Great New Year!

We had a great New Year's Eve and Day in Sedona! All of us except Travis, Stephanie, and Collin went up on Friday, New Year's Eve. We got settled, went grocery shopping, and then hit the big party at the timeshare. My children thought that they walked into the geriatric ward with all the really old people there. The party started at 7:00 and was over by 8:00. The food was really good and we had a wonderful time filling ourselves up.

Everyone had left except us.

Haning out playing games until midnight.

Watching a movie four deep.

Visiting

Eating?

The countdown!

Wa;y too loud for Liam

Some didn't make it until New Years

Happy Birthday to Me!

It was a biggie this year! But I had a great time. The day of my birthday I treated myself with a hair cut and more. Then Wayne and I went out to eat at Liberty Market for a free lunch and then went over to Joe's BBQ for a free lunch to take home, then it was off to Krispy Kreme donuts for a free birthday dozen. Then it was time to go to the Temple to work our shift. The next morning Wayne took me out to the Good Egg where I got their "Four Peaks" french toast extrvaganza. Oh, my it was good! That evening everyone came over for pizza and Bunko. What a great way to celebrate ones birthday!

Bunko fun!

Yes, Christmas Did Come For the Evans!

Yes, Christmas did come to our house. It is always such a fun and busy time of the year. The Hatch Christmas Party was on December 13th at Gyle and Debbie's house. It is always so fun to get together with my side of the family because we don't get together that much and it is always so fun to see how much all the kids have grown. Debbie rented a horse and carriage to tatke people around the neighborhood to see all the lights. Thank you Gyle and Debbie for making it such a fun party!

On the 23rd of December we had our annual Evans Christmas Party. Last year we had gone to a church and it worked out so well I decided since it was our turn to put it on this year that we would do the same. We had good eats, "Flora Specials" and good entertainment. It was fun to see all those who live in Utah and Washington. We missed Spencer and Stephanie, Brian and Shelley, and Scott and Jenny and their families. It was fun to see everyone else.

Kristen and her family

The rug rats

On Christmas Eve all my family gathered at our house for a ham dinner, entertainment and the nativity. We then got the traditional pajama pants.

Christmas morning at the Evans

The Evans on Christmas morning

Mary and Joseph with a Wiseman in the background

The scene

Mary and Joseph

The two big girls were the narrators

Hoochie Mama made an appearance on Christmas evening

The joy of opening up presents

Grandma got to snuggle with her baby girl

Here we all are in our pajama pants

Happy 34th!

Thirty-four years, six children, four marriages, and ten grandchildren later, Wayne and I are still going strong. For our anniversary we drove up to Sedona and stayed for a few days. It was nice to be away together, but the middle of December is a lousy time to get married. I felt like I had so much to do that I was making myself crazy. I took as many things as I could and played Santa's elf and Wayne was a great help when we got back home.

It is beautiful in Sedona but a bit cold. It was rainy most of the time we were there. Here we are outside our condo.

On our anniversary we went to Talaquepaque. I don't think I spelled that right but anyway we went there to look at all the shops. Wow! What an artsy place with things to buy for big bucks! We ate at a wonderful Mexican restaurant. Happy Anniversary!

When we got home Travis had come from Buffalo. Stephanie and Collin had come earlier in the week and we got to see them before we left for a bit. What a fun little guy Collin is. I just wish that he lived closer so we could get to know him better and he would feel more comfortable with us. He only lets me hold him if he is going to give me a hug and a kiss. Well, that will work at least he wants to give me a hug and a kiss.

Love this funny little guy!

Flagstaff in the Winter

We went to Flagstaff for a few days because we needed to use up our points before the end of the year. I thought, "how can I go at such a critical time of the year, with so much to do." It actually turned out quite nicely. We had a wonderful condo with a fireplace and a beautiful view. When we got up there snow was still on the ground from an earlier storm. It was fun to be all cozy and look at the snow. Actually, the weather was really nice during the day.

I was able to be very productive and get a LOT of sewing done in a peaceful atmosphere with Christmas carols playing.

This is the view out our back. There was also a jacuzzi on our back patio. How fun!

Brendon, Carrie, and their kids came up on Friday evening and stayed until Saturday evening. They also brought Ruth and Neil. We had a great time.

The snow around the condo had pretty much melted away by the time they got there but the kids found patches and gathered up crusty snow and thought that was a great treat. Carrie and Brendon took them up towards Snow Bowl to play in deeper snow. They didn't last long. They came home and jumped into the jacuzzi and then off to Wendy's we went to each lunch.

The kids playing out in the back of the condo.

Here is Sawyer with her crusty treat.

Neil all dressed up for the snow.

Ruthie and her treat.

Abby in her boots looking for some snow.

All toasty and warm watching a movie and waiting to eat lasagna.

The fireplace was a hit.

I think we all had a good time and I would do it again. When I got home Aubrey had already started putting up the Christmas decorations. What a help that is.

FHE and Flautas

Thanksgiving Tradition as much as the Turkey feast on the actual day is Flauta Day to use up the leftover turkey. This year I had an epiphany about my flautas. I decided to add cilantro, minced garlic, and green salsa to the mix. It turned out quite yummy.

Brendon helping my fry the flautas. NOT a fun job! Thanks Brendon.

Reddin mixing up the quacamole. He made some really good salsa this year

For the finished product and what it looks like jazzed up go to Aubrey's blog or Trevor's facebook. We missed those who were not with us this year, Marcus and the NY Evans.

Thanksgiving Recap

Thanksgiving dawned early with the Turkey Trot. This year it was a little chilly with a bit of wind, much nicer for the runners and the walkers than last year with the 80 degree weather. Here are the two milers. Aubrey and Brendon ran while Carrie and I walked with Abby and Matthew in the stroller.

On your mark, get set, GO!

Trevor is getting ready to run the 10 K

Reddin and Karen with their girls. Both Reddin and Karen ran the 10 K

Marcus and his family got there a little late but walked the 2 mile

Grandpa got to watch the Evans girls

Sawyer stayed with Grandpa to help entertain Payton and Kayda. Here they are feeding the ducks, which is always a highlight with the kids.

Here we all are waiting for Trevor to finish the race

Finally, here he comes!

He did well but his feet hurt for about a week afterwards. Here are the brothers who sort of ran together.

The runners!

Boys and trees!

We got home from the Turkey Trot and started fixing dinner. This year Marcus and his family ate with us since the Bradshaws celebrated on Wednesday night. It was so fun to have them with us. In the evening everyone came over and had desert and rolls. What a great family I have!