Vacation Rules

Not vacation rules as in rules for vacation. I mean vacation RULES!

We had a great Christmas. It was fun and mellow and full of great food. I'll get to that in the next post. First, let's cover the fun stuff we've been up to on vacation!

We hit up Pescadero--one of our favorite haunts. First stop was the beach for some fun in the sun--er, sun mingled with bitter cold winds that slapped me in the face upon exiting the car.

I love how this knit beanie showcases her adorable curls

Beezie's favorite new trick--being a tiny dancer. If you tell her do her twinkletoe dance moves, she breaks out into a baby jig.

We ran into our good friend Robert Bradshaw in the general store, and he told us to hit the goat farm up the road.

All of the cheeses are laid out in the room, and you can sample each one. I got a wheel of the cranberry topped fresh cheese. SO tasty.



We also hit up the Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit in Berkeley. They had lifesize animated dinos. It was worth every penny.





We lucked out in the weather department again--it was absolutely gorgeous, and the exhibit was on top of this hill with the best views around.

B enjoyed all of the free space to roam around in the sun

We hit up the Monterey bay Aquarium, and had J tag along for the fun. She came in handy when it was time to take pics.



They had a great time, and J was a big help. How do I get my hands on a helpful and well mannered 5 year old to help me around the house?

Ta-da! That's what we've been up to.

Holiday Happenings

When I said this month has been a blur of candy, lights, shopping, wrapping, shipping, cooking, eating, and celebrating I wasn't yanking your chain. We've been busy little holiday bees. Here's what we have been up to.

Christmas In The Park in downtown San Jose

It's fun and festive. They have a bunch of moving outdoor displays, plus Santa and the Mrs.

We bundled up, grabbed Auntie Sharla, and headed downtown to enjoy the festivities.


I'm contractually obligated to wear my hair in Swiss Miss braids when I don my white parka. It's a tradition I started in Switzerland, and I'm not about to give it up now.



I'm still plagued by this never ending cold, but I couldn't give up a quick smooch with Lancer

B was dazzled by the lights, colors, sounds, and moving displays. She wasn't quite sure what to make of it all, but we knew she liked it.

This is totally going to be our Christmas card in 2012. Watch out for it next year!

After the display downtown, we walked over to check out Lancer's new building. Here's the view from his rooftop balcony.

They have a gorgeous tree in the lobby. His building is fancy schmancy.

I went to see a Christmas Carol with Sharla and Kristine at the San Jose Rep. It was SO good, and totally got me in the holiday spirit.

No Ba Humbug here!

Enjoying a tasty dinner at PF Changs

We picked up some fancy double decker holiday hot chocolates. Underneath the mountain of whipped cream, it was just instant hot chocolate--the 'just add water' kind. Lame!

Then we found time to goof around in Santa's sleigh.

I displayed my new hand-pained, kid-friendly creche from Sri Lanka. I love-love-love this new creche. It's about time because Beezie had nearly broken all the pieces in my old creche. Sorry, Mom! Nothing a little hot glue can't fix.


Lance did some cool night shots. I had all of the lights up for the cookie party, but I hadn't gotten anything photographed. He done good.

My vintage blow mold gingerbread men with colored lights--they look like candy. Love!

My new favorite piece this year--a vintage blow mold Santa that is currently on top of our roof by the chimney. I love this guy, even though I broke off his pipe loading him into my car. Ugh.

The whole house--see the glowing Santa on the roof? You can see him from down the street. Ho-ho-ho.

We checked out the Fantasy of Lights

B and Kai cemented their love with a little hand holding

I look huge because I'm wearing Lance's coat. I didn't gain 100 lbs from those 4 turkeys, I swear.

All the kidlets bundled up--they had fun.

Beezie showed off her running skills. And I thought this kid was FAST on her knees. I had no idea what I was in for!


We bundled up again and did the lights at Vasona park. You just hang out in your car with the windows or sunroof rolled down.


B was all ready to go, but she fell asleep right as we entered the park, so we let her sleep and enjoyed the light show, along with some adult conversation.

We hosted a holiday dinner with our fancy holiday finery

Did a little gingerbread house decorating with the kiddios. So fun. Naturally, B and Kai found the bed, and began jumping like little monkeys.

The guys helped a TON. No, really, they were super helpful.

Time to decorate those houses!

Here's B's completed house. I may have helped a tad.

B helped herself to handfuls of candy. I didn't object--tis the season.

And that about covers what we've been up to this holiday season. Looking forward to the next few weeks with family and friends. Till then!