Ho Ho Santa

I took Leanne to Target yesterday to buy holiday pajamas, got them home, put them on her and . . . too small*. 

 

So we tried it again today, with both Leanne and Leia along, and I had them test drive the pj's before we left the store. See? I can learn new tricks.

 

Friday is pajama day at school, so both girls now have cute new duds to wear. And I plan to put Jaclyn in this Mrs. Santa outfit every day between now and Christmas. She is just too cute!

 

* I was smarter with Jac's outfit - I bought 2 different sizes and took back the one that didn't fit. Yay, me!

Hearst By Night

Hearst Castle is amazing anytime, but at night,

all dressed up for Christmas, it is magical.

Our tour was just under 2 hours (not counting the bus ride up the Enchanted Hill) and combined most of the individual day tours. We visited several areas we've never seen before and learned more too - the evening guides seem much more knowledgeable than their daytime counterparts.

We saw inside one of the guest cottages*,

the main living room with twin trees and costumed docents acting as "guests",

dining room - Mr. Hearst called it the Refectory-

gigantic kitchen* (this picture is maybe 1/3 of the entire area)

with bird faucets*,

the Morning Room, which was used mainly in the evening, with my favorite poinsettia tree,

the library used by guests,

the library used by Mr. Hearst for business meetings* (we also saw his and Marion Davies bedrooms* and dressing areas*)

and the Art Deco movie theater.

Our last stop, the indoor pool, has always been one of my favorite places at the castle.

At night it just sparkles.

So glad we had a chance to visit tonight. Who knows, this may become an annual birthday tradition.

 

* We've never toured these areas before.

 

Beach Time

Hubby surprised me with a weekend at the beach in San Simeon, our room just steps from the ocean, with rocking chairs on our balcony and a wood-burning fireplace for ambiance. Very nice.

We've spent the day reading, walking on the rainy beach collecting tiny shells for the little girls, and enjoying surprisingly good food (and pie!) at the family-owned restaurant attached to the hotel.

Tomorrow night we're taking an evening tour of Hearst Castle, something I've wanted to do for awhile. Then home on Monday, with stops at antique stores in Cambria and pastry shops in Solvang. I could get used to this life!

 

Happy Faux Birthday

Addy's birthday is November 22, but since she's visiting now, we decided Sunday would be her official celebration day. 
  
She nixed our planned beach day in favor of watching Trolls (not bad for adults; the little girls loved it) and a pizza party at Topper's. 
 
Oh, and taking lots (and lots) of pictures of JRo  
  
as she was rotated from relative to doting relative throughout the day and evening.
 
Not a bad way to spend the day at all! 
(I took the pizza picture. All others are by Rachel, who has an amazing eye!)
 Baldies!
 
 

 

Addy's Week of Birthday

We collected the Colorado tribe from LAX Friday night and headed out first thing Saturday morning on our first adventure.

The back-seat drivers got to watch movies - in-car video system for the boys and a shared iPad for the girls - while Rach and I navigated our way to our first stop at Ostrichland, just outside Solvang.
 
Leia has been here several times but it was a first for Pop and me. 
 
It was silly fun and the girls loved it, which is all that really matters. 
 
Then it was on to Cayucos for lunch and a leisurely stroll down the pier
 
before heading north to rendezvous with this cutie at beautiful Hearst Castle. While we were on the pier, I told the girls we might see wild zebra on Hearst Ranch - Pop and I have seen one or two on previous trips - but they thought I was joking. 
 
Guess again!
 
We saw a small zeal*, with several babies, on the outskirts of San Simeon and a bigger harem right next to the road just before the turn into Hearst Castle.
Pretty sure this was the highlight of the day for both little girls. 
 
The Castle was gorgeous as always.
 
They've begun decorating for Christmas - two big trees were up in the main room, but my favorite poinsettia tower hadn't yet made its appearance.

We wandered the grounds for a bit after the tour

then headed back to Cambria for dinner and the long drive home. Stay tuned tomorrow for more birthday week adventures!

Grand-Boys

We took a drive south tonight to visit Mr. T (almost 5!) and his new baby brother.

Look how tiny - and handsome - Isaac is!

Travis adores his brother, but he wants Isaac to come play - now!

Give him a couple more months, big guy. He needs to do just a tiny bit more growing.

 

Happy Halloween

We didn't have many trick or treaters this year - maybe 30-35 spread out over the entire evening? But it was a fun day, starting with getting Leanne up and dressed for her school parade, volunteering for Leia's class party,

and having JacJac 'help' hand out candies while decked out in her flamingo costume (and fast asleep) . . . .

Princess Leanne Snow White (with make-up for evening treating only)

Leia and Leanne during the school parade of costumes

Mary and I helping in Leia's classroom -

Mary came up with most of the game ideas including pin the spider on the web; funny faces with cookies and candy corn bingo.

Gary and Shelly's pumpkins - Gary's made me laugh out loud. Also Go, Kings, Go!

And Master Isaac - who wasn't due to arrive for another 8 days - got to go trick or treating with his big brother a year ahead of schedule. Smart kid.

Hope y'all had a great night with more treats than tricks!