Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that you are looking forward to the new year.  2011 seemed to fly by, as they all seem to do lately!  Mark and I spent a very quiet Christmas in our home.  I did go on a hike the 24th but other than that we just chilled out here and enjoyed it.  I made chili for Christmas Eve and French Dip sandwiches on Christmas with my new crock pot, a gift from Mark.  I also received a Shark hand held vac.  That is the problem with two homes....what you have and are used to in one, you want in the other, too!  I also received some money for shopping.  Well, he might have said it was for my savings account but I am not certain I heard that part correctly!

Christmas Day Drew and Kayley skyped with us and showed us what Santa brought them.  It appears they won't be bored over the rest of the holiday.  Plenty to play with from what we saw!  It was so much fun seeing their excitement but we didn't talk long...there were toys that needed playing!

We are still hanging around the home this week.  I did hike yesterday and today, though.  I think I am addicted to that activity.  I never, ever tire of the view or the challenge.  Today a helicopter was hovering over the mountain and circled it several times.  I hope no one fell or had a heart attack!  The news this morning talked about all the rescues they have had to do because of all the visitors going on hikes and they aren't used to the terrain.  They are falling, breaking body parts or becoming ill from the elevation, etc.  The majority of the rescues have been on Camelback Mountain which is NOT for the faint of heart or for those out of shape.   I have hiked it once with Megan and once with sister Sharon and have no desire to do it again.  I am not tempting my luck!

The Hawkeyes play in the Insight.com bowl in Tempe Friday night.  We went to it last year but I think we will pass this year.  I think the Sooners will have their way with my Hawks and I just couldn't stand to see that happen.  Mark and I plan to go to the pre-game parties and fun for awhile but then will come home to watch the game.

I hope all of you have a safe and Happy New Year and a fantastic 2012!

Some very random pics:

via Megan's phone:  Drew very happy with Grandpa's gift!

Having fun at Greasewood Flats on a Saturday afternoon with friends.

via Andy's cell phone:  Mr. and Mrs. Claus

One of the trails I hike on North Mountain

Rainy days and sunshine...

I cannot believe it is already the middle of December.  Christmas will be here before we know it!  When I worked I used to LOVE this time of the year and looked forward to the long holiday season with my family.  Now, every day is like a holiday but I do miss spending Christmas with the kids and grandchildren.  I think next year I may skip flying home for Thanksgiving and do Christmas there instead!  I want to see Drew and Kayley's excitement during that holiday.  Or perhaps I can convince them to all come to Phoenix once so they can enjoy nice weather during the holiday break!

Mark has been keeping busy puttering around here.  He put up our Christmas lights and installed a new garage door opener.  I have been hiking and shopping, two things I am getting quite good at doing!  We have been having some rainy days, though.  While that is great for the desert it doesn't do me much good for outdoor fun.  Yesterday was gorgeous, around 70 degrees.  Today looks to be the same.  This afternoon we are going with friends to Greasewood, an outdoor grill/bar with live country music.  We always have fun there and are looking forward to seeing the friends.

We plan to golf on Christmas Day if weather permits.  We are assuming everyone will be asleep on the couch from consuming huge meals and won't be out of the courses.  Or, everyone is thinking like us and they will be packed and we won't get a tee time! 

Well, this will most likely be my last post before Christmas so we wish everyone a very wonderful holiday with your families.  We hope Santa is good to you and yours! 

Some pictures from our week:

I put some lights on the cactus and the rocks

The nice thing about AZ is that you can hang December lights in shorts!

The hikers are starting to decorate the mountain tree for Christmas.  Can you tell which ornament is mine?!?!

Cacti Santa

I just HAD to put up a pic of my two favorite people!

Ready to start our winter

Mark made it to our Phoenix home early this afternoon.  It was quite a journey.  He originally was going to leave Iowa on Saturday but mother nature had other plans.  Sunday he finally got off the farm and to Matt's home in Omaha.  Mother nature again decided that he should postpone his plans and stayed an extra day at Matt's and left Tuesday morning instead.  His travel on Tuesday was good and he was happy he waited that extra day.  He drove from Omaha to Moriarty, NM.  That is just a few miles from Albuquerque.  My best shot in a day's drive from Omaha was Tucumcari, NM and he went another 130+ miles!  Wow, I could not have done that!  His drive today was uneventful, even through Flagstaff.  I am so glad to have him join me here and we look forward to a great winter.

Tonight we skyped with Drew and Kayley and it did make us lonesome for our grandchildren!  I wish we could be with them at Christmas but they will have a grand time without us there.  Santa sounds like he is going to be good to them. 

A video of Kayley from our Thanksgiving trip to Peoria: