4TH OF JULY IN TAYLOR, AZ

We got to spend the 4th of July weekend in Taylor, AZ.  It was really fun to watch Macy explore in Grandma and Grandpa Funderburk's Arizona house ... just like I remember exploring all the uniqueness of my grandparents' homes.  

We had lots of fun and lots to do. We went to a parade, fireworks, anvil tradition, rodeo, more fireworks, and more. Michelle and Allana Funderburk came from Tennessee and it was so much fun to get to know them.  They are both so beautiful inside and out.

Show Low Parade

Macy and Allana bonding

The Wigwam Motel aka The Cozy Cone from Cars

Millie stayed back at Grandma & Grandpa Funderburk's

Grandma Funderburk played the piano at a patriotic cowboy poetry performance

The Anvil tradition!

At Matt's graveside

The journey home is always pretty.

We hauled home Andy's second Packard from his Grandpa Pearce.

Such a fun weekend with family.

BLESSING

 

Despite losing Andy’s brother, Matt, we still blessed Millie on Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 9 AM in the Rock Church.  Millie was blessed by her father, Andy Funderburk.  Also in the circle were: Gary Funderburk, Doug Bingham, Kevin Yeager, Nate Parry, Colby Bingham, Roy Smith, Jeremy Marshall, Geoffrey Chesnut, and Kyle Ballard.  It was a special and emotional blessing.  Andy blessed Millie that she would be smart and healthy and come to know Christ and follow him.  It was such a special day to have close friends, all of my family (except Breck) and all of Andy’s family there.  Afterward, we had a brunch at our home.  It was tight but it was so nice to be together, surrounded by friends and family.  

Happy little Millie

You know it's an important day when you have Ecclairs from Dick's Market.

 

Macy's room was kid headquarters

My helpers in the kitchen.

Can I have this little helper, babysitter, sweetheart at my house every day?

Gary had left to go change.

But earlier in the day he was a big help!

 

My sister brought her instax and we had fun with it.

 

Sisters

         

CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas!

We got to spend Christmas at our home this year!  That was a first for us and we were so excited to be able to have Santa come to OUR house.  We decided to start some of our own traditions and food is always the first thing on my mind!  On Christmas Eve, we had Chicken Tortilla Soup, chips and queso, and made New York Times Chocolate Chip cookies for Santa.

Chicken Tortilla Soup fixings

Matt and Andy and Gary spent a lot of time at Andy’s shop working on Matt’s motorcycle and a pot rack for Gary and Brenda’s house. Macy and Millie got to open Christmas Eve presents, matching Christmas pajamas of course. 

Christmas Eve Jammies

Christmas morning was fun.  We were able to hold Macy off until about 8 AM.  She looked in her bedroom first and saw that Santa had brought her a big girl bed!  A cute twin bed and frame were in the place of her crib-converted-toddler bed.  She was excited about the bed and to this day talks about her bed as something that “Santa gave me”.  She'll say to me when we are in her room "Is this my room? That Santa gave me?"  

Big Girl Bed

 

Santa sampled the cookies!

 

Millie's stash

Macy's stash - Marida Barbie and Rapunzel doll were the highlights.

See the magical little twinkle in her eyes?

She said "Oh my goodness. Marida!"

 

Macy enjoyed some of her stocking stuffers: princess pedicure and lip gloss set.

Hello eyes that melt me.

iPadding with Grandma Funderburk

Cozied up with Grandpa Funderburk

The morning was enjoyable and lazy.  We had eggs in a basket and bacon for breakfast.  Andy’s family, who were staying in a condo nearby, came over.  We made a prime rib for dinner.  That was another first for us and it turned out delicious!  We also had English Trifle, a Bingham family tradition, that has tapioca in it which is a Funderburk family tradition.  Food, food, food.  Yum, yum, yum.  Now, on to the New Year's diet resolution.