Visit from Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa made the drive from SLC to Phoenix and spent several days with us. It was fun to spend time with them. The kids enjoyed taking their dogs for walks and having breakfast every morning at the hotel! They also got to spend an evening playing Pugopoly with them while Matt and I went out with some friends. 

Kevin, Paul, Matt and Derek

Tubing in Flagstaff

We took the kids up to Flagstaff to go tubing. It was SO MUCH FUN! We found a new tubing hill that had just opened and it was not packed at all. We all had fun going down the hills. My favorite memory was all being linked in our tubes and screaming as we went down the hill. It was such a rush, especially as Matt weighed the most and would sling shot us down the hill.

They had fun playing in the snow, eating the snow, and building a snow man before we went tubing.

 

It was hard work to pull your tube up the hill. By the end of the day Rylie was getting a ride and I was pulling Derek's tube...I couldn't pull him up the entire hill....

Merry Christmas!

Started out Christmas Eve with a traditional hike (this yearat Apache Wash) with friends.

Yummy Christmas donuts from Dunkin Donuts.

We made chicken cutlets just like my Grandmother, Ruth. 

(Although she used to make veal cutlets for Christmas Eve dinner.)

 Christmas Eve dinner on our fancy china, using crystal glasses, dollies and cloth napkins.

 Our family before Christmas Eve service at church

 Derek (6) and Rylie (4.5)

 Singing at church on Christmas Eve

After the Christmas Eve service there were crafts, coloring and a hot chocolate bar. Our family was in charge of the hot chocolate bar and these are the ornaments that the kids made.

 Presents all ready for Christmas morning.

 Santa visited our house and left notes for the kids, filled their stockings, and left one present.

 Derek and Rylie woke up SO excited for Christmas morning. Rylie woke up at 5 am but was willing to crawl into bed with me until 6:30. The kids ran downstairs and couldn't believe that Santa left them a note and a present and their stockings were filled!! There was such excitement.

 Star Wars shirts in their stockings

Rylie and Derek bought and wrapped gifts for each other. This year Rylie made a special book for Derek. It was one of the most special moments watching the two of them exchange gifts and sincerely be happy for the present they bought the other.

 Reading the card and book Rylie made Derek

 Gifts from Rylie and Derek - Beanie Babies and a Star Wars gun

 Gifts from Mommy and Daddy - American Girl Doll and Poe's X-Wing

 Rylie LOVES her American Girl Doll. She even got matching blankets for her and her doll.

Derek got a flying Millennium Falcon and it was one of his favorite presents. It was so fun to fly Christmas morning...all over our house with our high ceilings.

Derek and Rylie made us each gifts at school. They were so special. This is the wrapping that Derek made for us...a picture of our family by the Christmas tree.

 Grandma and Great Grandma D bought Rylie matching clothes for her and her American Girl Doll.

 Walking the doll and dog Christmas evening looking at lights.

 Derek got Poe's X-wing and spent 2 days building it

December Activities

Derek doing his homework by the Christmas tree. 

Biking at the park with his buddy Zane.

Decorating gingerbread houses.

Playing together...these two are such good friends.

Family Selfie with Daddy and his beard

I love volunteering in Rylie's classroom...sweet friends Hannah and Miliania

I LOVE taking the kids with my while I run...they LOVE biking on the canal.

This little lady and her great fashion sense. Not sure where she got it from...maybe the Great Aunt's.

Making gingerbread cookies.

Here is our "Wookie Cookie" (its supposed to be Chewbacca).

Derek was a narrator in the Kindergarten class play. He did a great job with all his lines. He practiced a lot. We recorded him reading so he could see how he sounded and looked.

Making peppermint ice cream with friends!

I took Rylie to the Nutcracker ballet this year with Lisa, Ella and Milania. It was so much fun to get dressed up and go to the ballet. Rylie loved it and did a great job sitting still for so long. It reminded me of when my mom used to take me to the Nutcracker when I was younger.

Decorating gingerbread houses with his Kindergarten class at SCA

I LOVE to watch Derek read to Rylie.

She still LOVES her Gracies

Daddy is so fun to hang onto!

These 2 have so much fun together. Derek LOVES to take her for a ride and she screams with glee!

Eating peppermint ice cream in front of the tree in Christmas jammies. Perfection!

Can't believe how long her hair is!!

Family run/bike ride together along the canal.

M

I am so grateful for these ladies. They are my friends and prayer warriors. I have been praying for a group of women to walk life with. And God blessed me with these ladies, other moms from Derek's class.

Derek's idea to take a selfie of us snuggling in bed. LOVE that the kids want to come into our bed and cuddle in the mornings.

Cowboy Christmas at the Train Park with Derek's Kindergarten class

Brock, Zane and Derek

Jack and Derek

Hadrian and Derek

sack racing

Zoo with friends, Tessa and Grace. We explored the zoo finding all the Lego figurines.

Derek had a week off of school before Rylie got out. I had so much fun with lots of one-on-one time together. We went to a mirror maze and laser tag with Bella and Christina, followed up by lunch at O.H.S.O.

We went bowling.

Welcome to the world Joshua Timothy. 

Took Derek to Cracker Jax. We had a blast doing bumper boats, go-karts and 3 rounds of 18 holes of mini golf. We were there for 3 hours.

Date night with this guy to see Rogue One at Studio Movie Grill.

Love these teachers.

Selfie with these kiddos. LOVE them.

Making sugar cookies and decorating them.

Rylie's Christmas program

This is our 4th and final year at DSCP. We have loved our time at this preschool and are 

sad to see it come to an end.

Derek and Ella at the program.

Derek, Ella and Bella

We took the kids to Boot Camp...they always have a blast playing on the equipment after we work out.