hitandmiss: A Southwest Christmas Eve

The first year Keven and I were married we lived in Phoenix. We spent Christmas Eve in Palm Springs, California shopping - I had not done any Christmas shopping because it was waaaaaay toooooo warm, it just didn't feel right. So we started and finished our shopping on the spot (definately a desparate situation).

Grandpa Ralph, Grandma Hallie and Kris had driven from Oregon pulling the 5th wheeler; Kelly flew in from Boston and drove with us from Phoenix. Our camping site was in a remote spot by the Salton Sea. For someone who only knew about white Christmases, camping in the desert was quite unusual. I wasn't sure what to think about it, that's for sure! Now, as I look back, I can appreciate how special that time was. Christmas Eve we sat around a bonfire and dad told us stories about the years he spent herding sheep in Idaho and Nevada. Christmas Eve under a starry night and stories of shepherds. Oh, and a new baby - we were able to tell them that they would be having their first grandchild in about 6 months!

Fast forward 36 years, of which 29 have been spent in El Paso. Yes, I have definately grown accustomed to a balmy Christmas - I think our temperatures are quite similar to those in the Holy Land anyway.

A few pictures from this year's festivities:

First thing in the morning: a trip to pick up the tamales. The lines at Lupita's in Canutillo were too, too long, which was too, too bad because it's fun to stand in line outside in the sunshine listening to ranchero music. The Little Diner was just fine for getting our supply of tamales, however, so all ended well. The freshly roasted green chiles for the queso make the house smell heavenly immediately!

The Christmas dishes are ready, the English crackers are ready, and the cookie jar is (ooops, not anymore) full of chunky chocolate chip cookies. Notice the beautiful Madonna and Child print that my friend Lisa painted.

Another Christmas favorite - an invitation to a posada by Manny Acosta.

Tofi, Jack and Theo don't mind having the sun shining down on them all day long.

Occasional rounds of Farkel and Mexican Rummy occur during the day...

...as well as a walk with the dogs - Oliver is stylin' with his Doggles. He managed to chase a Blue Heron, a coyote and a Texas longhorn!

Brad, Tanja and Sonja
Our fabulous team sets up the luminarias and are still smiling!

Kris helps with the table settings and places the English crackers...

...and then starts playing with fire!

Elder Cuello helps with lighting the luminarias

Let the feasting begin!

(not to worry - it's IBC cream soda Kris is drinking!)

Ayrel, Kris, Ben and Sonja

Elder Price, Elder Cuello, Keven, Tanja and Brad

The Tres Leches cake - yummmmmmy! Since nobody but Keven and I like rice pudding this has become the dessert of choice for our almond gift tradition. Tanja won the gift this year - a set of warm, flannel sheets, perfect for those cold Logan winters!