Az Christmas- Hiking Sears Point

Have you seen this place before?

Pretty sure this is our favorite place to hike around here.

Sears Point- You get to see a great view of our valley and the indian rock drawings and it's accessible to everyone, babbies in trucks and dirt bike riding dads. 

 The town of Agua Caliente.

 Hyder-as far as you can see.

 Hidden Valley Farm- home of the author of the Hyder weekly News- Kip Willis

 Got to check out the old adobe house.  Poor thing was falling apart, literally, walls had toppled over and cracks were growing larger.

Az Christmas- Gathering Wood Project

I always forget how the deset is stunning in it's own way.

Blue skies, vaste horizons, impressive mountains, and unique plants.

I got to rediscover that during our family service project.

My dad asked us to help him gather some firewood for a family in the community.  I was happy to have a chance for my kids to do a bit of service this holiday time.  A few years ago, my dad partially cleared this land by bulldozing most of the mosiquite trees together in these huge piles.  All we had to do was gather up the dry wood, while avoiding any scorpions or snakes we might find, and throw it on the trailers, and deliver it.

The cousins came to help too.

Here's the in-laws working hard.

Here's the sons hardly working;)

 Unloading at the base of Hyder mountain.

It was a good day.  My kids worked hard and got dirty.  That's why we come to Hyder.

Christmas Piano Concert

The girls had such a good time performing for a nursing home for their Christmas concert.  

They each did so well.

 Gracie has just started having little five minute lessons before the other girls and she is loving it.  It is the cutest thing to see her sitting at the piano plunking out simple Christmastime melodies.

Not everybody enjoyed the concert.  

It put a few of the spectators asleep.

We love our Miss Loraine.  She is the best.  So fun.  She remembers ALL my kids birthdays and brings them little treats on holidays.  And she has a pretty adorable doggie.

Thank you Miss Loraine for another great piano year.