I took Dustin up to see the Christmas lights at the Washington, D.C. Temple.
Before they turned the lights on.
Diana getting ready for her Christmas recital.
With Grandma (Margaret) at the recital.
With Mom (Sam) at the recital.
With cousins (Schofield, Kendrick, Harrison) at the recital.
Cute little dancer!
I was away for work during Diana's recital. So, I sent a video to her asking various questions, including whether or not she fell off the stage during the recital. This video is her response to me.
First big snow of the year! Diana built this snowman.
Sam and the kids rode the train into Salt Lake City to visit the planetarium and see the Christmas lights on Temple Square.
Diana, Penny, Douglas
Sam and Diana
Diana in front of a Christmas window display made entirely out of candies.
King Candy Douglas
Visiting Temple Square
Instead of giving Christmas presents this year, Grandma decided to give $100 to each of the children with the stipulation that they use the money to help other people. Penny decided to buy meals for families in need.
Douglas and Diana spent their $100 at the Giving Machines.
Some of us spent the nights at our Airbnb, but most of the children slept at the home of Seth and McCall. Here is McCall reading bedtime stories to the children.
Douglas and Maverick
Grandma (Margaret) playing with some of her grandchildren.
We played Christmas Jeopardy.
Penny and Reed
Kate and Diana playing in the backyard.
Grandma and Charly cheering for Diana.
Playing on the bounce house.
Ivy and Kendrick on the bounce house.
Clayton chasing Ivy and Penny in the hamster ball.
Krew stuck in the hamster ball.
Exhausted after pushing people in/on the hamster ball.
Jarren taking a break to read and snack.
Reed
This is the message I received from YouTube after I uploaded the previous video.
Sam and Maverick
Seth and Maverick
Playing at the Airbnb. Apart from Spencer, none of us spent much time in the very cold swimming pool, opting instead for the hot tub.
Playing in the basement of the Airbnb.
Seth playing Uno with Charly, Penny, and Reed.
Roasting marshmallows
Charly, Diana, Penny, Schofield, Clayton
Clayton, Charly, Diana
Grandpa Doug, who has spent much of his life working in agriculture, was quite pleased with the decor at the Airbnb.
Gathered for the Thanksgiving feast.
So much delicious food!
With baby Maverick.
Diana with baby Monroe.
Sam with baby Monroe.
Taylor with many of her nieces and nephews.
Thanksgiving Bingo
We had quite a few Nerf gun battles in Arizona. My favorite quote of the week came from Harrison. He was talking to himself as he quietly reloaded his gun during a lull in the battle. When he finished reloading, Sam overheard him say, "Okay, it's time to find Daniel and shoot his nipples." 😂
Flag football on Thanksgiving Day.
Schofield, Douglas, Jarren, Krew, Harrison
Reed, Penny, Charly, Diana
We also played baseball.
Kendrick up to bat.
Diana and I made crêpes one morning.
Taylor with the kids.
Seth, Daniel, Sam, Clayton, Taylor
Some of us went on a short hike up Brown Mountain, which should be called Brown Hill.
Diana, Schofield, Reed, Penny
Penny, Douglas, Krew, Reed, Schofield, Jarren, Diana, Harrison
Sunday was our final day in Arizona. I had zero energy left after playing hard with the kids over the previous three days. We attended church and I took a nap with baby Monroe. It was a great way to end our vacation.
Another amazing trip in the books! Thank you, Seth and McCall, for being wonderful hosts. Thank you to everyone involved in planning this vacation. The activities were great, the food was great, the company was delightful, and we were blessed with good weather the entire time.
