Christmas In Southern California

Carolyn and I spent Christmas with Sara, our first in Southern California. Friday, we drove down Rodeo Drive to get in the spirit of the season LA-style. Santa crossed the street right in front of us.



We later saw him dodging palm trees to deliver presents.



We saw folks who had the difficult task of finding just the right gift for someone who already had it all.



We visted the Alamitos Bay area of Long Beach to take in the Christmas decorations. A quaint neighborhood there, Naples Island, is actually three islands separated by canals to look like Venice, Italy.



With 70 degree weather and parrots squawking in the trees, it takes a lot of decorations to make it look like Christmas.


The day before Christmas, Carolyn, Sara, her friend, Bob, and I went hiking in Topanga Canyon. The canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains is the world's largest wildlife area in a major city. It is totally within the city limits of LA.

On a clear day, in the distance you should be able to see the ocean in the center of this picture. On this day, however, cloud cover hovered over the beaches. From our vantage point all you could see was the tops of clouds down below. Weather conditions caused record surf all along the coast. Surfers were out in droves, despite the foggy conditions, to try the waves which often crested over 3o feet.


Here the Santa Ynez trail descends into the canyon. Bob and Sara can be seen to the right, Carolyn on the left is getting ready to round the bend, and, as usual, I am bringing up the rear.


At the bottom of the canyon, the trail winds across a creek bed and under a thick canopy of trees.


While Carolyn and I stopped for a lunch break, Sara and Bob explored further on the trail to find a waterfall. They got off the trail, over shot the waterfall and ended up have to climb down a series of ropes to the waterfall before working their way back to the trailhead.






We spent Christmas Day at Sara's. She had her apartment beautifully decorated with a huge tree and lots of presents.


Stockings were hung with great hopes.


The fireplace was well lit with lights and candles for Saint Nick.


The Christmas Spirit was felt by man and the animals.


"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."

Ben's Birthday Bash

December 6th, Ben celebrated his first birthday.

Mom and Dad threw a great party!



There were balloons and decoration.



Grandma Linda baked a cake.




Cousins Jack and Riley came to show "Baby Ben" how to open presents.




And there were lots of those.







Ben got a cell phone, bath toys, and puzzles.



He got clothes, and trucks, and drums,

and a bus with "wheels that go 'round and 'round,"

a hat,

very cool sunglasses,

and his first commando outfit from Aunt Sara.

It was so much fun,

we're going to do it again next year.