The week after Christmas

Festive fun at Grandma and Grandpa Price's

So Classy and Comforting!

On the road again...

A few days after Christmas it was back on the road for the DeMordaunt family. Thanks to Trevor getting us up to the Air Force Base to pick up Wade, then to the edge of California; then to Wade driving us over the pass (Sierra Nevadas--good weather this time!); then mostly to Jim driving us most of the rest of the way on I-80 to Salt Lake City, THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT! arriving at 7am MST. What a way to travel. Poor Mae had it the worst with Trevor's snowboard jutting out over her head, preventing her from sitting up for 12 hours straight (though honestly, who wants to sit up straight when riding in a car all night long?). All were troopers and we basically had an extra day with family thanks to Jim's great late night driving skills.

Our fun and laughter photos are from driving about in daylight (with the snowboard stored indoors). The kids did great some of the time, and we all survived and still love each other, so it was completely worth the close quarters for the week. I will report on the fun that followed another time...

Oakland Temple flowers

Pretty flowers Mae and I saw two days after Christmas on the temple grounds. Trevor and Mae were able to go with the youth from our ward to do baptisms. What a nice way to spend part of Christmas vacation. After an appointment in Oakland, I was able to join Mae and the girls in the temple, then drive her home.

(Her ride there was another story with Jim racing her safely down just in time after they both slept in until after 10am when I called them!). It worked out nicely for Jim, too, as he was able to pick up sandwiches at the completely amazing Bake Sale Betty's in Oakland for himself and Trevor for lunch. They make the best chicken sandwich I have ever had. Yum!

Anyway, just another post on the beauties of California wintertime.

And a bit more...

A bit of the great California outdoors

We took the opportunity the day after Christmas to venture into the outdoors. Us and millions of other Californians! We ended up doing a consolation tiny hike, but with the green and interesting nature of it, found it enjoyable (and only had to tolerate complaining for a few minutes!)

A Most Memorable Christmas

Presents, Anyone?

Best Beef Ever, Crash Hot Potatoes, Best Asparagus Ever, Cinnamon Roll Middles, 
Pineapple/Banana Slush and White Chocolate Party Mix

Highlights: Pikachu's Thundershock, Macho Mouse (or Of Mice and Men), the Bible, Titanic, twilight, Tree (thing?), King's Cross Station

Christmas Eve

After a week of work for the parents while the kids had a break from school, Christmas Eve finally arrived. It was so nice to have Jim home from BYU (sleeping on the couch!) and to be planning for a family Christmas together. We bustled around during the day, but the evening brought a nice program and preparations for Christmas Day.

Oakland Temple Christmas Lights

Family time at the Visitor's Center and Oakland Temple before Christmas.

Notice the flowers... a few days later I took photos of roses in bloom here!

December hikes on Mt. Diablo

Wade and Owen got up early two Saturdays this month to hike together on Mt. Diablo, behind David's house. They made it to manzanita trees  and to some beautiful views!

Owen's Egypt Project

Owen's class spent a month working on a paper, poster/display, pyramids and paper mache animals all with an Egyptian theme. The project night at school was fantastic with kids in all manner of costume and the full range of their efforts displayed. Wade and I went with Owen, armed with only a cell phone camera. It worked out great and we enjoyed getting out of there before it was wall-to-wall people on the banks of the Nile!