*Some of the fun things we did, or have pictures of, to end our 2008 include...
*Trimming the tree and the house with holiday decorations to get into the spirit of the season! Maddy really liked the lights and the glass balls on the tree that she could see herself in. However, she didn't like when Mommy accidentally dropped a heavy ornament on her head...I'm sure she's forgotten that by now right?
*A visit to see Santa so we could catch the classic "baby crying on Santa's lap picture" It was so sad to see her face just melt into a frown and the tears start flowing! I had to rescue her quickly so we only got the one picture.
*A walk around the temple grounds to see the lights is an annual tradition.
*Christmas morning it was just the 3 of us at home. Maddy enjoyed the sea of paper, but I think she was mostly concerned about getting breakfast. Then my brother and his wife came to have a late breakfast with us. That evening we also got a visit from Dan's parents and we exchanged gifts (more details to come on that). Now it's the middle of January and just last week I finally finished my Christmas shopping! We are having Christmas with the Rogers side of the family in February when my mom returns from Chicago. She has been there since the middle of December spending time with my sister, her husband, and this little guy. So having never spent a Christmas without my family, for me it's only halfway over and we get to prolong the festivities which will be fun!
*And finally, our trip to the snow. This actually happened the first of this month. We drove to Pinetop and got to introduce Madelyn to the wonder that is snow. It was clear and sunny the 2 days we were there, but the morning we drove home it had snowed all through the night and was not stopping so the drive was terrifying and treacherous...next time we must take a 4-wheel drive. Growing up in Texas, I never really thought much about Arizona. All anyone ever thinks of is brown dry desert. But I think this is a very unique place to live, within a couple hours you can be surrounded by pine trees and snow, or see the beautiful red rock of Sedona, water ski on a lake, and we always have spectacular sunsets. The only thing missing is a beach, but drive a few more hours and you'll find that too! Sure there are a handful of months where your oven seems to emit less heat than the outdoors do, but the winter season makes it all worth it! Right??
