Christmas 2013

Traditional PJs for Xmas eve presents...

Ecstatic Children on Christmas Day...

Puzzles and Parades....

It was easy and relaxing!

Pretty tree, Pretty girls...

The girls were very involved this year in decorating. We had so much fun! They got their own bag of ornaments, and went at it. 

The result: 

Christmas Eve, Pre Church Photo Session: 

Tempe/Scottsdale Fun!

Jeff had a CE course to take in Scottsdale, so our whole family tagged along. It was fun sight-seeing different areas of Phoenix we hadn't been, and it's been a long time since Grandma has been to Phoenix.

First, we stopped at Ikea at the request of Grandma. I managed to walk away spending under $50 (unheard of at that store!!), but my list grew while we walked through the store. It's nice to have an Ikea so close (yet far enough) to us. Then, we went for a drive so the girls could nap for a little while. I drove to the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, which has a fascinating history, and the architecture is uniquely cool. The area around the hotel is surrounded in multi-million dollar mansions and we enjoyed gawking at them, as well as the nearby shopping plaza for those millionaires that own the homes. Then, we drove up to pick up Jeff.


After we picked him up, we were driving through old town Scottsdale and saw a Qdoba sign. I was ecstatic and we stopped, only to find out it had been shut down. If there is one place I miss from Reno, it's Qdoba, and for those who don't know what that is, I am sad for you. It is even more delicious than Cafe Rio and Chipotle.


Then we drove the art fair that was happening in downtown Tempe. There also happened to be an ASU home game, so we witnessed some proud tailgating while there (ASU is minutes away from downtown).

We stopped for dinner and drove home later that night.

Pics from Tempe:

Holiday Fun!

We went to the tree-lighting ceremony at Loew's Ventana Hotel here. It was a fun little event and we were able to take pictures with Santa, and not spend a dime. I think that the prices at the mall locations are ridiculous and will find any way to get a free photo with Santa, even if it means posing with one that doesn't look that jolly. 

This guy was the real deal, straight from the North Pole. Cadence was absolutely enthralled with him (and every other Santa we see nowadays). Claire's look says it all. She likes the Man in Red from afar. 

They had cookie-decorating, carols, and free food and hot cocoa. It was a great event and one we will probably make a tradition of. 

So Thankful...

Thanksgiving was a great, laid-back time this year. We stayed home since Jeff worked Friday, and I roasted a turkey that was way too big for the little number of people eating it. Grandpa David flew down, and my Grandma joined us, and we had a fun weekend.

Baby #3...

...is on its way!

I am due June 23, although the doctor said it could be closer to the 28th, which also happens to be Jeff's mom's birthday!

We are so excited and I can't complain. The symptoms are there but minor enough to handle!

Claire hopes its a boy! Cadence is clueless. :-)