Golden Sun RV Park, Apache Junction AZ 12/6-20/2013; Travis', Gilbert AZ 12/20-1/1/2014

 

Golden Sun RV Park, Apache Junction AZ  12/6-20/2014

Golden Sun is the Encore park we usually stay in at least once a year.  They let us Thousand Trails members stay in it for only $3.00 a night.  Can't beat that--and it is a really nice park.

 

Time to start putting up a few Christmas decorations, although we will be moving to Travis' house before Christmas.  Great weather for December!

 



We have room for a little Christmas tree on our dash.  The ornaments are all framed pictures of our kids and grandkids.  Terry's carved moose are taking the place of reindeer this year.  The stockings are just being positive that Santa will find us!

I took a beading class at Lake Minden in October and was busy ever since then making little ornaments for all of the grandkids.  They each have a different scene on them and have the kids' initials on the backs.  This picture divides them up by family--oldest to youngest.  They were lots of fun to make.  After making 17 of them, I could probably teach a class myself! 

In the park, they had a Christmas parade with a lot of residents and travelers.  It was lots of fun to watch and they served punch and cookies in the clubhouse afterwards.

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus even made an appearance!

 

There are getting to be quite a few smart cars being towed behind RVs.  This one in our park was pretty clever.  They really are small enough to almost look like a wind-up toy!

 

Travis' Home, Gilbert AZ 12/20-1/1/2014

Travis and his family moved into a beautiful new house in the fall and they were still in the middle of remodeling it.  They had the flooring and carpeting all done, but were still in the middle of new cabinets in the kitchen and inside painting.  But, they were willing to still let us come for the holidays.  They have an RV parking place and also a guest house (where Spencer was living) so it was really nice--especially because Sarah and Jill and their families were also there!  Jill's family got there before Christmas and Sarah's didn't arrive until Christmas Day evening.  Yes, Travis and Shannon were really brave to have all of us there at the same time!

Christmas morning Boe, Kamber, Nic, and Josh all came out with their Santa hats on.



.

Spencer and Nathan are checking out all of the loot in their stockings.

Later on that day, Boe, Kamber, Josh, and Nate all got in the hot tub.  Travis had it all heated up for them, but the pool was still pretty cold.  They all dared each other to jump into the cold pool.  They all did, but then hurried back into the hot tub.  We had a great Christmas, but I was bad and didn't take many pictures, again!  Thanks, Travis, Shannon, and boys!

I was very surprised at one of my gifts from Terry--a hot air balloon ride!  When he bought it, he didn't realize that it was a "two-for-one" deal so I was really excited that he was going to go with me!  NO WAY!  He doesn't even like to climb on a ladder anymore!  So, since Jill and her family were staying a little longer after Christmas, I talked her into going with me.

Terry was taking pictures from the ground . . 

. . . and I was taking pictures from inside the basket of the balloon!

Jill and I thought our pilot did a good job, especially as he posed with us at over 5,000 feet above the ground.

They allowed Terry to ride along in the chase vehicle.  We went higher than any other balloon that day, but didn't go too far.  We ended up landing almost in the same place we took off from, so they didn't have to chase us very far. Terry is down there in the van waiting for us.

They fed us a desert champagne breakfast (orange juice and donuts) while they folded up our balloon.

o

Jill and I both got "flight certificates."  What a great Christmas gift.  I have wanted to go up in a hot air balloon for many years--and finally got to.  It was so fun having Jill go with me.  What a nice surprise from Terry!