Merry Christmas

We have maintained a white December all the way through, even getting a fresh coat of snow the day before Christmas.  Zane has loved spending time in the snow every day, whether he is shoveling or sledding or throwing snowballs at Mom when we are out for our daily walks.  In mid month we headed a few miles up the road to find a good sledding spot, which Zane enjoyed, but he enjoyed wrestling Casey, digging and getting buried in the snow more. 

Sledding

More sledding

Wrestling

Getting buried

Family fun in the snow

For Christmas my parents came over from sunny Arizona, Mom wasn't a big fan of the snow, but we did get her out in the white stuff for a short walk.  My brother and his family came for a few days before Christmas.  It was good to have family around us for the holiday season and the kids really enjoyed the snow.  We enjoyed some time climbing the rock wall at Hartland and taking the Jeeps out in the snow.  

Keanan

Kyla

Zac

Casey

Zane just liked being pulled up and swinging in the air

Cousins in front of the tree

Mom and Dad

Our white Christmas

One of Zane's favorite gifts was a digger 

He spent most of Christmas day digging the snow all around the house

We are spending a quiet New Years at home, going to bed early.  Thanks for following us in our adventures and we look forward to more this next year.  

Pismo Beach and Thanksgiving

In the beginning of November we headed to Pismo Beach for our very special staff retreat with all of Hartland.  It is such a great time of fellowship, relaxation and rejuvenation.  There was much time spent at the beach, even when it was foggy and cold.  Casey rented a surf board for the time we were at Pismo.

View from our room

Getting ready to surf

Playing in the water

He's up!!

When you're cold just wear a stocking hat

One of Zane's favorite parts, the candy bar for the kids, note the ziploc baggies to take some home.

Zane riding the board

For the Thanksgiving holiday we headed to Nana and Grandpa's house in Arizona.  The weather was very pleasant for our visit.  Zac and family also came and we got to spend some time jeeping in the desert.  

Building things with Nana's clay

Digging a hole for the new pond

Zane loves Gus

Digging in Grandpa's yard

We did two different days of Jeeping.  This first time we did a loop that took us past a bunch of old abandoned copper mines.  

All of us and our Jeeps

Jeeping through the Saguaros and Cholla cactus

Dropping rocks to figure out the depth of the mine shaft

A large mine shaft

Zane and Kyla

The second trip was with my parents and most of the trail/road was through desert washes, which most had some water running in them from the rains from earlier in the week.  

Amazing Saguaro

This child and his love of water

Enjoying the water and the view

Driving through the wash

It was a great time spent with family, especially my Aunt Linda, who Zane hadn't seen in three years.

Grandparents and Grandkids

Great Aunt Linda

When we arrived back home it had snowed at Hartland the whole time we were gone and Zane was excited to play in the 2+ feet of snow.  May you all have a wonderful December.

Our front porch

Snow