...The Collins Clan...

Christmas Break

Misty, Sahara and Canyon went to AZ. for Christmas this year. What a great whirlwind of a trip. Here are some of the many things we did and saw while there:

First, we went to the Dear Valley Rock Art Center where we saw petroglyphs from people long ago.

Canyon tries on glasses showing what a javelina sees. It is very blurry.

Sahara and Canyon work on grinding corn at one of the rest stops on the little trail.

Petroglyphs were found along the trail. Some close enough to touch tho no one was supposed to.

A little bench was found under a Palo Verde tree.

Christmas early at Mom and Dads

Dad gets the 'heirloom ornament'.

Canyon gets silly with a big piece of left over wrapping paper.

We went on a hike. Canyon is quite the hiker. He left Misty, Sahara and Nana in the dust and poor Papa had to keep up with him. They took a different trail and went around the mountain and back. Sahara and Nana decided to go to the top. Misty didn't make the top and decided to head back to meet Papa and Canyon because they were without water.

Picture taken by Sahara atop the Thunderbird Park Mountain.

Nana at the top.

Sahara at the top.

For my birthday, Mom and Dad took us to a great off Broadway dinner theater and we saw A Christmas Carol. It was great. The food was wonderful, the show was excellent and they even got me flowers and a cake!

Mom and Dad at the show.

I am blowing out my candle with the help of Canyon. The cake was very delicious!

Earrings (yea! I have been looking for little red earrings forever) and a cute little mouse.

Sahara got me the latest Harry Potter DVD.

Christmas Day in San Diego

Part of our trip we spent in San Diego at Brian and Mel's house.

Brian and Zoey open a gift from Nana.

Canyon gets nerf bullet guns.

Parker gets Lincoln Logs.

Zoey tears into her gift.

Tobey and Sahara open Tobey's beautiful dress.

Sahara and Jason. They have pretty much been head to head growing up over the last several years. Now we will mark the changes soon to come. Sahara will slow down and Jason will skyrocket.

From San Diego, we went to La Jolla to Children's Pool. A little cove of beach taken over by seals sun bathing. That was neat. On one side, seals stretched out to soak in the rays.

Misty, Sahara, and Canyon on a little observation deck.

Sahara points out a seal in the water to Canyon on the side where people can still get to the water.

Jason, Parker, Sahara, Canyon, Zoey, and Tobey.

The water was very cold. But the day was beautiful and warm.

Oh no! The only picture I have of Mel and she isn't looking at the camera. How did she avoid all my pictures?

Nana and Sahara at a park by the airport in San Diego.

Thank you Brian and Mel for having us all over for Christmas. Food was great. Hope to see more of you soon!

Yuma??? I think that is where we were coming back from California.

Sunday, we went to Coolidge, AZ. to Aunt Carol and Uncle Jim's house.

The kids rode on a go cart while it was up and running around and around and around.

Some played a game, but I can't remember what it is called.

Others sat around and talked. It was nice and toasty in the sun.

A great shot of Cousin Tony kickin' back in the recliner watching a ball game.

In Coolidge, AZ., we went to visit the Casa Grande Indian Ruins.

Sahara and Canyon up close to one of the Ruins' doors.

Canyon sits by one of the Ruins' walls.

More Ruins in Coolidge.

Ummm. are we celebrating my b-day again??? This has got to stop. From hear on out, I will NOT have another b-day. I did stop at 29 ya know people! We are at the Az. Mills Mall in Tempe at the Rainforest Cafe. Great food. Took an hour to get it tho.

Cousin Tony, Aunt Carol, Mom and Dad at the Rainforest Cafe.

A day at the races! Or an hour anyway. We stayed for 3 races. No betting, just for fun.

Andrea and her kiddos come to visit for dinner. She is an old friend

of Misty's from Jr high and high school.

We went to downtown Tempe for lunch and shopping on the Light Rail. We transfered to the bus line for an Irish Shoppe and back after eating at My Big Fat Greek Restaurant.