Dec. 2009 in AZ and UT

Christine and Evelyn on Christmas morning at Mary Ann's brunch.

Evelyn loves her sunglasses and even sleeps in them!

Allan and I went to Nephi, UT, on Dec. 26 to see family and friends. Allan left on Dec. 29, and I left on Dec. 31 to go back to AZ.

Here are my nephews Fellipe and Jonathan playing computer games.

They're both whizzes at it!

Nilva made this delicious Brazilian dinner for us with baked salmon, shrimp, and rice with vegetables over cabbage. Yum!

The chef Nilva with the delicious food she made.


Allan, Susan, Wayne and his son Matthew in Nephi

Allan and his missionary companion Danny went snowshoeing to an ice cave near Riverton, Utah, on Monday, Dec. 28. After the boys were done, we went to Tucanos, a Brazilian restaurant in Provo, UT. While they played, I went to see "Blind Side" at Provo Town Center.
Allan with an ice pick.

Here are the falls where the boys went climbing.

Danny on the mountain

Danny grabbed a tree.

My dear friend Vicki and I at IHOP in American Fork, UT, on Monday, Dec. 28 for breakfast.

Christmas Morning - Drew with his toys

Baby Lincoln, 8 months, was all smiles at the Christmas brunch at Mary Ann and Kent's.

Grandma Susan holding Lincoln.

He enjoyed his cookie - the parts he didn't get all over my pants!

My nephew Matthew with his family:

l-r: Duncan, Jonathan, Matthew, Kaisa Lisa, Michelle

Christmas Eve 2009 at Millie's house

(Millie is Melia's great-aunt.)
We went to Millie's for tamales after the program at her church.
l - r: Katie, Susan, Allan with Melia in front

Jordan and Katie on Christmas Eve

Baskets I made for the married kids

They had an apple/parer/corer/slicer,

the movie "Forever Strong," Martinelli Sparkling Cider and apples.

Allan giving Melia two gerbils in a cage.

The dog Koda was very excited. You could tell he was licking his chops. He whined and barked at them. It really made us laugh. He's still whining at them. I'm sure he's thinking they're dinner!

Melia with the hamsters and Koda looking on

Melia in her beautiful red and black Christmas dress from her Nana Mary and Papa John

MMelia was in a Christmas program at her cousin's church on Christmas Eve.

She got to say a part about Mary, the mother of Jesus:

"She's going to have a baby!"

Jordan and Allan at Millie's on Christmas Eve

Bear and Mary at Millie's (Melia's uncle and grandma)

Susan, Katie and Melia all dressed in red at Millie's on Christmas Eve

Susan all ready for the Winter Semi-Formal in Scottsdale on Dec. 18.

The dance was beautiful. The decorations were outstanding, and the food was delicious.

Natalie in the Queen Creek Christmas parade with her dance troupe on Dec. 5. They had to dance for over a mile on Haws Road - from Chandler Heights to Ocotillo Road.

Allan had a super fun Christmas party with about 30 friends at our house on Dec. 23. Here he is opening his gift at the white elephant gift exchange. Alas, someone else wanted it!

He ended up with a gift certificate to Cold Stone Creamery.

Koda really wanted those hamsters. He goes a little crazy when he hears them chirping or going on their treadmill.

There are two hamsters - Squeaky and Scratchy.

Melia loves them!

They like to play in their cage.

Melia turned 5 on Dec. 3. We took her to Rain Forest Cafe at AZ Mills in Tempe.

She got to blow out a birthday candle.

John, Melia's Papa, and Allan at Peter Pieper Pizza for Melia's birthday party.

A lot of family and friends came to celebrate.

Micah, Jordan, Melia and Katie in front of Melia's birthday cake

What can I say? She loves Spiderman!