California Christmas - Dec 2008
As we have for the past 3 years since we headed to the east coast with our boat, we flew back to California to spend the holidays with friends. This year was even more special than normal, since our good friend and 'adopted' sister Kim graduated from college. She is as close to 'wonder woman' as I know - she's got two kids, two step-kids, works part time, goes to school part time (except for this last semester when she took a full load), and - up until recently - was a member of her local school board. She is the most organized and disciplined person I know - and now she's got her bachelor's degree from college! YIPPEE!!! The picture to the left is her and her very happy daughter, Baylee. The picture to the right is of Kim and her grandpa.
No one who accomplishes something like this does it alone. This is a picture of Kim's family below. You probably recognize the two reprobates with her in the picture to the right.
We spent Christmas with Kim and her family, as we have done every year for many, many years. Sheila and Fred (the dog) anxiously await the time to start opening gifts.
We gave these signs to Bryan and Baylee for their bedroom doors. Bryan is amazing on the sax - he was recently picked to be in the state honors band and was also picked to play the national anthem at a Sacramento Kings game this year. Baylee is a wonderful dancer. I can say that I knew them when...
We sent the kids on a treasure hunt this year for their big gifts. We hid several clues around the house that they had to find that would eventually lead them to their big gift. Baylee got a new iPod which her mom had inscribed with iDance on the back.
Bryan got a new digital camera.
Shiela wrapped up in her new Elvis quilt that I made for her this year.
The kids also got the Guitar Hero set, which they enjoyed playing with.
Jeremy and I headed into the city one day and I spotted these two guys giving and selling hugs. I think the guy with the free hugs was doing a better business...
We were able to spend a bit of time with our good friends Vicki and Jon and Harry Stairs as well. Harry adores Jeremy. They spent some 'serious' time working on a computer game together. Of course, the cats Rufus and Isabelle also adore Jeremy, so he had to give them some quality time as well.
Harry and Jeremy playing on the couch. I have no idea. I think Jeremy was trying to teach Harry how to do horns, but Harry - wisely - has opted to give Jeremy antlers. They both were giving the rest of us the raspberry after a bit. It looks like Harry is checking to make sure he's doing it 'just right.' It's a good thing we only see them once a year - God only knows what he'd learn from Jeremy if we saw them more often!!!
Vicki, Jon and Harry - with Rufus - saying goodbye when we left.
I had my annual girls brunch with my girlfriends. That's Amy, Pat, Harriet, me, and Karen - left to right. We missed Margery and Judy this year, as they were both sick when we got together. It's a great group of women. We're all project managers who met at work many, many years ago. The jobs and contracts may come and go, but the friendship remains.
We also got together for a wonderful dinner with friends Kier and Linda.
I made a new cover for Sushi's bed while I was there. (Thanks SO much to Vickie for letting me use her sewing machine to put this together while we were visiting!) Sushi seemed to like it. It's a bed, it's soft - I guess from a cat's perspective, what's not to like??
The second picture below was taken as she was giving me her 'put down the camera and feed me' look one day.
Close up taken with my new camera.
Updated Feb 14, 2009