Even better, when we got home? Leftover Xmas cookies.

I'm back!  Did you miss me?  I was off having adventures.  And this time most of my adventures didn't involve blisters OR extreme sidetrips into the realm of stinkiness.  Much.

JD and I flew out to see my Mom and Dad for Christmas.  We're on a three year rotation.  Last year was JD's Mom's year.  This year was mine.  Next year, we're staying home.  In theory anybody is welcome to travel to our home for Christmas, but in practice there is a strong bias in favor of the bipedal grandchildren.  Presumably because Dori refuses to wait until Christmas morning to open the presents.

So JD and I flew into Phoenix, and then we stopped.  Previously we flew into Phoenix, rented a car, drove for a couple of hours, and then collapsed for two days at the other end.  Stopping in Phoenix is so much easier.  AND it meant that we got to eat at Sweet Tomatoes, which is a wonderful restaurant, existing only in places where we do not, currently, live.  So after a good night's sleep and more salad than you can shake a fork at, we finally arrived at Chez Mom and Dad.

It was a pretty nice, relaxed Christmas.  I love nice, relaxed Christmases.  We did jigsaw puzzles, and went for walks, and calmly discussed the fact that I want nothing to do with Skype.  And we ate.  We ate A LOT.  I'm afraid to get on my scale now.  Not so much because the number will be higher.  More because I'm afraid I will give it a hernia.  My double chin grew an extra chin this weekend.  I blame that bitch See, whoever she is, and her yummy, yummy candies.

On Saturday JD and I went for a hike in the Dells, which are fantastic weathered granitic formations.  In three hours, while almost completely covered, and with two applications of sunscreen, I burnt both my hands and my face.  I am not made for desert living.

On Monday we started the travel in reverse, only this time we didn't go to Sweet Tomatoes.  We went to Julio's and had excellent Mexican food and met up with my hiker friend Phoenix Rising.  I suppose I feel like I know her a lot better than I really do.  We hiked together in 2005, and then I saw her for like 90 seconds last year.  But we've kept in touch, and she sent me trail magic all during 2010.  She's planning to hike a big chunk of trail this year, and I hope to return the favor.

Everybody else Skyping

Mom's furniture is a little snarly.  What's up with that?

Look!  I got a fuzzy, soft, wonderful scarf!  It's delightful.

My folks looking cute.  It didn't take much persuading to get them to go to a brewpub for Christmas Eve dinner.  JD and my Dad don't even drink, but their wives do.

A redhead attempting to minimize the damage

The fact that this is so weathered that you can't read it anymore is slightly reassuring.

That sky!  Those wacky rocks!  Love 'em.

A lone decorated tree along the trail.

Sigh.  So pretty.

We went over the mountains to Grandma's house

We drove over to Grandma's house to see family which had come a very long way to see Grandma.  But they also agreed to see us.

On the way over we stopped at a convenience store for caffeine.  I couldn't resist looking around, as I now picture myself resupplying for a hike every time I go into a convenience store.

I think it's telling that a something-tini is right next to the Menage a Trois.  Tinis will get you in trouble every time.

Also the tiny Sta-Puft boy Bimbo scout treats looked enticing.  In whichever language.

Our weekend together immediately started driving JD nuts.

Okay not really.

Soon we were surrounded by family, some of whom were unfairly cute.

Is anyone else picturing him breaking hearts in about fifteen years?

And some who were unfairly cute and dangerously comfortable with technology.

Allow me to instruct you on the finer workings of an iPad.

I can also help you out with your iPhone settings.  Some adults have trouble with them.  It's nothing to be ashamed of.

Notice her turning her uncle into a goober with one flick of a helicopter.

We had a fabulous time.  The kids are definitely in the "I am so cute that you can't look away, and well behaved enough that you don't want to" stage.  Despite my Lyme-induced slackitude, I also enjoyed some grown up conversation time with the grown ups.

And then, we had to come home because we have paycheck addictions.

Yeah, that's what I think about that.

