No trip to So. California would be complete without...

A little trip to Downtown Disney with my sweetie....

we danced to a Salsa band in the street...

Sonia, Patty, Ron & me

We ate fajitas at The Rain Forest Cafe

We ate beignets at Jazz Kitchen...DEE-LISH!

These 3 act like they weren't noshin' on the beignet's, but they were!

We just had a really great time in California over the Thanksgiving holiday. A big THANK YOU to Ron's sweet mom for putting us up (and putting up with us) unexpectedly! And a double fist bump to the heart to the rest of the family who knew we were coming and didn't give the surprise away!

                                                  

                                 

Sunny & 78

This has been a super fun Thanksgiving holiday! Playing at Seal Beach, watching them blow in shaved ice for the kids to play in, and listening to Christmas music being played by a band while we ate Ruby's Old Fashion milkshakes. Not your "traditional" transition to Christmas, but I'll take it anytime!

Abuela,Michelle,Patty,Larry,Madeline,Grant...

This little sweet shop was packed with people....and they were all our family!

So many yummy things to choose from.

Earlier in the day, Angela and I did a little volunteer beach clean up.

They weighed it when we brought our bags back. Mine weighed in at a whopping 7oz. and Angela's came in at just over 6oz. Hey, every little bit helps!

A balmy Thanksgiving Day

Nothing says  'Thanksgiving' like a fresh picked orange from Abuela's tree! Sweet and juicy... and the oranges were good too!

A Christmas Video (Let Him In by Michael McLean)

Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want,

But the realization of how much you already have.

Phoenix Zoo today....

Someday I want to be this close to a real African elephant.

I've always had a fascination for elephants. Not Asian elephants as much as African elephants. Maybe because when I was little I learned you could tell the difference between Asian 'phants (that's what you can call them when you are a cool 'phant lover like me) and African 'phants, by their ears. Asian: small ears. African: large ears the shape of Africa.

Phoenix Zoo today, Mozambique someday!

Grandpa is cool! *even in the Arizona heat!

Recently we were in Arizona visiting our kids and grands. Every morning we would wake to the pitter patter of little feet climbing out of bed and running around directly above us. We were in the downstairs guest room, the little feet were upstairs. (I guess anything you don't have to endure everyday is a novelty.) These little ones are pure joy to their grandpa and me. It is especially fun for me to sit back and watch as these children idolize their grandpa. In their eyes he can do anything. He truly does have boundless energy, patience, and love for all of our grandchildren. It's one of the things that makes him so darn attractive to me! Of course one of the traditions whenever grandpa is around, is to make chocolate chip pancakes with the kiddo's. Everyone has a turn helping and everyone is important in making the worlds best chocolate chip pancakes!