CHRISTMAS

 Since we spent Christmas in AZ with Carly's family and Abby and Kevin, we had an early Christmas Eve with the Ellsworth's. We enjoyed our usual scones with fillings for dinner, and then retired to the family room for more celebrating.

 Ethan's "selfie"!

 We weren't sure the kids would still want to do it, but they willingly participated in our traditional Nativity play.

 Mary and Joseph.

Shepherds.

 Addie was excited about presents.

 Avery admiring a picture of Stella.

 Jackson and Daniel after their haircuts.

We left for AZ a few days before Christmas and Carly and Rich found fun things for us to do. We went out for lunch before embarking on a three mile hike to the Wind Caves. 

 It got pretty rocky and somewhat steep toward the top, but Audra and Bella made it all the way.

 It was pretty up at the top. The area was all desert, with giant cacti and bushes and rocks. It's a hike you wouldn't want to make in the heat of summer!

 Bella loved being right by Kevin's side at all times!

 Don't they look cute and snuggly?

 There was a lot of yoga and pilates and such going on.

 Rich's family does more of a production on Christmas Eve than our family does, but the idea is the same- to remember Christ's birth and what it means to us. Evan and Bella were Mary and Joseph in their Nativity play. The Ewer's, Rich's sister and brother in law, are always very welcoming when we go with Carly and Rich. This is the third time we've done it.

We missed seeing Joey and Katie and the boys, but looks like they had a good Christmas too.

 Christmas morning-

 Bella loves babies, and she got this doll with a sling so she could carry her around.

 We had a marshmallow roast our last night there.

 Jake made a delicious Christmas dinner for his kids in Reno.

 Katy posted this great picture of her and the kids and the Snowman, Olaf, they made when it snowed in Yucaipa.

 Stella in her Christmas outfit.

Audra having her first cooking lesson. Her mom is giving her lessons as a Christmas gift.