OMG practically illegally yummy pancakes

Benadryl pretty much rocks. I slept so hard that I woke up with a new Mohawk and with drool on my face. I was sleeping like a rock star. Possibly I assaulted a photographer. But I got the camera so nobody can prove anything. 

The whole family went out for brunch to a restaurant called Toast. It's a breakfast and lunch only place that specializes in French toast and pancakes. Three of us got pancake flights, which involved four small stacks of your choice of pancakes. I got Smores, blueberry lemon, strawberry banana, and peach cobbler flavors. It was very much like having dessert for breakfast. Possibly the best thing in the restaurant, however, was the tree. It was decorated with slices of toast. I'd put up a picture but I'm writing on my iPhone tonight and it is not so much with the features. 

Everybody who didn't get pancakes received cold food which should not have been served cold. The worst example was the eggs Benedict. Cold hollandaise? Yikes!  So our visit had very mixed results. 

This evening the seven of us plus two more grandparents trekked out to the zoo, which was decorated to the nines with lights. You couldn't see many animals, but it was a pretty magical walk around the place. I have never seen a better light display, nor one better supplied with cotton candy. A fine evening, all in all. 

Coke plus Benedict plus hugs = all better

Today was a day full of love, starting from about ten AM. Prior to that it was full of a migraine and a hot "flash" that was more like an extended prairie fire. Neither one led to successful sleep, so you can imagine the cheerful and friendly mood I was in when I eventually gave up trying to rest and faced the world as represented by my husband. Isn't he lucky to be married to me, with the migraines and the bitching? I'm certain he agrees. 

His delightful self found me a diner to eat at where I could have eggs Benedict and a gallon of coke while I marinated in sorrow and Imitrex. I don't recommend either with breakfast, but eventually the synergy kicked in and I began to resemble a human being again. And then we went to see my family. 

Then, mass love and hugs and kisses and a jigsaw puzzle, and I accidentally got the pug in trouble by letting her lick me. Sorry, Nev. Didn't know it was verboten. I needed me some puppy time though. 

The day absolutely flew by. I got to talk to everybody except my brother and my oldest nephew, as usual. Some day we will have a conversation. Perhaps 2020 after everything settles down a bit?  Well, maybe 2025. I wouldn't want to rush anything. It's just that I got to talk to my brother once in 2005 and it was really nice. He turns out to be extremely articulate and intelligent. (Who knew?) and my nephew seems to be taking after him so chances are good he can do this talking thing also. Possibly after adolescence. 

I hated to leave but we all have to sleep sometime, I sincerely hope. After some Benadryl, perhaps. And aided by one of my aunt's amazing caramels, which I might have to share with my husband. Possibly there was something in our vows about it. I could have said anything, really, the whole day was a blur. 

In the morning, more family. This time I hope to marinate in less Imitrex and more baby smiles. 

In which I actually touch a family member

This week is all about family for me. We keep in touch (well, JD keeps in touch, mostly) but we don't actually see each other much. Around the holidays we try to make an effort to have actual face time with family members. This is especially important to me because the nieces and nephews will be kids for a limited time, and then they'll be off on their own going to college, having adventures, and raising their own families. Though I hope they'll still see their great aunt me every so often. 

So today we saw JD's mom, brother, sister in law, and the newest nephew. I had missed out on seeing David before, what with thruhiking and concomitant Lyme disease. I may have gotten the better end of the deal because now he's old enough to be fun. And large enough to drive. Man those kids grow up quick. 

Later this week we'll get to see my folks, brother, sister in law, and their daughter and two sons. This might be one of my last Christmases seeing Sandy, who is getting awfully close to leaving the nest. Maybe I'll luck out and she'll be a homebody. ;) but I can't count on that so I have to make the most of the time I get before she's a big important adult with no time for humoring aunts. Then it'll be Ian's turn, all too soon. And he already has no time for humoring aunts. He's too busy developing new daredevil stunts to show the world. So I'd say there's a good chance I can just watch him on tv. I'll point and say "Yup. That's my nephew. He sure didn't get those skills from me. "