Christmas Day!

Our excited 8 yr old son eventually got to sleep and everyone was wide-awake by 7:00am. Santa stockings ensued, and we eventually got to open presents, briefly delayed by a nice breakfast mid-stream. Julie and Nate had many, many presents from Mom/Dad, Santa, and family. Nate received the plasma-ball and Lego Black-Beard's ship he was so pining for, and Julie receive Santa's request for a queen's outfit and Calico Bunnies.

Christmas Eve

Photos is order: Julie and Nate waking up and laying out their clothes for the next morning (note Nate's outfit with sports coat, New Zealand rugby t-shirt and tie); Julie making her sugar cookie Christmas Tree present from Uncle Dave and Chris; and finally Nate & Julie's first ever, un-solicited present to Mom & Dad. As it turns out, it was a beautiful presentation of two Twizzler Sticks and cards, complete with holiday sentiments and thousands of dollars of fake money.

Garden Helpers

 

 

Each day as we get closer to Christmas, the amount of unsolicited offers for help seem to increase exponentially.

Second Day in San Francisco

 

 

 

 

We walked and walked, hitting each large hotel in the area. The highlight was the Fairmont Hotel with the life-sized walk-through gingerbread house (which we read requires repair each night after grabby children all day). We were disappointed by the Westfield Center which seems to decorate less each year, but the nice weather encouraged us to grab food and eat as we watched ice skaters in Union Square. After a quick walk through Chinatown, we headed home.

Overnight in San Francisco

 

 

 

 

  

Our traditional visit to San Francisco to see all the downtown decorations included an overnight stay at Omni Hotel. Our room wasn't ready when we checked in, which was frustrating, but the bellman kept swinging by with jelly beans, travel bags, hot cider and games. We filled the day with tea at Crown & Crumpet, chocolate shopping at Ghiradelli Chocolates, visiting Grace Cathedral, and having dinner at A16 restaurant in the Marina District (my favorite). The reserved two adjoining rooms, with the kids having the bunk beds, stuffed animals and bean bag chairs in the Kids Fantasy room. Their highlight was the chocolate chip cookies & cold milk delivered before bedtime.

Holiday Sing at Burton Valley Elementary

Grade 2 - Peace Song


Grade 2 - Rudolph


(Julie, wearing the headband, is the middle of the crowd.)

Picture with Santa

How to spend a Thursday

Hiking Castle Rock park and then pizza/beer at the new Ol Beer Cafe in Walnut Creek.

The best way to start Mondays

Christmas Tree decorating

In traditional fashion (for us): with music and Chinese take-out, now 10 years running.

Christmas Tree Gleaning

For the first time, we brought home our Christmas tree via wagon along the trail behind our house. We settled for a nice 7' extra wide variety that wasn't too difficult to drag home, especially when kids are powered with candy canes.

Lagunitas Brewery in Petaluma

Reading is always more fun with a buddy

Post-Thanksgiving gathering

Almost all of the Martin brothers (and Gina) gathered day after Thanksgiving. Julie is loving the pink pepper tree bonanza!

Julie turned seven

 

 

The "before and after" photos of Julie's vanilla/chocolate birthday cake in the making. Apparently it met the judges' expectations. The remaining birthday day was low-key and enjoyable: we had a tea lunch in our decorated dining room, opened presents, saw Puss In Boots in a nearly-empty theater, and then did Mexican for dinner before coming home to enjoy Gina's creation.

Shell Ridge Hike

 

 

 

Just Gina and I while the kids were in school. A gorgeous fall day!