Christmas

Dad napping early on Christmas....

Simon playing with his new gift....

Hannah with one of Auntie Leigh's kitty's.....

The kids admiring Simon's new computer.....

All the kids playing the Wii.....

Dad, Leigh & I....

The after party with paper crowns....don't ask. ;-)

The whole crowd.....California & Arizona

Christmas Eve

In our family, Christmas Eve is the big celebration, not Christmas day.....so here it is....

Dad making pasta with my sister, Leigh, on Christmas Eve.

Simon, Cwen, Hannah & Simon....yes, we have 2 Simon's on our family.

Early morning Christmas Eve at the Winchester Mansion in San Jose.  Simon had memorized the brochure so we had to go!

Back to Christmas: Monterey, CA

While on our road trip at Christmas time, we had a night in Monterey. It is gorgeous there!

The rest are photos of a day in the life!

Dad & Linda came with  us....

It might be freezing but my son was all wet.

Crabs at the pier.

Hannah's gorgeous curly beach hair.

We interrupt the vacation slides.....

To wish my daughter, Hannah, a belated 12th birthday. Her birthday (and due date) was Valentine's Day. Shortly after this photo was taken at 6:30 am, she announced it was only 364 more days until she turned 13.  I'll mark that on my calendar with sparkles!

San Francisco Day 2

Day 2 started with the sun coming up over the Golden Gate Bridge from our hotel room window.

The kids and I took the street car down the pier.

There was a farmers market with cool stuff, including this interesting veggie.  I don't remember what it was but it looks cool!

Then we hit the boat ride to Alcatraz.

The former recreation building.....

A cell at Alcatraz

"Rodeo Drive"

David's friend, Stella, that came to see  us in San Francisco...she lives just north of the city.

A ride on the cable car.....can't do San Francisco without hitting the cable cars.

And a walk through China Town.

Christmas Vacation: San Francisco

The kids and I took a road trip to San Francisco, Monterey and San Jose (to visit my sister and her family).  On the drive we stopped at Peggy Sue's 50's Diner.  They had this "animal park" out back with a gorilla & dinasours.

Eventually, after much driving, we got to San Francisco.  I hear a bit of Otis Redding in my head when I look at this photo.

We took a boat ride into the harbor the evening of the first night.

The Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.

Simon was estatic about seeing Alcatraz.  I had bought tickets for the next day but he could not contain his excitement.

The San Francisco skyline.

What would a trip to San Francisco be without a trip to Ghiradelli Square?

Lots of chocolate!

Diane's Holiday Party

I had the honor of attending Diane (& David's) annual holiday party!

I was lucky enough to fly in on Thursday night (thank you Dad & Linda for watching Hannah & Simon) so I was able to supervise the making of Diane's egg nog (aka jet fuel)..

Wayne came over on Friday and Diane gave him a Christmas Giants hat.  This is cool for Wayne since he is a HUGE Giants fan.

After much fun in the kitchen, we made cucumber, salmon, herbed boursin cheese and dill.

Salami, cheese and basil in a roll.  It was yummy!

Scene's from the evening....the table inside the front door.

Me (pretending I am REALLY REALLY tall) in front of the tree.

Diane striking "the pose" (ha, ha, ha!)

The bar.....

Cathy, myself & Diane.  Cathy & Diane have been friends since kindergarten.

Dom (Cathy's hubby) and I. He wanted to make sure he looked shorter than I did. I took a lot of crap for wearing 4" heels that made me 6'2" for the evening. Dom is also taunting Diane by taking off his glasses....it became the running joke of the evening.

Diane's daughter, Jennifer, with their friend, Thelma.  Thelma and her hubby brought yummy bbq sauce!

Bill, Lindsey and their beautiful daughter,

Wayne (who did not match his outfit to his Giants hat) and his lovely girlfriend, Diana.

David (the host) & Avril

Fred & Cathy

A good time had by all. Can't wait until next year!