Albuquerque Hobbs: December 18-January 1, 2023-24: The Holidays, get-togethers, and outings with our family

We had a LOT of family over during December and early January for Christmas and New Year's. We also enjoyed a fun Art Night for Tyler, Elise, and Brandon with their family; had Jessica's family over for an early Christmas; enjoyed a fun movie and dinner treat (at Golden Corral) for our Christmas dinner with Jacob's family; had Jacob's family over on Christmas day with lunch and gifts; enjoyed Christmas dinner with Jessica's family including Seb's parents; enjoyed Sam's family's six-day visit; attended Elijah's beautiful baptism with both sides of our family; went to the River of Lights with Sam's family; went to Top Golf with Jessica's family--a first for me and Mike; enjoyed Jonny Hatch's family's overnight visit; and hosted a BBQ for the entire Albuquerque gang plus Jonny's family, 25 of us in all (10 adults, 14 children, and a baby)! Sam grilled all the hamburgers and hotdogs for us--yum!

In addition to all the family gatherings, I volunteered in Sofia's kindergarten class again in December; visited my mom once or twice a week; babysat Sofia and Beau and took them out to see a movie; had friends over for food and Canasta; got through many Duo Lingo Spanish lessons; treated the Dunlap's to a movie outing; and got together with our neighbors (Dot and Mike Contois) across the street for dinners and games a few times!

December 16th: Sofia and Beau dressed in holiday cheer at Century Rio 24 to see "Wonka" with me. Hudson and Hannah were sick that day. In fact, many of our grandchildren and adult children have been sick a LOT this past year. I'm hoping that 2024 will be better than 2023.

The most lit up house with Christmas lights in the Dunlap neighborhood and synchronized to Christmas music!

Ken and Ann Nunez' awesome and realistic Nativity in their front yard. They live across the street from Jess and Seb.

December 18th: Ready for our early Christmas with Jess and Seb's family

We went on a movie outing with the Dunlap family (we watched Disney's "Wish") followed by hot cocoa, wassail, and snacks back at the house.

The kids being silly and "cool" with a "Mean Girls" movie trailer poster

December 20th: Outside Desert Willow Family School's Art Night fundraiser with Jacob's family. The art exhibits were beautiful, and Tyler, Elise, and Brandon's art was amazing! Wish I had taken some photos inside their classes.

Elise with her good school friend

Love this sweet family!

December 25th: We were invited to join the Dunlap family for Christmas dinner! We had delicious smoke beef brisket (compliments to Sebastian), potatoes, roasted veggies, and a beautiful layered Jello dessert that Jessica made for Christmas. I only have a picture of her jello for this blog. We played a new Burrito game upstairs that Beau wanted us to play, and it was a bit confusing!

December 26th: We had our annual holiday dinner with the Dunlap family. This year I served Chicken Madeira, green beans with bacon, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, BBQ meatballs, a green salad, and fresh fruit. We had a fun time together as always.

Geoff and Peggy Dunlap, visiting from Kirkland Washington for a week

Playing a card game called "Idiot" with the Dunlap's

My "birds nest" 4-layer chocolate cake (for Peggy)

A hug from Peggy for making her a chocolate cake

December 30th: Elijah's exciting baptismal day!

Eli asked his grandpa Kevin Kartchner to give the Baptismal talk and for me to give the talk on the Holy Ghost. That was special! Little Noah was tired and cranky most of the day and especially at the church.