Great Gifts

A last post before we leave for the airport - send up prayers and good thoughts, we're boarding a long flight with a 22-month-old!

I've enjoyed some special time this week with my Kelly, my oldest friend (we met when we were 10). She is a big fan of Wicked, the Broadway musical that has had a very long, successful run here in L.A. at the Pantages Theatre. It's ending in early January, and we really wanted to see it together. Though the line was incredibly long, we managed to win the lottery last Tuesday, for $25 front-row seats! What a blessing, for me to see such a great show for the first time, from the front row! (Our buttons say "I won the Wicked lottery"!) We had a great Japanese meal at a cool restaurant across the street, and Stace watched Cora.
Then, on Monday, she gave me an early surprise for my upcoming 30th birthday, taking me to the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa for an afternoon of relaxation - and a massage! Oh, what pampering! We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant, and it was just a fantastic day.
The other photos are from celebrating an early Christmas at home. On Sunday we went to the Adams' house for dinner and a gift exchange game, where Cora won a little fiberoptic Christmas tree. And on Tuesday night we had my family over to exchange presents. The top photo shows Cora and Grandpa shortly after he and Mel read out of her new Nativity book. A quick story - Cora and I were flipping through it Monday, and she correctly pointed out the angel, Mary and the animals. Then we turned the page, to where baby Jesus is in the manger. "Elmo!" she proclaimed, pointing to the Holy Christ. Fabulous.
Maybe she was just being psychic, because Grandma and Grandpa later gave Cora an "Elmo and Friends" book for Christmas, to hopefully occupy her for a bit on the plane.

Merry Christmas, everyone!