Just a regular day

I went to Davis last week to visit. Turns out Em had a hair appointment and Jordan was flying into Sac that evening. I stayed for the afternoon, had dinner with the family and Em's friend Barbara. During the dinner preparation, Xan needed a pan and lid. Since the lids to these pans were glass, Bill gave him some foil as a lid.
Well, you can see what the boys did with the foil lid. Meanwhile back in the kitchen, Em and Bill prepared pasta, salad, and garlic bread. We had some wine and water with dinner. It was delicious.

Xan in his toddler bed. Jordan's 7:10 flight ended up being an 8:35 flight or sometime there abouts. I was able to stay through Xan's bedtime. He goes to bed so sweetly. Then, I was off to the airport. It is an easy 20 minute drive from their home in Davis. Plus, coming soon at that freeway exit in Woodland ---an In-N-Out Burger! Terminal A now has a cell phone parking lot. People park there, wait for a call to say the party they are picking up is at the curb, then drive another l minute to the curb. Great place to wait instead of circling around Terminal A for umpteem times.

Xan opening his presents

He was serious about opening his presents. Not in a hurry. I didn't take any pictures of him with the presents after they were opened! One was a hooded sweatshirt with a bulldozer on it. The other was a Tonka bulldozer!

Xmas in Davis

Xan is enjoying his candy cane at the table.
Em and Steph on the couch watching Jordan and Bill play Gobblet! or some such game
The Hill-Ristenpart family in front of their Xmas tree. This is in their new home in Davis
Same as previous but this picture includes Huela.

The important Xmas decorations

Steph came home yesterday. I really do count on her to help me with lots of different things. She and Jordan got right to the important things after we got home from Davis on Xmas Eve. What helpers they are!

Snow on the Sutter Buttes

It snowed here on Dec. 15. I took these on my way home from work. I went on this road to get these pictures. It snowed about 8:20 a.m. until 8:35 a.m. and did not stick. Most of the kids were on the playground. The ones that were inside eating breakfast were suddenly out on the playground. Everyone was excited. The flakes were big and wet. Melted as soon as they hit. Of course, the buttes are said to have their own climate not the same as the valley floor. The picture was taken about 3:00 p.m. The snow was there overnight.

Xmas tree

Since Josh won't be home for Christmas, I am decorating a Christmas tree in his honor. This is just the start. I put all the ornaments on one side to take the picture. Now I have to redistribute these and make more. When Steph gets home (tomorrow) I am counting on her to have some brilliant ideas. I still need to get some lights to put on it. Maybe all white, what do you think? Think I will go see the recruiters and see what sort of freebies they have that would work for my purpose. Merry Christmas.

Starting to decorate for Xmas

I have put up the Nativity scene and the Christmas carolers on the corner yard. I have new LED lights on the fence and around the garage doors. Cannot see them here. It was soooo cold out there, I did not take any more pictures.
I have only lights on the tree for now. This is without a flash. Jordan got the tree down from the attic when he was home for Thanksgiving. He did not get down the decorations or tree skirt! I managed.

This is with a flash. I can see holes in it now. I need to put on the ornaments. That could help hide the holes. I will do that tomorrow. I am baking cookies to get in the mail this week. If you get cookies and don't want them.....share with someone.

Pumpkin carving in Davis!

Steph and Aunt Julie beginning to carve.
Xan getting a few pointers from Josh.
Watching how Julian carves his design.
Now, watching Feli and her creation. Xan did get to carve but I was helping him so I did not get a picture of him carving. Rats!
Finished products. And some not even started.
Dinner after carving. Steph rode the train to Davis just for this occasion.

San Diego

The restaurant where were ate lune.
On Saturday, we took the Land and Seal Tour. The bus that takes you into the bay. It was a beautiful day. The water was very blue. We saw seals, Navy jets, fishermen, and other attractions.
This is Belinda's family. L-R Abel, Jordan, Steph, Juan, Hannah and Josh. Gabriel was at a weekend camp. Kathy was here, too.
Josh skim boarding!
The day after skim boarding. This was Sunday. Kathy offered us her condo instead of hanging around the hotel. It was perfect. Josh could get comfortable on her couch and in her home. Great idea, Kathy. Thanks so much.

San Diego October 2008

This was Saturday at the beach in Oceanside. Belinda and her family met us and Kathy there in the afternoon.

On Friday, Josh, Steph and I had lunch in Old Town and did the walking tour.
Josh and Step after lunch. This was a good Mexican restaurant. We ate on the patio. Then, went shopping/site seeing in Old Town.

In July, Em, Xan, Huela, and I went to the galleria in Roseville. This is the children's play area.

Xan is trying to find his shoes. Some kids would just throw their shoes near a cubby. If one made it in and the other didn't, so what. But Xan had to "match" all the pairs and then get his out.

Here are a few more pictures of when Josh was here in June.

Family pictures

Aunt Sue, Josh, and Grandma.
Aunt Sue, Diane, Josh, Grandma
The Hilberts!

Uncle Roy's service at the cemetary

Some of Uncle Roy's friends, Josh and Dave.
Josh at his funeral duty.
Dave and Josh folding the flag.
Josh presenting the colors to Dorothy.

Josh and Dorothy.

After Uncle Roy's funeral service

The kids together.
Dawn and Eric. Hpe I remembered his name correctly.
Terri, Tina, and Steph.
The cousins.
Steph and Grandma.