December according to the iphone

 Travis and Seleck enjoyed a Broncos game in early December witnessing the record breaking field goal.

 The magic mailbox delivered the passports and Christmas in Cancun surprise

 While in Cancun Travis and I did sneak out for one date... it was fabulous

 The weary tourists walk on Daddy's back.

 Cancun beach... the beauty here was amazing.

 Our traveling brigade... homeward bound

                                            check out these seasoned travelers

                                                            Hola Senor!

 

                                                         Homeward bound and all worn out

                                                              SKY SMILES

 

 

                                                 Las Vegas airport 4:30 am- Cancun or bust

                                             waiting for dad while he barters for the rent a car

                                                           The Mayan Palace

                                                       Christmas day at the resort

                                                                   alligators at the Maya

                                                            Emma bundled up for walking home

                                                       playing with my Maleck

                                 attending music and the spoken word so see mo tab fave- uncle Bruce

                                                 Del Taco Buds

                                                                 Maleck's bday party to the museum

                                                 Santa visits the Hunter House

                                                                       Ninjas

                                                                          beautiful

                                                            hot chocolate

                                                             pa, pa Jake

                                                             My favorite stop

                                                     Surprise... we're going to Mexio

                                                  going gluten free

                                                   Maleck showing Ty where Cancun is...

                                                       Making Christmas deliveries

                                                              Christmas concet

                                                       Getting our toes ready for Cancun

                                                    Seleck's Christmas concert

                                                       posing with my favorite Santa

                                                            Maleck's pre school

                                                     Christmas doughnuts with my mom

                                                                 santa's favorite

                                           Mexican pizza at the Mega Store in Playa Del Carmen

                                                      My favorite senors

                    December's Top five
5.  The Snow
4.  Christmas traditions
3.  The Broncos game
2.  Maleck turned 5
1.  Christmas in Cancun

Christmas in Cancun- the sights and sounds of Mexico

Christmas in Cancun

Christmas memories tickle all of the senses.  Our Christmas in Mexico on the Yucatan peninsula filled our memory boxes to overflowing as we relished in the sights, sounds, tastes, and textures of this vibrant culture.  The colors were rich, the food salivating, and the people warm and inviting.   We dipped our toes in the white sand and felt the pull of the tide on our piggies.   Emma and Maleck chased the waves jumping in  harmony.  As their mother, this symphony delighted my senses.  They even gave a go at their version of  "boogie boarding"  until in Maleck's words they "wiped out." Madsen, Stockton, and Seleck  played with Travis in the clear blue ocean as the waves rocked them back and forth. 

 Our children bartered in pesos with the locals for souvenirs until they got the best price.  Maleck came home with a carved jaguar head,  and Madsen a hand carved full bodied one.  We ate at taco trucks and fine restaurants.  We tried mango and Mexican hot chocolate.  Maleck asked, "why does the food in Mexico have to be Mexican?"   He then announced that the Mexican pineapple was the best. 

We took pictures of the missionaries and thought of our own family missionaries serving at home and abroad.  We walked the streets of Playa Del Carmen late at night... I am sure our mothers would not have approved of us taking their Grandchildren there.

We sipped sodas from straws dreaming of ice.  Aren't we spoiled Americans?

We were serenaded by the locals' rendition of "Feliz  Navidad.  On Christmas night, we walked the shoreline of our resort as the stars cast an everlasting shadow on our memories.   The moonlight led us as we gazed in awe at the fish with their glow in the dark blue eyes.

  The Mexican architecture of grass thatched roofs lined the streets of 5th avenue.

Driving in Mexico is somewhat of an art form... fast!  Bicycles came in all shapes, sizes and colors.  My feet begged to ride one.

  Seleck's  artist eyes were fascinated by clouds.   Which he said, "We don't have these at home."  I think he is right.  We enjoyed each sunset and dreaded it  as it marked a passing of a day.

