Christmas in Arizona

We had a great Christmas in Mesa this year. By the time we got back from California, we got to spend a little over a week there, but it still felt way too quick. Thursday before Christmas (the 20th) all of the grandkids came over for "Play day at Grandma's". We made ginger bread houses, read Chirstmas stories, ate hotdogs in the back yard, and made ornament nativities. It was a very fun day.

Sweet Kennedi Maughan found a tangerine in the backyard and was taking bites as if it was an apple! She is so darling.

The Soelberg kids. (Sydney, Jess, Jake, Josh, and Sadie)

The Adam's Family. (Dallin, Glade, Emma, Ben)

Jack was experiencing a little bit of separation anxiety while we were in AZ. A whole lot of new faces was a little scary to him, but he LOVED my youngest brother Mark. Jack would scowl at anyone that tried to pick him up, but he would leap to go see Uncle Mark! Thanks for making him so happy... You're the best Uncle.

Uncle Marky, Jack-Jack, and Grandpa Soelberg!

"Secret Pals" is a tradition my family does on Christmas Eve. Around Thanksgiving time, we draw names and then Christmas Eve, we give our homemade gift to that person. It has become quite a creative tradition. This year I had my dad and made him a pillowcase with all 35 of his grandkids handprints on it, as well as a calendar for the 2008 year with pictures of the family. Janalee made me awesome JOY squares to add to my Christmas decorations. John had Mark and made him a duck-tape wallet. Ashlyn made John a law school survival kit with: a pillow to sit on so his tushy doesn't get sore while he studies so many hours for law school, also made him a frame that says, "Daddy and the Beautiful Boy" with a darling picture of Jack and John so he can look at it when he needs a break, and finally a shirt that says, "I love you but... Don't talk to me right now, I'm studying"! Another great year for secret pal gifts.

We love the PJ's my mom made for us this year. They are awesome Duke print.

Silly PJ picture! Jenica, Mel, Jack, Ashlyn, Mark, and John.

It's time for bed! Santa Claus is coming to town...

Christmas morning with our stockings. Santa came :-)

Jack's first word was Mommy. His second word came shortly afterward that... "ABaa" translating to "A Ball". It's not just "Ball" but "A Ball". Anything that was round and could roll on the ground was called "ABaa"... Apples, Oranges, you name it!

We line up oldest to youngest to go see what Santa brought us! Jack, Mark, Ash, Jen, Mel, John.

Jack got lots of toys for Christmas. Thanks JaNae for the "Jack in the Box". He loves it!

The Temple lights were beautiful as ever. We didn't get to see them last year and were so glad to be able to go this year.

We went to the temple lights with our good friends, Matt and Mimi Snow. We met them when we did our internship in DC summer of 2006 and became great friends. Now they live all the way in Cali and we miss them like crazy. After the lights, we went to Village Inn for hot chocolate and pie. Luckily they had a few extra pies that night and let us take one home with us! Thanks for the fun date Snows!

All I can say is thank goodness for "Mr. Monkey". Being gone from his own bed, toys, and house for 3 weeks was a little hard on Jack, but I can't believe how well he did. The one thing that was constant was Jack's favorite stuffed animal, "Mr. Monkey". Jack LOVES him so much!!

Merry Christmas 2007!