t-shirts that jenny & I made for everyone on the trip
...the front had a sombrero with the words cancun 2009
celebrating jerry 50 years...
Wow! I can't believe that it's been a month since I last blogged and that the new year is just a couple of days away. Life has just been happening at our house, and I'm amazed at what one can cram into a single month. Today Jillian and I are watching Reese so I have some time to breathe s...l...o...w...l....y... and blog.
This month for us has really been all about family. It's times like this that I am so glad to be back in Colorado near my family, and when it's snowy & cold and I'm longing for the warm, tropical Queensland weather, I remind myself of that. December started off with Christmas decorations, cards & shopping for presents; lots of work for me; Mallory's Christmas concert (spectacular as always); Jillian's honor roll assembly (straight A's for this girl); and the farewell to Peter's Saab (totaled the day before our vacation).
Our final vacation this year was by far my favorite. We embarked on a "Shrader" first and all went on a trip together to Cancun to celebrate my oldest brother, Jerry's, 50th birthday. My entire family (except my youngest brother's family & my 2 older nieces) checked into the Casa Magna Marriott for a week of sand, sun & surf...oh, and daiquiris, margaritas & cervezas by the pool. It was an amazing week, and I loved hanging out with my family. We can't wait to do it again in 2 years when Jeff turns 50 & Jenny turns 40.
the coolest car there (says mallory)
reese's first vacation & it was a big one
all 24 of us in the lobby of the Casa Magna Marriott
my girls & me
peter & his girls
my sisters - heather, jenny & jana
my sisters - heather, jenny & jana
grammie w/ all the grandsons
the younger grandchildren
the water
lunch at a local restaurant in downtown cancun
the view from our balcony - gorgeous!
the last day
We arrived home late Christmas Eve, had to scrape the ice off of the car & re-adjust to the cold temperature, but there's nothing quite like waking up on Christmas morning in the comfort of home. The four of us opened presents, had an Aussie breakfast & relaxed before heading to my mom's house in the afternoon. This year we didn't exchange gifts with the extended family but still did our Shrader family $10 gift exchange. This is one of my favorite parts of Christmas. My other favorite part of Christmas is celebrating the birth of a baby born long ago. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!
playing apples to apples
the shrader family gift exchange
nacho libre masks from mexico
the perfect gift for adam
snuggie winners.........................and............. the cutest little santa EVER
