just one...the last one

This is not the last Hawaii picture I am sharing but the LAST image I took in Hawaii of the LAST time we saw daylight in Hawaii. This was taken from Waikiki beach while we enjoyed one LAST Hawaiian shaved ice before we had to go to the airport.

This is actually my background on my computer totally unretouched or fixed in Photoshop. I still have so many images to share from Hawaii but I think this one speaks to me.

There were many people on the beach because it was a Saturday and EVERYONE stopped and watched this...even the surfers all sat on their boards facing the sunset and enjoying a spectacular moment...almost a spiritual one... I think it is one of those moments you had to experience to believe...a peaceful moment that connected so many.

I understood ohana...

Enjoy!

A few of my favorite things...

These were taken during a recent shopping trip to Fashion Valley.

Somehow this mall just doesn't scream...It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..." Oh well...So Cal for you!
Cassi's feet were killing! Beauty before comfort!
I love this shopping shot of her!!

I love the Christmas lights!

Christmas is my absolute favoritist time of year. Since I was a kid I have always loved this holiday more than any other. Now when I was younger it was because it also coincided with my birthday but seeing how we choose not to dwell on that anymore...December is still my favorite month!

Christmas is a favorite of mine...

I love everything about the holiday. The music...the shopping...the hustle and bustle..the lights...the crowds...the tree...the shopping...the decorations...the weather...I could go on and on!!!!

I love traditions...

I have tried to instill traditions into my daughters head because the traditions we had growing up still mean so much to me. Every year...

Mom overshops (yes...a tradition I totally uphold!)
We end up at the local WalMart or Target (used to be ToysRUS) at least once at midnight
My parents cut down a tree and Mom loves the tinsel!
We watch all the classic cartoons (Rudolph, Frosty, Charlie Brown, etc...)
When Cassi was younger she LOVED Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Jingle All the Way" and it cracks me up to know he is our Governor now. So we watch that at least 5 times each year!
We take pictures with Santa and I take the SAME pose each year.
I take Cassi to Disneyland for all of the Christmas decorations. This year we had plans to go with Geri and family and I was surprising Cassi. She surprised me that day by ending up with a pretty bad flu and we didn't get to go! I haven't planned a makeup day yet but will have to see when our passes allow us to go!
We go to Christmas mass
My Dad bakes batches and batches of fudge
We go to my parents house Christmas morning and they have mounds and mounds of presents for everyone to open
We drive around looking for lights and on Christmas eve...looking for Rudolph

These are some of the things we do each year and I love it!

Another favorite of mine is the snow.

Someday I want to know what it is like to be snowed in somewhere with nothing to do but light a fire, turn on music and read a book. I told the girls today that when I am old and gray (no...not next week!) I want to live in a mountain cabin, work in some tourist trap like dressing people up and taking old time photos and talk about the weather with all of the locals!

San Diego had snow in the local mountains this weekend and chains were required and the crowds were crazy up there so we decided to go today instead. After Cassi and MacKenzie got out of school we drove about 40 minutes east of our house to the Laguna Mountains and played in the snow for a couple of hours. It was enough time for the girls to get soaking wet, freezing cold, and have a blast!!

After the snow we went to another favorite place of mine...Viejas.

I love that place. I can't help it but I love the sounds of the machines, the thrill of winning (when I win!), the little old ladies banging on the machines, the Quick hits...

but I didn't go there for that.

We went to the Outlets and did a little bit of shopping and watched the "Ice Princess" show they have going on each night. It was really really cold but the music was fabulous and it got us in a Christmasy mood.

Then we went to a neighborhood in Santee that we have been going to for years that has all of the homes decorated. Most of them have a cartoon theme and they get better each year! One family sells Kettle corn and another hot chocolate.

In true San Diego style, I take the top down on the convertible and we drive through enjoying the lights.

I think I have written a novel tonight and I hope you enjoy this time of year too!!