Christmas and More

Since the second van load of weary Midwesterners arrived over a week ago, life has spiced up a little.  I hinted in the previous post that I slightly dreaded the arrival of my family, not because I don't like them, but because I knew that once they arrived things would never be 'normal'.  Moving from house to house is fine because that's what works; however, it's been a little challenging emotionally to work through this holiday season of constant activity while trying to enjoy my final days here.  I realize that I'm incredibly blessed and really have no reason to complain because I'm being so well taken care of.  But to completely ignore the fact that this is hard and sometimes even painful isn't necessarily wise so I'm grateful to have a God to turn to when life gets a little unstable.  In fact, I'm grateful for the times when life gets unstable because then I turn to God and realize He is my satisfaction.  That's a whole other topic for another time :)  For now I'll do a picture post of the holidays so far...

My waterfall buddy.

Hike up Echo Mountain.

 

 



 

Twins!! Well, twin cousins.  Hannah and I were born on the same day but to different mothers.

 

Fun day with Jenna, Anikah, and Jordyn in Claremont.  Just the beginning of lots of cousin time!

 

He's real!!! Calvin arrived Tuesday and this was the first time I had seen him in 3 months!

 

All of us but David, who came to sunny California and went up in the mountains to go snowboarding, went to a whale watching place where we saw several whales and then on to Donald Trump's golf course where there's a path to the ocean and some tide pools.

 

 

 

 

This is a giant sea slug.  We think it was dead because it looked bloated and didn't move while we poked around at it.  Bleh, it almost makes me sick to think about it.

 

I carried Calvin back up the cliff and was snapping photos of him when he pulled this expression.  I think he just might live up to his name :)



 

The next morning, those of us who were staying at Uncle Joe and Aunt Sue's met Steven and his sisters for breakfast on the beach.

We drove in to Pasadena for a fun cousin day which consisted of some yard clean-up and wall demo at Jon and Kali's new house followed by ice skating.

Jamming to songs from 'Frozen'.

After Christmas Eve services that evening, Aunt Heidi hosted a shin-dig for all the family.  And after a whole day of being together there's still enough love amongst the cousins to at least snap a photo :)

 

The next day, Christmas Day, my family had a brunch at Grammy's and then opened gifts.  I made Calvin a Hobbes which was the project I was procrastinating on because hand-stitching on 23 stripes was a time consuming task.  However, every Calvin needs a Hobbes and for this little guy I'd do anything!

 

We enjoyed playing some games and a hike back to the waterfall before the Sauder's arrived for dinner and a walk to the Pink Mansion.

 

 

The day after Christmas was when the big Klotzle family got together to celebrate.  There were a few missing but we still made quite a crowd and had a great time together!  Uncle Dave and Aunt Janelle did a beautiful job hosting.

 

A wonderful Grammy and her six wonderful children.

 

Kim, Danny, Edie and I stayed at Uncle Dave and Aunt Janelle's that night.  The next day we went on a hike with the Klotzle boys to a waterfall and Indian cave on a nature preserve.  I've been loving my nature dose with the various hikes over the past week!!

 

The next day we piled in vans, mini vans, cars, and anything in between and came to Temeculah where I am right now.  In fact, breakfast closes in half an hour so I'd better get down there for my Embassy omelet. 

 

Until next time...