Last but not least, I can't forget to document the wonderful trip we enjoyed to Tucson at the very tail end of the month for New Years. This is the 4th year we've done it and it's really one of our favorite little trips of the year. The kids are in heaven visiting their buddies and roaming the land with chickens, goats, horses, and other various animals. This year all four children became obsessed with the idea of having a hedgehog for a pet-- since Kate has one. It was a fun car ride home listening to the pleas of desperation. And the trouble is, they are not easy to come by as they are illegal to sell and bread in the state of California! I'll keep you posted on the outcome of this story but in the meantime we are on the lookout!
Back to the trip, though. It was short and sweet and full of everything we love. Beth and I had a chance to shop and catch up-- loved every minute. We prepared for the New Year's Eve party which is such a blast with yummy food, picture props, new year's toasting, fireworks and this year an obstacle bounce house! We played games and had a white elephant exchange. No tears this time, thankfully. The night before, Beth put together a darling murder mystery dinner with Clark and Brett and their wives. I was a supposed beauty pageant winner and Blake was a TV star detective. It was set in the 50's. So fun. The kids had a blast golfing and racing and playing laser tag. But mostly, they just enjoyed playing soccer and hanging out with the Rustand kids. We are so grateful for these friends we've had since the newlywed stage of life. We are lucky to have them in our lives. It was a wonderful new years!
