Thanksgiving in Arizona

Arizona in the winter

Visit to the new Phoenix, AZ LDS temple

We had a great time last week traveling to Arizona to be with our kids.  Andy and Chelsea went with us as far as Las Vegas.  We dropped them off with Chelsea's mother, but not before we had a wonderful evening with her mom Laura, her sister Audrey,  her grandfather Ralph and his wife Sandie and her aunt Andrea and uncle Scott.  They were such wonderful hosts and treated us to dinner and a night's stay in the fabulous M resort.  It was been fun to get to know them and to enjoy spending time with them in their home town.

The Polar Bear plunge is an annual event
 that everyone hates, but feels compelled to do.
Rick takes the first plunge.

The water is very cold by AZ standards.
 Lauren thinking it over.

Lauren and Jordan head in.

Jake

Rich

Run for the towels!

Two brave girls went in a second time.

Sauerkraut, our favorite side dish!

Delicious meal Jordan served us!

Christmas PJs for the month of December

Mesa AZ temple lights.  Amazing!

Visiting Chelsea's grandmother Betty
 and husband Ron and her family

Getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner!

Afternoon hike among the cactus.

Giving Thanks for ALL our many blessings.

Jordan and Jake were such wonderful hosts and we enjoyed staying with them.  I was sick with a terrible cold two of the days and couldn't do much, but everyone else had a great time.  There was lots of football watched, food made, crafts, hike, movies, temples attended and a great time was had by all.  Each of us wrote five blessings on a paper and they came together to make the Thankful chain shown in the picture.  I'm so thankful for my family.  They are my everything!

Visiting Chelsea's grandparents Ralph and Sandie,
uncle Scott and aunt Andrea.

Thanks for Ralph and Sandie for putting us up one night in this beautiful resort!