Above – Looking out off Ladera Street yesterday. Surfers were enjoying small, slow swells in a perfectly calm ocean.
Below – A closer view of how clear the ocean was yesterday. If we were to use the ocean on the first day of 2016 as a gauge to determine how the new year will be, we could perhaps say it will be a year of peace, stillness and clarity. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Calmness looking down at No Surf.
Oh no! What’s this? More photos from Jamie. A chilling contrast …
Holding true to Jamie’s words, there is a sun up there in her neck of the woods.
At Stone Brewery for dinner last night …
Akuch’s new boots …
Selfie – Bear cuddling with me and keeping me warm.
Above – Alo playing in snow in Lebec on the way back to Walnut Creek. I got a text from Akuch they made it home safely around 10pm.
Below – Cousins Sparty, Maya & Alo “so happy together” on Christmas Day. They were playing and I said “Hey, how about coming over and sitting on the stairs so I can get a picture of you together.” They stopped what they were doing (very important stuff) and did exactly what I asked. Impressive!
Yesterday morning Ron texted this photo to us and wrote “Silas woke up early this morning and got into Jens purse.” I think Elmo made him do it …
Meanwhile, back at the house Kando waited patiently while his mom and dad packed up to go home.
Brothers – I will miss them (and their parents too). Kando is a really good baby although he still wakes up every couple hours to eat and only breast feeds so Akuch stays pretty busy with him. Alo is bigger every time we see him, and so smart. He’s always talking, singing and getting into everything – very inquisitive.
Robb and Akuch drove down last Sunday with the boys to see Bill one last time. Bill would have been happy to see we all got together and enjoyed ourselves on his behalf – especially the kids.
Maya and Alo were excited to see each other and we got a brief preview of how much fun they’ll have next week when they get together again.
Ron set my phone up for a selfie with the little car and Alo (he’s kinda crazy – what can I say?). Of course I couldn’t pass up a chance to photo bomb.
We had ribs. Or at least they had ribs. After looking back through my photos to create our annual family calendar I realized I take a lot of pictures of the Sparts eating. I guess that’s because I’ve never quite seen anyone enjoy food so much!
A smaller portion of the group.
Another beautiful December sunset …
Today Rachel’s dropping Maya and Sparty off at 8am for a few hours. We’re bracing ourselves …
Above – The OB Christmas Tree Friday, a day after we saw all the kids from OB Elementary School walking down Newport with their hand made ornaments. We drove by and they were all lined up to sit on Santa’s lap.
Below – Sparty in the car seat Thursday ready for music class.
What are they up to now? OB lifeguards at the arch practicing more lifeguarding maneuvers.
Oh, and how beautiful is this!!! From the top of the stairs looking south past Garbage Beach and the Coronado Islands. The lump on the horizon to the right of the islands is a huge cruise ship.
Friday night GNO with Boys at our good friends Kim & Dennis’ Escondido home. L-R (back row) Bruce, Me, Kim, Dennis, Vickie, Don. L-R (bottom row) Gail (peeking around the corner), John & Sean (our cook). We hired Sean to fix us a delicious Asian meal.
After dinner and after our wine & ornament exchange that Bruce said took us two hours. We had a lot of fun doing this, but I think the guys were falling asleep …
Photos from up North – Kando at 4 months old, and look at that, he’s already working on his first 100 words!
Kando’s first library story telling. According to Akuch, Alo is in there somewhere too …
Another one of those reasons to reflect on how fortunate we are – Just after the sunset Friday. In the foreground are the Christmas trees lit up across the street. Have I mentioned I don’t ever tire of November sunsets? Oh waitaminit… It’s December!! I love December sunsets!
Bill was moved to the VA Hospice Unit Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday he was resting comfortably and peacefully but Friday and Saturday he had pain and discomfort. We will see him again today and are hopeful they’ve got his medication squared away so he can rest in peace again. Robb and Akuch are driving down today to see Bill. They’ll only be here a couple days, but it will be good to see them and the kids. A reunion of cousins and enjoying the baby should be fun.
Below – photos shared from Grandma JoJo, Maya and Sparty’s Ohio Grandma
Sparty’s deciding what he wants Santa to bring while Maya enjoys her chocolate milk and Passi.
Maya has craft time with her cousins.
Soccer!
Meanwhile, back in Walnut Creek
We had a lot of fun yesterday watching all three football games, going to the park, enjoying the grandkids, Robb & Akuch and a houseful of their friends which included a total of nine adults, four two year olds and sweet baby Kando, AND a fantastic Thanksgiving spread. Robb spent all day in the kitchen cooking! I took lots of photos, so for today I am only sharing the first half of the day.
Selfie while watching football.
At Larkey Park before the big meal.
It was cold …
Somehow the trees got the hint that winter’s coming …
Back at the house, Kando has some tummy time.
This is what happens when you drink your yogurt.
Here’s a selfie video, a test to see how long I could make my arm. A very active Kando…
Now that Thanksgiving’s over, here’s a little preview of the up and coming season, one of my favorites!
http://youtu.be/b_ReMi7tVWA
Today we’re taking a ferry to Angel Island. According to Wikipedia …
“Angel Island is an island in San Francisco Bay offering expansive 360° views of the San Francisco skyline, the Marin County Headlands and Mount Tamalpais. The entire island is included within Angel Island State Park and is administered by California State Parks. The island, a California Historical Landmark,[1] has been used for a variety of purposes, including military forts, a US Public Health Service Quarantine Station, and a US Bureau of Immigration inspection and detention facility. The Angel Island Immigration Station on the northeast corner of the island, where officials detained, inspected, and examined approximately one million immigrants, has been designated a National Historic Landmark.”
Above – Red skies in the morning, sailors take warning (taken from bedroom window early this morning) …
Below – Red skies at night, sailors’ delight (taken from bedroom window last night)…
This must mean rain!
The OBYoga Water Bottle on vacation again (must be nice …). Here, relaxing at Joshua Tree courtesy of my student, Merle who is on an artist retreat.
“Would you look at those crab legs!!!”
Antonino Tarantino says hi to Robb, Akuch and family.
Robb, Akuch & family reciprocate from the floor in their cozy apartment.
Chinese Fire Drill!! (Is that politically incorrect?)
Hey, the light’s not going to get any greener!! hahaha. I guess you had to be there …
In this YouTube video published September 10, 2014, young British Muslims at Active Change Foundation show their solidarity against ISIS and its actions.
Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook in deep sorrow for those in Paris with LOVE!
