We got right into the Christmas spirit as soon as I arrived home from Oregon. Boy was it nice to get back into just one layer of clothes!!!
The weather was beautiful with clear blue skies, balmy days and chilly nights.
The first thing we did was go to breakfast with the staff at PDCCA (the homeowner’s association). So many new faces, and all had heard about Frank and were happy to meet him or see him again. It was a really nice breakfast and everyone seemed to have a great time. Thanks Phyllis for including us.
Christmas eve was spent at (son) Ray and Nicole’s with Ray’s best friend George and his Dad Big George. Frank and Big George had a great time reminiscing about life in the service.
Nicole served a wonderful Ham Dinner that we all enjoyed and ate too much.
Gidget really got into the spirit of the season, wearing her new Christmas coat.
Later that evening a fat, jolly man came to visit Aubrey and Alex.
Aubrey couldn’t wait to give him a big hug, and some chocolate milk and cookies.
Alex wasn’t too sure about the guy and wouldn’t get very close at all. Only when he was on his Daddy’s lap.
What a great way to start Christmas, with the wonder of the little children!
Christmas Day was spent again at Ray and Nicole’s, with we two women fixing a wonderful turkey with all the fixin’s. Ray came down with a bad cold and missed most of dinner. But, we managed to put a big dent in the turkey without him.
Ray’s oldest son Hallam and him girlfriend Bree, came to visit (and to pick up his home made Almond Roca candy) But, they couldn’t stay for dinner because there were too many other’s that wanted to see them. Lots of family and friends!
We had a hard time getting the kids away from their toys and new pj’s. So many new things to play with and to do.
It was a day filled with phone calls from our families wishing us a Merry Christmas and letting us know we were missed. Likewise to all of them!
The day was beautiful. A little nip in the air, but not too bad. We had a wonderful time!
The next week was filled with family and good times.
Daughter, Renee’, Peter and kids drove down from San Francisco on Monday, to spend three days in the desert visiting with us. We spent the first night at the Living Desert viewing all the Christmas Lights they put on display.
Here are a few of the millions of lights we saw!
The basketball player actually moved from one spot to another and made the basket—cool!
Lauren and Katherine by the big Teddy Bear!
Going through the tunnel of lights actually made the big people dizzy. It felt strange when you looked up. The kids loved it.
Dinner after the lights, at Olive Garden was great. We almost had the room to ourselves and it was a good thing. Dixie got kinda silly after a Margarita and ended up spilling her entire glass of water. Well, she told the waitress not to bring her any water—oops! Above is Katherine, with mom, Renee’ and Grandpa Frank. Then all three kids, Bray, Lauren and Katherine with Grandpa.
The next day—Tuesday, Laurie and Rachel drove over from Lancaster to spend the night. Rachel stayed with us in the RV and Laurie spent the night at her brother, Ray. By this time Ray was over his cold, but Nicole and Alex were sick. So Grandma Dixie picked up Aubrey, who wasn’t sick, and took her for the day so Nicole and Alex could get some much needed rest.
Aunt Laurie read to Aubrey, while Grandma cooked a prime rib dinner for all of us. We weren’t sure how we were going to all eat at once, but as it turned out we ended up being like a cruise ship with an early seating and a late seating. Renee’ and Peter had stopped to visit a friend and didn’t get back to the RV until late. So it all worked out. We were all going to go up to Ray’s, but that changed when we had sick people!
After dinner, Renee’ told us stories and compared work with Laurie.
Ten of us in the RV along with 2 dogs. That’s Molly with her back to us. Gidget is hiding somewhere. We all fit, had a great dinner and wonderful conversation.
Grandma and Grandpa were tired after that day! We had been shopping (girls) and golfing (boys) during the day—except Renee’ and her girls who hung out at poolside at the Westin!
The next day—Wednesday—Laurie, Rachel and Dixie went shopping, again! and then met everyone at California Pizza Kitchen in Palm Springs where we met up with granddaughter Micaela, who is visiting from Hawaii.
Here we are—eating again. Everyone is leaving the desert now, so safe travels.
Katherine says: That’s all folks, Have a Happy New Year!!!
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