CHRISTMAS 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Cooper and Joseph both look handsome in their Santa hats. We had a wonderful Christmas and loved seeing our grandchildren so happy.

CRYSTAL COVE

This beach is in Crystal Cove National Park in Neport Beach. It's about three miles from us and what a gem it is. Susan, MFC and I set out to find this beach and to watch the sunset with a Martini in hand. It was very easily accomplished. We found a shuttle bus to take us into the park and it was a short stroll to the beach and the Beachcomber cafe. A great adventure. I don't know the woman who wandered into my video but she knew she wandered and exited stage right.

We live in a beautiful part of world. When people visit they inspire us to find new places. I'm learning so much from my friends.

WE'VE BEEN PUNKED!

What a surprise Joe and I had on Sunday when we went to a cook out at Mary LeClair's house in Sunland. We arrived with no Idea that Mary had been keeping a secret. Out of her back door came Barbara and Crissy with Martini's in hand and tears a flowin. We have had a wonderful visit with trips to the San Diego Zoo and Main Beach Laguna. A memorable walk at night to Las Bresisfor a cocktail overlooking Laguna Beach. Joe and George had a moment in the beautiful park across the street where he threw George off the most breath taking cliff. We will remember the laughter of this time together forever.

HOTEL PICTURES

Here are some pictures of what our hotel looks like. We are trying to get AAA approved so I had to take some photos of the place.

This is the front where the lobby and our apartment are.

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Some of the rooms have balconies that over look the Pacific Coast Highway which is very noisy.

This is the Lobby. Our apartment is the door behind the desk.

The pool is very nice. Joe keeps it nice and warm.

No swim up bar....yet.

This is one of our guest rooms. They all look the same. Some rooms have two queens instead of one king.

SUMMER ENDS

On a walkaround our neighborhood one day with Nicole and Cooper we discovered this mail box. One of kind.
The tourist season is winding down here in Laguna
Beach. It will be the first off season that Joe won't have to shovel
snow. We won't have to put the grill away or put the air conditioners
in the cellar. No ice scraper in the car. Some of our guests at the
hotel ask what it's like here in the winter. We had to respond, come
back next year and we'll have an answer. So far it has been a good
experience. Hopefully we can remain inLaguna Beach for a long time.

We celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary on Thursday. This is a picture take before we went out to dinner at French 75 in Laguna Beach. What an amazing dinner and evening we had. Champagne cocktails, delicious food and a chocolate souffle. We listened to live jazz and enjoy each others company. After all these years together we always have things to talk about. We make each other laugh everyday. Life is Good.

SUMMER ON THE OTHER SIDE

On Sunday we had he whole afternoon to explore Laguna Beach. The plan was to take the Trolley downtown and stroll slowly home. We ended up walking the whole way. Yep that's right Joe and I walked two miles of Laguna and we are both able to stand today. The picture above is where we found a bench and watched a man on a surf board ride the waves standing with an oar like a gondola driver in Venice. This area is what I always pictured California to be like. All of the people in the parks and the boardwalk along our stroll were laughing, playing, grilling, swimming and enjoying the sea. Lots of families sharing the day together.
Joe is getting very good at the one handed photo. We have the same picture from a year ago when we first visited Laguna on the 4th of July.

The fire works were beautiful. But Onset still had the best displays. The summer season isn't so obvious here. The signs of summer on Cape Cod are very obvious. Traffic on the Bridges, Dairy Queen is open, corn on the cob farm stands and blueberry picking in Wareham. On this side there is always plenty of sunshine and traffic even in the winter.
I have to admit after reading Danielle's blog today that I miss the gray salty Cape Cod. Mostly the feeling of home and family.