belting out the christmas carols

and we've (almost) made it to christmas!!!  the past few weeks have been filled with amazing christmas traditions - they look a little different each year as the kids get older.  in particular, we were reminiscing about how the gingerbread cookies have evolved from when the kids were super little.  now that (again, almost) all of the gifts are wrapped and we are about as ready as we can be (and i'm done working for a few days!!!), i can sit back and be so grateful and appreciate this moment with friends and family.  

going back a few weeks ago, poor max threw up on the bus on the way to school (in true max-form, as cleanly as possible!).  he was absolutely fine, but i was able to get a TON done on my day at home with this guy.

i had not one, but two pups to take to daycare!!

gingerbread cookie decorating at gigi's house!!

 some of my faves from el this year:

a cat stormtrooper

harry potter - she later found a candy mustache which she broke in half to make his scar

and a pikachu for max!

great job, kiddos!!

that following friday, max and i went to zoo lights

we ended that weekend with our wagon ride through winterhaven.

and tamale-making!!!!

max's christmas party at school

so the kids have developed a sweet relationship with roger's co-working, thomas.  he will call roger periodically "after hours" to discuss things, and roger will put the kids on the phone.  one day, "mr. thomas" called to talk to roger about working on a missile contract and max developed a plan to help mr. thomas:

oh, man this kid!

last friday, he finally earned his purple belt!!!

congrats, max!!!!  we are so proud of you!!

saturday morning, we were off to see star wars the rise of skywalker.  

it was a fantastic movie and loved watching max and josie together.  

then off to celebrate christmas with jill before her trip to seattle.

finally, ella was an altar server for the first time on sunday.  she did an awesome job - yay, ella!!!  sad i didn't get a pic of her in her robe and belt, but she looked super grown-up and we are so proud of you, little lady!

Zoo lights, tamale-making, gingerbread cookie decorating, school holiday parties, movies, sports, church...are all part of your family holiday traditions. Maintaining your blog allows your family to look back at all the events, evolutions, and good times. It's a wonderful way to record and preserve your family's memories! - Love, Auntie Elaine

a happy friendsgiving and 34/40: tucson half marathon

leftover pic of all the kiddos from top golf night

november 27th marked bailey's first birthday in heaven. you are still very missed, little pup!

we had a reunion with our crew and the kaufmans, who are now living in colorado.  so good to see these friends and catch up!

happy thanksgiving!!!!

we spent the day busy with football-watching, cooking and eating the delicious food.  we missed auntie elaine and her capturing the festivities with her camera!!

our sunset walk with auntie meegan who came to visit!

we spent the rest of the (rainy) weekend hanging out with auntie meegan and watching plenty of friends.  

and a hike to bridal wreath falls!  loved having you here, meegan - we miss you already!

my thanks to my children for participating (unwillingly) in my impromptu photo shoot in the front yard.  you guys clean up nicely.  

roger hopefully has a break in travel (he's been gone every week since before halloween).  jenny and i had our annual trek up to the hilton el conquistador for the tucson half marathon!

no popsicles this time...but there was beer.

2:45:28 and finished 597/691.  oops.  i seriously blame the beer stop.  i don't care anymore.  6 to go!!!

continuing on my never-ending day, meanwhile, max had his first reconciliation retreat, then we all met up at brandi fenton park for the RAM family picnic (the group that roger works for).  ALL three of us won raffle tickets to pie roger in the face.  except max pied roger's co-worker that max thought was cute...  oh, max.  

and max certainly came out of his shell and MC'd the event!!  so entertaining!!

then onto ella's ornament workshop.  love that ms. julie featured 2 of ella's ornaments in her examples.

we also got the bowl that ella made in her clay workshop.  it was in honor of george.  it has been six months and i still miss him every single day.  you did a beautiful job, ella.  

on sunday, max made his first reconciliation!!  congrats maxwell, we are so proud of you!!

then we wrapped up our fun weekend with the christmas show at gaslight theatre!

all of the kiddos with mike yarema, one of the show's leading actors.  such a fun and awesome night with this crew!!

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Although we missed sharing the day with your family, we enjoyed traveling to our kids and sharing time with the grandsons in their west coast homes. We are glad Meegan enjoyed time with your family during the Thanksgiving period. Love samples from the photo shoot for your Christmas cards. Such beautiful faces! Congrats on another run under your belt. Love the idea of a beer stop..or a popsicle stop...during the run. Looking forward to more holiday fun coming up! - Love, Auntie Elaine