Ending on a happy note...

Back from San Diego and a wonderful time was had by all. I enjoyed being with my daughter and her family. Did some baking and candy=making with my grandson; went shopping and out to dinner. Bill arrived with his Christmas shopping to be done on Christmas eve day and that was exciting! and not complete without a trip to the Western store to buy a western shirt for Karl and a bolo as a gag gift..."from one cowboy to another".

Christmas eve we met some friends for fish and chips, an annual tradition. and then went to 10:00 midnight Mass. We woke around 8:00 and waited for my son in law's mother, Mary, to arrive to open our gifts. Guitar hero was a gift the children received and they had quite a great time with that. Monica got out her karaoke system and I was amazed at what a beautiful voice she has. We watched a few good movies and then we also went to the beach although it was pretty cool. It was a children's beach which has been taken over by the seals. They were all lying out sleeping while we were there. A few of them did get up and go in the water.

I bought matching outfits for Christmas eve for the "girls" of the family (My daughter, grand daughter, myself, Mary). We put them on and declared ourselves the Snow Monkey Band Note the picture. A great time was had by all. Thursday I jammed all my clothes in the carry=on bag and loaded my gifts and my brothers (who had only brought a carry on bag) in the two bags I had brought clothes in and we headed for the airport at 6:00 am San Diego time - which was 4:00 Houston time. We arrived home 1:00 Houston time and were glad to be back home.

My gift from Bill arrived while I was gone and what a nice one it was...a Bose Wave radio with CD and ipod player. Perfect and just what I wanted. He really does spoil me and I am very grateful to have such a thoughtful brother. Tomorrow he is going out playing in his Mule (the Kawasaki mule) and taking chili which he made today on his camping stove. It was pretty tasty.

He's quite a character.