Well, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year a little late to everyone. Thank you to all that sent Christmas cards, we love them. I didn't get a chance to get cards out this year. So consider this entry your Christmas card. Lame, I know.
We spent Christmas and New Years in Arizona with Josh's family. It was a lot of fun! We flew to Phoenix and finally got there a few hours late because of weather delays in the Northwest. But Tyson did very well and he was keeping people smiling in the airport.
On Monday, Dec 22, my awesome sister-in-law Hillary took her mom-in-law, mom and me to see Michael McLean's "Forgotten Carols." All I can say is "WOW!" It was amazing. Just what I needed to put me in the right frame of mind for the season. If you haven't seen the play, you need to. It was very touching.
The next day we went to see the Mesa Temple lights. They were beautiful. There is nothing like walking around the Temple grounds at Christmas time. Then we went to "Christmas Street." It is a neighborhood where everyone totally decks-out their house with lights and you walk through the neighborhood. One family decorates their backyard like Bethlehem and you walk through and listen to a message about Christ. If I remember correctly it was a Baptist family that did it and it was beautifully done.
Christmas Eve was spent at Hillary's mom-in-law's house. Mariah played the piano and Chandler and Mariah sang a few songs. Then Ben (Hillary's Husband) read a story about the meaning of the symbols of Christmas. Very nice. The next day was Christmas, of course. We stayed with Josh's mom and so everyone came over for Monkey Bread, applesauce, deviled eggs and hot chocolate (Zortman tradition). Tyson had fun opening his presents and playing with his cousins. Lunch was at Hillary's. She went off the beaten path of traditional turkey and mashed potatoes. We had pork salad instead...very very very good. New Years was full of games and laughing. We watched the ball drop, then went to bed.
We went to the Phoenix Zoo and to Tucson to see Chris (Josh's brother). There's pics below of both. We also saw a friend of mine from Pueblo that I haven't seen in I think about 12 years. They have three little girls. Tyson was shy at first, then after about five minutes he acted like he owned the place. We also went to see my cousin Jason and his family. Mandy made a great split pea soup. I had never had Split pea soup before, it was very good. We had a nice visit with them. The last time I saw them was at their wedding. Now they have a very cute little girl named Savannah. Now, complements of Tyson, she has a goose egg on her head. Sorry Savannah!
This year has been full of ups and downs. Sometimes it felt like more downs than ups. We miss Josh's Dad, but we are grateful that we have the knowledge that we are an Eternal Family and we will see and be with him again someday. We are grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice. We are grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who gave his Son so that we can all return to Him someday.
We love our family and friends and are grateful for all the love and support that everyone gives us. May 2009 be full of fun, love and happiness.
