What Happens When You Visit Gene

My dad was delighted that John was coming to visit--he had many projects for his able bodied son-in-law! (My sisters' husbands both have really bad backs!)

John is putting a roof on a shelter for the "thing" my dad uses to shoe his horses.

A Great Additon!

Meet my great nephew, Aaron. He was born to my niece Amanda on October 13th, but I just got to meet him yesterday. He was definitely worth the wait; he is perfect!
Jake adored Aaron as well. He is so good with babies.

Will gave his first real smooch to Aaron, complete with pucker and smacking noises!

The Girls

My dad's horses, Sandy and Dixie

Sam and Alex

Sam and his cousin Alex had some down and dirty fun on the farm!

Hanging out with Pop

Following in Pop's shadow

Will loved the horses! He was not afraid at all!!

Christmas Celebrations

Christmas Eve dinner. I got new Christmas dishes; nothing could make me happier!

Aunt Kim made the boys new jammies which they opened Christmas Eve. Will was so excited this was the best picture I could get!

Christmas morning before the action started

Will loved Christmas morning, but all that fun is tiring!

One cool helicopter

Learning to open presents. Fortunately, Will has good teachers!

Yes!!

Will absolutely loved his Elmo restaurant

Got Eggnog?

Merry Christmas!

Last night Sam finished up the last of their projects, a gingerbread house, and now we are ready for Christmas Day. I hope you are all ready as well and that this Christmas is full of peace and joy!

A Trip to Sedona and a Journey to Bethlehem

Yesterday we took a drive to Sedona which to our great fortune is only 45 minutes to the South of us. Each year a local theater company recreates the city of Bethlehem at the time of Christ. They have a wonderful marketplace where they pass out sheckles and you can purchase olive oil, leather, dried fruit, pottery or even a scroll written in Hebrew. The streets of Sedona were full of shepherds and wisemen, beggars and prophets. Roman soldiers are lurking everywhere to make sure you pay your taxes! The people of Bethlehem are eager to tell everyone about the prophecy of a Savior. The angel Gabriel appears to annouce the birth of Christ and Mary and Jospeh arrive on a donkey. It is a really wonderful way to experience the anticipation and exicitement over the birth of Christ. We were doubly blessed because Oak Creek Canyon, (the incredibly scenic route to Sedona) was sprinkled with snow. It was a lovely day. A barn at sunset just a couple of miles from our house
Oak Creek Cnayon
The angel Gabriel

Shepherds

Mary, Joseph and Jesus

A Roman Soldier

Sam making olive oil

Jake learning to weave

Will had the best ride!

Fun in the Snow

We got about three feet of snow this week. Here are some pictures from yesterday and the fun we are having! Will liked his first taste of snow!
OOHH that stuff is cold!

The view from our house up the street. We had so much snow on our hill that the city plow got stuck! They had to send out the grader!

The blue spruce in our front yard

Fancy sledding moves by Sam

John built a great sled run for the boys on our side yard. They are all getting ready to test it here.

The ice cicles by our front door

Where did our patio go??

Sledding fun

John set the record for the longest run

The Weatherford Hotel in downtown Flagstaff. They drop the pincone on New Years Eve.

This is the hotel where Casablanca was filmed

Walking the streets downtown