Christmas Eve Mass

Teo Phil and Paunee joined us for Christmas Eve Mass and Dinner. The church was so full we stood outside on the back porch. It was actually quite nice. And we were able to walk home at sunset.


Mark and Heather made a feast!

The Desert Museum

On Christmas eve we went to the Desert Museum. It was a warm and beautiful day spent outside looking at desert plants, animals, and rocks. What a change from the huge winter storm we left behind.

First Day in Tucson

We were very lucky to arrive in Tucson on the 22nd despite a canceled flight. We flew out of Spokane which had record snow, something like 40 inches in one day. We were told we couldn't fly until the 27th and this was on the 22nd and all airlines were booked until xmas. We found a guardian angel at US Airways and flew standby all the way.

I spent our first day in Tucson sick and in bed, or when I was feeling better, I moved to the couch. I was really grateful to be in Mark and Heather's very very comfortable home with my family and not sick stuck in an airport. I had very high fever and spent a day throwing up. Luckily it was a 24 hour bug. Mom and Billy both caught the bug, but not quite as hard. Luckily I didn't get Heather sick.

While I was at home in bed, Dad, Mark and Billy went out to play. Amy and Gavin arrived from Santa Fe that evening.

Last day with Amy and Gavin: Family Disc Golf

Amy and Gavin took the whole family to play disc golf on the last day they were in town. We had everyone including Teo Phil and Paunee. The bug Billy and I had caught up to Mom so she was home eating Jello. Luckily she was only sick for one day too.

Amy and Gavin are planning a disc golf tournament for their wedding.

Mark and Heather's

I guess these are mostly backyard pictures. Mark has a lemon tree and we made campfires in his backyard at night. We roasted marshmallows on Christmas.

Christmas in Tucson

After finals Billy and I spent a very fun weekend skiing with friends in Kellog, ID at Silver Mountain. We had three days of skiing and unwinding from finals. The first winter storms were just pounding the NW and so we had lots of snow. The resort we were at also had an indoor water park where it was sunny and 85 year round. So after skiing and a few beers on the "longest gondola in the world," we schralped some waves in the water park.

It was nice to have a few days of winter fun before heading to Tucson for Christmas at Mark's house.

Look how big he is!