Merry Christmas!

Christmas at the Krohn

The Krohn is a favorite for Christmas time. Their holiday display is wondrous by day or night. Since June did so well with Santa, we took the occasion to make more portraits at the Krohn.

The display by day. A train track built from natural materials surrounded by buildings and hot air balloons and beautiful plantings.

June and her friend Finn on a warm December day outside the Krohn

The Krohn by night

This year there was an amazing water feature throughout the entire exhibit and a newly constructed steamboat. 

Outside is a manger with live animals

These next two are not from the Krohn but from the Festival of Lights at the Zoo, another wonderful winter tradition. 

Looking at the manatee and fish up close.

Santa Party

We were invited to a friend's house for the little ones to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Well it was pretty hilarious. There was a good deal of wailing and tears. 

Not a peep from June though. She was just fine hanging out on this strange man's lap. I'm sure it was because he gave her a candy cane. 

Snow

We had fun during the big first snowfall of the year. Took June out in her new (old) sled. She enjoyed it!

We also drove out with friends to our favorite apple orchard to get some cider. It was a pretty place to pull a sled!

Even when there's not snow on the ground this little one still likes to climb up into her sled. Guess she's looking forward to more snow days!

A Kentucky Thanksgiving

We had a really nice Thanksgiving despite a last minute change of plans. We were planing to go see Colleen's Grandma and June's Great Grandma in Rochester but a big wintery storm kept us at home. So we were happy to be with Adrienne, John and the Mallerys in Kentucky! And we were oh so happy to see Aunt Melissa and Uncle Rob who drove up from South Carolina!

Adrienne set a very lovely table

pies, bourbon and calvados

June and Lily were fast friends

California Birthday!

We had a great time celebrating Diane's 70th Birthday in November. It was wonderful for our family to all be together. These opportunities are rare since we all live in different places. We went out to San Diego and were lucky to all stay together in our good friend's beach house at Mission Beach. Thank you Janet and Don! Andy was excited to make a portrait of Diane with her two grandchildren on the beach. Pretty sweet. 

 

Could these cousins be any cuter? June was enamoured of Quinn. 

The super cool mosaic dragon by Niki de Saint Phalle at Balboa Park. We learned there is a Niki de Saint Phalle sculpture park nearby in Escondido so we will have to visit that in the future.

Visiting the San Diego Zoo was very fun. Highlights for June were looking at the fish up close, playing at the polar bear exhibit and hearing a kookabura laugh (in a gum tree).  

Mama and baby Giant Pandas were so sweet

Lot's of Nana time!

And time with Aunt Alex!

A trip to San Diego wouldn't be complete without a visit to Torrey Pines

We also had some great beach time and took in some amazing sunsets

 And there was one good hike in the desert with Quinn and Jeff. There was a lot of talk about Mountain Lions during this outing.

But mostly we had lots of QT at the house together. Here is a favorite pastime: the Houston's all working on a jigsaw puzzle together.

Quinn built some amazing castles

Bonnie came to visit! And so did Don and Janet. Diane was also sent numerous videos from family and friends, all whom were there celebrating with us in spirit.

Happy Birthday Diane!