Shayne had to be in Phoenix most all of last week for work. Shayla and I joined him for about 48 hours this weekend. It was not long enough, but we have been gone way too much. (And trust me we have absolutely NOHTING on the books in terms of travel and I hope it stays that way for many months to come!) As we used to say with Christi, from one of her Berenstain Bear books she loved, "It's nice to go; it's nice to roam, but it's always best to come back home!" Regardless, I'm so grateful we were together for the weekend and that we were able to spend precious time with Shayne's side of the family! They are awesome!
Now this is the way to see the zoo lights! NOT in Toledo or Columbus, Ohio, but in Phoenix Arizona! I remember the time when I thought I put all of the second layers of warm clothes for the girls in the van and when we arrived, in freezing cold temperatures, I realized I had forgotten little Christi's winter coat! Shayne and our Japanese exchange student at the time, took off layers of their clothes and we wrapped her up. Her new sleeves hung way over her tiny arms, but she LOVED the zoo lights. As she got older she became quite scared around Santa. I'm so glad she died still believing in the jolly old elf!
Zoo lights with the best sister-in-law in the world! Aunt V!! I remember flying out to Arizona for a visit when Christi was 1 1/2. We practiced with her saying, "Aunt V! Aunt V!" She had it! It was going to be great when she saw her aunt, but when we landed it was over 100 degrees (August) and all she kept saying was, "Hot! Hot!" It was so funny! Not at all what we had been training her to do on the plane! Chrsiti definitely had a mind of her own!
Shayla thought this was one of the best horse rides she'd ever been on. I really liked it too; I had a great horse, but it was not the very best in my book. That would have to be Bermuda! Oh, of course their was the time we took the girls to lessons and just sat and watched them ride around the ring; now that's the way to ride horses!
An early morning ride through the desert on Saturday morning with a great trail guide. Who knew there really are wild horses in Arizona?! I didn't really believe that until I saw them with my own eyes. We also saw snakes, a jackrabbit and learned there were coyotos nearby too. Amazing!
This lunch went by too quickly! I am grateful I was able to catch up with my cousin while we were in Phoenix! The trip was much too short (as always)!
Aren't these three the cutest little ones?! I love them! We just don't get to see enough of them!
Shayla tried her hand riding on a mechanical bull. She loved it! And since she was asked for her ID in a bar waiting for our table in NYC and also by a TSA agent when we flew out on Friday, Let's keep her out of the bars where I hear they have them too. LOL!
I was so touched to look at all of our family pictures and see this one because of the two orbs - one large and one small. It's lovely to think of Christi and my dad, especially on Christmas morning!
Pic: Before mass on Christmas Eve. Our wonderful priest made my day when he told me he shared my message in my Christmas card with others. It basically said to enjoy the day and not clean up all of that wrapping paper; it's a great mess! (Of course, I could not listen to my own words as my sweet mother-in-law told me as I was hustling to clean up the living room quickly because the mess was driving me crazy!)
How fantastic to also have a beautiful grandma join us for Christmas!
My two awesome sweeties on Christmas morning!
