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!

Christmas in Fresno!

Christmas Eve was, apparently, undocumented photographically. We went to a family gathering for Dustin's dad's side of the family, the Christmas Eve service at church (lovely, although I was missing my dear church family), and enjoyed my family's traditional dinner of french dip sandwiches (my first time making it).

Christmas morning started like most other mornings these days with trains, trains, trains.



The boys had to be patient while we waited for Jason and Alejandra to finish up their Christmas Morning #1, before we could start our events. Josiah was displeased with his cheerios when he could see the even yummier frosted Christmas tree of rolls waiting.

Elijah obligingly tried to help capture Josiah for a photo under the Christmas tree

Having consumed the Christmas tree and the German sausage (at least some of us!) and read Luke 2, it was time to open presents.

Elijah liked helping Josiah open his presents

And then it was time to play, play, play!

Opening stockings

Doling out the jelly beans

Happy Christmas picture

In the middle of playing, playing, playing, we went out for a walk to the pedestrian freeway overpass.  We got lots and lots of waves and honks, and the ambulance even turned on the siren for us--such fun! Good display of Christmas spirit!

We all enjoyed meeting Jason's fiance; the boys warmed up to her quickly (something my little introverts often don't do easily). She was good at asking the right questions, such as: "Which color should I use?"

Christmas night ended with watching "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer."


On the 26th, we made a quick visit to the Friesens before driving. This was the first year we haven't been able to go to the Friesen family Christmas.

We all still got to open some Christmas stocking presents

And one more train play time!

 

And then a slow drive back to LA! We had just enough time (i.e. 12 hours) to do laundry, for me to see dear, dear friends (who drove to me and ignored the mess), repack, and then head to the airport to go to Phoenix (the boys and I) or work (Dustin).

Celebrating Christmas

Since we were headed up to Fresno for Christmas, we celebrated Christmas as a family of four on the 23rd before heading to church (hence the button down shirts).

Elijah was super excited about presents this year; he kept wanting to help me wrap in hopes of catching a glimpse of one of his presents

We started with a reading of Luke 2 and Matthew 2 before opening stockings.

Then some time to color in the new books while I finished getting breakfast ready:

Christmas breakfast! Downside to celebrating early: it isn't time yet to light the white Christ candle.

Elijah's requested present (he said I could choose any others)--he wanted a red diesel engine without a face that could carry the counting bears and was bigger than his wooden engines

Josiah's train

Putting the presents together!

We had a lovely morning together before church. Then it was time to finish packing and drive up to Fresno for more Christmas festivities!

The boys' presents reflected their shared interests; while we carefully chose what went to which boy, most could have been easily and happily swapped. The theme of the year was transportation with an emphasis on trains (surprise, surprise!).

Christmas Tree!

Both boys were excited about the tree!

Elijah liked putting the ornaments up as high as he could reach

Decorating a Christmas tree is hard work: after every ornament or so, Elijah needed a drink of egg nog. Josiah, of course, refused egg nog because it is not water.

Our decorated tree! Elijah is showcasing the beloved ornament of the year: a train engine from Miss C.