Denver Christmas 2017

Last year we didn't go anywhere for Christmas and no one came to visit either. I said I didn't EVER want to do that again. Fred and I had made plans to drive to San Luis Obispo for Christmas to see old friends and visit our "beginning". But one day at work I just happened to look at Southwest flights to Denver and they were $44 to and $69 back. Well those San Luis Obispo plans went out the window.

I'm at work today trying to blog about our trip and feeling frustrated with the process so you are seeing our trip in reverse.

This is Sunday morning before church. Looking all cozy. It's because I've downloaded a game for Marissa on my Tablet. Don't be fooled, but she is definitely cozier with me than in years past which makes me so happy.

This is the Christmas dress I bought Marissa while we were in San Antonio with Scott and Jess. 

I just fell in love with it and had to buy it. 

 On Saturday we went to Cave of the Winds. It was actually warmer inside the caves. Fred and I just do not like the cold weather. Maybe we are just getting old. It was just as cold back in St. George while we at Shannon's. The deciding factor in purchasing this picture was Marissa.

We stopped at McDonalds after the Caves. 

 Happy Grandpa 

YUM YUM

 Fred is always on the floor with the kids. I'm always on the couch. I'm not sure what good I am. 

Oh I do wash all the dishes while I visit. 

Blake got all building toys for Christmas. 

We got Blake a big art set that he shared with Marissa.

Marissa got this great big doll house. 

Friday morning both kids went to school and preschool for parties.

This is the home where Marissa goes for daycare/preschool.

Marissa wanted to paint my toenails.

When Blake saw what was going on, he wanted in on the action.

Marissa didn't go to daycare on Thursday so she got to come with Shannon to pick us up at the airport. We stopped at Firehouse Subs for lunch. Look at that face. She is such a dolly!

My Happy Place ~ in the back seat of the car next to Marissa.

We had a wonderful time together. We feel very comfortable there. Brian always makes great food. He bakes us homemade bread, homemade brownies and buys us Blue Bell ice cream. Lots of it.

What more could we ask for? 

Shannon and I get to spend lots of time together. We talk a lot and I love that. 

She is not only my daughter, but one of my best friends. 

A LITTLE OF THIS AND THAT

I'm posting a handful of pictures relating to Christmas from our family.

We have a family group on Messenger so the kids share a lot of fun pictures there.

My company holds a Christmas Party every year. We have a photo booth.

This is our picture. They have a nice dinner, games and give away prizes throughout the night. 

It's a good time. I work with really great people. My job is the best part about the move here.

Oh this is the prize I won. 

While we were in San Antonio for Thanksgiving, we got to watch the Christmas tree decorating.

This is one of the cutest pictures Jess posted of Evan recently.

He looks over the top mischievous here, but I don't really believe it. 

I think it's the angle of the camera. (haha)

See look at that face - too sweet and innocent to ever be naughty.

Something about Evan's eyes just look right into my soul.

Here's a moment at McDonalds with these two.

Gone are the days when you couldn't leave Buddy within arms reach of Mima.

This is such a great picture. 

Our kids exchange ornaments each Christmas. It's a great tradition.

Corinne's family just received their ornament from Scott & Jess.

Solemm Wisemen.

San Antonio Thanksgiving

This year we got to spend Thanksgiving with Scott and Jess in San Antonio.

We got up at 3:30 AM. This is us backing out of the driveway at 5:05 AM.

I've finally gotten over avoiding early flights and returning home late. 

I don't sleep good anymore so I don't care if I don't get enough sleep.

Here we are in our seats on the plane.

Corinne sent a text asking if we were in Texas. 

This was my reply text.

Jess makes delicious food. Everything she makes is so good AND

she makes it beautiful too. All magazine worthy photo shoot.

 A little blurry, but you get the idea. 

We had six pies. Four Jess made and two from Kneaders. 

Kneaders disappointed because they really looked awful. Jess was not happy.

These are her pies. Pumpkin, Smores, Pecan Cheesecake and Peanut Butter Chocolate.

My favorite was the Peanut Butter Chocolate. 

I didn't think it would be, but I am recently becoming more and more in love with things Reese Peanut Butter related.  

Now it's time to eat. 

Scott and Jess warned us that Evan has kind of started the stranger danger phase.
Yes he wasn't a big fan having us in his bubble. That's okay. We did have some moments.

Jess and Fred are quite the team for working undercover. 

They did some shopping for Scott. 

I got to sit by Evan in the car and managed to entertain him. 

On the way back from the Tree Farm I even got to touch him without him waving me off.

He was pretty tired. 

The ground was really uneven so Evan took quite a few spills walking around out there.

It was hot - 80 degrees - not like our Christmas tree looking back in the day when our kids were growing up in Bremerton. 

I had Evan duty for a while. 

 See - I'm smiling - he is putting up with me. 

 

Here is the winner. A nice cedar.

 The fun begins for Scott and Fred. 

Step 1.

 Step 2.

 Step 3.

 Step 4. 

 Just messing around now. 

I had Jess give me some pointers on Instagram. 

I hope I can remember what she showed me and use it.

Like this feature.

 Here is the decorated tree. 

Friday night we met up with Larry and Cheryl Johnson and went out to dinner - all of us. 

They look good. It's always fun to reunite with old friends.

We did a little Christmas shopping. We lazed around the house reading, shopping on line, watched a movie, this and that. Low key and relaxing. Eating lots of leftover pie.

This little family is doing so good. Makes us super happy.