adventures in arizona: winterhaven

Every winter we gather together with Dave's brother's family to walk through Winterhaven. This neighborhood has decked out their houses with lights, music, and the like for 63 years! Its one of the longest running festivals of its kind and Arizona winter weather is perfect for taking a tour through the neighborhood. It was started by CB Richards who donated lights and pine trees to be planted along the roads in 1949. Since then Winterhaven has held its festival every year except for one year during the 1970s energy crisis when the residents voted to stay dark.

We plan for it every year, but I was pretty excited as we drove over realizing this was Haneul's first time going! The cousins had a blast running around with each other and we bumped into several of Dave's current and former student athletes. I'm still coming to terms with accepting Tucson as our home, but things like Winterhaven help bring me to that reality. It tells me that Christmas time is near and coming together with friends and family alike is a heart warming Tucson tradition.

"Nephew Eric"

Corbin

Haneul

Beniah

All the kids took turns pulling the wagon...sometimes full of kids and possibly filled with Uncle Dave.

Lots of bystanders particularly liked the free ride that Uncle Dave received.

Haneul loves her cousins and insists on doing everything they do-including pulling everyone in the wagon.

We came on the Friday before Christmas and it was a popular night. There were a number of live musical performances and even a live reading of "The Christmas Carol". This particular house was also giving out hot cocoa.

Love the hand holding :)

I found this list of dispelled myths on Winterhaven's website.

Myth: Residents receive a credit from Tucson Electric Company to help cover their electrical costs during the Festival
Tucson Electric Power pays for all the electricity during the Festival
Fact: Winterhaven residents absorb any cost increases in their electric bill during the Festival.

Myth: The deed restrictions for the neighborhood require that  residents decorate for the Festival.
Fact: Decorating and participating in the Festival of Lights is all voluntary.  Most residents particpate because they love the Festival and see it as their gift to the community

Myth: Winterahaven makes money from the haywagon vendors during the Festival.
Fact: The money made by the Haywagon vendors helps to pay for the police, barricades and other items for the festival. If there is money left over a donation is made to Community Food Bank.  No money goes into the pockets of Winterhaven residents or the neighborhood association.

Myth: The Festival of Lights is a Christmas celebration
Fact: The Festival of Lights is a celebration for everyone, regardless of religious affiliation. Light is a common theme among many of the major religions of the world.  Winterhaven's Festival of Light is a gift to all.

our new normal

Since I've been back at work a lot of my regular customers have asked me how the adjustment is going and how the kids are doing. While the day to day can be very tiring, I look back and realize that we've come a long way. I had prepared myself for a difficult transition. I had read the blogs, the books, and was planning on night terrors, rejection, and difficultly connecting. And honestly its hard for me to share that she has done really well. She did reject me at first, but she now calls me mama and is especially cheerful when she greets me at the door when I pick her up. Bedtime can still be challenging, but she finds comfort in her bedtime routine.

I feel a sort of guilt that we didn't have a difficult transition. I marvel at how it seems she has accepted us as her parents. I know it is all by the grace of God (not that God's grace is only in positive things) that we have melded together as a family so quickly.

Our new normal is being a busy family of four. We have two, active, fun loving kids who love each other fiercely. Haneul still adores Beniah, desiring to be in his world. Beniah still craves alone time, especially alone time with mom or dad. Sometimes they drive each other crazy-but don't all siblings? It's beautiful really. (Remind me of that next time I look stressed because they are fighting!!)