us back to Grandma and Grandpa's to open presents from them.

 Brian and Erin had us this year for Christmas.  We were very excited to receive Mario Kart Wii.

 Spencer was just a tad happy about our gift to them.

 Grandpa was more than pleased to receive his gun.

 At some point we went to see the lights at the temple.  Here are a few waiting for the whole gang (or at least the ones who could come) to arrive.  I don't know why since it was almost impossible for the whole group to stay together.

 All the cousins who where there.

 We had an extended family reunion while there.

 Despite all the complaints about doing square dances, it sure looked like everyone was having fun.

 After the dances, uncle Michael shot candy out of his contraption for the kids.  There may or may not be scratches on the ceiling in the church because of this.  No complaints from the kids though.

 One night The Brown's got together to see my Mom.  Boy did she look happy despite all the health issues she's been dealing with.  It was fun to get together with the Brown's.  It doesn't happen very often.  We missed Kim and her family though.

 The Brown cousins minus 6.

This was the first year that Arizona allowed fireworks.  Ground fireworks only.  :(  New Year's Eve just happened to fall on the coldest night ever!  In fact during the middle of this day we witness snow flakes, actually snow pellets, fall from the sky!  We didn't let the cold stop us from some New Year's fun!!!

 Some really liked the fireworks...

 others, not so much.

 I wish I got some pictures of the games we played that night.  They were hilariously fun.

I also got in allot of volleyball playing with siblings and cousins.  I love me some volleyball!!!

I also got to meet my soon to be brother-in-law.  Exciting times!  Well that's all, I know I left a ton out, this is just what I got pictures of.  The whole 10 days were jammed pack with fun.  Here is a random picture that blogger is refusing to let me move into the right spot.  :)