Since Christmas falls mid-week this year, our kids weren't free to come up for the annual festivities at Aunt Sara and Uncle Grant's. Thus, we went to them this week-end to have Christmas with them early. I do have to admit, it was just as good, as cheery, and as Holiday-ish as it would be on the real day. First, we met Kyria in Mill Valley, to hike along the Dipsea trail. A first for me, although my family have all run the famous raceway.
Next, we went to Matt and Wendie's home. We watched Christmas shows, helped decorate Wendie's tree and yard, baked cookies and a great meal, went on the traditional Decorated Houses tour, sang loudly and lustily, and so much more. It was extra fun to share the feasting and frivolity with Mo, Georgia, and Kelly Bourdon (Wendie's sister and her kids) and our grandpups were as good as gold and better.
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| Kyria and Jeffery are ready! |
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| I'm showing a "V" for Virgin Dipsea hiker. Now I can say I've actually been on the Dipsea trail. For those who don't know, the Dipsea goes from Mill Valley, over the mountains to the Ocean; a seven mile World Famous annual Race for runners |
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| These are but a few of the famous stairs along the race-course. I missed filming K running down them, and I did run up about a dozen steps, just to say that I had. It took the wind right out of me! |
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| tile-work fountain at a mall we stopped at for last minute groceries |
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| Jeffery, Georgia, and Kyria; cookie baking |
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| my eldest grand-pup, Jack, who is 12 years old today; December 15th, 2014 |
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| a few of the results . |
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| Jeffery finishes putting the lights on the tree. Matt is something of a grinch when it comes to decorating, according to Wendie, who is as Christmas loving as I am. |
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| Kyria begins to decorate |
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| Wendie, Georgia, Kyria, and Jeffery. Is that Mo's "Hairloom" ornament Wendie is passing Georgia? |
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beginning to light up the front of the house for Wendie to enjoy, and for Matt to have to take down after Christmas.
Ho, Ho, Ho!!!! |
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| Jack and Madrone watch the decking of the halls |
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| here is the result |
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| Dinner time. |
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| what happens when you snap a photo while driving slowly past a long long line of Christmas trees in Rohnert Park |
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| One of the really well-done lighting jobs |
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| close-up for the fun of it. |
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| what one sees as one approaches. All eight of us (Mo's son Kelly arrived just after dinner and did the driving) shouted in unison when we first caught sight of it. |
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| This may well be the most elaborately lit house I've even seen. Even S.F. delights contain more decorations but fewer organized lights. Wow. |
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| one section of the front yard. |
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| Jeffery in front of the castle with one of the hundreds of Nutcrackers on display |
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| the train village in it's own display area |
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| close up of the castle walls. The homeowner cut and painted every wooden art-piece for this display, and for every home in the cul-de-sac. Apparently, this home was voted Best Christmas Decorations in the U.S. in some forum or other. |
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| the next morning, we arose to discover Santa had found us after all. How does he know!?! |
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| before breakfast and stockings, we all went out for a run/ride of 3 miles. Jack took a smaller run afterwards. |
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| Wendie, Madrone, Kyria, and Jeffery |
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| Matt began less vigorously, but ended up being the first one home. |
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| selfie of my Christmas morning face to show that I was there, too. |
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| time for presents???? |
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| start with the grand-pups |
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| Watching the pups with their toys |
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| the Kids open their gifts |
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| Jeffery dons his spectacles to see what Kyria's gift is and how it works |
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| Santa gave us these neato antler-headwears |
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| Jack is sad to see the Granddogs get ready to head for home. So much fun! What a Christmas!!! |
Fun!!!
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