Christmas happened!

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Not too long ago, right? We high-tailed it south of the boarder to hang our ornaments via cactus needles in beautiful Tucson AZ. A little later than we anticipated... I missed an important email from Southwest and we missed out flight!! Thank goodness, and I don't know how it was managed, but we were able to get on a direct flight the next morning, putting us in on Christmas eve afternoon, just in time to make cookies!!






Nate's first go at the cookie thing. 



This is a typical Brock style. goo heap followed by a hefty dollop of sprinkles.

We have a most creative or most unique design contest each year. I forget who the winner was, but I am sure that George Michael tribute reindeer to the left might have been a contender. 

"oh, fresh Alaskan crab. How droll". 

What a feast indeed.


A sample of what was to come the next morn.

One of my favorite holiday traditions and favorite taste sensations on Earth is mom's homemade donuts that she makes with my grandma's recipe.

Brock is learning the tradition.



  


Now, we wait. The dough rises overnight and is fried to magic perfection come the morn of Christmas future.

 
and the much anticipated morning has arrived! "Santa, you and I both know I haven't been THIS good". sheesh.

 Jake and Joanne have been saving up Nate's Christmas Carol ensemble for some time. Its debut was much enjoyed and set the festive scene.

The boys with Jake and I's stockings when we were kids. They opened their sock treats while mom got the donuts going.


  Pre-donut nibble to entice the first blooms a raging sugar high.






There are many stages two the donuts. Here we are cutting out the ready dough first thing Christmas morning.




From the primordial dough arises...

pure yeast-tastic majesty.



It shall be eaten.

Now onto the main event! packages of joy! Brock takes on Matt's traditional role of passing out the gifts.

He now recognizes our (Holly, Matt, mom, dad, Brock) names on paper, but the other family members required some prompting.












Brock's gift from Santa was a new kind of marble set. Although quite challenging for a child to put together, it was certainly enjoyed by the youngsters. Mom and dad actually got this set for Jake back in the day, Jake will have to search for it in the garage to satisfy Nate's crave for the roll-y thing.

and the unwrapping goes on...

and on



 Then from within a box it came...

THE GUP-A!!! No friggen way!! 



and on

and on

pause. snuggle cat, pacify, look at tree.

and on again!

Apparently Nate's infatuation dejours are cats and dump trucks.


I have no idea why Brock is in a different outfit here. I'm thinking this is MORE presents after nap? Anyhow, more presents. Magnatiles from cuz Nate, awesomeness.




Yeah. looks like a nap was somewhere in there.

After a smashing Christmas morning, we head over to Uncle Steve and Aunt Sue's for Christmas dinner. Jackie and Jenny, some of our favorite cousins are there to to help entertain. Here Nate prepares for his Nobel prize portrait in Aunt Sue's very adult baby chair.

We then head out to enjoy the lovely 53 degrees.

Gup-A is not to miss out on the fun.







And a magical Christmas it was.

Next morning we head out to the Tucson Children's museum. Just another jab in the side as Matt and I confirm that Chicago has the most lack-luster children's museum we are aware of.







Brock wanted NOTHING to do with a giant blue unicorn. You're no son of ours.

"I shall ponder the evolution of the pine cone while you crazies mount an imaginary one horned abomination of a hoofed mammal."








Matt and Brock attempt to center on the balance scale. Matt gets the hang of it and stays on for a record amount of time (aka... looks like a big goof for a record amount of time, ((you can't tell I am a bit jealous of his awesome score, can you?)))




"Yes, I drive a carrot, what of it?"

"OMG, I'm driving a carrot!"


OH splendid fun was had.

We had a ladies shopping some afternoon and the boys played with toys. This picture is all I have to go on. I'm afraid to see anymore.

Next day we are off to the Desert Museum. Our favorite. Just a beautiful place. That the little boys did not give a hoot about. Sigh.








Brock wanted to spend the whole time in our spider house (as pictured above). Nothing else could compare. Once he had a taste of spider house, all the other splendors of the Desert Museum were dead to him.




meh. How bout that spider house?




find the humming bird!

Amazing raptor show with swooping birds of prey! Amazing! Spider house please.

Is it already that time? Time to say goodbye?!! tis so. We snap our annual Christmas photo and lament adieus, hugging fondly and planning the next adventure.
Thank you Grandma and Grandpa donut and Aunt and Uncle sow and little sowlet for final shot. A shot that I or Matt of course did not take. Because we don't seem to do that. And I end all massive communal family blog posts thanking either Joanne or Melinda for playing photographer all trip. So, THANK YOU Joanne!! Love you all!

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