Santa Claus is coming to town...

As many of you might know, the London Bridge is located here in Havasu. There is a small (and very humble) little English Village underneath the bridge. Well, every year the village decorates for Christmas and they have a lighting ceremony on the friday after Thanksgiving. We try to go every year. This year the weather was really nice and warm and the kids all went up and talked to Santa. Chase wasn't sure he was going to but at the last minute he decided he didn't want to miss out on the whole Santa thing. Lane was very adamant about wanting a batman cave. Cade and Tally kept changing their minds. They got their candy canes and photos and off we went. Now, we just have to wait a few more days before Santa comes down our chimney! Merry Christmas.

Thanksgiving!

Its about time that I posted Thanksgiving stuff before Christmas comes! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. My two brothers, sister and two nieces that all live in CA came for the weekend. This is the first holiday where my parents lived here as well. It was nice to share the houses and it worked out very well. On Thanksgiving we went to our traditional park/football game in the morning. Then, we had appetizers and everyone but me went on the annual Thanksgiving Day Hike. They went to the Bill Williams River which is just south of here and flows into Lake Havasu. Despite the fact that the kids made "sand angels" (we're a little hard up for snow around here) and came back way less than clean, they had a great time and I was able to get dinner all ready and the table set, etc. Considering the state of our country and world, it was nice to spend a day being grateful for all the blessings our family has enjoyed this year. Another great day spent with the family.

Turkey Trot or Bust!

The saturday before Thanksgiving is always spent at the Turkey Trot. This year Rhett, Chase, Cade and I ran it. We tried to convince Cade to do the 2-mile run but he insisted on the full 5k. He ran well the first 1.5 mile and then got tired. After Rhett finished he ran back and helped Cade walk in the last mile. He got an award for being the youngest runner in the race. He was so cute. Rhett got 4th overall and 2nd in his age group. I finished at about 28 minutes and got 2nd place in my age group. Chase got 3rd place in his age group. It is a tough race because the whole second half is all up hill (and it is steep). I was sucking wind but it was great to challenge my cardio system. Maybe next year we will all run it. Gobble, Gobble.

The U.S. Capitol's Christmas Tree

For the first time in capitol christmas tree history, the tree is being supplied from Northern Arizona. The tree toured through Arizona so Chase, Lane and I went and saw it. The kids made ornaments to decorate it when it arrives in DC. It was about 85 feet long. The mayor spoke, carolers sung and then we got to take a picture with the tree. Everyone is allowed to sign the box the tree is packed in. So, if you watch any tv shows with the capitol tree, it is from Arizona. GO AZ!

Cade's Last Soccer Game

Cade loved playing soccer. He loves to run and he loves to fall down while trying to get the ball. He just smiled throughout the whole game. His last game he scored 4 goals. He definitely has his father's soccer and speed skills. I am glad the season is done and we can have some evenings free. His games were Monday nights - weird.

Halloween - Good Times

We had a great Halloween. We carved pumpkins, went to parties, went to the church's Trunk'n'Treat and just had fun. The kids got loads of candy and they quickly sorted through to what they consider the "good stuff" and put the rest in the treat cupboard. All of the kids were superheroes. Lane was Spiderman, Cade was Batman, Tally was Supergirl and Chase was Superman. They looked adorable. The kids school only lets the kindergarten kids dress up and the rest can have "crazy hair". It was fun to send them off with blue and purple hair. Rhett and I were 50's jock and pepster. We had fun with the kids. I must admit that October was a little full and I was glad when the Halloween festivities drew to a close. Rhett ran the "recycled" run on Halloween morning, It is a 5k where they giveaway old medals and shirts from other races. He was very fast. He dressed up as "Captain Underpants". Yes, you read correctly, he wore underpants. We were all so proud to cheer for our favorite man in a red cape and underpants. There were some other silly costumes but Rhett's was the best.

The Whole Family Heads to Belize

This is our first day in Belize. We went to a different beach and played and swam every day! The kids loves building sand castles, drip castles and looking for shells. They loved throwing on their goggles and getting in the crystal clear water and seeing the bottom and all the fish. Lane is so pleased to be at the beach. He thought the plane rides were "awesome". He would countdown to "blast off" right before we took off.

Chase thought going to Belize was quite the life adventure. I think he missed the big ocean waves but once he realized how warm and calm and beautiful Belize water is he was converted and swam lots everyday.

Hear I am swimming in the caribbean waters of Belize (no this picture is not altered and it is the ocean, not a pool). Amazing.

Tally and Chase playing on the beach by the Grand Caribe Resort on our first full day there.

On our second day we went to a beach near the bridge/canal in town and just hung out all morning. Cade say this log and shimmied his way out to the end and just played out there for quite some time. He and the fish were quite content.

The kids playing on the beach under the shade of a palm tree on our 2nd day. Most of the beaches in Belize have palm tree so it is nice to get some shade from the sun.

This is a picture of our villa at Reef Village Resort. There are no cars on the island (except for a few taxis and some govt cars) so everyone walks, rides a bike or drives golf carts. This was our golf cart for the week. Cade was fascinated with the cart and was the keeper of the keys all week. Lane thought it was great that he could ride in the front or the back and he didn't need a carseat in any spot.

Rhett and Lane on our patio one evening.


The kids on the golf cart one night when we went into town for dinner.

One afternoon we went into town to do some shopping and here are the kids frolicking in the water. It didn't seem to matter if we had swam all day, cleaned up and put on dry clothes, as soon as we got near the water they got wet and sandy. Good thing our villa had a washer and dryer in it! You know you are a mom when you do lots of laundry on vacation.

Lane being cute and silly!

Our beautiful Tally!

Last year when Rhett and I were in Belize we met this wonderful lady, Angie, who sold us all our jewelry and come to find out she belongs to our church. We chatted a lot, met her son and just felt a sweet connection to this nice Belizean lady. This year we took the kids to meet her and buy all our souvenirs and jewelry from. She is so kind and it was fun to meet up with her a year later. She braided Tally's hair (you'll see the picture a little bit further down). The Belizean people are so kind, generous and really just treat you like you are family, not just a tourist. It is such a great place.

This is the pool at our resort. Here are the kids and the dad getting ready to hop in.

Here is the only picture of our whole family that we managed to take while on our trip.

Tally playing on the beach at our resort pool with her cool new braids.

I am swimming in the water with the kids at the beach in front of our favorite restaurant, Estelle's. We had so much fun. The food in Belize is too yummy. I always come home with a few extra belizean pounds to work off.

Here are the kids at the Belize City Airport watching the jumbo jets land and taxi. You can sit on the outside patio and get a full feel for how big and loud the planes are. Lane loved it!
Overall it was a truly magical family vacation. It wasn't the same as going without the kids because now I am exhausted but it was just as great in different ways. It was great for the kids to get to see their relaxed mom and dad and for us to not have to hurry anywhere. We were able to play games, stay up late, talk and just enjoy being together. What a trip.