Arizona Thanksgiving Trip

We're home from Arizona!  We made back about 4 PM Monday.  We stopped for a couple of hours in Flagstaff, at Kohls and then at Savers..I could have used another hour, but Steve was so ready to get home!  Ran into a little snow, but most just cold.  Now that we're back at 6000 ft. where it is 25 degrees, so Mesa doesn't seem so cold!!

  We had a wonderful time while we were in Phoenix.  


We got pies and cookies made Wed. after we arrived...though our landing place was moved from Anthony's, to Ashley's relatives, as they had to help teen-sit the youngest Reidhead boy.  We stayed in their "guest cottage" which was pretty fancy.  After we got all the food pulled together, we went over to Quent and Bev's for Thanksgiving dinner.  We had tons of yummy food, and no one forgot and left the yams in the microwave!

Had 3 kinds of pie.  Afterwards we celebrated Quincy's birthday, complete with pinata and treats.  Then we showed the DVD of our Mediterranean trip...some watched, others slept.  

Yum, that was a great meal, which also triggered the big reveal!

It's all Marci's fault that she happened to mention "maternity pants" during dinner!

Anyway, in the process we learned that Quent and Bev are expecting a baby in May.

Found out in Dec. that Brig will have a little brother.  We're so happy for them!

Dancing off those holiday calories...while the adults watch.  What's wrong with this picture?

Breaking the Pinata was the next big activity, as we celebrated Quincy's birthday which was on the 22nd.

 That evening, Ashley and I started on our marathon pre-black Friday outing waiting in line for nearly 3 hours at Toys "Or" Us. Then going to Kohls and waiting some more.  The adventure started at 8 PM Thursday, and ended at 6 AM Friday.  The details are too horrendous to describe, but we kept calling Amy, and giving her an update, so she can fill you in. I think she was the only other Wilcox crazy enough to be out and about.  It was really cold waiting in line...but I didn't get sick, so I guess it wasn't REALLY cold.     

Janet and her friend Sharon remembering
"The Way we Were" 50 years ago.   Elephant Rock in back.

We slept for a few short hours once we got back..., then when the guys left to go golfing, Ashley and I and Sam and Logan left for a desert adventure, about 40 miles away in Queen Valley.  One of my Ririe High classmates lives there in a house they built themselves.  It was fun to visit with the Knutsons, and hike past Elephant Rock, and see the petroglyphs on their property.  

  I really appreciate Ashley driving me out, as I don't think I'd have gone on my own.  Afterwards we reconvened at Quent's, where we learned about the golfing altercation...(again, too many details to include but be sure to ask the guys.)

 We went to the Library park and enjoyed some sunshine and lots of ducks!  Brig is quite the imitator of animal sounds.

    We stayed with Quent and Bev Fri. and Sat. night, and got few rounds of games in with the girls.  Brig and Ava have really changed a lot since we saw them in June.  They are very entertaining!  The guys went to the Reidheads for the BYU game fiasco, and we came later for a third or 4th round of leftovers...which were still delicious.  

We went to Church with Anthony and Ash, as she was talking that day...also stayed that night.  Saw the temple ground lights, and played games that night.   Then Ashley and I stayed up to watch "My Life in Ruins"...as a post script to our Mediterranean trip, but Ashley quickly faded into slumber.  In the other room Anthony was studying for his first finals test today.  I hope he did OK, as he really had an interrupted schedule with all the comings and goings of the week.  (As of Jan 1. he had 1 "A" and one "B+" with 3 more grades yet to come in.)

 We also found out when we got home today, that one of the families we worked a lot with on our mission, lost their father (husband) last Wed in an accident.  He was driving home from Denver( where he worked) to be with his family in Ganado .  He was one of the best Navajo Dads we knew, and loved his wife and family so much, but had to leave the reservation to find decent work.  

    This is when an understanding of the Plan of Salvation is such a blessing to families, for it gives then hope, and faith and knowledge of how they can be together in the Eternities.  But there is still the sadness to work through in this life.   I don't know if you've ever been around Navajos or not.  But when someone dies, they have 4 days of gatherings, where family and friends come and share memories, share love, food, and give counsel, and also plan out who can help with expenses.  It is very therapeutic.  Then four days after the funeral, they meet one more time, to say their last good-byes, and typically according to tradition, they don't mention that person's name again.   However, those in the Church, have a better understanding of what happens after death and aren't so superstitious. They know they can be reunited, so they aren't afraid to speak of their loved ones who have passed on.

We're so thankful for all of you, our children and spouses, and grandchildren, and grandchildren to come.  We feel truly blessed to know you are raising your children with family prayer, blessings on their food, church attendance, and home evening and scriptures as a part of their lives.  Following that counsel of the prophets will help counteract lots of slings and arrows that come their way. We also appreciate the service you all give.  We especially appreciate Autumn who helped retrieve Kayla and get her back to SLC.  Thank you so much. That was really an extra-mile effort.  I know you'll be blessed.   Love, Mom