Wednesday morning our family and Whitney's family (Craig, Whitney, Elle, Austin and Alissa) caravan drove to Las Cruces. There was a huge blizzard the night before in Utah but when we woke up at 4am, there was no snow at our house. The blizzard missed us but dumped on in Salt Lake City and Logan.
It took 12 hours with all the breaks to arrive in Las Cruces.
Our Larsen style juice boxes. Green/red sludge in the bottles, with a straw taped to the bottle. Rod wanted to add the special touch with a bread tie (yes, I love bread ties and can't live without them and so Rod likes to joke about it, any chance he gets). We were off to a good and healthy start, with a big laugh.
Gas and potty break in Moab. The box on top of the car houses Rod and Alex's golf clubs.
White-out hit us between Monticello, UT and Cortez, CO. For 60 miles we couldn't see hardly anything.
But when we got to NM side, things were looking up. No snow. This is Shiprock.
Sunset in Las Cruces around 5pm. Gorgeous.
Thanksgiving:
The following Thanksgiving morning we had breakfast at Rod's mom's house. This is Liz in all of her morning fresh glory. Liz and Brad had flown in the night before.
The Gibson men cooking breakfast in the backyard.
Rick, Matt and Jeff.
Over at Heidi's house, it was a busy morning with 3 busy boys. Jarom, Gideon and Hyrum. I went to make my mashed potatoes, yams and gravy for the Thanksgiving dinner. Heidi had more room in her house so it worked out great. Thanks Heidi!
Family picture before early Thanksgiving dinner.
Lexia Lynne, Melinda, Rod, Tamara
Elizabeth, mom, dad, Whitney
Because there were 42 people for dinner, we decided to have it at the church cultural hall where there would be more room for everyone. Tamara and Rod were getting the turkey ready. Whitney made these beautiful aprons for all the sisters, mom and me in the family. Thank you Whitney. Simply a perfect gift.
Alex, the model
Rod carving the turkey.
Dinner is served, buffet style. Dad was first in line to partake of the goodness.
Dad is ready to eat.
Mom and Rod chatting around the table.
Dad and mom are ready to eat.
After dinner we had our family picture taken.
We had to go back to Heidi's house to clean up my cooking mess, and found Heidi and Sam in tryptophan coma. Heidi had worked the previous night and she needed her beauty sleep.
Instant friends: Hyrum and Alex
Me and Kelli. Kelli will be coming to live with us next year when she gets into BYU. We are so excited to have her.
Sisters: Heidi and Amberly
Tamara
Two baldies and friends: Sam and Rod
Friday, Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year:
Elle modeling a hat at Old Mesilla
Alissa, Elle, Whitney and Tamara in Old Mesilla.
Husband and wife mariachi band and Elle and Whitney in Old Mesilla
Dad's coffin in the house. Morbid, I know.
Lexia Lynne is painting a beautiful river scenery on a milk tank. She is so talented.
Elle and Alex bored out of their minds on a Friday afternoon.
Rod and baby Caleb (Kristy's 3-month old baby)
Pecan Orchard in Rodey.
Pecan orchard at sunset in Rodey, NM. I think this looks like a painting.
Mom had been asked to display many of her nativities at this old Catholic church in Rodey, NM so on Friday late afternoon the whole troop drove there to look at the displays.
St. Francis de Sales Church in Rodey, NM
Elle
Grandma and Alex
Elle and Grandma
Elle, Grandma and Alex
Melinda is playing Christmas music on the organ during our visit
One of mom's nativities that Rod brought back from Finland many, many years ago
Mom and dad's first nativity that was made in the 1950s out of cloth and paste. It is still absolutely beautiful.
Nativity displays inside the church
Jeff and Melanie. I found out that Melanie was expecting their first baby, due in the summer. Congratulations.
Elle, Grandpa and Alex
Elle and Grandpa
Grandpa and Alex
While Alex and Elle went to the movies to watch Harry Potter, Craig, Whitney, Austin, Alissa, Rod and I went to dinner at Chili's. This is Whitney and her brand new "readers". She looks fabulous!
Dinner at Chili's.
Alissa, Whitney, Craig
Austin, Rod, me
We took an evening tour of Old Mesilla and saw these beautiful luminarias on top of La Posta.
Saturday: Heading back home, again at 5am.
Sunrise in New Mexico.
Hot air balloons in Albuquerque, NM.
Chimney Rock outside of Moab, UT
Mrs. Butterworth rock outside of Moab, UT
We were finally home right before 5pm on Saturday afternoon. Just in time to watch some football games. Sadly BYU lost to Utah.
