Utah Trip December 2016

I had the opportunity to go visit my son and his family in the St. George area after Christmas. We had so much fun. The weather was beautiful and the sunshine was a real treat. Natalie and Scott took a break from their snow in SLC to join us for a couple of days.

I flew into Vegas on Wednesday, December 28th. Wayne, Avea and Amoura picked me up at the shuttle office. Avea is such a good interpreter for Amoura. After a few hours I could start to understand what Amoura was saying.

We went over to Ted and Grace's house for a tamale lunch. Andrea's brother was there with his family and they had a little Christmas. They have a new baby boy, so that was fun having a small baby around.

I stayed from Wednesday until Sunday afternoon. We spent time outdoors walking around parks, feeding ducks, enjoying playgrounds. And saw beautiful sunsets.

We played with Wayne's Virtual Reality glasses, watched movies, enjoyed treats. New Year's Eve was spent at a fun center where the kids got to play laser tag and various games as well as the balloon drop with prizes for the kids.

Amoura loved it there. The older girls had their cousins with them so they all had a lot of fun. The highlight of NYE was when I won the raffle and the prize was a giant, I'm not kidding, giant stuffed monster. We could barely get it in the car.

Annelise and I made an amazing Oreo Cheesecake for New Year's Eve. It was so much fun having a Christmas tree in my room.

I helped the girls make the craft that I had given them for Christmas, cute little hand sewn stuffed animals. Amoura entertained us with her love of dancing and singing.

Wayne, Annalise and I were able to visit Aunt VeLois in her home. That was a very special visit since she passed away 3 weeks later. She was my Dad's youngest sister and the last sibling.

It was a really fun way to spend the holidays and greet the New Year.

Oreo Cheesecake

Huge, I tell you, huge!

Visiting with Aunt VeLois

Natalie and Scott enjoying some winter sunshine.

Happy, smiling Amoura, age 2 1/2.

With my kids, Wayne and Natalie, love these two!

Annelise, Amoura and Avea, love these three!

Selfie with Annelise, the day I completed caked red clay all over my Nikes!

Super fun playground.

On the move!

With Aunt Natalie

Christmas 2016

It is so hard to believe January is almost over. I thought I'd do a short Christmas post before next Christmas is here! Christmas just sneaks right up on us so quickly after Thanksgiving. We had Wally's family over on Christmas day for a nice afternoon of dinner, gift exchange, desserts and visiting.

This is the best picture of the bunch. Someday I'll round up all our Christmas family photos and put them all together. It's fun to see who is home for Christmas over the years.

This is just our second year with our artificial tree and I have to say I love it! It can be put up earlier and as was the case this year, taken down later! And no more spilling water on the carpet.