Just a few highlights from this year's festivities... (Sorry if this post is painfully boring; I guess it's more for my benefit than anyone else's)
- Eric's early "Just to say 'I love you' gift" (A village luminary from Red Envelope) ↓
 |
| Eric, Jason, Braden and Cooper got to go onto the court for a layup competition right before half-time |
- Night Out for the adults @ Olive Garden. Then, back to our pad for the gift exchange. ↓
 |
| Eric drew Robbie's name. We all attempted to keep a straight face when Rob opened Eric's fabulous white elephant gift from the Ugly Sweater party a few nights prior. I don't think she bought it, but she did get a good laugh. |
- BSU Bowl Game party @ Jason's. We took a break at half time to check out Christmas lights. One street had ~7 houses all set to music. Here is a list of the best Christmas light displays in the valley.
- Christmas Eve ... Eve ... Mexican Fiesta (Viva la Chicken, enchiladas, chile rellenos, super nachos, jalapeno poppers, taquitos, fruit empanadas, etc. - yum!) ↓
 |
| Ella taking a whack @ Talia's piñata |
- Massive Christmas Eve Breakfast, then kickball, vball & bball at the gym
- Christmas Day spent largely in the car driving to Vegas (~10hrs). With the help of a coupon and online discount, we got to stay at an incredible 5-star hotel on the strip. Then we couldn't resist a Vegas buffet. Well, Eric couldn't resist (he can't say no to all-you-can-eat lobster & crab legs). ↓
 |
| Aria Hotel & Casino |
 |
| Christmas dinner! |
 |
| New York, NY on Vegas Blvd (shot taken from the sunroof of our car) |
 |
| In the Aria foyer |
 |
| Bellagio Hotel fountain show set to Christmas music |
- Dec. 26-31: On to Scottsdale, AZ
- Sid's blessing (Pallison's sweet, beautiful baby)
↓
- Family Photos (Nelsons & Reynolds) ↓
- Mesa Temple and Game Night (Allison's family was kind enough to invite us to join them) ↓
- Desert hike (in perfect weather!) ↓
- McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park ↓
 |
| Savannah & Autumn on the carousel |
 |
| Cute Trey & Autumn waiting for our train ride |
- Town Dump (just Mary, Savannah and I) ↓
- Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix ↓
 |
| Savannah, glowing in the desert sun (wearing my shades) |
 |
| Eric & sweet baby Syd (this is outfit #2 after a big blowout...Syd's, not Eric's) |
- And Saturday we were "on the road again". After spending about 30 hours in the car (total), taking a few wrong turns, getting a speeding ticket, and having a rock ...and a bird... collide with our windshield, I think we'll be flying next time. But it was still a fun trip and definitely worth it! Thanks for the memories.
