New Years Eve, welcome 2022!

Back at the dunes to ring in the New Year!

Lane and I did a repeat of Thanksgiving by visiting the orthopedic doctor an hour
before leaving. 

Only this time to get that smelly cast taken off!
He was a free boy!
And ecstatic that he was cleared to ride (carefully) his quad. 

This time it was MUCH easier to get there, all my prep work paid off.
We are also forming a routine as far as logistics and meals go.
Getting this thing down like a work of art!

Tetris of the quads!

Oh, and we didn't get stuck this time.

We learned our load is too heavy to haul in all at once.
We unload the RZR and Lane drives it in, which makes us lighter in that soft quick sand. 

We were the first ones there again, and spent the night alone.
Philly cheesesteaks on the black stone once we get there seem to be our favorite!

And another movie.

These girls had their bed set up like they do at home.
All of the stuffed animals got to come along this time!

Lazy mornings at the dunes are the best.
It makes you feel like you are on an actual vacation, lol!

We had David, Austin, Christopher, my cousin Jonathon and
his friend, our friends the Rudds, and my dad this day!

The girls fired up their quads in no time.

And what kind of family have we become?
Looking snazzy in their new riding gear from Christmas.

We also turned a new leaf by everyone being old enough to go on big rides!
It was finally a family affair out in the dunes, instead of just at camp.

The 3 youngest sat in the back, while Lane rode his quad in the dunning line. 
Crazy to think he is old enough for that!
If the ride was going to be more of an intense one, he hopped in the front seat
of my dads RZR.

The rain from the prior day cleared out all of the smog and I couldn't get over 
how gorgeous the sky was.
The clearest blue sky with white fluffy clouds.
No wind was a nice touch, too. 

Lane going up Comp hill.

Poor grandpa ate some sand on the first ride.
The sand was more compact because of the rain.
He hit a rut and off the back of the dirt bike he went!

Showing off his bloooooood. 

Lunch time!

Followed by more riding.
Most of this group either left for home after dinner, or to Yuma for a hotel stay. 

The Rudds rented a trailer, so we got to play games with them all nigh!

A new day and some crazy boys flipping of the edge of cliffs!

The drags were packed and sand rails were flying by left and right!

Della was begging for her dad to race, so he obliged.

These girls love to go fast!
Not looking forward to their driving days!

Time to carb load for the long night ahead of us!
We had 6 hours to kill before midnight!

Smash burgers for dinner.

Chilling by the camp fire.
And a game of Things.

Grandpa brought the big dogs out.

I brought some paper lanterns that were a hit!
I made a note to bring more next time. 

Sugar keeps the blood flowing!

Della crashed around 11pm.
Everyone else stayed up till 12pm, Arizona time!

Then we got to listen to the non stop partying of all the dang Californians an hour later.

New Years day brought in the wind.
And what a blustery day it was!
I thought Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore were going to stroll by at any second.

We did a big ride with everyone.

Found the swing set.

I looked like the biggest nerd but I didn't care!
If I took my goggles off my eye balls filled with sand in seconds.
I was finding sand in my bra days later, even after washing it!

It was a blast having my 2 friends there with me.

Crazy how a new year is already in the works!

 

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day!

It rained like cats and dogs all Christmas Eve day.
 Our plans to go to the lake and spread Christmas cheer were foiled..
I can't remember what we ended up doing instead.
I was probably wandering around a busy grocery.
That's where moms seem to go if all else fails!

At least we still had our traditional dinner at Cheesecake Factory.

Our group keeps growing from what started out being just our little family!

I only have pictures of these 2 tables. 
What you can't see are the other 3 behind us!

Then played left, right, center at Justin and Stephanie's house.
Ashlyn was the big jackpot winner this year!

Blizzard was sad to go back to the North Pole.
He wrote us a goodbye note next to the cookies and milk for Santa. 

Christmas morning!
I love having kids that sleep in until 7:30.

It was the year of squishmallow's, bikes, pit vipers, and riding gear!

Trying out all of the new things. 

 

We spent the rest of the day at both grandparents houses with the cousins!
No pictures, apparently.
I think I was ready to just sit and enjoy.
Christmas wears you out!