No trip to CA is complete without...

...a visit to Andria's in the Ventura harbor village for fish and chips.



And then, while you digest, a visit to the Channel Islands visitor center.


Admire the aquarium, then climb to the top of the observation tower and enjoy the view.

We don't go to CA just for the beach.

While in California, many evenings you can find W1 out by the barn helping my aunt Joyce feed the horses.


And once L1 got over his initial nervousness, he fed the pony some carrots.


This is the closest we will ever come to having pets, so they've got to live it up!

Fondue Night.

This always happens during our Christmas trips to California.

It may happen on New Year's Eve, or some other night during that week between Christmas and the New Year, but it always happens.

Dare I say it is a tradition now?

'Cuz even if it isn't, it really should be.

Because it is delicious and I can't live without it.

Christmas Day

It was a whirlwind of food, family and presents. L1 continued his tradition of having earaches while we are away from home.


He woke up around 10pm Christmas Eve sobbing and clutching his ear. After a run to the nearest convenience mart for some children's Tylenol, he was able to sleep again.


And, of course, the opening of presents Christmas day were a good distraction.


The overriding theme for our kids were capes and Legos.


We spent the morning in Ventura with my family, then lunch with R1's family, and dinner that night at my aunt's house. It was wonderful to spend the day with everyone!

Christmas Eve at the beach

Perhaps my favorite holiday tradition is our Christmas Eve sunset watching at the beach. There are select few places where this tradition is even possible, so I feel lucky to have it.


This year is especially memorable because all of my brothers were home. I'm not sure when the last time was that we were all in California at Christmas.


Oh, and some guy brought his four goats to the beach for an evening frolic, too. They were quite nimble climbing out onto the jetty. But then, they would be, wouldn't they?


But what Christmas Eve tradition is a close second? The opening of the new PJ's, of course.

W1 and L1's favorite California activity.

When I asked W1 and L1 what their favorite part of our Christmas-time trip to California, they both quickly answered, "Riding the four wheeler!".

I should have known.

It does warm my heart a little bit that their answers didn't involve the receipt of presents. Perhaps we are doing something right. (Not giving them many presents?).

Every day we are there, they ask for that four wheeler ride.

And the best part is that Grandpa puts them to work gathering firewood, weeding, mowing the horse ring.

Quality cousin time.

While we were in California, R1's brother and his family drove from Washington state to see us.


We are so happy that they did! W1 and L1 were ecstatic to play with their cousins.


We spent a whirlwind two days eating, talking, laughing, and sightseeing.

The La Brea Tar pits.

The Griffith Observatory.


We must get these kids together more often!