A New Face

We're still here. Been busy since the New Year. We left beautiful 80 degree weather in So. Cal and returned to daytime highs in the 40's. (Sigh.) But it's been a fairly mild winter. We've had some beautiful sunny days lately, for that I am grateful. Now, if it would just warm up about 30 degrees, all would be right in my world.

There's been a new face around our humble little home as of late. Mama made a new friend. His name is Mike and we're pretty fond of him. We met over Thanksgiving weekend and it's been amazing ever since. Pierce has had the chance to spend some good time with him too. We're thinking he's a keeper. 

Other than that (as if that's not enough) we've been doing school, playdates, swimming lessons, and trying to throw in fun outings. It's been a great start to a great year! 

Paddle Boarding in Dana Point

I've always wanted to try paddle boarding, but now that I'm living in the Pacific Northwest, those opportunities aren't as relatively available. So when my parent's neighbor offered to take Pierce out if a family member joined him, I jumped at the opportunity. It was amazing! 

Yes, it looks peaceful and it was! The water was calm, the sun was out and the water was ...

... a bit chilly. I found this out first hand when I went swimming (not on purpose). I got stuck in an area where I was concerned about hitting a piling and long story short ... ended up in the water. Other than that, it was a perfect afternoon.

Rob said he would take us out again next time we're in town ... I'm going to hold him to that :)

Rose Parade Floats

My parents have had the unique opportunity to help decorate the Rose Parade floats over the past few years with the Rotary Club. Since I was in town this year at the right time, I got to join them. It was a very early morning, but well worth it!

We were in a wearhouse in Pasadena across from the Rose Bowl stadium at the crack of dawn. The place we were housed about 15 of the parade floats. Here's Hill and I getting ready to get to work.

Flowers, flowers, everywhere flowers ...

The Rotary Inch Worm. I became quite acquainted with him over the next several hours.

After a few hours of gluing and beheading flowers I got a chance to do some actual placing of the flowers on the float. Up on the scaffolding I climbed.

I can always count on my dad for catching a photo-op.

It was a tight and ackward squeeze for some of the time, but it was a cool experience. Here I am leaning over the edge of the scaffolding placing mums on the inch worm's head.

And the final display two days later during the Rose Parade.

Morning Walks

One of my favorite things to do each morning when I'm visiting my folks is to walk around their neighborhood. Sunshine and blue skies in December ... you just can't beat it!

Yep, that's the Pacific Ocean peaking at me from the other side of those hills.

The entrance of the neighborhood ... I just love the way it feels with the palm trees and fountains.

I love walking by the older gentlemen playing bocce ball. I don't know if it's their hats or just the fact that they gather their to roll bocce balls several morning each week that makes me happy. Either way, it seems like a good thing! 

 

One of my favorite places to stop and catch my breath.

On a couple of these mornings Pierce asked to join me. Thanks to neighbor Rob, Pierce was able to borrow a bike and helmet and join me.

A quick stop by the park on the way back home ... makes for a great start to our day!

San Clemente

One of my favorite things to do when I "go home" is to catch-up with old friends. On this trip I had the great pleasure of seeing two friends that I haven't in some time. I had a lovely dinner with Carmen, her husband Matt and their 8 month old Gwen. I haven't seen Carmen in at least 15 years and she hasn't changed a bit! Carmen and I were high school buddies. Of course, we forgot to take any pictures of the occasion.

Another day I got to see Karen!! Karen and I met 20 years ago when we worked at the same gourmet market. We used to walk the beach 1-2 times each week and talk about all things important. Since this was our thing, we make a point to do it each time I return to town. Karen and her daughters moved close to the San Clemente beach/pier earlier this year. From her place this was our walk.

Not bad, eh?

Toward the pier we walk.

We walked past the pier quite some distance and then walked back. It's our time to talk and since we haven't seen each other in more than a year ... we had a lot of walking to do. On the way back to the pier we saw a large pod of dolphins just off the coast. We estimated that there must have been about a dozen swimming by a group of surfers. So beautiful!

Then it was Fisherman's Restaurant located on the pier for a late lunch and a shared a bottle of vino. (More talking.)

I took this picture shortly after we sat down to eat.

And an hour later ... the fog rolled in! Here I sit at that same table. It was kind of crazy. But it was a beautiful day and my heart was filled with the love of a dear friend.

K1 Speed

This was such a perfet Christmas gift for Pierce!

Mom, Dad, Pierce and I took off to Anaheim to visit K1 Speed (http://www.k1speed.com/) so Pierce could race on a track. If you know Pierce, then you know this sort of thing is in his blood.

Here he is getting the briefing of "how to" before the race.

Outfitted with his helmet.

And off they went!  

 It was pretty neat. 14 laps around the track takes about 14 minutes.

Looks like someone had a great time! Lots of expression and details to share. Of course he wants to go again, but I told him that it would have to wait for a future California trip. (Something to look forward to.) I can think of a few others who might enjoy getting behind the wheel too. It's not just for kids afterall!

Christmas Celebrations

Twas the night before Christmas and ... my parents had worked their tails off!

Between my mom's grand idea and my father's honey-do list, these two make an incredible pair and pull together a beautiful evening for all the family to enjoy.

After all the aunts, uncles & cousins went home to their own beds it was time for a good night of sleep so Santa could arrive.

Looks like Santa came overnight!

Pierce was happy to find a Duck's Hershey bar in his stocking and is patiently waiting for the Rose Bowl to eat his candy bar watching the U of O Ducks.

It was great fun having cousin Gary with is this year! It was a surprise for most of the family that he joined us from New York.

Pierce was busy exploring and handing out the gifts. Turns out that waiting with patience is NOT his strong suit this year.

Pierce and Mommy photo op!

My Dad! Love the hat. The thing that is so funny to me about this (aside from the obvious) is that I always think of my parents as being more of the beach/boat types. But apparently they are turning into western/horse kind of people. Who knew!?

The Artist

Mr. Gingerbread Man

Let the Record Show ...

Each time we visit Grandma and Grandpa in So. California we take Pierce into the garage and measure him against the side of the cabinet. We've been doing it for years and have had fun watching the line on the side of the cabinet climb higher and higher with each visit.

Apparently there has been a little internal family debate about the true height of my dad. So, when it was time to measure Pierce, my sister chimed in that it was also time to measure and document Grandpa's height. And ... it's true, he's about an inch shorter than his driver's license may lead you to believe. Ha!

Why stop there? Let's measure everyone!

Hillary and I got in on it and so did Grandma and cousin Gary Demack!

And in case it's not clear ... let me just point out that Mom and Hillary are the same exact height ... and I TOWER over them by at least a 1/2 inch. HA!

Mom & Dad

So, perhaps I may be a little bias ... but I don't this so.

My parents rock!

Xmas at BCT

Don't you love it when work doesn't feel like work? Me too! Thankfully my boss gets crazy decorating ideas and I get to execute many of them. The last hurdle is getting the holiday lights hung (thankfully that will fall to someone else to do). Here are just a few of the things that I've been up to at BCT.

Hanging Christmas wreaths.

Hanging oversized bulbs in the front trees and light-up presents at the base.

And decorating our indoor Christmas tree. Since Pierce and I won't be getting our own tree this year, it's been awesome to have an opportunity to soak up some of the Christmas spirit at work each day.

The only downside to any of this ... Tangee makes us where "Santa's Helper" aprons every Monday, Wednesday & Friday. It's sort of ridiculous, but so much that I don't totally mind.