Christmas in Sedona

This year for Christmas we wanted to spend some time in cozy cabin were it would fee like Christmas. We rented a place about 15 minutes up Oak Creek canyon that was right on the creek, 4 fireplaces, no TV and no phone or Internet service. It was perfect. We had invited a bunch of family, but it ended up that only Grandma Jo and Papa Steve could come down. We invited some friends to spend the time with us and The Browns took us up on it.


We were hoping for a White Christmas, but it came a few days early. Once we checked in on Tuesday it started to snow and did not stop until Wed morning. We think it snowed about 6 inches where we were. It was so pretty. Carter went sledding for the first time and did not quite know what to think of it. I think if we had had him in all the right snow gear it would have been better. Oh well, we had fun.

Some of the Browns enjoying snacks by the fire

Once Grandma Jo and Papa Steve made it to the cabin, we took them in to Sedona to see the place. We went shopping, ate at our favorite place, Wildflower Bread Co. (over the coarse of 5 days, Nate and I ate there 3 times. It is soooo good), explored the beautiful area and did some Jeeping trails. It was so much fun.






Christmas eve we made cookies for Santa and set them out with carrots and milk. Carter was so excited. In the morning Carter was so surprised with what Santa had brought him. He loved it. He opened a gift one at a time and then had to play with it. He truly loved everything he got. Sadly Grandma Jo and Papa Steve had to head home that morning, so we said good bye and spent the rest of the day playing with our toys and enjoying the relaxation and simplicity.











Saturday we loaded up and headed home. Before we left Sedona we did one of our favorite hikes and then hit lunch at Wildflower. It we a great way to spend Christmas and just be together.

Tired little monkey

Polar Express

A group of our neighbors have been going on the Polar Express for many years and we decided that Carter would have a great time this year. We made our reservartion so that we could be on the same train with our neighbors. The Polar Express is up in Williams AZ, which is about 40 miles west of Flagstaff. Carter was so excited to ride a train. We got up there, got a quick dinner and headed for the Train. It was so cute to see all the millions of families that were waiting for the train. All the kids were in their PJ's and many parents too.

My most favorite moment of the night was when we were waiting for the train to approach. Carter and Nate were looking for the train, and when Carter saw it and it got closer, he put his hand up to his mouth and said "WOW". It was so cute. He was so amazed on how big it was.




It actually ended up being on a different train than our friends, but it was still fun. We got hot chocolate and cookies, read the Polar Express book and made it to the North pole and saw Santa. Santa made it on our train and Carter was so amazed by him too. Carter got a bell and just loves it. It was really fun and would recommend it to anyone. We got some cute video that I am trying to upload, but it does not want to work. I will keep trying.

Spotting Santa

We spent the COLD night in a cute little Inn in Williams and the next morning headed home through Sedona. We did a little hike, some fishing and got a yummy lunch at Wildflower. It was a great day.

Thanksgiving in Utah

We had a great time in Utah for Thanksgiving with family and friends. We did fishing, shopping, eating and just being together. It was wonderful and so hard to come home.





Carter even took a ride on a horse. He was not even scared and jumped right on. He is truly a cowboy!