Great surprise

Christmas came early today when Kylee and Brody surprised us by coming home for Christmas 5 days earlier than anticipated! Me, Mike, Jess, Jake and Cam had been on a mini-family reunion overnighter with Ann, Carol and their families at Sherwood Hills in Sardine Canyon. We all had a great time, and we loved being together and enjoying good food, company and fun and entertaining games. When we got home today (with the Bundy's along who came to spend the rest of the day with us- or so we thought- turns out they were in on the surprise so wanted to come and see the Hatch's and our reaction) Kylee and Brody were in the house waiting for us. We were expecting the house to look like we left it the night before even though we knew our friends doing the boys paper routes for us would have been in the house that morning folding and preparing the papers- but the house wasn't as we left it- several lights were on, there was music playing, a candle was lit, and several nutcrackers were sitting in the middle of the living room floor. We all stood in the entry of the house puzzling over who would have done that--- was it our friends playing a joke on us after they'd done the route? Just then Kylee comes running down the hall yelling surprise! It was so unexpected and fun, that of course I was a bit verclempt and totally speechless! It was so exciting, and now it feels like Christmas is truly here.

The most wonderful time of the year

I LOVE Christmas time! Even though beginning right after Thanksgiving, I'm unable to sleep in past 4-5:00 because of the business and anticipation, I wouldn't change a thing. It's so fun deciding on, and shopping for the kids. It's fulfilling to do things for others. It's so festive to look at Christmas lights and the decorations in our home. It's great to spend more time with family and just relax and enjoy the season. And, it's great to watch snow falling outside and appreciate the beauty of nature. It snowed most of the day yesterday and the temperature was a balmy 33 degrees (after a week of below zero, it felt like spring) so Mike and I went on a lovely 2 mile walk last night. It was so fun to wade through snow- as most people hadn't shoveled the 6-8" yet. Then this morning, I helped the boys with their routes (why not, I'm awake anyway. . .) and again was struck by the beauty of the season. If you don't live in a climate where you enjoy snow, I'm sad for you. At least for the month of December (after that you can be sad for me) when it's such a fitting scene for the Christmas season. To those of you who are used to snow in winter and don't have it now and are missing it greatly, don't worry- you'll be home soon-and we have lots waiting for you to enjoy :)



I wish I could say this is my new Christmas tree, but alas, it is my friend's Lorene. Isn't it divine?

Thanksgiving in Arizona

We had the most amazingly fun trip to Glendale and Mesa for Thanksgiving this year. I'm so glad we were able to go and do so many fun things! The the best part about the trip was seeing Kylee and Brody after missing them for three long months. Ok, Ok, it was fun to see Sal the dog too. We were on the go the entire time for the three days we were there. Here are some of the highlights:

We did an awesome 3 mile hike Thanksgiving morning. The weather was divine, the scenery different than what I'm used to when hiking (but still pretty) and the company was the best.

The girls and I prepared a tasty Thanksgiving feast in an amazingly short amount of time while the boys watched "Up." It was great to have Mom join us for dinner and a fun card game she taught us. We enjoyed seeing Jord and Jake and their darling girls that evening for some pie and ice-cream in their lovely home.



We had fun playing rounds of Scum and Wyoming Rummy our two nights in Glendale.The girls and I had a great time going shopping on Black Friday for 4 hours. The boys had a great time sleeping in, then going to check out the Cardinal's stadium. I'm amazing that all the stuff I bought was able to fit in the car for the drive home. But when you have a seriously amazing packer and organizer like Jessica with you, it can be done!

It was a real treat on Friday to enjoy another delicious Thanksgiving dinner- this time at Mom and David's, joined by the Griffins and Robertsons. We had a nice time visiting, eating, enjoying the awesome weather, and playing shuffleboard.





What trip to Mesa would be complete without a trip to Rosa's Mexican Restaurant? The food is incredible, and the atmosphere (especially at Christmas with all their fun decorations) is so fun. We loved the matinee afterwards of "The Blind Side." True stories about football players? It doesn't get any better for our family!

We loved being able to stay for two nights at the Skeens Winter Quarters. I'm sad beyond words that they're selling it, and this will be the last time we'll all stay there.

We loved spending some time with the Hoffmans. It was so exciting watching BYU pull out a win against the Utes with them, then just as fun for the girls (me and Lorene) to be victorious against the boys in two matches of ROOK! Woo hoo! The boys have all sorts of excuses, but that's just what they are. Better luck next time guys. It was so cool to see the next generation getting into the game just like their parents. I'm so glad we were able to spend time with our great friends, and only wished we could have seen the Frost's this trip as well- but they were out of town for the holiday.




It was sad to say goodbye to the Hatch's on Sunday- and incidentally Brody's 25th birthday- but I'm happy knowing this goodbye is only for a month- then they'll be home for 10 days for Christmas.

Thanks to everyone for their hospitality and for all the fun times. We'll never forget Thanksgiving 2009!