Jardine's

Today Jardine's closed their doors forever. My grandpa started this business around 40 years ago and as Bob wrote in Grandpa's obituary, it was a place where "all were treated fairly and always with a smile." For the past two and a half years, after my grandpa's death, my mom and aunt have carried on the business with the same philosophy. They have made so many good friends with customers from the store (they got so close to one that she invited them to their temple wedding) and they have the best stories to tell (like hiding a woman on the run from her psycho husband). Andy, Tony, and I, plus most every other family member had our chance to work there for summer, after school, and bi-yearly floor cleaning jobs. How fun it is to keep it all in the family.
So, today we went over to celebrate the legacy by pouring our last soda, or in the boys' case, drinking their last bug juice and stealing their last conversation hearts from Dawna's office. Going to the store has been heaven for the boys--several aisles of candy, endless supply of popcorn and fried chicken, and, well basically all the sugar imaginable. Good bye store, thanks for the memories.

Christmas in Utah

We arrived in Utah late last night, and when we got home we saw Santa had left some loot there for us as well. And I really can't believe the other family members had enough self restraint to wait until we got there to open it all up! Again we were totally spoiled. I didn't realize the boys were so good this year. Thank you Santa, Grandma, and Grandpa!

For this final picture, we told the boys to pick their favorite present to hold. I love that Jack picked his box of fishy crackers.
Merry, merry Christmas!

Christmas in Arizona

Christmas morning, Max woke up around 6 am and wandered up to find Nanny like he usually does. He found poor Nanny working as Santa's elf, still awake from the night before, and she sent him back to bed. Slowly everyone woke up for the day's festivities. Except silly Max who we finally woke up around 9. We gathered up in Nanny's room to rush down the stairs to see what Santa left us in our stockings. And believe it or not, out of all the fun stuff in those stockings, the boys' favorite was the fruit by the foot.
After the stockings, we ran into the living room to see what Santa left under the tree. Max was very polite and grabbed a present that was to Grandpa before searching for all his own. But then it was every man for himself--except if Max was helping you. We were certainly spoiled with so many fun things like Thomas trains, tennis rackets, coloring books, and tape measures. What more could we ask for. Thank you, thank you Santa, Nanny, and Grandpa.

But the day wasn't even close to being over. We still had family pictures (it was the only time we could get the whole family together, and even then, we still had to go take the pictures at someone's place of employment), do our gift exchange, and eat our big Christmas feast. We had such a wonderful Christmas and boy do we love this family!

Getting Ready for Christmas

We have had a week full of fun here in Arizona getting ready for Christmas. We celebrated Blake's birthday, which is definitely a part of preparing for Christmas.
We decorated gingerbread houses. (Don't you love Jack's "gingerbread house?" This boy was in candy heaven!)
We opened up an early present and spent some quality time trying it out.
We spent a lot of time playing with cousins.
And A LOT of time resting. (One day we found Max laying under the piano just staring at the Christmas tree. I don't think he ever fell asleep, but he was laying there for a good 45 minutes.)
And all of this happened before Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve we started the festivities with some Mi Amigos food and then the party really started. First was a story about Santa's bag by Nanny. Max loved it and was so anxious to help put the different colored bag on the flannel board.Instead of the Santa story, Jack opted for a less traditional story from Ashley--Dumbo.
Then was the talent show. The three oldest grandkids all took turns playing the piano and after that there was an array of talents from cartwheels to donkey kicks. Max chose to play a very beautiful number on the piano, like the big kids, and Jack chose to play a duet.
Next on the program was the family band.
And then the reading of Luke 2 portrayed by this lovely group of actors.
Max took his role as a shepherd very seriously. And I think at this point Jack was in sneaking candy from the kitchen.
Afterwards everyone loaded up on the trailer to drive around the neighborhood and look at the luminaries and lights.
The entire night was absolutely perfect. Nanny did such a good job--it makes me really nervous to be in charge of Christmas. Or maybe we'll always go somewhere else so I never have to.
And to all--a good night.

Christmas in San Francisco

If you don't live in the Bay Area, you've probably never heard this song, but every time I hear it I get chills. I love it. I think I'm too sentimental...or too pregnant. Merry Christmas!

Christmas in San Francisco
There is no place quite so dear
It’s the closest thing to heaven
How I wish that you were here

BR31

Happy 31st Blake! I never knew Blake's initials were so popular. It's just too bad I couldn't find a huge 31 poster like last year's 30 poster! This could end up being quite the collection. We had such a fun party tonight to celebrate. So, here's to the best husband, father, son, brother, and uncle ever! Happy Birthday! I love you, Blake!P.S. My favorite part of the day was the conversation when Blake got home from work. It was the first time Max had seen him all day.
Max: Hey, guess what today is.
Blake: What?
Max: It's somebody's birthday.
Blake: Whose?
Max: I'll give you a hint. He's a big boy.
Blake: You?
Max: No. I already had my birthday. I'll give you another hint. He sleeps in a big boy bed.
Blake: Grandpa?
Max: No. His big boy bed is in a yellow house.
Blake: ME?!?
Max: You got it.

Love it.

Viva Mexico!

We made a super quick trip down to Mexico this weekend and it was so much fun. Jack's first time south of the border did not disappoint. And really, all the gazillions of pictures speak for themselves:

And what would a trip to Mexico be without some sort of car/tire disaster?
Exhibit 1: December 2003--Overheating and tire blow out
Exhibit 2: December 2004--Fire
And now, Exhibit 3: December 2009--Another blowout
Thank you Grandpa for the fun mini-vacation (and for knowing how to change a tire)! Viva Mexico!