Arizona with our Smedleys

This is the first year in five years since Steph and Jared moved out of state that they haven't come back for Christmas.  So this year, the day after Christmas, Dave and I flew down to Arizona to see them.

Saturday we went to the Phoenix Zoo with Steph and Shad, while Jared slept after working a night shift.

 

 

 

Shad seemed to enjoy the tractors at the petting zoo more than any of the animals there.

 

 

Alex had given us a gift card to Maggiano's for Christmas.  So we went there for dinner that night.  I sure wish they had one in Utah.  I crave the Rigatoni D.

We all got a kick out of the way Shad ate his pasta.  He would thread it on his straw and eat it like corn on the cob. 

This little guy just warms my heart.

Sunday evening we went up on the rooftop to watch the sun set over the city.

I can never get enough of palm trees.  I just can't.

Our last day there we enjoyed some sun at a park.

It was sad to say good bye.  We love this little family and miss them.

Christmas 2014

 I woke up a couple of hours before Dave and Alex (who slept over for Christmas).  I always get excited for this day, even at the age of 54.

 

I kept watching the clock and finally about 7:30 I started banging around to wake them up.

A nice little present from God:  snow.

After opening our presents, we drove up the road to see what the grandkids all got for Christmas.  Santa came to the Stowers gang.

 

 

 

 

 

He also found the Mason fam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later that afternoon we had loads of visitors come over to our place for snacks. Darn, I didn't get any pictures of it, though.

Christmas Eve 2014

We had some early Christmas Eve visitors arrive at the pond next to us - about 50 Canadian geese.

 

My parents had their Christmas party early in the afternoon this year.

That evening, Dave, Alex and I went down to Salt Lake City.  We ate a small dinner at the mall and then went over to our Rio Grande Branch building and attended the Addiction Recovery meeting that our branch hosts every single Wednesday night of the year, regardless of the holiday.  Only 3 homeless people showed up and one of them left about halfway through.  But I was proud of the two guys who stayed and shared their thoughts with us.  I'm proud of them for wanting to change their lives and hope they can do it.  Because over 2000 years ago, the Prince of Peace came to earth, it is possible for them to do just that.

Christmas Eve Eve 2014

Since Dave and I are living in our very tiny townhouse this Christmas, Ashley and Jud volunteered to host our family party at their house this year.  We really appreciated it and it worked out so well, with plenty of room, great food, and happy times.