Sunshine in Wintertime

We took a little trip to where the palm trees sway to escape the cold.  Here are a few snippets of our adventure...

Ready to fly away

Bubba Gump Shrimp, Monterey, CA

We stopped at the Monterey Bay aquarium, it was difficult to get a photo.

Being clams

 After Monterey, we took Scenic Highway 1 down the coast, past Big Sur and to where the elephant seals beach....they were just having babies, so we got to see lots of little ones.  Lilian exclaimed, "This is the best day of my life!" Odd, since she had just been car sick not five minutes prior, but after cleaning up and seeing the seals, that was quickly forgotten.

Those are not rocks, but the elephant seals

Lilian and Grandad

Grandad and Braison

 We spent the rest of our time in and around Pismo Beach, California.

Sail boats made from shells, from our friend Val

Looking for whales off the pier 

Braison trying to get a photo with the pelican...the pelican wouldn't let him any closer

Admiring the butterfly pods with Aunt Pam

Can you spot the little people?

 We took a day trip to Solvang and Santa Maria.

I've been taking a photo in this same shoe since I was about 2

Another favorite stop

Avila Beach

We swam a lot.  Both Braison and Lilian got very comfortable in the water and were jumping in and swimming to me!

In front of the big painted Pismo Clam

We had one slightly rainy day, so we decided to go to San Luis Obispo for the day and check out the Children's Discovery Museum....HUGE hit.  The kids didn't want to leave!

Lilian playing baker at the discovery museum

 On the way back we had to stop at the Madonna Inn, Lilian was in love with all the pink!  Braison was in love with the unique restroom.

In front of the Madonna Inn

deja vu...I'll have to find it's match from 2009

Thanks to Grandma and Grandad, we had a wonderful time and were happy to escape the cold and snow for a few days!

In 1913...

Woodrow Wilson was the president.
Crosswords and stainless steel were invented.
Milk was $0.35 a gallon, bacon $0.25 a pound.
And, Braison and Lilian's great-great-grandmother was born.

Happy 101st birthday grandma Shirley!

There Comes A Time...

...when every young person has to give their first oral presentation.  That day was today for Braison and Lilian.  There project was to research a mammal of their choosing, create a visual board with facts, then present it to the class.  I work next door, so when I heard they were giving theirs, I snuck in to watch.

The kids did great and even fielded questions at the end.  Amazingly enough, it was Lilian who spoke so quietly that the kids had a hard time hearing her....

Wordless Wednesday

A Little Green Thumb

The kids were growing weeds plants at school, which they got to bring home with them.  Lilian apparently inherited my lack of a green thumb.

They can't wait to take their crabgrass and plant it at home :)  Yay!

One More...

One more photo from one of the Christmas celebrations.....

Cousins in Christmas pajamas. 

Grandpa built a new sled for the kids.  Perfect timing.  They had a blast.  Of course, they only made it one loop around the yard before they needed to come in for some hot chocolate to warm up.

Week-long Celebration

The kids have had quite the Christmas celebration.  A whole week's worth.

Being sweet.  Waiting patiently for presents.

I think she likes it

He was in disbelief 

Showing Grandpa how to work his new coffee mug

Happy boy

Dangerous girl

Playing Santa at Grandma Sheryl's

Being appreciative :o) 

Being angry :o)  This was one too many pair of underclothes for this boy.

THANK YOU SO MUCH GRANDPA KEVIN!!   They love their new tablets! 

As you can see, the kids had an awesome Christmas this year.  Thanks to everyone who helped make it so special and spoiled the kids into being just a little more rotten than they already were :o)

Merry Christmas Eve

We will catch up on all of the festivities in a couple of days.

Dynamic Duo

These two put on a show for me today.  It included Braison playing the harmonica and Lilian dancing.