Christmas here, there, everywhere!!

We had some much fun this Christmas!! We were here, we were there, I guess we were a bit of everywhere for this vacation! Our first stop was a flight out of Milwaukee Wisconsin to Phoenix, Arizona on December 18th, but not until that afternoon. And in an effort to not be packing tons of gifts there amongst all our other belongings, our family had special communications with Santa this year and he had agreed with mom and dad that he would bring presents the morning before we left (Dec 18th) but he would save our stocking treats for Christmas morning in Arizona! Super Mario Wii!! This is for our whole family, but Hayden has really wanted this for a long time.

What boy doesn't just love remote control stuff. Both Hayden and Clayton received remote cars and helicopters. Hayden's are Red..his favorite color and Clayton's are Blue. My family actually bought some remote helicopters while we were in Arizona and all the kids were able to play with them there. I felt really bad for Clayton though, because when we came back home and he wanted to play with his own helicopter, but we found out that the on switch was broken from the inside of the helicopter. But on a good note, we were able to take it back and get store credit which he used in buying a new spider man watch that he wears everyday now!!

Each one of my boys went to the dollar store to buy something they thought was special for each person in our family. Nate took the boys to get presents for me and I took them on a different time so we could make it all a fun surprise for everyone.

We just loved that warm sunshine in Arizona!! While we were there we were able to visit The Marks Family who live in Vail AZ. We get along so great with this family and I have missed them a lot since they moved. It was so good to see all of them and how much the kids have grown and how happy they are. I only wish I would have thought to take some pictures while we were there, but we were busy enjoying each others company.

He is Justin being a little organizer in the kitchen pantry. He literally sat there for over a half an hour sorting the water bottles and stacking them in piles.

The new house of The Thompson Arizona Retreat is beautiful!! They were able to get a great deal on it and the back yard is amazing! We mostly only used the hot tub, unless there was a dare involved, which landed Nate and Emily at different times having to dive in the ice cold water! Nate lost at rock, paper, and scissors with Clayton and Emily lost the bet with Joe at their miniature golf game. The icy water didn't seem to effect the kids at all. Especially for Clay, he was in and out of that water like a mad man!

We can't go to Arizona without visiting the race track to cheer for Grandpa Delwyn's race horses. Lucky 6 wasn't so lucky that day, but Grandpa has had winners other times. That usually how if goes huh. Ya win some...Ya loss some.

Here are most of the Thompson grandkids. Left to right: Bailee, Calvin, Hayden, Eli, Clayton, Landon, Brooklyn. Missing from the picture: Justin, Quincy, Ryder, and baby Boston.

These four were hilarious!! It was so fun to see them all together playing, then wrestling, then running, mixed with a few toy wars but all together they got along really well!

ZOO!!!! Need I say more! Zoo's are always fun!

Sophie Lyn and Brooklyn Paige

On our estate sale fun, Grandma Barbara bought a big box full of men's pjs and socks and t-shirts that according to the seller had never been used all for $6 bucks. Mom (Grandma Mindy) bought a few more supplies and with the finds in the box, some extra fabric, and my mom's genius brain we had the cutest Nativity Scene ever!!

Clayton, Hayden, and Eli were Wise Men. Landon-Joseph. Brooklyn-Mary. Bailee and Quincy-Angels. Calvin and Justin-Shepherds. Boston-Baby Jesus.

Nate read the story of Christ birth from the New Testament, followed be a Christmas story read by Dad (Grandpa Ron).
Christmas morning is always fun and exciting for everyone. Kids opening stockings and presents from Grandpa Ron and Grandma Mindy. Clayton, Hayden, Eli, and Landon all received Huge Nerf guns that were really fun. You could aim and hit with point on accuracy. They took them to the park and had a Nerf battle on grass. They would start at the top of the hill everyone at different sides and then charge at each other!

We also visited the Mesa Arizona Temple. The grounds are all decorated with lights and Nativity scenes. Inside the visitors center they had over 100 Nativity sets on displayed from all over the world.

Miniature Golf!!

Watching all the kids play was quite funny.

Quincy Jo and I fun picture opt together while we were all out playing tennis!! She is so sweet and fun.

Nathan had to go back home to take care of things at his work so after a week in Arizona with us he flew home while we drove back to Idaho with my parents. I was excited to see my parents new addition to their house which turned out beautiful!! They treated us in so many ways especially with the crab dinner Mom and Dad put on. It was uplifting to spend time with my sisters and bro,and when I say that I am meaning their spouses as well because Lacie, Joe, and Trent are my sister and bros too! I miss them a lot being away. Its hard feeling like I miss so much some times, but I am so thankful for the technology that we have now with computers, phones, and the ability to share pictures so we can stay connected and up to date with each other. Such a great trip we can't wait to plan the next one.

Oh, and Clay thought it was really funny that on the day we traveled back home, we started in Idaho, drove to Utah, had a layover in Denver CO, landed in Milwaukee, WI, and drove another hour to our home in Illinois. Yes, Clay it was a crazy, long day and we were in five different states all in one day!!