San Diego Fun

Our Element's first oil change... Gabriel got all gussied up for it...

We went out to eat at a fantastic Thai restaurant in Hillcrest called Amarins. Liam found another use for the flatware holder.

Liam really enjoyed getting to know his cousin Hannah, who is 10 months older than him. They smiled at each other, shared toys (sometimes...), and Hannah gave him spontaneous smooches on the lips!

Such a cutie!

La Jolla Beach

One afternoon we went to La Jolla with Grandma and Grandpa Hall and Hannah. It was a San Diego-cold (in the 50s) and windy day, but we still had a great time walking around the coves.

Here we are at the Children's Pool, the local California Sea Lion hang out.

We walked along the sidewalk that winds along the cliffs from cove to cove.

Liam was a champion sleeper when it came to naps and bedtime, but in all the running around he missed out on a few naps. Here he is, loopy tired and loving it.

San Diego, America's Finest City (that really is their motto...see the city homepage).

The ever windy conditions make for interesting tree formations along the cliffs.

Bird of Paradise

Cousins

Playing with some seaweed

Grandma and Grandpa with the grandbabies (if only little Grace could have been there, too...)

Liam and Hannah

At the Zoo

We have so many pictures from our trip. I'll post them a bit at a time.

We spent a morning at the San Diego Zoo. I grew up going to this zoo a lot, so taking Liam there is always extra special. He seemed to enjoy it a lot more than when we went last August.

It was a perfect rainy day at the zoo: the animals were extra active and there were hardly any crowds.

Liam makes this face a lot now. It means he's happy.

We're all happy.

Monkeying around.
Going up the moving sidewalk.

These phalaenopsis orchids were growing right on the trees! Ahhh, San Diego weather...
Normally the pandas do little more than sit and munch on bamboo if we're lucky (usually they are just snoozing). Apparently, they really like rainy days and were the most active I have ever seen them.

This guy was all over the place, and even showed off his head stands.

A rainy day is also a good day for a nap.

This monkey was really excited to see us.

The hippo came right up close.

Really close.

Liam was fascinated.

My favorite guys.

Christmas in San Diego

Christmas day was non-stop for us. We started out at the Woltman house, waking up at 6 for stockings, presents, and coffee. Then it was off to the Hall's for Christmas breakfast, more stockings and presents, and a nap for Liam. Next stop: Grandma and Grandpa Good's house for Christmas dinner Round 1, a second nap for Liam, and more presents. We had Christmas dinner Round 2 at my Grandparent's house, along with a barf session by Liam, more stockings and presents, and a 911 call and ambulance ride for Great Aunt Georgia (who is okay now). It was a big day.

Here are some picture highlights:

Auntie Molly read the Christmas story on Christmas Eve. Liam was really into it and decided to read along at some points.

Christmas morning, bright and early.

A new garden fork...hurrah!
Oh, Happy day!

Liam and Hannah


Liam fit into the stocking at Granny Annie and Grandpa's.

Molly gets into the Christmas spirit.


Practicing our pretty face:

Uncle Eric got a remote control helicopter. Liam thought it was a bit scary.

Watching the helicopter
Meeting Santa

Beautiful lights, beautiful day.