When we got to my gramma Anns the next evening we heard a knock at the door and it was Santa Claus! The boys actually didn't cry this time!
We all got to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what we wanted.
Christina wished for a I-phone, but Santa said they were out of stock.
The boys asked for toys.
Caleb was truly thrilled to see Santa and sit on his lap!
Zachary acted thrilled too. Then he got off Santa's lap and walked over to Mikey, and said "That Santa's a FAKE!"
As you all know we go to the "Duck Hotel" about 10 times a year. It is in Sedona and is actually called "Radisson Poco Diablo Resort". Every Christmas we stay there and see the light display they put on at Los Abrigatos. Its pretty spectacular. We decided to go there on the 23rd-24th. Christina was at her dads.
This is the we call it the "Duck Hotel"
In the middle of the resort is an executive 9 hole golf course. This is Caleb's favorite thing about the hotel. Here he is using his putter on the green.
It went in the hole!
This is a Par 27 course. Mikey kept a legitimate score card for Caleb, and he ended up with a 44. He's 3!!! Once he gets the short game down, this kid is going to be unstoppable!
This is the hole that Caleb got his first Par!! This hole is 65 yards and he made it in 3!!
He teed off, hit his ball on the fairway about 50 yards, then chipped it to this spot in the picture, then he putted it in from here! Mikey's shot was ALMOST a hole in one! Good job boys!!
On Christmas Eve we went to Gramma Ginny's and Papa Bills House. The kids love playing grammas organ just as much as I did as a kid!
This is also why Papa Bill takes out his hearing aids when we are there!
What a beautiful family!
Here's my niece Elektra playing with her new toys. She is just starting to walk!
Christmas morning at Uncle Bruce's house! Santa came and left a few small toys, and a note that said he had left the big stuff at our home in Florida.
Our Family at Mama Ann's Christmas morning. Our tradition is to go to Grammas in our pajamas. Makes it easier to wake up and go, and its so much more comfy.
We had a great Christmas and got a lot of really great gifts. Christmas Dinner was at my moms, but we had to eat and run since Mike had to catch his flight back home. At the airport, Mike was driving, and was trying to drop himself of on the south side so I would be able to easily make my way to my Uncles house. I may have lived in AZ all my life, but navigating the airport is still something I haven't mastered. After driving around a couple of times trying to get into the drop off zone, (you actually have to go to the 44th st exit to get to the south drop off point)he just stopped on the south side near a sign that said "Shuttle service" He stopped before the lines, and behind the sign. We no sooner opened our doors when a policeman pulled behind us with lights flashing. He opened his door, ticket book in hand, pen in the other. He walked up, and without even saying a word took down the license plate number. Mike and I asked what he was doing. He said we were illegally parked. We tried to explain why we were there and said if he would tell us how to get into the drop off zone, we'd be more than happy to go to it. He didn't say a word. At that point I told Mike to just get his stuff and go, no point in missing his flight. Then I said some choice words to the officer, ripped the ticket out of his hand, got in the car and sped away. Ive gotten plenty of tickets before, and I deserved every one of them, but this one really ticked me off because I don't think we deserved it! Christmas Night, the boys are crying because Daddy's leaving, we couldn't figure out how to get into the drop off zone, there is NO sign that says NO PARKING. He couldn't just tell us we need to move our car? What a jerk.
Mom, Frank, Christina, the boys and I drove to Flagstaff. We stayed at the Little America. Its a quaint hotel built the year I was born. My dad worked security for them while it was being built. The next day we drove out to our old houses. Here is the trailer my parents bought when they got married. First it was in Gila Bend, then they bought the land here and set it up. 
This is the house that my mom, dad and many family members built in 76.
The upstairs window was the room I grew up in.
When we first built this house these trees were tiny, and you could see the entire house.
This is the back of it. The people there have the wood treated alot darker than what we had it. I saw someone looking out the window, so I figured I better explain what I was doing there and why I'm taking pictures of their house. When they found out who we were, they opened their doors and let us go in! It was so neat to see the changes, and the things that were still the same. All the light fixtures were unchanged. Even some of the old tile is still in the laundry room. They also still have the same stove we had. Hello its Gold!!! It was fun sharing our stories of growing up there with the kids that live there now! They have like 6 kids! The girls had my room and they boys have my brothers room! One of the trees in our fort recently fell down. It was really neat and brought back some wonderful memories.
We drove up to the San Francisco Peaks. We were planning on going up to Sno-Bowl, but it started snowing, and although moms truck would be OK, Frank had driven his little Saturn, and we didn't want to get stuck just in case. Good thing we didn't either. The boys played all of 5 minutes before the crying started.
They liked walking thru it until they had to walk back. They cried the entire way back.
Caleb had fun throwing snowballs, but Zachary and Christina didn't like getting hit, so he mostly threw them at me and Uncle Owwie.
After Flagstaff we stopped in Sedona for some much missed Mexican food. The Mexican food in Orlando is nothing like our beloved Mexican food in Phx. We really miss it!
Ahhhh... back into the warmth! I needed a vehicle of my own to get around in, so I rented this red comfortable. 
The boys LOVED the top down. If they had their way I would never of put it up! But the evenings were just too chilly for me and Christina!
We got to hang out with Ursula and her kids for an evening. It was a nice evening catching up. We also got to hang out with an old friend of mine--Shannon-- and Ursula's from grade school! But I forgot to get a picture of her. :(
On New Years Eve Christina and I left the boys with my brother and drove to Palm Springs CA to spend a few days with Morey and his boys, Lakota and Dustin. (Dad2, you remember them as Chief) The last time we saw them was Sept 06. Lakota was easily a head shorter than Christina. Now look at him!!
We had a great time there, and they showed us the sights of downtown Palm Springs which is full of Hollywood History.
The kids and I visited with more family and friends until we had to come home Sat morning. I was wondering how I would feel about coming back to Florida and leaving AZ again, but I was truly looking forward to it. Mike and I had never been apart for more than a week, and this was 10 days. About 9 too long for both of us! We are very happy to be back home.
When we walked in the door the kids saw their Christmas Santa presents in the living room. It took them all of 2 minutes to tear apart all the toys and spread them all over the living room.
They each got what they really wanted! A play kitchen set for Zachary, and a BIG jet for Caleb.
Happy New Year to Everyone. May 2008 be a wonderful year for all of us!
