San Diego for Christmas

Tammy and I in front of her Mom's house

Renee, Tammy & Taffy

Allied Gardens Reunited at my Mom's house; my childhood home.

Wonderful dessert/appetizer. Thanks Taf for the yummy idea

Dad singing with the angels

And here is Dad having a beer and eating stinky Limburger cheese- outside of course

Chuck made traditional boogers and milk (oyster stew)

The infamous gift exchange / gift steal. Jake had the most taken away, thus he got to open the most packages

I lucked out with the perfect gift: a camelback!

Tammy, I love you my bestest friend in the whole world. I'm glad we've been able to spend quality time together this year. You are the most generous, caring, and loving person I know. You've dealt with so much adversity in the past few years - especially this year. You are young, you are thin, and you are beautiful. And I'm going to add strong to that mantra of yours. 

Viva Cabo Wedding Services!

Every day is a Holiday

It's beginning to feel like Christmas. The temps have dropped a bit but it's still warm in the sunshine. Inside is festive with the few items I brought along with me

We had a little Twister Christmas cheer at Kay's house

It's the season for the annual soup and shots party. There are a variety of soups brought to share in crock pots and jello shots for appetizers.  As it turns out everyone brought a different soup and different flavor jello shot. It was a beautiful evening on the desert.

We made watermelon jello shots

Our friends Daniel and Evie are here from San Diego. On their way over they stopped at Ramey's in Brawley and picked up some amazing carne asada. We did as much as we could in a short amount of time: the guys went golfing; the girls went hiking.

 We played some bocce ball and went for a nighttime swim. 

And we took a segway tour. Last year we knew a couple that took the Segway Tour at downtown Scottsdale. I found a Groupon for a great rate and we took Daniel and Evie with us. It really was a fun fun time. Yes, we looked like dorks, But people smiled at us and asked if it was fun.Yes, it was easy to do. We rode on sidewalks and in the street. Yes, we would do it again. At a Groupon price. Here we are practicing in the parking lot before heading out.

Do you know why the "O" in Love is tilted like that?  Because Love is imperfect. Not Evie and Daniel's love though.

We stopped at many art installations, a chocolatier, along the canal, Fashion Center, Old Town, etc

Thankful

Unlike last year when we wintered in Arizona, this year we have a car. I don't know how we did without one last year but it's all good now. So we drove to San Diego to spend Thanksgiving week with the family. On the drive over Tim stopped at the Desert Overlook Tower that I have always wanted to visit. Done.

Pretty crazy peeps living nearby

We all shared a traditional and vegan Thanksgiving together

My nephew Geoffrey (the bearded one) is so talented at photography. He sets up the picture and then rushes in to be a part of it. 

Then it was back to CV for the annual breakfast potluck.

Pat & Marita from Alaska hosted

Shirley and Neil were there

So were newcomers Bruce and Dona

Pete & Jan were happy to be there

And our good friends Dennis & Jackie

Tim and Dennis were supporting their team - Go Hawks!

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Tim and I took a day trip to Payson, AZ. It's a beautiful transition from the desert to the ponderosa pines in the higher elevation. This little day park is very interesting. It has the largest natural travertine bridge in North America. We hiked into the canyon and along the spring fed river through the opening. I could only make it until the 6 inch ledge that was too smooth and slippery for me to feel comfortable walking on without falling into the water below. 

So we climbed back out and took the trail with stairs to the other side. It was early morning and the sky was so bright my pictures aren't filtered. I need some help with that.

  

On the other side you can also see where the spring was flowing over the top