Our Week in Arizona - Christmas Celebrations

Decorating Cookies

...and a gingerbread house...

Annie enjoying the fireplace. In her four year old logic, the reason we need to be at Grandma and Grandpa's for Christmas is because we don't have a fireplace for Santa at home.

On Christmas Eve, Annie helping Grandpa get the camera set.

our little family. Siri was sick for the few days before Christmas, and you can clearly tell this in these photos.
 She and I got a lot of cuddle time...

At Uncle Lynn's for a family Christmas dinner, complete with a visit from Santa.

An impromptu Christmas sing-along...
"Away in the Manger" and "Jingle Bells" with the next generation of cousins.

Anna and Annie--it's so fun to watch them play together!
They even were thrilled to get to participate in the Christmas Eve service together, as angels.

Advent Candles and hot chocolate

Christmas Eve bedtime story

On Christmas morning, gathering to go see what Santa left...

Stockings...

The girls' gift from Santa--a climbing dome to replace mom as their personal jungle gym

Hopscotch from John, Tonia, and Lenny

Exchanging presents to each other in the climbing dome.
Siri gave Annie a dragon, Annie gave Siri a baby elephant;
it was quite sweet to see how excited they both were to give their gifts.

Siri in one of her new play hats

Playing tag with Grandpa (what a beautiful Christmas Day!)

Happy Annie

Happy girls, Happy Grandma and Grandpa

Enjoying time outside...

...with the fire pit..

A trip to the Zoo...with cousin Lisa and her sweet girl Natalie...

Natalie and Annie enjoyed Grandpa's rides in the strollers as much the animals.


We had a great, fairly relaxing week in Arizona, and then packed up my parents van and all headed to California for a wedding, and time with friends and families...pictures and stories to follow soon!