Musical Instrument Museum

The MIM gang

Ashton's ready to go!

Mom, do you have to take pictures of everything?

 Danielle had been sick most of our trip so it was lovely to spend the day with her and Suzanne at the MIM on our last day in AZ.  Lots of things to look at - lots to take in!  Very well done!

A-hiking we will go!

 Suzanne and J.J. took Ethan, Cameron and I on a hike!  An excellent workout and a great memory, for sure!

Train ride and K-State pep rally

Buying the train tickets

 The day following our arrival, we headed to the train station with Dad, Suzanne and Dalton to ride to the pep rally.  The train was fun, but the pep rally was the highlight for us.  Being in a sea of purple, connecting with old friends, exposing our kids to the Wildcat spirit - we were happy!

The marching band lining up to enter

Willie and  the cheerleaders

Ashton had enough of the Wildcat spirit - it was a tad loud!

Our friends, Jeff and Amy Naukum that we haven't seen in 17 years

Gold Canyon estate

 The Deckers put us up in one of the fabulous casas, the Gold Canyon estate.  :)  Everyone felt right at home and loved having our own "vacation spot" for our time there.  Thanks, guys!

Ethan in his element: at his computer

Cameron and Suzanne heading out for a bike ride

Road trip to Arizona

 Since we had an extra long holiday break this year, we decided to pack up the car and head to Arizona!  Lots of great views along the way!

Hockey Game

 We had the opportunity to go to Long Beach and see our nephew, Stone play with his traveling hockey team.  The arena was quite chilly but well worth it!

Anniversary day

Derrik and I celebrated 16 years of marriage today!  Yippee!
We had a great day that started early (our 2nd morning this week starting at 6:30) with Cameron, Ashton and Ethan coming in to wake us with breakfast in bed.  (I've had a bad cold so my morning photos look horrible!) 
They made us a card and looked through our wedding photos with us.  :) 

Don't we both look thrilled to be awake?  :P

Ashton took this after we'd taken our Christmas pic

Derrik took me out for lunch and we had a great time talking and making plans for the next year.

Christmas Fun

 Our Christmas Eve included attending the candlelight service at church and then we came home to let the boys open a few gifts, one of which was the traditional holiday pj's.  :)  Then we headed out to look at the Christmas lights.

Cameron loves his Lakers

Ethan and his new bass! 

Cool new car!

A surprised Derrik with a new book

Mommy got new boots!

 Christmas morning started at 6:30 for us with the boys waiting patiently in the hallway.  :)  It was all unwrapped so fast.  I snapped photos as quickly as I could!

Shocked face - "I get my own room?"

Monkey bread for breakfast!

Wonderful day....thanks to our families who helped make it special!