Christmas and Trip

 We wanted Ralayna to have some good memories. We all decided to still get together in December in St. George.

I hope the pictures can tell some of the stories I forget or convey some of the memories that were made.

Our trip started off with me taking the kids to a zoo in flagstaff. It was really for Colvin. He has to miss a class field trip.  It was a very small zoo, so we were able to do it all in one day. They had lots of lions. Azalyn just wanted to see a panther.  Denali loved the lion show and Colvin got to pet a lizard. (his dream pet). We did a first we had to charge the kia at a charging station. The initial setup sucked but it only took about 30 minutes to fully charge it. It was about $40 better than gas. Timber picked us up in flag staff at the airport. We drove all night with her.  Azalyn was so cute she said Uncle Ace I need to drive with you more I loved your music.  He drove all night and rocked out to music. 

I got to see ALL my sibling, it is aways a good time when we get together. For the first time in I don’t know how long all my sibling sat down and played a game together. Close to the house we rented there was a community pool. The kids swam TONS. One night Colvin wanted to go but I did not want him to go alone. I told him if he could get 2 people to go with him, I would take him.  I think only 2 people stayed home.

We got to have a girls only hot tub morning. My sisters give me so much strength.

Highlights: Greg came the last 2 days. Denim even flew in.

I had a pepto only day, way too much food and Colvin had a pepto only day on the way home

Denali played Canadian salad and got 0.

The girls are getting older, so they play really well together.

I talked to dad about us needing him and he said I plan to be around for years, but I have had a great life. I have no regrets and have a great legacy to pass on.  We all just need to be the strong link.

Christmas: Due to family circumstances (see Gregs blog) we did not celebrate Christmas till the 31^st.   We did open the $5 gifts but that was over zoom so no pictures

$5 gift: Dad had mom he got me cotton candy perfume

Mom had Azalyn she got her color your own stickers

Denali had dad he got him a game

Colvin had Denali got him a Mario shirt

Azalyn had Colvin got him a dino dig box.

When it was time for Santa the kids put up posters of “Come Now Santa”. McCarty got a phone number for Mrs. Clause and the magic was in the air.

Denali got switch games.

Colvin got roller blades

Azalyn got her balance beam

Everyone got a gun:

Denali a .22

Mom a Shot gun

Dad .223

Colvin and Azalyn BB Guns

Mom got a nail kit and needs to find friends so she can do nails.    Greg got a DVD player so he can watch The Big Bang Theory in our room.  Colvin no longer has feet, blades only.

It made Christmas way less about the gifts and way more about just being with family. The opening was fun, but everyone wanted to just play with each other. Having a whole day of all being together was the best present. There are not tons of pictures because Greg was doing his best just to be present. I hope we can remember the joy!