The Willman Family: Christmas Vacation 2010

We were so lucky to be able to make the road trip down to Phoenix and spend Christmas with both of our families and enjoy the AMAZING Phoenix winter weather we had almost forgotten about! We left the day after Kyle's last final, and completely surprised ourselves by making the drive in just over 12 hours, and only making 2 stops... with 2 kids? Not bad.

The Monday night after we got in town we were able to see the Mesa Temple lights with Kyle's family. Yes, it is December 20th at 7 pm, and we are not wearing jackets (except Kyle)... it was like 60 degrees. Amazing.

All of the Willman family cousins:

This is just a funny picture of Minnette trying on my mom's boots, which reminds me of Puss 'n Boots from Shreck everytime I see it:

Christmas Eve with my family. Some of Kyle's presents. This picture looks decieving, because he actually was really excited about those wool socks. He wears them everyday.

Minnette and her Christmas PJ's from Grandma and Grandpa Murphy:

That night, when we headed back to Kyle's parents house (where we were staying), the family had a little fireworks show in the backyard, since fireworks are now legal in Phoenix. They all loved it, until the last one which started a really loud, high-pitched whistling, and Minnette and Spencer got a little upset.

Christmas morning at the Willman's:

Opening the shoppng cart from Grandma and Grandpa Willman. This is played with on a multiple-times-a-day basis. Minnette is sporting a headband she got in her stocking.

Minnette is waering one of her Christmas outfits from Grandma, and opening their new cash register:

That night we had a bonfire in the backyard, and Kyle confessed his undying love for me:

We had a whole week after Christmas to just hang out, before heading back up to Provo, and one of the days Grandma Willman took the girls to a new indoor play place for the morning. This picture was taken on the way there. Minnette has a need for holding hands whenever possible when driving in the car, and took advantage of Aurelle's close proximity. They are so cute and sweet together.

As soon as Minnette insisted on holding Aurelle's hand, Aurelle quickly insisted on holding my hand, as well. We are friends.

Minnette had such a blast, especially on the blow-up slide. She probably went down it like 25 times. Each and every time needing to be hauled up by either Janan, Kyle, or me, and always wanting to either sit on your lap or hold your hand the entire way down.

It took a little while, but we finally got her warmed up to some of the other available activities, like the bounce house:

Aurelle was mostly just held, or crawled around in the bounce house (which she loved), and I think she had fun, too. :)

For New Year's Day, my mom's side of the family has a "Hill Billy Special" brunch tradition. We headed over to my Aunt Gale and Uncle Tres' house for a deluxe breakfast, and Minnette and Aurelle had a blast chasing their dog, Oso, and a newly aquired kitten around the house all morning.

Minnette with Oso- she is such an animal lover!