 Clearly Maleck did not enjoy the posing for pictures...

  We loved it when we found this huge Christmas tree near 5th avenue... to bad Maleck didn't.

Years from now, It is doubtful that they will remember what gifts Santa brought them from Christmas past... but most likely when they feel the ocean breeze or hear the music of its waves, or even think of pineapple- they will remember our Christmas in Cancun....

They will jump,

They will smile,

They will see colors,

 taste the 70 peso tacos,

 they will dream...

 

  And then they will say, "Thanks, daddy! Feliz Navidad!"

  Perhaps one day, we will return to the iguanas.

Christmas- A Few of my favorite things....

Growing up on 2nd East I always knew Christmas was near when the crackling of my mother's old Christmas records began shortly after Thanksgiving.  My sister and I spent hours dancing to them.  Couple the music with the smell of homemade donuts, peanut brittle, and gumdrop bars and my childhood Christmas memories coming flooding back-- the beginning of my favorite things.   Rigby started our first Christmas tradition the year we were married.  He gave me a bear and every year since then he has added to our collection. 

Meet Mr. Bear, 1995- favorite Christmas  bear

Favorite childhood Christmas decoration- My mother still displays them... Thank, Aunt Starr!

Favorite new tradition- Advent calendar countdown.... Found it in favorite magazine- Elan!

Favorite gift to be given---refurbished chairs in honor of mom and dad's 50th anniversary- NO EMPTY CHAIRS!

Which chair do you like best

Favorite place to Christmas shop!

Favorite gift given to me--- Thanks visiting teachers! (antique key with attached poem).

Dear Santa,

This magic key works just for you

just open the door and come on through.

Thank you for coming to our house tonight

as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Thank you Santa for the gifts you bring.

Thank you Lord for everything!

                                   Favorite trash to Treasure

before....

after

 

 

 

 

                                                   Favorite new decoration

 

Christmas card holder made from old shutter!

 

Favorite memory of Christmas present--- wait and see...

Pine Valley Christmas Dream- Journeys

Click on Journeys  for a taste of my Pine Valley Christmas dream in paradise...

Currently Craving-- a BLUE Christmas!

This year I was most certainly craving a pop of color in my Christmas décor-  I chose BLUE!  Check out vintage finds for the stories behind the vintage...

"Wise men" still seek him- just ask Stockton

 

 Years ago our now13 year old son, showed us the true meaning of Christmas as

his then tiny two year old hands rearranged our very first nativity.

 I remember purchasing this porcelain nativity and holding my breath-- it was simple and inexpensive, but a stretch for our small budget.  I carefully placed each figurine in its traditional style.... shepherds on the right, wisemen on the left, camel by the wisemen an cows and sheep by the shepherds. 

Later in the day, I returned to find that someone's little fingers had rearranged my efforts. All of the figures of our nativity were encircling the baby Jesus including the animals.   This happened several times before I caught the culprit.  I asked with a little impatience in my voice what he was doing.  He replied, "They all want to see baby Jesus, mommy.''

What lesson our cute two year old taught me that day.... Shouldn't we all be close enough to see Jesus, to feel his presence in our lives.  Isn't that what Christmas and the whole year should be about... coming closer to the Savior!

 Stockton's arrangement- our first nativity

Over the years, our collection of nativity scenes has grown.  However, our first and most "precious" one has a place of honor in the entrance of the home under the Christmas tree telling all who enter how " WISE MEN" should seek Jesus. ( This is our nativity we purchased on a trip to Mexico).

Grandma and Grandpa Rigby purchased this nativity on a trip to Jerusalem.

This nativity is made of popsicle sticks.

 Another favorite tradition- The "Last Straw."

 

Special Thanks to mom and dad Rigby for being such great contributors to our Crèche Collection

Doughnuts- a Christmas Christmas Family Tradition

Doughnuts — A Family Tradition...

Click on tasty traditions for the recipe and story...