Starlight & Her Twinkles

Okay, know now that there are a gazillion pictures so continue if you will, but you have been warned. We had a great time. We soaked up the sun and the family. It had been a while since both my brother and I were home at the same time. We enjoyed having the whole fam together, even squeezed in a competitive game of pictionary(no pics of that, it was too intense to pause).

We got in late the Saturday before Christmas.

We went to church.

Then we went straight to Amapola. I'm actually not into the hot salsa, but D loves it. I ate my machaca faster than I could take a picture of it.

J actually played a whole game of chess with my dad. He's been showing interest in it (I don't play, but it's on our computer). Dad said he did well, and J even took his queen.

Celebrated Den's bday with one of his favorite breakfast treats, the raspberry danish twist from Entenmann's.

We took a drive up to the college to enjoy the view when I said, "look! look!"

Because I saw a fox.

Then went to the office. V giggled while we waited for grandpa.

And he said "hiiii" for the camera.

The kids were making cookies at Grandma Linda's while we ran around.

Christmas Eve started at Grandma Lee's where we had yummy lasagna.

Then to church for a candlelight service.

Then dessert at Grandma Linda's where V decided to to be done.

We always open one gift on C Eve and we act surprised when it's pj's. E actually said to me in a laugh, "mommy, we all got jammies!"

Christmas morning...gifts, food, family and friends.

J took the squeezing of the OJ very seriously.

V did a little flirting. He would say "ahhh".

V officially smiles for the camera while Dennis grows antlers.

V enjoying his new toy.

Where you would often find J.

Where you often find E. She loved Aunt Kristina's i phone (and aunt kris of course).

Or here, with one of the dogs (john and kris have Chihuahua's) under a blanket with her.

Grandma had some jobs for J to earn some $ towards a wii. (he has to earn half and I think he's nearly there). He actually did these jobs with a bit of joy. Here he is picking up fallen fruit. I heard him subtracting as he picked them off of the ground "7-1 is 6...6-1...no 2 is 4"

My mom always takes a pecan pie at Christmas to our friends the Hurst's, so we went along for the delivery, Jeanette was my 4-H leader and she taught me to ride horses. She was so good to me those years! She is still involved with 4-H and there are fun animals at her house. Sheep are there but not pictured.

Brownie was my mom's horse who is now out to pasture.

The four of us. Why didn't we do this when we were cleaned up on Christmas Eve?

Aunt Sand and Uncle Frank came to visit a couple of days. A joy as always!

Spent some time in the desert.

One of his Christmas gifts, a Lego helicopter. He built (not all, but most of it) himself.

Helping Grandpa feed the dogs.

Tubbie in the sink.

The kids LOVED there aunt and uncle time.

Saw some high school friends and there kids. Have known these girls nearly forever. Toni (middle) and I have the same birthday. Was great seeing both of them. (Kim is on the left)