Christmas in Arizona

Friday was Christmas Eve and it was super rainy. That morning I ran to Kohl's with my mom because the Christmas sweater I had bought for my jammies hadn't arrived. We were doing a Super Mario theme and I got lucky and found a shirt that fit the bill there and thankfully for cheap. Then I made some of my bean salsa for Christmas day, we loaded up all our things, picked up the kids from Mike's house and headed to Tyler's parent's house where we will be staying for the remainder of the trip.

I had an unusually lazy Christmas Eve. It was nice not to be cooking all day but also weird. Our only contribution to Christmas Eve dinner was green beans and Tyler was making them. Around 3:30 the Hatch families started arriving. Everyone came but Tara (they wanted to do their own thing, sort of offensive since we were in town all the way from Michigan) and obviously Mariah's family didn't come because they are out in Missouri. The food was all really good, the kids ran around like wild people and I felt my usual awkwardness. I still don't feel like I fit in with all of them but possibly that's partially me being a quiet introvert.  

Later people started heading off but Keshia's family stayed and we did another round of decorating cookies. This time so that Santa could have some cookies. It was funny to watch Knox purposely dump about a half a container of sprinkles onto his cookie.

Then we opened up jammies (matching pants and Super Mario shirts) and the kids got to open up the presents that they had gotten for each other. We decided to do this on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day so that they could properly be grateful. I would say it worked, they all gave each other hugs as a thank you. Lucy and Penny had gotten a Beanie Boo for Ben and a Minecraft Lego Set for Steven. Ben and Steven got Roblox figures for Penny and Doll accessories for Lucy.

Then we drove around with Poppy and Grams to a nearby neighborhood to look at lights. A lot of the lights seemed to have gotten knocked out by all the rain and we even saw a cactus that had fallen on someone's driveway, just barely missing their car. After that the kids watched a weird Netflix  movie called "A Boy Called Christmas" and then Poppy told them the story of Christmas before they were all sent to bed. 

Later we went and got the boys because they were supposed to help Tyler build Lucy's bike but mostly they just watched "A Christmas Story." When I had them go throwvout the box for the bike, Ben got real emotional when they couldn't find the recycling bin. It was at this time that I decided that they were overly tired and sent them off to bed. I had forgotten my glasses at my mom's house and with my eyes feeling super dry, I went to bed just a little while later. I'm too blind without contacts or glasses to be of any use.

Christmas morning they all did a good job of not waking us up and staying in their rooms. Around 7am I put in my contacts and we released the children to go see their gifts. I think they all seemed happy with what they got. I just hate how fast it all is opened and done. I think I get sad about that before the present unwrapping even begins.

Penny got a scarpbook kit, pictures to put in it, a giant Friends Carnival Lego Set, a Beanie Boo, a doll bed, a Wings of Fire Book and a Gollum stuffie (this was a joke gift because she HATES Gollum- she shouted "Are you kidding me!" when she opened it up).

Ben got 2 Mario Lego Sets, a Wings of Fire Book, a Penguin Beanie Boo, a Zelda Book, and a Zelda Shield. I was hoping he'd be really excited by the shield but apparently it won't be any fun until we go home and he has his sword too. The biggest bummer for Ben though was that one of his Mario Lego sets was missing lots of pieces. We were sure that he threw away a bag but after searching through all the garbage he couldn't find one. I think he got an incomplete set but I am not sure how we're going to get the missing pieces, it looks like we have to go through Lego. He was really upset for awhile but then he started building his other set and since it wasn't missing pieces, that improved his attitude.

Lucy got a new bike (with flat tires so she hasn't been able to ride it yet), a Lego Friends Carnival set, a scrapbook kit, pictures to put in it, A Wings of Fire Book, a Beanie Boo and book about Beanie Boo's.

Steven got 3 Nintendo Switch games, a Lego Architecture Set, a Wings of Fire Book, a Guinea Pig Book and a SD Card for his Nintendo Switch. He finally has games to play on the Nintendo Switch he bought for himself!

Tyler got a fancy drone, 2 Harry Potter Lego Sets, a 2nd Amendment Beanie, a "That's What She Said" button, a Marble Climber and some reference books for Lord of the Rings.

Apparently I forgot to take a picture of me with all my presents but I got some really nifty weights for lifting, socks, some cute small serving bowls, a pack of Golden Books, nail polish and a Lego Bonsai Tree. I had wanted Lego Flowers but Tyler had been unable to find them in store so he got the tree instead. It about killed me trying to make it because I am not a Lego builder but with some help, I got it done. I am quite proud of myself.

The kids also all got a remote control car and Doodle Board to share and their Hatch Grandparents bought them a youth kayak with a paddle and a membership to Henry Ford Museum. I would say they all made out well. They spent the morning building Lego's and playing with their toys. Logan's family came around lunchtime so they had some cousin time for a bit and then we all went over to my parent's house.

At my parent's house they got more presents! Beanie Boo's, slippers socks, candles, shirts, a Nintendo Switch Game, a movie giftcard, a Bass Pro Shop giftcard and an Olive Garden giftcard. Tyler and I also got a really cool Study Guide Old Testament that will be great for teaching seminary. 

After present opening I made my sweet potatoe casserole. Everyone was hungry so it made me aware of how long it takes to make it. Matilda kept getting in her high chair begging to be fed already. When I finished it, it was finally time to eat. The food was good as was the company. My mom, Mecca and I worked on a puzzle after eating and the men and kids all went to the park to fly Tyler's Drone. We all lingered for awhile after they got back from the park and then it was back to Tyler's parents house to recover from all the holiday fun.

Sunday morning we had early church with Tyler's parents and I got my traditional Christmas picture of all the kids in their fancy Christmas clothes.