Christmas on The Rez

Christmas came early to the Dawg House this year!!! The day we were leaving for Arizona, (Sat. the 23rd) the kids woke up to Santa's presents under the tree and a note from him saying the elves told him we wouldn't be home for Christmas so he brought presents early. They were so happy! Don't ya just love those elves? :)

We haven't spent Christmas with Duane's family since BEFORE we had kids! So, it was nice to be with them for the holidays. And the kids were out of school for a few days so we took advantage of that and stayed til the New Year.

Derek and Deion were "joined at the hip" the whole time we were there. Wrestling, playing games, playing outside, even just watching TV they were RIGHT by each other.

The kids absolutely LOVED being with their cousins. We didn't even here from them most of the time we were down there... they were all entertaining themselves together. And it was warm enough outside that they were working on their treehouse a lot of the time.

Tamia, Gabbi, Gracee, Halle

Mia, Gabbi, Jocelyn, Halle

On Christmas Day we drove around visiting family we haven't seen in a while. It was good to catch up and see how much all their kids have grown. "Elephants Feet" is only a couple miles from Duane's moms house... I've always wanted to stop and take pictures there, but never did til now. The kids thought it was pretty cool.

One of the days, on our way to Flagstaff, we stopped at Wupatki Pueblo National Monument. Pretty cool!

Derek's lookin for Bucks

We also stopped to see Sunset Crater Volcano. Gabbi was pretty excited about this because in her school class they had just learned all about volcanoes.

The day we left was a sad, sad day. Kids were cryin, not wanting to leave. I was crying because of the long drive ahead. =) But, we made it, safe and sound... thanks to Duane's safe driving, Derek's CD Mix (ACDC-Back in Black, Michael Jackson-Bad, Lady Gaga-Poker Face, Kung Fu Fighting & more) and the girls' Justin Beiber CD. We stopped at Cabela's on the way home too.

We had such a WONDERFUL time. I'm blessed to have married into such a great family.