Family Time

For the holidays, I returned home to Arizona to spend some time with the family.  This was an extra special year because everyone was in from out of town.  For a week, there were thirteen of us staying in the house, five of them kids five and under.  There was always something going on.  Here are some of the highlights:

Christmas Eve Mass

Not only do I love Christmas carols, but this is the one time of year that Dad and I sing together during church.  With our superb voices, we kept the choir in tune and held the congregation together.

On the drive home, Dad, Mama, Peter, Jill and I burst out in song.  "Fiiiiiiiivvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeee gggggggooooooooolllllllddddddd rrrrrriiiiiinnnnnnggggssss!"  Even after all these years hearing the carols, we pretty much got through just one verse of each song before starting to make up our own words.  

The evening ended by toasting with champagne while gazing at the Full Cold Moon, a lovely way to start Christmas.

Christmas Day

The next morning, Dad, Mama, Jill and I woke up to a tree drowning in gifts.  I realize this is not what Christmas is about, but it sure is fun opening up amazing presents!  Jill and I took our annual Christmas run before everyone came, giving us an excuse to eat as much as we wanted later that night.

I must say that for not living at home, I sure am spoiled!

 Tim, Katie, and their kids flew in just in time for dinner.  It had been a year and a half since I had seen them, and man, the kids have grown!

Prime rib, mashed potatoes, veggies, pies: does it get any better?!

Aunt Crae flew in from Chicago.

Baptism

Monica and Thomas had Caleb baptized in Arizona where everyone could attend.  Caleb is now rolling over on the floor and eating baby food, a huge change from when I saw him in July.

Circus

For a night out, we all headed over to the circus, a small, intimate affair with no bad seats.  Listening to the kids burst out laughing at the clowns was by far the best part.

New Year's Day

Family pictures are always a fun time.  The photographer tried several different poses with us...still waiting to see the results. 

Dad had made a treasure hunt for all of us, so we quickly got into groups and sped around town trying to find the bottle of Champagne first. The cleverly written clues had us taking selfies, searching through trash cans and leaf piles, and narrowly avoiding electrical shocks by the power lines.  As if there was any doubt in your mind, Mama, Tim and I found the bottle first.

Bianca's Engagement

When Bianca showed up on New Year's Day, there was a beautiful, shiny bobble on her hand.  She's engaged to Tim, and it looks like there will be a fall wedding in Denver!

Flat Iron

With not a mountain to be seen in Cartagena, it's always nice to get outside for a challenging hike.  Bianca, Jill, Tim (almost-brother-in-law), and I made the trek up Flat Iron for the beautiful vistas and awesome workout: two hours of uphill lunges.

Food and Wine

Throughout my stay in Arizona, every day was filled with good food and quality wine (something I dearly miss).  Monica and Thomas even made a couple of gourmet dinners with fresh-caught scallops, salmon and pasta.

Jill Time

As with every time I go home to visit, Jill allowed me to share her bed and bathroom, even when there were other places for me to sleep.  (Personally, I believe she enjoys my body heat because I would wake up in the middle of the night with her plastered against me on MY side of the bed.)  The late-night talks and insanely early gym runs were our chance to prepare for the hustle and bustle all around us and to just plain catch up.  Thanks, Ggggyyyyhhhiiillll!!