My Old Stompin' Grounds~

 We are having a great time in California, hanging with family for the holidays!  I havent been there in almost 5 years, so it was definitely time for a visit!  Jordyn is enjoying time with her cousins, but especially time with grandma (who, naturally, is spoiling her rotten)!  She also cant get over how different the trees are out here (palm trees), and has decided these trees are awesome.

 We spent our first day at the Getty...an absolutely beautiful museum with gorgeous architecture and gardens.  My sister has taken the week off to be our chauffeur, which is great, because the traffic here is a total nightmare!  I am always reminded of why i moved, when i spend a little time on the 405!  ugh!

 But back to the Getty...

 Jordyn did rather well, considering shes 5 and wanted to run all around.  Thankfully, they have a family room, where the kids can cut loose and have fun, yet still learn about art!

 One of my favorite things at the Getty is their collection of illuminated manuscripts, but you have to admit, the view is rather spectacular too...

 After 2 hours in traffic all the way home, we were greeted with a wonderful meal of tri-tip, salad and garlic bread prepared by my brother-in-law, Chuck.  Yummo!  Thanks Chuck!

 Then it was time for the cousins to run around being silly and having fun.  Watching the kids play together reminded me of our visits to Colorado to hang with our cousins when we were little.  The adults hang around the kitchen having cocktails and sharing laughs, while the kids goof off in the other rooms, getting into who knows what kind of trouble!  :)

 Since im still on Colorado time, i woke up hours before everyone else...but check out the view i had all to myself.

 Yesterday we hung at the house, relaxing and visiting with family again.  My sister, TJ, came over to bake pies, while my mom prepared the stuffing for tomorrow.  We enjoyed take-out (something i definitely miss in the mountains),  Mexican for breakfast and Chinese for Dinner.  Afterwords, i did 2 miles on the treadmill and then took a soak in the hot tub!  Yep, vacations definitely dont suck!

Meanwhile, we presented grandma with her birthday present, and it looks like she likes it!  We are having a great time, but we certainly miss our kitties...thank you Mena for taking care of them!  Stay tuned for more holiday updates...and Happy Thanksgiving!