It’s a new year already, one that we talked about so long ago as “someday” – “someday in 2015 when Kayla graduates from 8th grade….”  and now it is here! Yikes! So, on to the holiday recap.

Kayla spent Christmas battling the bug, but she was not so sick that she didn’t enjoy the holidays. Christmas at Gramma’s house meant prime rib and cousins.

Rhys was having a great time with all of us. He is so expressive and interactive now!

He loves his cousin!

So does Caleb.

Caleb really likes his Uncle Kevin too. Especially when he gets to play with cars and Gizmo.

Gizmo likes his kids.

The prime rib was delicious as always.

We opened presents. Rhys got the cutest little boots!

We tried to box up Kayla and send her back. It didn’t work so well. We’re gonna need a bigger box.

We did get some nice pictures of people together.

And the technicolor hair pair.

Girls!

Christmas wears Ashley out.

The next morning was Christmas at home! Here are girls with their stockings.

After Christmas, a big box arrived for the girls. It seems as though the AZ post office still has some issues typing information into computers for labels and have not learned much since the Mom T-shirt going across the country thing. Check out the spelling of the names…

The girls LOVED their box – it exploded in the basement!

A few days later, we let Ashley eat rocks.

Of course, those are chocolate candy coated rocks that Santa found at Five Below. They come in a nifty tube box (right next to Ashley’s elbow). They make me want to decorate a dinosaur or beach themed cake!

We have been in the house for 2 days. -30+ wind chills have made it super dangerous to be out, so schools closed down for the last 2 days (even mine!). This afternoon, we got a few more inches of snow. This is a snapshot of the current conditions:

Kevin went out to clean off the driveway so that Ashley’s piano teacher could come. He was prepared!

Today in the mail, Kayla got her materials for our local high school. She is not planning to attend, but we still get all of the forms and things in case she would need to go. The packet included her recommendations for freshman level classes. She was recommended for Honors Biology, Honors Algebra 2, and Honors English!

Stay warm! Ashley’s recital is in 2 days, and Kevin will get to try out his new monopod to record it for all of us.