this year was our year to have christmas in Arizona. Phoenix is one of the few destinations out of Louisville Airport that has a direct flight through southwest! So we got super lucky and even the times were pretty awesome this trip! We did have to wake Parker up a little early but he was great! Poor kid was in the process of getting a cold too so he coughed alot on the plane
Loved watching the planes drive by and of course point out EVERY truck!
After landing and getting our bags, we went with Drews parents to In-n-out and met up with Clint there. Drew was in heaven. said it was even better than he remembers it. I couldnt even finish mine. it doesnt do it for me. then the trek down to Coolidge. The first two days were a little hard just because Parker was kind of sick, only wanted Drews mom but didnt like how she did things so he threw a lot of fits, but he didnt want me or to listen to me. so it was a little stressful but we did get in a groove and all went okay.
Maybe Thursday of the trip, a couple of Drews cousins came down to chill and have dinner! I knew them from Oklahoma before I even met Drew, so it was like hanging out with old friends.
(Ruth Ann:Drews mom, Lauren: cousin, Courtney: cousin taylors wifes, and me)
On Friday we drove up to Mesa to meet up with some friends. Sadly, pretty much everything fell through so we just hung out with my aunt and uncles family, The binghams. which we didnt mind, they were basically my stand-in parents when we lived in Mesa.
My aunt Karen who is now Grandma Karen to Parker, drove him around on this awesome tractor
Saturday Drew and I actually went back up to Mesa for a few things. Remember that scholarship Drew got last year? It was the University of Louisville Alumni Assc Arizona Chapter that awarded him with this scholarship, which they extended into this year as well. Anyway, they wanted to have a get together to meet Drew since they hadnt actually met him. Plus meet up with some other folks as well. One of which had to be Drews friend (as I like to call him, boyfriend) JT for lunch at one of our favorite mexican restaurants, Mattas. which sadly, disappointed me on taste. we can talk more on that later. Just look at this kid, he was soo excited to see his buddy.
Lets back up though, we ended up getting to Mesa a little early and needed to pick up a gift for a family party later so we hit up Walmart and Bass Pro. BUT before we went in, Drew surprised me with an early christmas present. He had booked a massage for me before we even left Kentucky! HUUUUGE husband points. So after lunch, we met up with the Alumni which happened to be next door, but I had to excuse myself for my massage. Sad to say the therapist struggled, but since it was at the place I used to work, the owner hooked it up and got me in for another massage the following week. Still, HUUUUGE points for Drew for makin it happen.
Later that night was the Solomon Christmas Party. I was a little worried about staying too long because of the time difference (I kept P on Louisville time the whole trip) and still having to drive back to Drews parents house. We did take a pack-n-play just in case.
He was sooo good at the party! Parker loved aunt Carolines dog. He was just this little lapdog and Parker was always concerned with where he was. Samson (the dog) was right at the perfect level to steal food from Parker. P would offer him food then put it in his own mouth. Samson wasnt following Parker around, Parker was following Samson. the whole night! sadly I didnt get a picture of it.
spinning the train ornament on the tree
There is always a cousin gift exchange and this year there was a dirty santa/white elephant as well. there was an extra present so Parker was able to pick a gift. and since he was last to pick, he stood in the middle of the circle and everyone held up their gifts for him to see. He looked around and decided on a yellow screwdriver (of all things) I said something like he's a real man and we laughed at his choice. He turned towards everyone and held his yellow screwdriver up in the air (in the motion of a fist pump) and said YEAHHHH!!! sooo hilarious!
On Christmas Eve, drews mom had to work and the boys decided to all get together and go shooting.
Here's the gang that went, minus courtney who was taking the picture. they love their guns
So that left me, P, and Drew's youngest sis Laura at home. We just played and decided to walk to the park down the street since it was like 64 degrees outside. I think this picture is so funny. P wanted his shoes and socks on before hed let me put his pants on
He stole some kids football and just loved holding it while swinging
P and Lolly
Christmas morning:
Parker prefers to eat cereal from the box. I even tried putting it straight from the box and putting it on the table and he still preferred eating it from the box.
We got WAY too much for christmas! Parker didnt do so great with wanting to open presents, but the second he could tell what it was, he wanted it right then! He lacked a little patience with having to get things from the box.
loving his new train!
That afternoon we got together with the Williams side of the family (drews moms side) for their tradition mexican christmas dinner. tamales, tostadas, burritos, posole. Alot of people in a very small house. Remember, these are the guys who LOVE guns, so there were lots being packed around. haha. it just makes me laugh. Parker wasnt diggin sitting down to eat so he and I spent a lot of time outside in the backyard or playing in the van being anti-social.
Had to grab a picture with Taylor and Courtney before they headed to the airport to head home. look at P's face. haha
Had to get one with Clint and Alexis before they headed home too. P.S. she had her baby! but sadly after we came back to Louisville.
and of course, had to finish off the family with Lauren and Tanner.
On the 26th, Drew and I went back up to Mesa. Had to go back for my make up massage, which was MUCH better by the way. After we went back by the Binghams because my Grandpa Harris was in town from Idaho.
After we met up with some friends at one of my favorites, Oreganos. Again, super disappointed. Who would have thought the day after christmas would be soooo busy! It took forever to get in and get our food. I think we had been there 2 hours by the time we actually were able to eat.
Bobbie and Sam!
Clint and Alexis came too!!
Meanwhile, back in Coolidge
These were Drews boots when he was little that apparently he was obsessed it!
the next day we headed home. Stood in line at curbside check for over and hour! luckily Phx airport has a family security line and no one was ahead of us. So pretty much by the time we got to the gate it was time to board. Again, we had another straight through flight. P was so great again the plane! He just loved to sit on Drews lap and watch movies.
Less then 24 hours after getting back to Louisville, we repacked into a smaller bag and headed to my parents. We did christmas with them when we got there. P seemed more interested this time with actually opening his gifts. but he was still lacking patience once he got it open. he wanted to play with it that second!
It was a pretty chill visit. Lots of relaxing. Drew of course went shooting a couple times. My mom spoiled up with lots of homemade goods. Including these lovelies!
P's big gift from my parents this year was a toybox that my dad made. Its pretty fancy! It has a rolling shelf in it for P since he is too little still to reach the bottom. Parker really likes to play inside of it.
calling da-yee.
Christmas Break was great! We were lucky to miss all of the snow that hit louisville. the first time we were in Arizona. The next time it snowed we were at my parents and they didnt get any. I missed alot of things that happened and little details here and there. but that is the bulk of the break. I failed and getting pictures of P with his solomon grandparents and his great grandparents! I really need to get better at that! sorry for the novel!
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