A Good Week

We've had a great first week with Nan and Pop here. Stace has been off work, too, and it's been a fun time just spending time together.

Cora and Violet were excited to walk with Nan and Pop up to the top of the hill by our house, where we get such a pretty view of our part of the valley.

Tuesday night, we took part in a cheap family night at the Ice Station, with Nan and Pop watching from the stands. Violet seemed to have forgotten how to skate when we started, but after practicing with the bar, she got comfortable again. Cora impressed all of us with her skills.

For once, it was cold enough when we left the rink to still need the scarves and mittens. We're in the middle of a cold spell, with cold nights and frost and ice in the mornings.

On Wednesday, we dropped the girls off at Grandpa's house and then Sue, Gord, Stace and I went to see The Force Awakens, the new Star Wars film.

With Stacey's fandom, it felt like a long two weeks to wait after the movie came out, but he was happy to see it with his dad. Stace saw the original trilogy with his dad, of course, in England. We all enjoyed the film, overall, and then got the girls and looked at Christmas lights.

Thursday was New Year's Eve, and Bill and Patty had invited us all to come out and visit them overnight.

We got packed up and drove out toward beautiful Ventura, which was cool but not as cold as SClarita. The girls stayed with their aunt and uncle while Stace, Sue and Gord and I walked around cool Main Street Ventura. We returned to a delicious pizza dinner, and some New Year's Eve television.

We were all too tired to stay up till midnight, but were sure to wish each other a happy 2016 the next morning. Uncle Bill made us a hearty breakfast, while we watched the Rose Parade.

We then took a long walk along the beach, and later my parents came up.

Our New Year's meal of lamb and pork was delicious, and we followed it with a rousing version of the White Elephant game.

Cora cracked us all up by initially choosing the wrapped bottle of wine. Perhaps she thought it was another bottle of her favorite Martinelli's (non-alcoholic cider)?