Christmas Vacation Wrap Up

Jack loved spending lots of time playing with Ella and Sabrina Packard.

New Years Day the boys went golfing and when they got home the girls went to lunch. We usually go to Crackers, but we tried a new yummy place called Wildflower Bread Company.

One of our last nights together we did "Iron Chef". My mom gave us one common ingredient and we had to create something with it. This time she gave us a HUGE can of Stephens Hot Chocolate (left over from Jen & Josh's wedding). We came up with some pretty yummy things. Dave and Shelle weren't there for the bake off, but came towards the end and were our judges.

We had: Chocolate Crepes with chocolate (white) syrup (Danny & Shera), chocolate shake (Al & Erica), chocolate caramel pie (Adena & Eddie), chocolate pudding/peanut butter pie (Jana & McKay), chocolate volcano (Amy & Ashlyn), and last but not lease John and I made Churros rolled in the hot chocolate mix and a really rich cup of hot chocolate that you dip the churros in. Everything was so yummy!!

Toward the end of our holiday vacation we drove to Albuquerque to spend a few days with John's Grandmother and Grandfather Smit. I have always heard people say how "beautiful" AZ is and I thought they were so crazy for describing a plain ole"dessert" as beautiful, but after being in North Carolina for 3 years I come back now and honestly think the AZ landscape is breathtaking. In NC there are trees, trees, trees everywhere. Being in AZ's wide open spaces, I could really take a deep breath. I guess I'm a little claustrophobic in NC and I didn't even realize it!

There was a tiny patch of snow outside their drive way that Jack was really excited to play in. Unfortunately is was more like ice than snow. But, non the less, the only white stuff Jack had seen all winter.

Jonah and Jack with Grandfather Walter Smit

We were actually there the same time as Suzanne and Hailey (John's mom and sister). They had just started their drive across the country on their way to see us. Hailey is going to live with us this next semester because she's "off track" at BYUI and just wanted to experience living some where other than Idaho. We welcomed her gladly!!

Thanks for letting us come stay with you guys. We always love being with you.

Grandma teaching Jack (and me) how to making her famous rolls.

Does life get any better? Eating chocolate pudding at Grandma's house with your cousins, Joseph and Spencer?

Over all, a fantastic, fun, memorable, busy vacation to Mesa, AZ.