Happy New Year

We'll be sad to leave this view, but it's time to go home.

New Year's Eve dinner, yum.

Some old slides and then speed scrabble!

Almost made it to midnight, but fell asleep laughing to the Marx Brothers. E asked if she could go to bed at 11:15.

Another great year with my love. Here's to another!

CA Christmas 2010

We are still here but I thought I'd cover Christmas...these photos are straight from the camera.

We got in super super late Friday night...or really early Saturday morning. When we woke up we loaded up Baby B and headed to the coast to...

see a sweet baby girl,

and her sweet mama (and daddy, not pictured. thanks for a great visit Mckay's!).

Then to the 7th Annual Cousin Christmas party. The first one was at our place when we lived in Monrovia. It involves fabulous food and a serious game of Catchphrase.

Next day was a lunch with Carla, dear old friend.

Then we headed back to the desert to find our kids

riding bikes

and scooters..in December. sigh...

The rest of the time consisted of tasting pomegranates,

playing with cousins,

resting,

finding water in the desert after the rain,

and taking in the view.

We celebrated Den's birthday,

fed sheep,

pet chickens,

ate carne asada from here...it was amazing as always. Don't hate.

Then there was the candlelight Christmas Eve Service,

where everyone sang.

Then it was time for Christmas pj's.

Someone thought he'd try to take a peek before bed.

Christmas morning came fairly early and started w/ baked oatmeal and

stockings, and then opened gifts.

Who looks the most excited in this picture?

The dog was humiliated.

There was plenty of treats.

We ended the day with a Christmas walk,

happy baby,

rare full family shot,

and fabulous sunset.

Goodnight Grandpa.

The rest of the week has been spent playing w/ new toys,

seeing old friends,

playing games,

seeing more old friends,

playing with dogs.

We have a few days left and we plan to just enjoy the weather (although it's raining, it's still warmer here!) and the family. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

CA, then back at it

Ya ya...it's been forever. I know.


Let's first talk about this guy. He was this happy for 98% of the traveling. I couldn't have asked for an easier baby.


First part of the trip was spent in Orange County

introducing the next generation of cousins,



and visiting w/ the first.


Getting to see DEAR, DEAR friends and meet her little ones (so cute!!). (not to mention, they bought me lunch..thank you aron & suz!)



More friends coming and taking me to dinner , thanks guys!




All the time being taken care of by my gracious hosts; Uncle Frank & Aunt Sandy. LOVE THEM!


Then it was time to head to B-town


and of course stop for some much missed In N Out.




There we met both great grandma's.

As well as B's Great Great Great Aunt Henrietta.

Cooled off in the pool. (swam with the scorpions...ahhh, desert life)

More old friend time, Missy and her beautiful girls.

Caught the sunset.

Made my mouth and tummy happy.

Remembered why you don't visit Blythe in August.

Summer storm, complete w/ lightning...

that started a fire across the river.

Of course we had to take a bit of a closer look.

Soaked up these guys. Never enough time, but always thankful for whatever we can get.

Then we closed things up by heading back out to OC...

and saw these guys. So much fun, dinner, scrabble, Uncle Jimmy's blankie. Love them tons!

And Uncle Jimmy made breakfast before we went to the airport. yum.

Then I hopped on a plane w/ the happiest baby on earth.

Just in time for the first day of school.