Christmas at the Phoenix Zoo

Vi went off to work and we were left to "Roux-sit." Oh, happy day! The main event for the day was a trip to the Phoenix Zoo. Who could have asked for a better day? The sun was out and the temperature pleasant. Roux was was on his best behavior and as curious and active as any two-and-a-half year old could be. We saw everything except for one exhibit. We visited the lions, tigers, elephants, camels, monkeys, zebras, birds, reptiles, giraffes--you name it, we saw it. They had a special exhibit of rays (don't remember what kind) where you could go in and pet the rays that were swimming around in this big pool. Of course, Poppa had to take Roux in there as well.

Sculptures of different animals were all around the zoo, and we had to stop and play/climb on them.

Poppa and Roux on the elephants--Roux focused on the "baby" animals. If the animal was small or resembled a baby in any manner, Roux would point and tell us about the "baby whatever."

I love this picture of Poppa and Roux walking down one of the paths at the zoo.

Time for a quick rest and a snack.

The first thing we saw upon entering the zoo was the carousel. Of course, Roux wanted to ride on it. The promise was that we would ride it after visiting the other animals. Roux wanted to ride the shark, but when he saw the cheetah that is what he chose. Around and around we went. Most of the time he was laughing and talking--it was just hard to get a good picture as we circled around.

Nearly five and a half hours later, we loaded into the car. Roux was asleep before we got out of the parking lot.

What a fun day for us! I don't know how long he will remember it, but it will be one of our fond memories of time spent with one of our grandchildren.

We spent time with my parents, went to dinner, picked fresh oranges, went to the park, and countless other little things over the course of the week. The hardest part was saying good-bye, but that is always the case.

Christmas Vacation in Phoenix

The day after Christmas Mike and I packed up the car and drove to warm, sunny Phoenix so we could spend time with Vi and her son, Roux. A bonus, for me anyway, was that my parents would be there for a couple of the days as well. What fun to show "unconditional love" (spoil) our little Roux. After having him, and Vi, in our home for a year it has been hard to be separated from them.

Nonna and Roux--I have no idea what we were doing here except for making funny faces at each other!

Poppa always had a special knack for getting Roux to sleep. I don't know how many nights Roux has slept just like this. (I do have to admit, it is a rather comforting spot to be.)

Sunday night we went to the Mesa Temple to see the lights. Vi and Roux are somewhat bundled, other visitors were in heavy winter gear, and Mike and I were enjoying the balmy evening. The lights were beautiful and Roux kept going from one thing to another. Later in the week Mike and I went through a session in the temple. It was the first time we were able to attend a session together in the Mesa Temple. Even when we were married there 23 years ago, we didn't go through a session. It was quite special to be there again with my sweetheart.

Balloons and Texas Roadhouse

Reading books together is always on the agenda--especially when they are Poppa's horse magazines!

Christmas Day

Christmas without little kids in the house is kind of boring. No bright little faces at the bedside asking if it's time to open presents yet, none of the excitement of Santa Clause, the frenzy of ripping and playing with the paper and boxes instead of the toys is absent, and the joyful squeals of delight are silent. It is just different.

Mikie and Lars were the only ones around on Christmas morning. We slept in, opened the few presents under the tree, and had the "traditional Bramwell Christmas breakfast."

Mikie

Lars

You can see how excitement overflowed as we opened presents. It was nice--I think we enjoyed the gifts both given and received and the time spent together. It is just "different."

Christmas evening we went to Heidi's in-laws (Jim and Julie) for dinner. They are so sweet and make it a point to include us in their family gatherings. I think Jim and Julie feel sorry for us being way out here away from our families. We are beginning to feel like the adopted family, and couldn't ask for a better one to take us in.

Christmas Eve

Originally I thought Christmas Eve would be limited to just Mike and I. As it got closer, the kids mentioned they would like to be together for part of the day. So, the ham came out of the freezer, the menu planned, the food prepared, and the fun times began. We didn't want to travel anywhere to play in the snow, so we just played in the small pasture next to the house. That way people could go in if it got too cold, or if they needed to use the bathroom.

Mikie (our cowboy) and Deegan being pulled on the sled by a four-wheeler.

Never thought I would see prep-skater-boarder Lars riding a farm four-wheeler. It is amazing what we do for nieces, nephews, grandkids, etc. Go Lars!

Lars had to take his turn on the sled. Lucky Deegan was with him otherwise I think Mikie (driver) would have really taken Lars for a ride!

Sy had to be part of the activities as well--after all, it was her first Christmas! Heidi and Deegan piled on the sled for a nice, mellow ride. Sy seemed to like it!

Nonna and Deegan. Deegan wanted to try "surfing" on the sled, so he stood up and gave it a whirl. He didn't do too badly, until we hit the rough spots.

After one wipe out, Deegan was not sure about this snow stuff. Sweet Uncle Mike soothed the tears away when he brought out his snowmobile and took Deegan for a short ride.

After the snow, hot chocolate was waiting inside. After all--you can't survive playing in the snow without a mug of hot cocoa with marshmallows!

CRAP!

There is a long story behind this Christmas greeting! This past summer my parents and my brothers and sister and families traveled to Arkansas for a family reunion to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of my parents. Because we spent lots of time at the lake while growing up, it was natural that we would spend time at the lake during the reunion.

While most of the adults were out taking our turn with the boat, my mom proceeded to gather the grandkids around (mostly the teens) and give them a discourse on the word "crap" and why it is inappropriate to use. The results were not in line with Mom's plan--the word ended up being used more than ever with more creative uses than she could imagine.

So for Christmas Mike and I sent out Crappy Christmas greetings to the family. (The bag is really filled with malted milk balls and milk duds.)

We really do wish everyone a year filled with less "crap" and more joy!

Another Stocking

A couple of years ago I got the "bright" idea of cross-stitching stockings for the grandkids. There are several really cute patterns that I thought would be fun to make. Just so you know, these stockings are not small! This one is almost two feet long and the others I have done are approximately the same size. All the grandkids, at this point, have a stocking. My mom and dad also have them. Someday, I might make one for each of the kids and for Mike and I.

I was asked how much I would charge to make these for others--these are gifts of love and no amount of money could compensate for the time and effort put into the production process.

Pictures

For quite some time I have wanted "fun" pictures of Mike and I in the snow. While Heidi was at the house one day I gave her the camera and drug Mike outside for a photo-shoot. Of course, Mike really didn't see the need for all of this, but being the sweet husband he is, he cooperated. With a few enhancements and effects added, we ended up with pictures that I really like!Although Mike could have face-planted me at any time, he refrained. (Maybe the benefits of cooperating out-weighed the consequences of face-planting me!)

This is my favorite of all the pictures!

Thanksgiving

AHHHH! How did so much time pass! Now I have almost three months of events and pictures to catch up on. I thought I would just skip most of it and start from now, but as I looked at pictures taken over the past few months I knew I couldn't ignore them. So-o-o-o, here we go with catching up!!

Cute Deegan and Syeira while at our house one afternoon. Of course, Deegan has to make the interesting faces and Sy's grin was just too adorable to pass up.

We spent Thanksgiving in Logan and Wellsville. The night before Thanksgiving, Mike's little sister suggested a pie tasting party. That way we could enjoy the pie when our stomaches were empty. Great idea!

While waiting for dinner, the kids were getting a little restless. Mike, Lars, and I took a few of them to a skateboard park. They oohed and awwwed over Lars skateboarding. Then someone got the brilliant idea of playing tag and Lars could be "it" and try to catch them while he was on his skateboard.