Christmas in Cali: After

We had two days to play after Christmas, so that is what we did!  Jason had to get back home for work and had to leave reeeeeally early on the 26th.  We were all bummed to have to say goodbye, especially the boys because they love playing with him so much, but it was so great to have us all together for Christmas.

Our week in Rancho Mirage was actually "chilly" for the desert, the lows getting close to freezing, but the day temperatures were warm enough for our Colorado-acclimated skin, so...well, you know...POOL!  And in truth, the pool was only slightly cooler than the hot tub.  Gotta keep the temps up for all those golfing retirees who may want to take a swim!

The days went too quickly but we were happy together.  It was such a sweet, blissful visit.  I know I say that about every visit with family or close friends, but it really is the fact of the matter.  It's what life is all about.  Family, friends.  The best part of living.

We had planned to drive home in two days, stopping to see some of our Arizona ohana as we passed through Phoenix, but a snow storm was headed for Colorado, starting early in the second day we were to be driving, and we really didn't want to get stuck somewhere away from home, nor did we want to extend our time in the car by hours having to drive slowly through a snow storm, so we decided to drive all 16.5 hours in one l.o.n.g. day.  We arrived home at 2am, ready to roll into bed but with full hearts from a wonderful Christmas in Cali.

Kai did not love his cow riding toy...until big cousin Ben got in on the action!

GoPro Fun!

Of course.

Adam and I enjoyed a bit of "us" time with a lovely evening paddle.

He still makes my heart flutter.

We were having fun...until the swans started to gang up on us!  Pretty animals, yes.  Nice animals?  NO.

Hey, look!  These two CAN get along!

A grown-ups-only dinner out (I love having a built-in babysitter!) at the fancy Lavender restaurant.  It was such a beautiful setting and the food was divine!

We tested and tried every new toy!

One, two...

...THREE!!!

Tommy...three!  THREE!  Tommy...?

It was much easier getting the synchronized jump with just two; two who understand the phrase, "on three."

Super Tommy wasn't sure what he was up against, but it was making loud snorting noises, disturbing the peace of the general populace, so he knew he must face the beast.

We celebrated this amazing guy's upcoming birthday on our last night.  The ladies were zipping out to a movie, so it was like "speed birthday party," so hopefully he felt the love, because we sure do LOVE!

Sunrise meant it was time to go.  Boohoo!

Will we beat it home?  YES!  When we rolled in at 2am, I told Adam that if we had another no-show-snow, like happens so often here in our Colorado forecasts, heads were going to roll.  But when we awoke at 9:30 the next morning, we already had about an inch, so we conceded that the pain of the drive had been worth the safety and warmth of our snug little beds.

Sleeping in the car never looks too comfy, but Tommy takes discomfort to a deeper level.  Fortunately, his loud snores indicated that he was still breathing in that fully bent position.