Christmas in Arizona

As the family anticipated the arrival of Santa Claus, we dined on green chicken enchiladas, rice, beans, and margaritas.  It was yummy!

After dinner we each opened one gift and then decided to watch a movie in Spenser's room.  We've never done that before but he does have a 32 inch tv and a PS3 that plays blu-ray's - which is what we needed.  So we watched "This Christmas" cuddled up on his bed.  Then we all had to go to our beds so Santa could come.

On Christmas morning, Spenser came in to wake us up about 8 am, and then it was downstairs for gift opening.  Here is Buddy with some of his gifts - 

and Sienna with some of hers.

The boys display their traditional gifts from Grandpa.

Perhaps Rob's favorite gift - his family accompanying him to church!  Here's the proof!

Actually, Rob's favorite gift was probably the one he got on Christmas Eve - 

How awesome is that - a KISS flash drive!

After church we snapped a picture before the monkey suits came off and the turkey preparation began.

Getting ready to say grace and then eat!

After eating and cleaning up, it was time to prepare the cake.  Yes we actually baked a cake, and frosted and decorated it!  Here is that process.

Sienna was chief decorator.  She has been to Cake Boss after all!

It was a great day!  Hope you had a great one too!

Merry Christmas!

Turkey, Stuffing, and Cornbread

It may be December 13th, but I am just getting around to the Thanksgiving post! Oops!

Three staples of our Thanksgiving meal are turkey (of course), stuffing, and surprisingly - cornbread.  All were present at the feast we shared this thanksgiving, along with the presence of Grandma and Grandpa - all the way from sandy strewn New Jersey! Not only did they enjoy those foods plus green beans, mashed potatoes, cranberry, and rolls, but in Arizona we also have  e - l - e - c - t - r - i - c - i - t - y !  In addition to electricity, we also have temperatures worthy of sitting outside on the patio to have morning coffee and read the newspaper.  That must be what got Grandma and Grandpa on the plane!  I guess seeing us may have played a small role!  And we can't forget their first Samour Sounds Bash!  So there's lots of reasons to be here I would say!

Thanksgiving morning looked like this - Grandpa working on a project, Rob starting the meal, and Grandma drinking her morning coffee.

The kids got in on the action, preparing celery for the stuffing.

I stayed out of the kitchen entirely, and tackled the turkey day crossword - check it out!  It's huge!  Sienna helped.  No we did not finish, but we had fun in the attempt.

When it was time to eat the turkey, stuffing, cornbread, and trimmings, all were happy.  Grandma led grace and then the grubbing commenced!

What a treat it was to have family with us on Thanksgiving!

Grandpa bought and installed a badminton set for the kids.  He and Spenser went right to playing once it was up.  Check out Grandpa's skill!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!