tales from a far-land

We celebrated Christmas with my parents early this year as they traveled back to Virginia to see my sister and her family for the actual holiday.  So, on the Saturday before they left, we hosted them for brunch and our annual gift exchange.  My parents gave both of the kids stilts as one of their presents this year.  Madilyn was a natural.  She was able to get up and start walking right away.  She was determined to figure them out.  Aiden not so much.  He couldn't quite figure out how to balance on them.  My favorite part of the day was watching my Dad walk on the stilts.  I cannot believe he didn't fill and break his hip. Good family time was had by all.  Aiden playing foosball with Papa The kids Grandparents and grandkids Josh and I Madi Madi walking on stilts Dad walking on stilts

Hanukkah was a little hectic this year.  It seems like for a majority of the nights we had other activities planned.  Thus, we didn't have many nights at home to celebrate Hanukkah.  So, we made the most of it when we could. This year's Hanukkah theme was "Sharing is Caring".  In the past couple of months, the kids had not been doing a good job sharing with each other. So, we decided to give the kids joint outdoor games gifts this year.  They loved them.  Plus, it encouraged them to get out of the house and do something.  Win-win! First Night of Hanukkah Celebrated a little earlier in the day as we were busy in the evening Kids received a tetherball set Fourth Night of Hanukkah Kids received Kerplunk Hanukkah Pajamas Sixth Night of Hanukkah Enjoyed Shabbat at the Arkos Addison, Natalie and Madilyn Lighting the candles Latkes! Silly girl! Eighth Night of Hanukkah Spent time with family and...

We kicked off December with a trip to see the APS Electric Light Parade on the first Saturday of the month.  As the weather was supposed to be very chilly and possibly rainy, the adults decided that we should secure a table inside at SunUp Brewing Company on Camelback just in case.  What a great decision!  It allowed us to have some adult-only time inside while the kids played outside before the parade near our sitting area we secured earlier in the day.  Luckily, the weather wasn't as bad as predicted and we were able to sit outside once the parade started. The kids loved telling the air balloon handlers to "Spin it!" every time they walked passed us.  It was a fun way to start our holiday season.   The kids with the toys Auntie Paige bought them Some adult time inside Watching the parade Paige and her kids Madi and I Miss Mae The whole gang Just the adults

Chrismukkah begins for the Farrell-Landers family the day after Thanksgiving every year.  We then spend the next month embracing the holiday season.  We decorate the house.  We trim our two holiday trees.  We watch holiday shows.  We enjoy our holiday traditions.  And we enjoy creating new ones.  This year, we did all of those things.  It made is a very festive holiday season. The kids decorating the trees Teamwork (if even for only a moment) Watching Rudolf the Red-Nose Reindeer as a family Enjoying Noche de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Gardens Our family with Christy, Brandon and Michelle Glenn Miller Christmas with my parents Candy Cane Lane with the Raetz Family