Christmas in California

My dad stated several months ago that he didn't want to spend Christmas at home. The boys and I were spending this Christmas with him, my best friend/brother was coming home from India and Dad just wanted to devote the day to spending time with us rather than running around in the kitchen.

His first thought was to go to Tahoe but then he decided on the beach. Carlsbad it was!

We arrived at our hotel and waited for our rooms to be ready in lounge whose fireplace belied the sunny and warm California day outside. Here is The Boy waiting with his uncle.

Once we checked in we discovered a playground which was literally right outside our window. The Boy had to investigate.

After the playground we wandered out to watch the sunset.

After dinner with Grandpa, Uncle and step-Grandma we went for a walk through town before returning to our room and opening a single present before going to bed - a tradition from my childhood. The Boy was ecstatic to unwrap some Thomas trains and some track.

Christmas morning we found a bung of Duplo blocks, raisins and a little soccer player in The Boy's stocking, a Razor scooter(also from Santa) and some more Thomas stuff - Including Percy. Percy is The Boy's favorite.

After breakfast(strawberry and cream cheese stuffed French toast, TYVM) we went back to the hotel, where Dad claimed the public fireplace as our own... and we sat to open presents.Here's my 3rd favorite person in the world opening a photo album I made for him of pics from a trip we took... 18 years ago.

And all of us in front of the fire.

Then we went for a walk on the beach. Here's my crippled self stuck up on the boardwalk.

And The Boy in his Santa hat(thanks Dad) on the beach with Hubs and his uncle

Then we took the requisite family shots up on the cliff.

Christmas dinner whilst watching the sunset was the perfect ending to a pretty perfect Christmas.

In case I don't say it enough, and I don't think I've ever said it on here, I absolutely love my state.