Christmas Vacation -- Evans Style

Every year on the day after Christmas, we pile the kids in the Suburban and take a road trip to Arizona to visit Derek's family. While we're there, the men and boys spend a few days riding their ATVs at the sand dunes, while the girls stay back at Grandma's for some quality girl time -- shopping, eating out, etc.

This year, we had the added bonus of a stomach virus that was making its way through the Arizona relatives. I thought we might get lucky and escape unscathed, but unfortunately, we were 3 for 5. Mallory, Derek and I all got sick. Somehow Parker and Alex managed to avoid it.

(Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention in my post yesterday that we had a wonderful phone visit with Nate on Christmas Day! He's doing great on his mission in Canada. It was SO GREAT to hear his voice!!!)

So while the stomach flu did slow us all down a bit here and there, we still managed to have a lot of fun with the fam. I didn't take as many pictures as I intended to, but here are a few depicting some of the highlights of our trip. One thing I don't have pictures of is our fun night out at the musical Annie. Mindy, Paris, Mallory and I went together to see it at Gammage at ASU. It was a top-notch performance. The only downside was I was starting to feel sick that evening, so my headache and body aches prevented me from enjoying it as much as I had planned. But that's okay. The girls loved it, and my uber-talented sister-in-law Mindy even sewed Annie look-a-like dresses for Paris and Mallory's American Girl dolls. :)

Here's my cute little nephew Luke....son of Danny and Denae. Whenever he would see me get out my camera, he would yell, "Say Cheese! Say Cheese!"

Mallory and Paris had so much fun. Here they are reading American Girl books together.

Danny took Spencer and Parker to Fuddrucker's to see if they were man enough to conquer the one-pound burger. Parker looks a little intimidated as he comes face to face with the massive meat, but 29 minutes later, he came away the victor. (Spencer and Danny finished theirs, too.) Parker's appetite is just now beginning to return. ;)

My mother-in-law started a tradition years ago where everyone in the family gets a walnut on New Year's. Inside is a dollar bill -- and for a couple of lucky winners -- a five-dollar bill or ten-dollar bill. That way, no one starts the New Year being penniless. :) Mallory and Paris helped Grandma fill the walnut shells this year. The first year I was in the family, I got the major award. Ever since then, it's been the one-dollar bill. I think it's about my turn to win big again. :)

New Year's Eve we all had dinner together -- except Derek who was feeling sick that night. :(  Then we played Rock Band and had a White Elephant gift exchange. I joked with Mindy beforehand that I always try to 'accidentally' leave the white elephants we receive at her house when we head for home. This year, Alex and Parker left theirs -- and not even on purpose. (Sorry about that, Mindy!) Parker was so disappointed to come home and realize he had left behind his fabulous Michael Jackson retrospective calendar. Yeah....I'm so bummed that won't be hanging in my house this year.

Denae's thinking, "I can sing "Walking on Sunshine" way better than that!" ;)

The kids all in a circle awaiting the white elephant exchange....The excitement in the air is palpable. ;)

Doesn't Parker look thrilled with his gift? Well, who wouldn't?

Mallory and Alex ring in the new year by blowing noisemakers and banging pots and pans.

We had a wonderful vacation....and were sad to leave the family and warm Arizona sun. Wish we could have brought some of that warmth home with us. BRRRR. :)