Arizona Winter

We have been talking about going to Arizona in December for the past couple of years.  This year it finally worked for us to go.  We left the day after Christmas.  We were planning on leaving the next day, but we decided to leave Friday afternoon and stay in a hotel in St. George again. 

We paid less than last time and the place was much nicer.  We had three beds, which made the whole experience so much better!  We got to St. George around 8:00 PM.  We were all hungry so we decided to go to a late dinner at McDonalds.  The kids thought it was so fun that we were going out so late.  The kids had fun playing in the play place, but they were excited to get back to the hotel.  We let them watch TV in bed and that was very exciting for them.  Caitlyn and Jonah slept on the sofa bed, Keith and Wyatt in another bed and me and Hallee in another one.  Hallee has sure grown up since our last trip six months ago.  Things were so much easier with her.  She slept pretty good.

We woke up the next morning and headed out.  We were all so excited to get to Matt and Lori's house.  Elena and Caitlyn ran off and started playing.

Cody and Jonah had so much fun together.  They would both chose video games over anything, but they had fun playing other things too.

Hallee was excited to see Ruby.  The kids all love Ruby.  Hallee remembered all of the toys that they had upstairs, so she went right up and started playing.

Wyatt was so cute with Ruby.  It makes me want to get him a dog. 

Caitlyn and Elena had fun giving themselves a pedicure. They also put on a lot of shows for us.

While we were there in June Lori was telling the kids how fun it would be if we came in December.  She said we would drive around in the truck and see Christmas lights and then drink hot chocolate.  My kids did not forget that.  They were so excited to drive around and look at the lights. There were so many houses that looked amazing.  It was fun.  The kids loved it.

Wyatt was thrilled to come back for hot chocolate.  He has been looking forward to this since June.

The older kids are always good about including the younger ones.  I love to see that.

Keith took the kids to a movie one day.  Lori and I stayed home while Hallee napped.  It was so nice to have the house so quiet.  Keith is such a fun dad.  He loves to do things like this.  I'm glad because taking five kids to a movie doesn't sound like my kind of fun!

I love how well our kids get along.  They had a blast playing.  It always turns into boys and girls.  One night the adults were out in the hot tub while the kids were in bed.  They started running into each other's rooms and fighting.  We decided it would be good if Jonah and Elena and Cody and Caitlyn spent time together the next day for their consequence.  Jonah and Elena were so funny, they asked each other questions and found out they have a lot in common. 

Cody and Caitlyn used to be best buds when they were little.  They had fun playing a game.  It is so nice that the kids are older.  Me, Keith, Matt and Lori went out to eat three times and left them home.  It was great.  It was nice to be at a restaurant and not have to worry about the kids.  We would stay up late and play games and sit in the hot tub.  It was so much fun.  We just talk, laugh and eat and have a great time!