Close to Home

Nice to know we don't have to drive 45 minutes to Point Loma for tide-pooling.
Found some so close to home (thanks for the tip Evaly).

Happy MLK day to us!

France

I'm enjoying a visit to France.

Wish the visit was in person (lucky Tami gets to go in Feb!).
But until then, I'm taking the trip via this book:

The Safe

This safe was one of Owen's Christmas presents.
I like that it has guards.
And that he leaves the key in it.

The safe used to be mine.

My dad made it for me when I shared a room with
Tami and Karen, and needed a space of my own.

I kept my collections in there.
My key-chain collection.
My worry doll collection.
And most importantly, my Kevin Johnson basketball cards.

It has been passed down to a few of my siblings.
Not sure who all had it, but I know someone used it for tithing and savings.
I know this because:

Cole was the last to use it.
He stored his precious gerbil food in there.

Somewhere along the line the key got lost.
So Genius Dad made the lock fit a random key he had.

And now Owen uses it for his money, silly bands, Lego Minifigures,
and a ring he got from Sally.

It makes him happy.

Part Girl/Part Cat

This is Sally being Nightwisp.

She is Nightwisp most mornings and nights.

And even though her cat noises sound nothing like a cat,
I'll take this any day over having one as a pet.

Disney for Felicity

We had a lovely day at Disneyland celebrating Felicity's birthday.
It was the girls' first time.
And Danna and I hadn't been in 8-9 years.
We were all so excited, don't mind Sally's face.

We...

compared shoes with Jasmine.

Dumbo-ed.

carousel-ed.
(and got loud speaker-ed for breaking carousel rules)

pretended we were 16.

borrowed Felicity's camera.

got dizzy.

were obsessed with lip gloss.

got prime boat seating.

ate princess chocolate.
(that & Sally's scarf were a few of the things in the cute goody bags Danna put together)

And lots more.

It was a really good day.
Sally and Felicity were so fun together.
They've grown up so much in the 9 months since we left Monterey.

Happy birthday Felicity!

The Next Day

They are playing ladder ball.

Derek is playing nut ball.

Rachel is the best aunt.
Drew is almost 5 and likes baby swings.

The rest need no words.

Last night we were talking about New Year's resolutions.
Drew wants to get better at wearing his Batman capes and playing with his toys.

Owen wants to get better at making people laugh.
He will do this "by being funnier."

K I'm done talking now.

Oh except I need to apologize to Rachel.
Rachel, I'm sorry the only New Year's kisses you got were from a racket.

Best aunt.

Hi Dad!

We had a most enjoyable New Year's Day at the park and beach.

Plunged

Happy New Year!
My New Year's resolution is to do as many stupid things as possible.
So it only made sense to jump in the ocean at midnight.

Before starting my new year of stupidity,
I had a very not stupid New Year's Eve.

My family is visiting from AZ.
We visited Point Loma lighthouse and the nearby tide pools.

(lighthouse in the background)

That new face (far right) is Jason's main squeeze, Candace.

I have so missed tide-pooling since leaving Monterey.
Cole found a sea slug or 2.

Drew was reunited with his hermit crab friends.

We found a Derek in this tide pool!
He earned $5 for jumping in.

Those shells on Owen's shoes are suctioned to them.

Point Loma Lighthouse

View from the lighthouse.

Then we ate at Point Loma Seafoods.
Loved the fish and chips.
And that's coming from seafood's least greatest fan.

New Year's Eve festivities:

We had our own spin on the king's cake tradition.
Cole found the first walnut hidden in the cake, so he became King for the night.
He chose Drew as his Queen.
(notice that light? my dad hung 2 over our dining table and we can now see what we're eating. it's lovely)

Derek found the second hidden walnut.

And unfortunately for him, he became Cole's servant for the night.
It was everyone's worst nightmare, being Cole's servant.

I kicked Brent's bootie in Boggle.
And everyone's for that matter.

Lots of food.

Just Dance 2.

And then the plunge.
It was like 39 degrees outside...the water was probably about the same.
And just because you wanted to see this picture again:

5 of my 7 siblings plus 1 sibling-in-law.

Justin had duty so he missed all the partying.
Did I ever mention he was gone for 3 weeks in December?
He did an Arabic refresher course in Utah.
It was not fun having him gone.
Especially with all the holiday festivities.
But at least he was home for Christmas.
And he's home now.

And I got off track.

Happy 2011!