Christmas Secrets

We spent a week in Tucson, enjoying family and soaking up the blue skies and sunshine. Originally, my sister Jennifer and I were going to be the only siblings there for Christmas, and my brother Brent and his family were going to come later in the week. My sister Michelle and her husband Danny both just started working as attorneys in Dallas, so they didn't have enough time off to come. Just before we were leaving for Tucson, Michelle called me to say that she and Danny had decided to make a whirlwind drive to Tucson. Since no one was expecting her, she thought it would be fun to keep their plans a secret. The next morning, my brother Brent called me to say that his family had decided they wanted to spend Christmas day in Tucson after all, and he had told Michelle and me but wanted to surprise the rest of the family. So, our first day in Tucson I spent the day secretly trying to make sure we had enough food and beds ready for two sets of surprise arrivals, sneaking out to receive phone calls on travel progress, and hoping we could pull off the surprise. Poor Michelle and Danny hit a snowstorm in Texas that almost prevented them from traveling any further. They assured us they would have been okay spending Christmas Day alone in a motel because they had brought their new Beatles Rock Band Wii game. Brent's family arrived just as we were ready to start dinner. They caroled at the door, and everyone was totally shocked when they opened the door to see his family standing there. When Michelle and Danny arrived three hours later, they put some treats on the doorstep, rang the doorbell, and hid behind the front yard bushes. The look on my mom's face was pretty priceless--I almost thought she was going to faint, but she managed to stay on her feet, and it was definitely a Christmas to remember. Look what whirlpools do to bubble bath!

Enjoying a quiet walk with Nana before the crowds arrive

Brent and Ronelle arrive with their family

Mom looks like she's going to faint when Danny and Michelle show up three hours later

Christmas morning--the adults all look ready to go back to bed

Hiking at Sabino Canyon with the entire family

Enjoying Costco pizzas

My Grandparents Cannon visited for the afternoon. It was the first time we'd seen them in four and a half years, and I was so glad the kids got a chance to spend some time with them. Here they are with my dad's and mom's six grandchildren.

Four generations of family

Journey to Tucson

Merry Christmas, everyone! This is the closest I got to sending out a Christmas card this year, but we did love the pictures and cards that arrived from family and friends. Our family spent the holidays in Arizona, exploring the state's natural beauty before heading to my parents' home in Tucson.
Ted wanted to see Lubbock, TX along the way, since it was the biggest TX city he hadn't seen. Here we are at the Buddy Holly monument.

Petrified Forest National Park--I was surprised to learn that Arizona once was positioned in the same place Panama is today. That explains how there used to be a forest here.

Madeline exploring the petrified wood

Sierra took her oath to become a Junior Park Ranger very seriously and wore her badge each day of the vacation.

We stayed in beautiful red rock Sedona for a couple days. We loved the SW decor of the timeshare.

Ted and I hadn't taken a picture with just the two of us since we went to Maui five years ago, so we thought it was about time for another one. Maybe I should have tamed my crazy hat hair...

Hiking in Oak Creek Canyon--Madeline didn't want to wear her jacket, so I talked her into wearing Caleb's old Monsters Inc costume that we brought as a hand-me-down for her cousin Joey.

Ted talked me into connecting with my childhood by posing on the natural water slide that we used to visit when I was growing up. It was too cold to go in the water, but the canyon was much prettier without the summertime crowds.

Caleb, Sierra, and Monster Madeline at Slide Rock

Caleb enjoyed holding a snake and tarantula at a desert wildlife talk.

After a gorgeous first day of hiking in Sedona, our second day we were snowed in. We were disappointed to miss time outdoors, but the snow was lovely to look at.

Visiting Aunt/Dr. Jennifer in Phoenix at her clinic--we had to reassure the kids that they wouldn't be receiving shots.

Thanksgiving

We had a quiet Thanksgiving at home. Caleb and Madeline had rashes, so we were in quarantine. Hopefully next year we'll be able to enjoy guests. At least there was nothing wrong with our stomachs!