Arizona

After dropping off Elizabeth in New Mexico, Lee headed to Arizona to spend time with his brother and his family. In addition to quality family time, Mike played tour guide, taking Lee within yards of the Mexican border, as well as introducing him to hiking in the southwest. Despite a too close for comfort encounter with a rattlesnake, Lee really enjoyed the time he spent out there and is looking forward to future trips. 

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve with Lee's family, at his Aunt Margie's house, as we do every year.  I have to say, this was the most fun I've ever had at this event.  The girls are old enough to keep track of their own gifts so it was just fun to watch them and all of the little ones tear through their gifts.  Watching Alison's kids and Matt's kids was especially exciting as they are all at that prime age for Christmas excitement.

We took a few photos before we headed out to the festivities!

Emily is the selfie queen (above and two below)

Legend has it that there used to be even more gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve but this is the most I've ever seen.

As Alison said, the kids were "vibrating with excitement".

Christmas Eve Morning

We had the chance to spend Christmas with Mike, Kelly, Felix and Theo as they came back east for the first time during the holidays.  Even though Theo was a bit under the weather, we had such a great time with them.  After a few minutes of awkwardness, the kids picked up where the left off and got along so well.  They are conspirators and friends, despite the age difference, and the fact that they rarely see each other and have very little in common.  We had dinner and watched a movie together our first day in NH, and then enjoyed opening presents together on the morning of Christmas Eve.  It was a morning filled with laughter and joy, and a few tears of remembrance.

June Odds and Ends

A few odds and ends from June:

Just a girl and her dog. 

Nothing like trying a new flavor of DD Coolata!

The girls picked out this shirt for Lee for Father's Day months ago and begged me to get it for him.  It was a hit! 

Aunty Kathy and Uncle Peter have chickens!!! 

With Felix and Theo

Happy to get Instagram as a birthday gift.

Nature in our yard.

There are so many rabbits in our neighborhood this year.  Found these guys hanging out in the garden.

Not my zoom lens - I got super close to this guy before he took off.