December 2013: Christmas with Our New Mexico Family

This year, we had another wonderful pre-Christmas visit with each of our children in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. We have dinner in their homes and open Christmas gifts together. We want to continue this one-on-one family tradition as long as we can. Then on Christmas day, we have the whole family over for a nice Christmas meal or take them out to eat--without all the gift opening. 

 I finally made Milo and Tyler's Christmas stockings to hang during the holidays

 The rest of our Christmas stockings 

On our children's pre-holiday schedule, our first visit was to Jared and Jenny's home in Santa Fe on December 10th:

 Jenny with her new pair of dress shoes

 Check out these pumps!

 A very happy and excited smile from our #1 grandson, Mario

 I knew Jenny would LOVE this dress!

 Mario and Milo tear into their Christmas presents from Grandma and Grandpa

 A sleepy-eyed Milo eating cake and ice cream after take-out Chinese food

Oops, I think he's perking up with the sugar!

There's our sweet, happy-faced Milo
Merry Christmas Jared, Jenny, Mario, and Milo!

Our second visit was to Jacob and Shauna's home on the southwest side of town on December 11th.

 Tyler opens his Christmas stocking with mommy's help

Look at that cute little face

Ooh, what could this big toy be?

Tyler studies the gift before the box is removed

Jacob figures out another toy while Tyler checks out his Lightning McQueen rider

Checking out the mechanics of his car

Tyler likes the noises and sounds on the steering wheel

And away he goes! What a "big boy" you are Tyler!

Good gift choice, Grandma

Merry Christmas Jacob, Shauna, and Tyler!

Our third visit was to Sam and Kiley's apartment near the UNM campus on December 13th:

Kiley made sweet pulled pork salads in crunchy taco shells for our dinner

 Looks so yummy--let's hurry and dig in!

 Sam's been counting calories, and this dish is a winner

 Kiley did an awesome job making this healthy meal from scratch!

 Time to clean the dishes before we open presents

 Kiley and Sam with their "loot"!

 So much fun with these cute lovebirds

Merry Christmas Sam and Kiley!

Our final visit was to Jessica and Sebastian's apartment in the Northwest part of Albuquerque on December 16th.

 Hudson tears into his gifts 

 New toys and books for grandson #2

 Seb and Jess and their lovely Christmas tree

Guess which gift Hudson liked best? The truck shaped box that the books came in!

Merry Christmas Sebastian, Jessica, and Hudson!

On Christmas day after each family had their own "Christmas" together, we treated them out to a late lunch at the new Buffet King Restaurant near our home:

Sweet couple, Shauna and Jacob at Buffet King

 

Our cute grandson, Tyler with a chocolate covered face

Tyler has fun wherever he goes!

Shauna's brother, Justin, and their dad, Doug Wallace join us for lunch

First-time expectant parents, Kiley and Sam

I wish we'd taken more photos of the rest of the family, but you know how it is--especially at an all-you-can eat buffet! Merry Christmas dear children and grandchildren. We love you all so much!

December 17-22, 2012: How We Spent Our Christmas Vacation

This year, Mike and I decided to visit his side of the family in Idaho the week before Christmas, especially since we visited my side of the family earlier. We stayed with his mother, Joy, and visited each of his siblings and their families. It was a wonderful, memorable trip! Here are some photos of our Idaho visit.

Cold and stormy weather on our way to Idaho

We finally arrived at Mom/Joy's house after 14 hours of driving

Joy opening her belated birthday gifts. 

What did she get?

A meal we made for Joy one evening: Green salad with Balsamic Honey dressing,
red baked potatoes, and grilled ribeye steak

Connie opens her belated birthday gifts and knows it's not pop or candy

A pretty, colorful top for Connie

She can tell it's more of the same!

 Another pretty top for the birthday girl

Lunch date at Chili's with Joy and Connie

Connie's disappointed that they don't have Pepsi

Joy with her youngest and eldest children, Mike and Connie

Full stomachs and happy hearts after a fun outing together

December 21, 2012--On our last full day in Idaho, we had a family gathering and potluck dinner at Julie and Brad's house.

Siblings, Jordan and Heidi Hatch hanging out at home


Brothers, Jonathan and Kendall "Kenny" Hatch 

Scott and Gabby Hobbs with daughters, Mila and Elina


Scott holding Elina, and wife Gabby

Scott and baby Caelum--so cute!

Scott and cousin, Angela enjoying the family potluck

Serving counter in the Hatch kitchen

Scott and Gabby's oldest daughter, Kina

Gabby and son Caelum with her in-laws, Steve and Linda Hobbs

Grandpa Steve with Gabby and Caelum

Mike's brother, Steve--a real sweetheart of a guy

Mama Julie Hatch with four of her grown chidren: Jordan, Kendall, Jonathan, and Heidi

Nathaniel "Nate" is feeling left out, so make room for him!

Papa Brad Hatch in their living room

Joy and Tammy Hobbs

Joy with children, Mike, Steve, Julie, and Dan: a "joyful" reunion

December 22, 2012--On our way back to New Mexico, we stopped in Utah to see my twin sister and her family, who were all together at her daughter's new home in beautiful Eagle Mountain. Here are some photos from our visit with the Lemmon's and Loch's.

Chris Loch waiting to greet us outside his lavish Eagle Mountain home in Utah

Jennifer and Chris (below) show us one of the pretty
bathrooms while Mike takes pictures with our iphone

Chris Loch, the "man of the house"

Kristin, Gordon, and Raquel Lemmon relaxing in the Loch's living room

Howard and Cathy Lemmon happy to spend the holidays with all their children and
grandchildren (who were all asleep by the time Mike and I arrived late that evening)

Jennifer, Warren, and Chris 

Gordon, Raquel, and Evan Lemmon