Merriness

We braved the torrential rains and floods and drove into PV for the Wynne Christmas; a gathering we have sorely missed for too many years!

Seeing my own children play with my cousins' children in the same rooms we played in not so long ago, surrounded by so much love, was exactly what this trip is all about.

Thank you Aunt Katie and Uncle Ted for the hospitality, and all those who contributed to that amazing fare! Hopefully someone will share a picture or two! It was too short and we'll see you again soon!

It was so much fun to have passengers, Auntie B has declared it her favorite way to travel!! The kids were all sound asleep when we got back to the condo after 11, I wish we could have just slept there.

Santa managed to find us again this year, that guy is good! Here the kids are reading the note that he left, in which Commet asked for more sweet peas this year as it seems Blitzen hogged them all!



Jim and his family arrived last night and now that we are all together it feels like the festivities can officially begin. I have 17 people on their way for lunch and swimming, then gift exchange and prime rib.

I hope everyone in enjoying the holidays fully and with abandon.
Merry Christmas!!

Cathedral City

Auntie B let the kids decorate the tree. I was in awe of the restraint she showed; I was never able to accept kids' ornament placement, though I did notice how much more organized the tree looked the next morning... :)

We had a sweet set up parked outside Beth's house but we were told to move along today. Thankfully by the police and not Beth or Jeff, though they didn't tell us who called in the complaint.....

We only have to deal with a couple days and then we'll be checking into the timeshare for Christmas: two weeks with a bathtub, bedroom doors, a dishwasher, a washing machine.... oh the decadence!

Jamie offered her first ever sewing class. Thank goodness she found some game students!!


Tierney making her project; an ornament.Auntie B showing off her handy-work.

San Clemente

We just couldn't wait so we arrived in Palm Springs early, so happy to see my sister and family!!

Then we and Grandma and Grandpa headed down to San Clemente for a long weekend of surfing and sushi.
Oh, yes, and visiting my Brother and family :)

(Look for the boys in the tree)












We only had one day of fog, the rest was ridiculously gorgeous.

Apparently, we took most of our pictures that day.

Our first sleep over in the rv went remarkably well.
Uncle Robb entertained with a campfire (and the melting of various objects) and Pedro's helped with breakfast! :)

Between climbing trees, cops and robbers and bmx showdowns there were some happy campers!

And we surfed.
It was small, which suits us just perfectly these days, and thoroughly satisfying.

It was surprisingly crowded, I guess we got to see what "Fun-Employment" looks like.

It felt so right to be back in the water.
To think I got made fun of when I packed the wetsuits?!


I have a feeling we'll be back this way again soon.

Chef Jamie

Jamie asked for and received her own "cooking day." She planned the meals, made the shopping lists and cooked (with a little help) the meals. We had Green Eggs and Sam (sausage) for breakfast and roasted red pepper soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch.

Quartzite and Clocks

Robb likes to sleep in. He has had to change his natural sleep patterns dramatically on this trip to accommodate the rest of us.

We have been crossing time zones, both ways and have recently adjusted for daylight's savings. We have an alarm clock in the back that Jillian likes to play with. We have an inexpensive wall clock that is supposed to adjust automatically but only does so when it feels the need and not necessarily to the accurate local time.

I'm just saying: in my defense.

After an evening of stars and campfires we turned in early.

I had already been lying awake when the kids started stirring and debating their morning itinerary, Robb rolled over and croaked, "it's too early, go back to sleep." Well it didn't feel early and I consulted the the alarm clock and saw that it was already 8. He disagreed. I went and checked the wall clock and confirmed, it was indeed 8am; a perfectly legitimate time to rise!

Jamie, who loves sunrises as much as I do, and her always willing assistant got robes and socks on and went out to photograph the dessert sunrise. They were so cute out there that Robb had to go get a couple shots of them. After adding hats, mittens and warm pumpkin tea we had ourselves a very magical morning.
It wasn't until much later in the day when I was on the phone I noticed that the two clocks I had referenced earlier has conspired to support our early morning party. Turns out we had actually gotten up at 6 am.

Oh.

Thank goodness for siestas!

Little sleeping beauty joined me at the window after a while.


Totally worth it.

Hit and a Miss

No, not the rig, our destination. Robb spied a few signs advertising Silver City in New Mexico and made a quick decision to pull off and check it out. It was about a half hour out of our way and completely worth the detour!

Billy the kid lived here and there are a few sites to visit. The downtown was vibrant, even in it's off season, with interesting and unique stores. Jamie found her personal guru at "It's Sew Much Fun" and we had a fantastic Spanish/Mexican dinner.



The miss involved Robb driving an hour down a very bumpy sand road in pursuit of some hot springs we had read about.

It was dark, the family fell asleep, but he pushed on, determined to wake up to some amazing healing waters.

He was in the pitch black on an ever narrowing sand road, seeing the next stretch in the tiny view of the headlights he decided best to just wait for morning, and that is where we woke up.

Right in the middle of the road.

So, up before sunrise he took the girls in the truck and went to find information at the camp entrance.

And there he found a very small sign saying, "Sorry, the hot tubs have dried up."

So sad.

Funny enough, we might go back if we pass again; for the unparalleled view of the night sky that the rest of us missed.

White Sand Dunes

The White Sand Dunes National Park was awesome! We rented sleds and had a blast. It was cold and still; perfect conditions.








Jillian on the 'kitty' hill. (Bunny did not cut it for her in appropriate description.)






Bobby wasn't too sure at first.











Until, of course, a race was at stake...











Then I had a brilliant idea. I would show them. I would surf the hill. It was graceful, it was spectacular, I almost hung ten...




Oh but for full disclosure. And the fact that my husband would correct the story if I didn't. The short glory was followed by a most spectacular crash. The bruise I acquired still covers half of my calf, a great look for the holidays!







Me and my shadow.