Good-bye, '23 in Joshua Tree

The kids had more than two weeks off of school for winter break, and Kelvin's brother Kenn suggested a getaway to Las Vegas (a short four-hour drive from OC) during the same break for their kids, along with aunts and grandparents.  I've been to Vegas essentially two times before (with a quick stop in 2019 coming home from a kids-free trip to Page, AZ and Zion NP), and for many reasons, wasn't super keen on returning with kids for a long period of time; however we negotiated and compromised with a day and a half of "nature" time on the way in Joshua Tree NP, about 2.5 hours from OC and where the Colorado and Mojave deserts meet. 

Kelvin and I had done a day hike in the western part of Joshua Tree in 2021 when we watched some Indian Wells tennis but there was a lot more of the park to explore.  

The famed Joshua Tree (actually a cactus)

We drove to the Skull Rock area of the park, where the kids had a blast climbing on various boulders.

Believe it or not, Joshua Tree was the VERY FIRST National Park that K's parents (72 and almost 65) have ever visited! 

The others made an earlier return to the car, but we talked Kingston into a stroll on the Discovery Trail and shot some photos of actual Skull Rock

Fun photos

Mini slot canyon

We stayed at a lovely AirBnB outside of Twentynine Palms (north of the park), which could sleep all 10 of us!  Kelvin's Mom had packed lots of food from home, which she amazingly cooked (food planning and cooking for large groups including many picky kids is hugely daunting for me).

The little boys were really entertained with a Marble Maze, a Christmas gift to Klian.

There was a Secret Game Room, where the big kids hung out a lot.

There was couch time, snuggling, reading, and football watching.

Fort building with wicker

There were backyard hammocks and a hot tub!

I rung in the New Year with a 8:30 bedtime on NYE after a day on the road with a large family group and kids, which is pretty stressful and tiring for me.

On New Year's Day, we headed back into the park to explore another short trail,  to Arch Rock and Heart Rock.

Kelvin challenged the kids to find some wildlife, so Klian was overturning rocks! 

Some little legs got tired (not Iver's)-- maybe from so many takes of "jumping" shots! 

Iver braved "The Arch"!

More boulders to climb!

Heart Rock

Niall was pouting over a scraped knee

Cacti are prickly! 

These grandparents put up with just about everything!

Cholla Cactus, which I think is really cute and fuzzy-looking!

I got way closer than I should have to this cactus, and was pulling out spines from my undergarments (they worked their way through more than THREE layers!) for hours! 

The kids, grandparents, and Kenn/Lisa had their share of nature and headed back to relax, while Kelvin and I hiked the 3-mile roundtrip up Ryan Mountain 

Beaver Tail cactus 

A quick sunrise run was a great way to start 2024!

All in all, we really had a good time enjoying one of the most unique parks in the U.S.  I love spending holidays hiking in nature and hope we can continue the tradition! 

Eat, Drink, and Be(lated) Merry (Christmas)/ Gourmet Dinner

We flew down to OC on Saturday and spent a good day with many of K's relatives.  

Dinner was hosted by Theresa and Mike, and included steak, grilled shrimp, chard, and more. It was truly exceptional and the Christmas dinner we could never pull off. 

Theresa did the delicious holiday baking! 

The party featured a blindfolded scoop-up-cash-with-a-spatula game, which really was a hoot.

I was pretty bad...

...but came away with a couple of singles.

I'm not sure we have space in our luggage, but the kids were blessed by even more gifts from generous aunts/uncles and grandparents.