Flag football

 New year and new sport. Derek is excited to play flag football!

New Year's Eve

We spent NYE with the Wagner family (our 2nd year in a row). The kids had so much fun playing together and we enjoyed great food and conversation. We didn't even know we had been there for over 5 hours....SO thankful for their family and the friendships our kids share. Excited for 2017 and many more memories.

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