Merry Christmas!

We had a really nice Christmas this year. We were sad that Nathan was in Colorado with his dad, but glad that we were able to take the girls to Yuma to spend Christmas with Granddad and Gramzer. On Christmas Eve we had a little program where we sang some songs, the girls played some Christmas songs on the piano, and we read Luke 2. Then, we opened the much anticipated Christmas Eve gifts....which are the ones from Great Granddad and Great Grandma.Checking out the gifts from Great Grandma and Great Granddad.

More books from Great Grandma and Great Grandad.

Ready for bed!

We are so glad that we were able to do stockings before Dad left for work....but we missed him the whole day!

Archie was very pleased with the "dolmas" that he got in his stocking. (Armenian food)

I love this picture of Miriam. I think the look on her face is so cute!! I'm not even sure what she's opening...but I love that excited, anticipating, happy face!


After we did stockings and presents we mostly just hung around together, playing games and figuring out the new toys. Man, I wish I had taken some pictures of that, but alas, I didn't. Then Todd, Blanca and their family came over in the afternoon to hang around with us. Tons of fun!

Becky is holding Sammy, and Joanna has Lexie.

Lexie and Joanna.

This is how Rebekah spent most of her day. Isn't she cute? Isn't Grig cute?

This was at the end of the day....we look tired!!

All ready for Christmas dinner. What a great day!

Aviation Unit

In the 5th grade in Mesa Public Schools they do an aviation unit. The kids learn all kinds of things, among which is the basics of how to fly a plane. They spend months on this unit, and it culminates with a field trip to the flight center (and they all have to get 80% or better on the final exam, or they are not able to go on the field trip). I was lucky enough to be able to go on the field trip with Nathan and Joanna's class. Here are a couple photos. The kids had a blast!

They start out in the "sleds" on the ground, and the instructors walk around and make sure that the kids appear to know the basics.

And then they get to play on the toys. Joanna was first in the airplane simulator (above). It is a really cool little plane with lots of instruments and gadgets, and it actually turns and banks and moves around when they push on the stick or the pedals. They loved it. Nathan had a turn after Joanna (below)/.

Two people get in the helicopter simulator at a time. This little guy doesn't move around when they move the controls, but it's still fun. :)

Holiday cheer....better late than never!

Here's a little Holiday cheer for you, elementary school band style. The first one is just over a minute long, and the second is about a minute and a half. Nathan is playing in the trumpet in both of these. The first clip is the 5th grade or beginning band he's on the right, closest to the camera. In the 6th grade or advanced band he's 3rd from the end. Enjoy!