New Years Eve

The kids wore their new jammies from Grandma and Aunt Katie and stayed up late with Julia. Bobbins and I went up to the Schaefers to hang out and play games with Jess's siblings and their significant others. It was a nice evening. We were home before midnight.

Fiesta Parade

Our friend Will graciously put out seats for us on Central, and we enjoyed the whole Fiesta Parade, esp. the bands.

 

 

Williams for the Day

The older 4 got a ride on the Polar Express from Grandma & Grandpa for Christmas, so we made a day trip to Williams out of it. Lunch at Bun Huggers in Flag, a check-in at the cabin, a visit to Bearizona (which was packed), dinner at an Italian restaurant, then a stop to see Fr. Peter in Flag on our way home. It was quite a fun (and warm) day.

 

St. Stephens Day Hike and Watch Ya Mouth

We again had our 12/26 hike near our house, this time with Julia and 2 kids strapped to my body. Yes, I was still the first to the top.

That night we tried out our other new game, Watch Ya Mouth. You put a plastic mouthpiece in and try to get your partner to guess what phrase you're saying. It's quite a laugh. MM demonsrates:

Christmas Day

JoJo (new bike) and Owen (motorcycle helmet and Nerf rifle) probably made out best Christmas morning from Santa. There were so many presents that a few got lost in the shuffle. Nana T and Pop brought breakfast over, which was great. Nana also got us a game called Toilet Trouble which lived up to its name too much: we spent all day trying to get it to work. We did our puzzle this year, a 300 piece Trevi Fountain, finishing after dinner. Aunt Patty and Uncle Chris ate with us and provided delicious banana cake - and a Nerf pistol for the boys.

 

Christmas Eve

With Christmas on Monday this year, we did the two-fer: Sunday morning 9am Mass, then the 4:30 vigil Mass later. This year we hit the latter at St. Joan of Arc to avoid seeing someone and to hear Sienna sing. It was crowded and chaotic, of course, but we got through it. Later, we had a nice roast dinner prepared by Bobbins & Julia at our house, then opened some presents. The hit of the night were Fisher's glasses to be like Papa.

 

 

He's Getting So Big

Christmas Eve Eve

Got the yard cleaned, then took Owen with me to Adoration. He fell asleep just like Peter.

Our friends had their caroling night. on our way home stopped by our old neighbor Doug's house to say Merry Christmas. Doug lost his partner Bob last summer, so it was a rough holiday for him. We had a nice visit, and Doug gave each of the kids an ornament from Bob's tree.

2017 Nutcracker

Per tradition, I took the girls -- and this year Julia -- to see the Nutcracker.

Hall of Flame Visit

With the girls out of school, Bobbins and Julia took the crew to the Hall of Flame Museum in Phoenix, near the zoo.

 

Christmas Carol Play / Advent Night at Church

One Sunday after Mass Bobbins and the girls went with Nana K to see A Christmas Carol performed downtown.











Later that night I took the older 4 to church for a Sunday Advent night of cookies and hot chocolate and seeing friends.

JoJo Play Date / Bond Voyage for Maria

We didn't take any photos of the girls or their school X-mas party, except for the one at left, which is JoJo and her friend Chiara. It was JoJo's first friend playdate on her own (without her sister). She got picked up from school, had pizza for dinner, and got her hair done. Quite cute!

Later that night we headed to my co-worker's house for a "Bond voyage" for my colleague Maria, who was transferring back to HQ. I went as golfer James Bond from Goldfinger while Bobbins was a generic Bond girl. My buddy RK took the cake with his get-up. It needs no explanation. (Pictured with Maria and Joy, the hostess)

Ugly Sweater Contest at Work

Two years ago some gals started an ugly sweater contest for our annual Christmas lunch. This year I won it, thanks to Bobbins and Goodwill.

First AHG Badges

They got a history badge for these Liberty Bells and a camping badge for their outing in Sept.