Dinomite!

Old year, New Year part 2.

After being home for a day,  we went to a family New Years sleepover party. Everyone had a great time, both kiddos and parents. So much fun, that no pictures were taken.

We spent New Years Day with (most of) the same people form the evening before, digging clams on the coast.

 That evening was one of the best sunsets we have seen in this state.

Another day at home and we were ready to head out again. This time to go skiing.

Can you see the tiny pink unicorn on my helmet?

Then it was time to get back to normal. 

Old Year, New Year

It's been a busy couple of weeks for us. It all started when Johno turned 40 and I (with the help of some fantastic friends) threw him a surprise party. He. Had. No. Idea.  NONE! The look on his face when he realized that the party was for him, and not a Christmas party, was priceless.

Another great friend made his cake. Part mountain, part cliff.

Two days later we were on our way to California to spend Christmas with the Wiedmann family. We made a slight detour through the Redwoods, as John had never seen them (Odin either).

The drive was lovely, and hiking amongst the giants made it all worthwhile.  The next day we arrived in St. Helena and stayed at a lovely house overlooking the valley.

the drive in was long and curvy

I even got up for sunrise, twice.

Christmas Eve fun

It was great seeing my cousins and their kiddos whom we have not seen in two years.  

We went Geocaching!

And wine tasting

And Jelly Belly touring

 There was also lots of cooking and eating, and cleaning, and playing together.

Eventually, it was time to say goodbye to the gang and head off to celebrate another birthday, Odin's!
He really wanted to go to an arcade and play video games. I found a great place that had an arcade, mini golf, and go karts. Grandma and Grandpa Slyter joined us for most of the day and played a round of mini golf. Grandpa schooled us all.

We drove home in a day. Odin was a champ, especially considering that it was his birthday. after being away, it was nice to be in our own beds, for a couple of nights . . .