Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Happy Holidays!
We took a quick, but fun, trip out to California at the beginning of this month. Beth had a gig at UC Santa Barbara, so we decided to pack up the whole family and make a trip out to Disneyland! It was the first trip for the kids to a Disney park and they had a great time! After every ride, they wanted to go back on it, instead of trying all the other rides in the park. We managed less than 10 rides through the day; Emily enjoyed Autopia and Ethan liked the Pirates of the Caribbean.
After a day at Disney, we explored some beaches and San Juan Capistrano. Emily and Ethan could have played all day at the beach, in spite of the 50-60 degree weather. Certainly much warmer than the single digits we’re experiencing in Iowa! The kids collected a bunch of shells and rocks in Santa Barbara and had the opportunity to explore reef life at UC Santa Barbara. Upon returning to the frigid midwest, we all are ready to head back to some sunny weather.
Emily turned 10 this month and got a surprise visit from Aunt Mardie! She came out to visit for a long weekend (made longer by weather-related flight cancellations which got her an extra day here), and had an opportunity to see the kids’ school and helped with the Christmas tree selection and trimming. The highlight may have been the Salt Lick BBQ brisket (that Sarah gave to Beth for her birthday), which we devoured as part of Emily’s birthday celebration.
Christmas is around the corner, and we’re looking forward to staying at home this year. Ethan needs two front teeth for Christmas, having lost both of them last month. Emily is still waiting for her dog that we promised her last Christmas! (It’s been busy and we haven’t found the right match at the Animal Shelter!)
We wish you a Happy New Year!