Home for the Holidays

What a rough holiday this proved to be. The girls went to Dallas and we were apart for the first Christmas ever. I count my blessings that I was able to go home to Arizona with Bentley to be with my family for the holidays. It was one of the most emotional Christmases ever.

We got there the 23rd and immediately went to my favorite Tucson restaraunt- Eegees! This was in line.

Angie, Bentley, Destiny

Bentster

Desi with her Aunt Mandy. Can I just say that one of my very favorite things ever is when this little girl looks into my eyes. It's like she is always in awe. What must she see? I adore her and miss her and her brothers when we are away. :(

Oh, and look at our food spread. The best food!!!

He is a happy baby boy. Grandma loved playing with him.

We met Auntie Meg for lunch at... Eegees. That was my fourth trip there. It was about 18 degrees inside Eegees that day. So freaking cold and so worth it. Good food and the BEST, uplifting, conversation with a true friend.

Mom loves Barb. This picture makes my heart happy. Look at how happy momma is and how Barb is smiling at her. So sweet.

Meet Aiden (80) He is always lurking around the corner and is always ready to get into more trouble... this is Classic Aiden

look what he put in the toitey

This was mom and Bent after we ate at AFR (Arizona Family Restaurant). We ate there often growing up. I love this picture.

Some old guy asked if I wanted to be in the pic too. Of course I wanted one of me with my momma. I say old guy respectively- Green Valley is the retirement capital of the nation. :D They do all drive in their own golf cart lane with a maximum speed of 10mph.

Jenny and mom worked at the same place with Barb. Jenny and Bentley. A picture tells a thousand baby babbles

My angel baby on Christmas Eve

... and not so angel baby with Auntie's hairdo

... or in his swing . He's an escape artist, little stinker.

Christmas Morning (like butt crack of dawn early morning). My baby boy looking at the stud muffin in the mirror. Such a sweetie.

Miss Destiny got an easel for Christmas and she liked to play school. This was the "Morning Message" Angie and I found:

Today is Thursday. Destiny's favorite thing is to play baseball.

My favorite part: frabi

Doesn't that melt you.

80. He makes me smile when he talks to me and wants to show me around. He has really come out of his shell and impressed me this visit.

Nolie. This was after he hid inside his shirt to avoid my camera and mad skills

Desi will let me take five thousand pictures of her! She loves me so much. :)

This picture makes me happy. My baby was so happy to be around family. He is my sunshine.

Me and baby boy before church.

Classic! Look at my handsome dad. Leaving him ripped my heart out this trip. I had two heart wrenching good-byes. One at my dad's and the next day at the airport with my sis and mom. :(

HOWEVER, this was taken on a day that will be one of my favorite memories with my dad. He picked me up from my dentist appt and we winged some plans (well I knew I planned it all along) and went to Luke's Deli and had such a fun time with yummy food. Then we went shopping (yes so fun) and Verizon (not so fun but always fun with dad)! I had such a great day.

What do you know- more of us eating! :) One of my favorite things to do, right? Go out to eat! Angie, Me and Bent at BJ's. They have the best pazookies. Leave it to me to know where to get good desserts. They make their own Root Beer too and have yummy Strawberry Lemonades.

Momma with us at BJ's

Get over here Auntie!

The night before the snow came in. It was freezing and dad was grilling out for us. What's a visit home without a night of grilling. Just wouldn't be the same! Just like quad rides and this visit our quad ride was about ten minutes long with frozen popsicle hands and feet. Though I won't forget the sunset and little girl on the back of mine. Life consists of memories that touch your heart and change you for the better.

Snow day. It only stuck on the trampoline so the kids had a blast out there. We stayed in and enjoyed it. Aiden flew right on off this trampoline but it didn't phase him one bit.

Bentley and grandma at her office.

The girls. How can words express how I feel about these two women? We are all one in some unexplainable way. They know me best. We had such a fabulous visit and when it's time to go it feels like it will rip your heart out. I love my family so much and am so grateful for who I am because of them and for all they give to me in way of support and unconditional love and example.

Noah, we love you and your family. Thank you so much for opening your home up to us. I am praying for you in your knee recovery. You are a special man.