Monthly Archives: December 2016

Potrero

Above – One of many group photos from our trip to Potrero and nature hike with the boys.



This one requires a close up of these happy boys.

These two boys are troopers. They hiked almost the whole way. It threatened to rain while we were there but we managed to stay dry and have fun.

This park in Potrero is huge with small cabins for rent and a lot of areas for motor home hookups and other areas with picnic tables and playgrounds, not to mention plenty of areas for photo ops. We were the only ones there so we had the whole park to ourselves. It’s beautiful San Diego backcountry worthy of another visit and more exploring next time Robb brings the boys to town.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone, smiling and reminiscing with LOVE!

Nati’s and a Walk on the Pier

Above – Group photo from the OB Pier.

Below – Lunch on the patio at Nati’s followed by a walk on the pier.

In the wagon …

Here’s the sailboat that missed the jetty. We saw it from the pier so I needed to get closer for a better photo. We drove by again Sunday morning and it was on the beach. Evidently it’s being torn apart now and hauled away.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!

Second Christmas – Christmas Eve

Above – Baklava

Below – Kando and Alo waiting for their cousins to arrive and to open gifts.

Time to open presents

Let’s tea Party!

The kids were surprised when Santa came to our house Wednesday evening after dinner. We heard Santa upstairs ho ho’ing before he flew away in his sled! We saw him! Well, the kids didn’t actually see him but I saw him. It’s true.

I was busy passing out gifts so I don’t have any photos to show for it. We set up Ron’s phone and video’d the entire time. I’ll have to get that video air dropped to my phone sometime this week so I can edit and create a condensed version on YouTube. Having Santa come early gave all the kids some extra time to enjoy their new toys and clothes before they went their separate ways earlier today. It was a perfect evening for all of them. 

Last night’s Christmas Eve celebration at Great Grandma’s was with all the family, hence the “second” celebration. All the big people in the family and other friends were there too. Honey Baked Ham with all the fixins (I ate the fixins), homemade apple pie courtesy of cousin Monette and Baklava (see above).

All the little ones are gone now and the house is quiet. 

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone and iPad with Peace and Love on Christmas Day (hunkering down under a blanket with a cold).

Cousins

Above – Somewhere along I-5. Kando and Alo on their way to San Diego last Saturday … 

Bravery is shopping at Costco a week before Christmas. It wasn’t too bad.

Sunday we woke up to Robb and the kids being here after driving down from Walnut Creek. Then we had all the grandkids here in their pjs for breakfast.After breakfast the kids decided they would set up to be at the movies.Kando really likes Maya.And Ron claims I never make him cheesecake …The next morning Kando and Alo greeted me with smiles.
We got together at Great Grandmas for some holiday photos and somebody was being stubborn.The challenge is getting everyone to sit still, then to look, then to get everyone to smile.Ron sent me this photo of him and the kids at the gym.Today – a rainy day of football and kids, then tonight all the family gets together for dinner and gift exchange for the kids (although Santa came to our house on Wednesday!). 

I have many more really good photos I took this week that I will share in the coming days.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!

Full Cold Moon

Above – Our neighbor across the street emailed me this photo of our house with the December full moon hovering overhead. Very cool!

Robb and the boys last weekend at the train museum and the California Academy of Sciences.AND last Wednesday Maya got her first stripe in jiu jitsu, a very big deal!See-food – green cookies.And always outside the box.Fun facts – Did you know that the full moon in December is called the Full Cold Moon? And this December’s full moon was the brightest and highest full moon of the year?

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!

Winter Wonderland

Above – View from Coasterra on Harbor Island where Bruce & I attended the PMB PMBRES Annual Holiday Party. Although I technically retired a year and a half ago, I’m still working there as an independent contractor and lunchtime yoga teacher.

Below – Ron & the kids on a cool afternoon in OB.Three fun things to do at Amma & Pappa’s…

1. Eat snacks. Maya doesn’t have any trouble helping herself to whatever she wants. Last Wednesday I came downstairs to see her pouring blueberries into a bowl she got out of one of the drawers. 

2. Inspect things. Here Sparty’s in the basement checking things up close with Pappa’s magnifying glass. 
3. Build and play on the dining room table in your pjs. That is after coming over for a French toast and scrambled egg breakfast.Robb and the boys on a fun outing at the Berkeley Marina.

And playing in snow in downtown Berkeley.

I spent a large part of this weekend preparing and finalizing the family calendar. It took me about 9 hours total!

Blogged on Amma’s iPad with LOVE!

Is it December Already?

If you ask Jamie it is. This is what it would look like if you were to live in Worley, Idaho about now …Not an “only in OB” moment … Texting while walking your dog is quite fashionable in Clairemont.While back at the house there’s nothing more fun than wearing your dirty panties on your head.And holding daddy’s screw gun while in your leotard is not only random but also fashionable.Last and certainly not least … A very special happy birthday to my oldest & much older friend across the globe. I hope your “prezzie” (which you said should be really special because you’re older than I am) makes it to you in time. Love & hugs.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE.

The Boys of the North

From Robb (above and below) – photos from several weeks ago at Purisima Redwoods Open Space Preserve.

Look! A banana slug.Lunch time.On the train at Ardenwood Historic Farm. 

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!

OB Holiday Parade

Above – On our walk to the parade, an opportunity to drive the OMBAC fire engine.

Below – Our spot up front.This guy looks like a cross between Big Bird and Santa Claus.The Grinch.Tiki man.Young shark.An angel.

Meanwhile, on a hike up north, Alo finds horse poop! Poop of any kind is always a good find.
Alo and Kando bundled up at the base of Mt. Diablo.Even farther north and colder still, Omar and Brianna find a tree.I think this is Bobby. In Idaho for a $5 fee you can go out and cut your own tree down.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!