Christmas 2012 in Arizona

 The family group minus Elder King

 Christmas Eve 2012

 Dan and Chelsea came quickly over from the Kingstons.  We expected Kendals call around 8 pm and it came at 7:20. 

 Kendal and his companion Elder Larionov (from Moscow).  They are currently serving in Chelyabinsk.

 We asked about the most unpleasant thing he has had to eat and he said carbonated horse milk.  The temp outside was 20 below zero. 

 Sweet Marco was sick.  After Christmas Courtney took him to the doctor and he had an ear infection and RSV / bronchitis.

 Watching a movie.

 The toys Santa brought. 

 Opening presents.

 Marci, Sam and Grandpa on Christmas day.

 Christmas morning brunch and tamales steaming on the stove for the next meal. 

 Family gift exchange game.

 Aubrey enjoying Sam.

 Bunk bed action.

 Nathan determined to figure out the transformer.

 Cousin super heroes.

 Sam probably enjoying NOT being held.

 James and Bracken playing great together.

 Nathan really enjoyed the guitar.

 Grandma and James.

Going shopping in Curtis's stick-shift truck.

Basketball

 I am behind on the basketball season because blogger was not letting me do picture posts.

 Aubrey is a Sophomore on varsity and is a starter.  She is doing much better this year.  Last year she played a lot and  said she was scared most of the time.

 Basketball is very physical.  There is a lot of pushing going on.

 Aubrey does quite well with her foul shots.

 A great rebound.

the view

This is now the view from our kitchen window, facing south.  A firehouse is being built.  Just before all the action of construction started, there was a huge pile of dirt that had been there for about a year.  Our view south was not all that wonderful before.  I learned the land belongs to the city and whoever tried to farm the ground did a fairly poor attempt at a crop.  But, it did offer more of an "open" feeling. 

Halloween 2012

 It is no secret that I don't care much for Halloween, BUT I love FALL.  These pumpkins will be on the porch until Christmas decorations are put out. 

 Aubrey made this at mutual one year.

 I saw these window stickers and thought they were appropriate for a teenager. 

Aubrey searched the dress-up container and came up with one of the best costumes we ever bought.  We certainly have gotten our money's worth with this one. 
AND YES, I will be making my hamburger/vegetable stew to off set all the candy.

3rd place at State VB

 They awarded the trophy right after the loss to Firth.  Most of the girls have tear filled eyes.  They wanted to keep  playing and winning. 

 When two courts are going we have to sit far up and the gym is noisy and a bit chaotic.

 I liked these pictures of Aubrey bouncing the VB along like a little pet. 

 Aubrey in her SERIOUS mode.

A great hit right down the line.

trip to Sioux Falls

 The view from their front room window and the rental car, a Fiat 500.  Small but kinda fun to drive. 

 Front yard.

 backyard

 view from the deck

 James playing in his usual spot.

 I am not very good at "extended arm" picture taking.  My finger covered the flash.

 James watched the Toy Story movie everyday I was there. (Not on Sunday)

It was hard for me to leave, as usual, but we will see each other in two months, at Christmas, in Arizona.