Rosarito for Christmas, December 24th

Christmas Eve Morning.  What a beautiful place to wake up to.  We got to go to the local ward.  It was pretty neat to have enough Spanish speakers with us to translate for all of us during church.  It was a beautiful sacrament.  There was a beautiful feeling in that building.  I loved the plants outside and couldn't believe how big the succulents were.  

We found a lunch place close by where we could all eat some amazing tacos.  

We stopped by the Tijuana Temple which was closed.  We hovered around the gates long enough that the temple president drove up and let us come in and wander around.  So much busy traffic and garbage everywhere outside the gates but inside the gates were beautiful and clean.  

Then back to our VRBO to play on the beach.  Emily made some beautiful artwork on the beach.  Darren went out trying to surf with the wetsuits on.  We finished the night with a Christmas Eve devotional by Valree and Jared.  Then games and a bonfire.  We were lucky to see some fireworks on the beach too. 

 

Charlie the Elf

 Somehow we are lucky enough to have Charlie the Elf show up at our house for December.  He seems to make a bit of a funny mess every night.  But he leaves a yummy treat.  Abby wakes up bright and early every morning to find where Charlie might be hiding that day.  Charlie even appeared in Rosarito Mexico to say goodbye until next year.  

Rosarito, Mexico for Christmas- Dec 23

 Driving to Rosarito Mexico.  We all gathered as we got closer to the border.  Larrabees and Dowlands.  We pulled into our VRBO and got settled.  The adults went to the store to get food.  That was fun to go to the store and see what families and Mexico buy for their holiday meals.  We loved the beach time even if it was cold.  Football, spikeball, walking, talking... The adults found an awesome taco pizza place for dinner.  Fresh cooked good food.   The sun goes down early but we still had plenty of fun.  

Harston and Balls Christmas 2023

 I sure didn't get many pictures of Christmas with the Balls and Harston family.  We celebrated early with both families.  With the Harstons, we walked over to the Tree of Light with everyone.  We had a lovely dinner.  Ely was here also so we got in some rock climbing too!

We took Pat and Seth out bowling for some family time with them.  The only photo I got is Abby beating up Tyler but sitting on him between bowling.  

December Backcountry skiing Darren, Tyler and Ella

 So glad Darren could get out with Tyler and Ella and get in some backcountry skiing.  Every year I tell myself this is my year but I keep doing the Arrowhead ski team.  Ella can keep up with Darren and his back-country boys.  Ella can sure put some food down after the exhausting day.