Christmas 2023 in Idaho & Arizona

We went to Arizona for Christmas again this year to celebrate with Ammon--we enjoyed it so much last year that we wanted to do it again! We got direct flight tickets from Idaho Falls to Mesa, and didn't plan to check any bags on the flight, so we didn't have room to take "Christmas" with us. Because of that, we celebrated Christmas at home in Salmon early on the morning of Friday, Dec. 22nd since our flight left that night. It was a nice relaxing morning with just Josh, Kanyon, and I opening gifts and eating our traditional Christmas breakfast. 

Our Christmas Eve, Dec. 21st
We didn't get a big tree this year since we knew
we wouldn't be home for Christmas, but I put
up little trees all around the piano: one for each
of the boys and one for Josh & I. I loved the display!

I watched my favorite Christmas movie "Elf" all
by myself on our "Christmas Eve" to get in the
spirit--sadly nobody else wanted to join me.

Thankfully it was a White Christmas for us in Idaho!

Kanyon finding his Santa gifts & getting his stocking.
His biggest gift was a new queen mattress.

Josh loved this gem tree when we were shopping
in a rocks & gems store in Boise earlier in Dec.

Kanyon also ordered himself a gift this year:
a new laptop!

Before we flew out of Idaho Falls, we stopped for dinner and watched an outdoor musical light show at a home in Idaho Falls. We like that the Idaho Falls airport is smaller, so it's easy to get through security--especially when we each only had backpacks we took as carry-ons! The flight went well, and when we landed, we got a rental car this year--which was a good thing! Last time, Ammon picked us up from the airport and drove us around or we walked, but this year, we were staying at a place that was not close to his home (he moved in May), so it was nice not to inconvenience him. It was late at night and pouring rain when we arrived, and it was difficult to see on some of the roads, but thankfully, after the stressful drive, we made it to our resort in Scottsdale okay. It was a nice place, and roomy for the 3 of us. Josh and I slept in the king size bed in a closed-off room, and Kanyon slept on the pull-out couch bed in the living/dining room. It had a tiny kitchen, a giant bathroom, and a balcony that overlooked the golf course. There was also an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub within a few hundred yards. It was called the Orange Tree Resort, and there were lots of trees with ripe oranges on them! The grounds were so pretty, with multiple flowers and bushes blooming, and we really liked it! It wasn't close to where Ammon lives, but it was only a few miles away from the golf course where he works.  

We slept in on Saturday morning and relaxed at the resort while Ammon worked. Josh read a book, I worked on a puzzle, and Kanyon gamed. Josh also soaked in the hot tub that afternoon after we went shopping for some groceries. After Ammon got off work, we went out to dinner together at a Mongolian BBQ restaurant, and we played miniature golf at the new outdoor PopStroke, which is owned & designed by Tiger Woods. It was a really fun night!

Ammon had work off all day on Christmas Eve, so he joined us for the day. We relaxed at our room at the resort and made our own food. We watched Christmas movies and he helped me work on the Christmas puzzle. That afternoon, we drove in to Phoenix and watched Cirque de Solei's production of "Twas the Night Before Christmas". It was an absolutely amazing performance and we all enjoyed the show! We went back to our place, watched another Christmas movie, ate dinner, finished the puzzle, and then Ammon left to sleep in his own bed for the night.

Ammon came back the next morning, and we celebrated his Christmas. We mostly got him money, but we had a few small things for him to open. We played games, watched TV, and talked to the twins when they called from their missions. After lunch, Ammon and Kanyon golfed the 18-hole course at our resort. Josh and I walked along, watching them play and just enjoying the beautiful surroundings and the nice, warm weather. 

Gifts from Grandma P.--the golf cart item
was a cool little car air freshener. 

A home across the street from one of the fairways was all decked out.

After they finished golfing, we went to Ammon's apartment in Mesa for the evening. We hung out pool-side at his complex, Josh and I soaked in the hot tub, and he and Kanyon played outdoor games. After about an hour, it started to feel cool, so we moved indoors, watched TV, ate dinner, and played Scrabble. Then we took a walk a few blocks away to the Mesa Temple to walk around their extensive light displays. I absolutely loved it! I was so happy! It was such a wonderful way to end Christmas Day! 

We checked out of the resort the next day (Tuesday the 26th). Before we headed to the airport, Josh and Kanyon went golfing with Ammon at the golf course he works at in Scottsdale: FireRock Country Club. We went out to lunch with Ammon afterwards before saying goodbye. Our flight got delayed several hours, which was a bummer, but we were surprised to find the Aldous family from Salmon was on our return flight, too! We played Kanyon's new card game "Five Crowns" in the airport to pass the time. We were SO happy when we finally got to board the replacement plane! 

Christmas in Arizona was the perfect combination of family time, relaxation, sunshine, and fun activities! I missed having our whole family together for Christmas, but I'm grateful we had the chance to spend time with Ammon! I look forward to being together again as a whole family next year when the twins return from their missions!