I love Christmas. It has been my favorite time of year for as long as I can remember. This year was HECTIC to say the least. Because I am a crazy person, I decided it would be a good idea to throw my sister a baby shower 3 weeks before Christmas (which I will cover in another post). The shower was in Cleveland, which meant traveling via air twice in a short time span. I felt like we pretty much got home from the shower, unpacked, did laundry, repacked, and headed back to the airport. Lol!
We spent Christmas in Arizona, and it was whirlwind. We flew out on Sunday the 23rd bright and early. Got in around 9 and my aunt Mary Ellen was at the airport waiting for us. We went to breakfast at IHop then headed back to the airport to pick up our bags, as they had to go on a later flight. We then headed to my grandparents house in Scottsdale where I had a photoshoot scheduled for noon. Crazy right? It was for one of the sweetest families. I have known them since high school so it was a lot of fun to see everyone. We even made due with the harsh noon lighting by finding some good shade in the back. As soon as the shoot was over I showered and did my nose treatment (I have been having to do this crazy antibiotic nose inhalation for a month now because I can't get rid of a sinus infection with oral antibiotics). Then Adam, Sadie and I all took a nap together before everyone started arriving for the White Elephant party. The party started around 5 but people started to arrive around 4 I think. After the party we headed up the mountain to Payson, where my parents live. The next day was, of course, Christmas Eve. I was very happy that we got to spend it in the pine trees instead of the valley. We did our usual Christmas Eve dinner at my grandparent's house up there. Christmas morning everyone kind of slept in. My mom made her famous biscuts and gravy. We ate and then opened gifts. Sadie had a lot of fun! That afternoon while Sadie napped Adam and I got to go on a hike. It was pretty with lots of snow on the mountains. In the meantime, our neighbors on both sides were sending us photos of our house and street-a white Christmas at home in Texas. We were pretty bummed to say the least! That night my mom hosted Christmas dinner. My aunt Mary Ellen and cousin Shannon drove up, and grandma and grandpa came over. The next day we went to visit Aunt Norma and then headed out to the cabin where there was LOTS and LOTS of snow. Of course, I forgot my camera, so the photos I do have came from my iPhone. My parents have done an amazing job expanding and remodeling. The boys made a fire and we all had hot chocolate. Sadie and I took a nap. We woke up and headed back just before dark. The 27th we went back down to the valley for the annual family Karaoke party at cousin Ron and Vicky's. Before that, we stopped at grandma and grandpa's house for a car so that Adam and I could go see our friends, the Kelley's. Sadie was going to go with us, but had been wanting to go for a boat ride for days, so she stayed behind while Adam and I headed off. We had such a great visit with Karly and Carl. They are the best of friends and we are so thankful for them. We quickly had to get to the karaoke party, so off we went! Had a great time catching up with my cousins and trying to talk them into a Texas visit. :) After the party, we headed back up the mountain to Payson. The next day it was back down to the valley for Adam and me, as I had an 8th grade class reunion. It was a lot of fun seeing everyone, and it seemed like we all picked up right where we left off. Crazy! Adam and I got to stay at my grandparent's place that night which was so relaxing. The next morning, grandma and I headed out to Mesa for another shower for Sara, then got back to the house in just enough time to pack and get to the airport to catch our flight back to Dallas. Our flight got delayed, which put us home at about midnight. We got in and got Sadie to bed while Adam and I set up "Christmas morning" for the next day. I think we finally got to bed around 2am! The next day we had our own little Christmas, which was really nice. For New Year's we had a handful of good friends over, including Sadie's friend Molly. They had a blast playing together. That is pretty much our holiday in a nutshell. Here are some photos of the week! Enjoy! Happy New Year!
Hanging out with daddy on the boat dock
This was my dress when I was her age-my mom made it!
Beautiful AZ Sunset
Seeing grandpa for the first time
Nice shot of Aunt Mary Ellen and Shannon
Sadie in her typical fingers in her mouth pose
White Elephant
Uncle Carl, my grandpa Dalton, and Aunt Wyleese
Christmas Eve, pretty fog in the distance
The boys grilling
Rice Krispy treat train my mom and Sadie made
Uncle/cousin Logan singing to the kids
These ducks went everywhere with her
Singing before gifts
The ducks even help pick wine
Best family shot we could get
Grandma Lainie and Grandpa Dalty
Christmas morning
Opening princess stick on jewelery from Shannon and aunt Mary Ellen
Daddy gets to wear a princess necklace
Turtle from Aunt Norma
"Christmas morning" at our house!
At the cabin
Playing with cousin Shannon
Photo that the neighbors sent of our house on Christmas :(
With my sweet girl at the cabin
And finally our street on Christmas, sent by other neighbor
