Christmas in Arizona!

12 short hours after getting home,  the boys and I got on a plane to Phoenix with plans for Dustin to follow us by car after a day at work.

The boys' enthusiasm for planes and transportation still goes strong! They are quite the experienced flyers now. Josiah was quite upset that he did not get his own buckle and seat on the plane--the injustice of being a lap baby. Elijah kindly explained the situation to him.


Grandpa picked us up from the airport; we quickly changed and then it was time for family photos since my whole family was there. The photographer was amazing--getting both of my boys to smile and look at the camera despite all our recent travels and need for a nap.

And then it was time to play and play and play at Aunt Elizabeth's!

Watching Stars Wars (the joys of older cousins!). Josiah insisted on sitting by himself. When Ella would invite Elijah under the blanket during the scary parts, he'd just looked at her and at one point tried to get her to come out from under the blanket

Legos! Ella allowed an exception to be made for Josiah even though he was not old enough according the the box guidelines

Friday, my family went home and we stayed at the house to play (and my sister graciously ran out for diapers and a new beloved blanket since my nicely packed suitcase did not come because Dustin had things come up at work). Ella and Elijah played beautifully together all day long.

Saturday we visited Phoenix Zoo! Kids were a little tired and cranky, but we still had a nice day.

The zoo has a neat monkey walk--just like an aviary, only with monkeys.

And then time to fly home! Only to be delayed a couple of hours at the airport...

We finished the year by hosting a large family dinner (22 people! My extended family lives too far away to see much, so it's lovely to have aunts and uncles and cousins and 2nd cousins nearby) and welcomed the New Year with Dustin's family, but sadly, no pictures to share--too tired from all the festivities!