Lunch with Lisa and Lindsay

On Saturday I met Lindsay and Lisa in Corte Madera for lunch. It was so lovely to see my Chico girls, especially Lisa since she lives in NYC! We have such a great friendship, that I treasure on a daily basis. Check out Lisa's new-to-me haircut...Dana says she looks like Tinkerbell. I love it!

Fishing on the Sacramento

Last Friday my Dad, Damon and I headed over to the Sacramento River for a day of salmon fishing. It was a quick 24 hour trip that lacked any fish, but it was still memorable, as anytime I am in nature with your two favorite men. One word sums up the day fishing....COLD! It was about 40 degrees on the river while traveling 40 miles an hour on a jet boat. I am still thawing out. Here is the scenery from the day:

Here we are very bundled up....

A cool picture of a pair of bald eagles...

Happy Birthday to Morgan

Yes- it has been a busy month for my dear friends- lots of birthdays! On Christmas Eve (yes, I am super late in responding) but Christmas Eve was Morgan's 26th birthday. Miss Morgan and I have been friends since our Sophomore year in high school and I always loved to celebrate her birthday, since it was a great reason to get together with the girls over winter break. In my usual ode to birthdays, I will share my favorite birthday celebration with you.

In high school, I think it was our senior year when Morgan turned 18, we rented a limo (which was a super big deal). We cruised around town on Christmas Eve morning and thought we were rock stars drinking Sparkling Cider. After going to breakfast and still having time on the clock, I had the genius idea to go to Toys R Us to play with the toys. It was a blast! We were running up and down the busy isles with lots of flare. However, the best part was returning to the limo, the TV 50 news crew was filming a segment on shopping for Christmas. Not sure how it all happened, but the next thing that I knew, the newscaster was interviewing Morgan about why we were shopping on Christmas Eve. Then, they filmed us getting in to the limo and driving away. The last words one the segment that aired was "and some shop in style" as our limo with us waving out the windows drove away. What a great birthday!

The best part about Morgan's birthday this year is that she was packing up her apartment in Boston to head back to California. Her hubby got a job based in Oakland (yeah!) and he starts January 2nd. How exciting! Damon and I are both looking forward to spending more time with the Langlois's, especially since they will be living about 15 minutes away!

Here are some pictures from Morgan's birthday celebration in 2005...we gave her the Scene It Friends edition (she is a huge Friends fan), which I purchased at Toys R Us!

Merry Christmas- Part Three

After Calistoga, we headed up to the ranch for a prime rib dinner with Damon's family. It was a lovely relaxing evening.

Kris hung these pretty ornaments off of light fixture above the dining table, very creative!

Random pictures of the beautiful property:

Ryanne also received a hard-core red wagon...the tires are perfect for rollin' around the ranch!

Beautiful baby...

Of course Uncle Damon had to show Ryanne how to push and pull the wagon herself...

"Look Uncle, I am a fast learner!"

Grandma Morelli surprised Ryanne with a fancy rocking horse that makes noise, moves and shakes it tail. Ryanne was very impressed that she didn't know if she could touch the handles.

Our cute kids in their matching warm hunting vests.

Lots and lots of presents for little Pookie!

I came out of the bathroom to find Ryanne and Damon hoppin' around with the dancing snowman. My heart melted.

Damon with Grandpa Gehrke

Apparently Damon cannot get enough of playing with Ryanne's new toys...here is his "I am a BIG goofball" smile. Too cute!

The next few pics are of Ryanne and her daddy playing one of their favorite games, chase Shasta around the house. I have never heard her laugh so much!

Leana, Ryanne and Grandma Morelli

Leana and Ryanne with Grandma Gehrke

Damon, Leana (they really look like brother and sister is this picture) with baby Ryanne


The Killpack Family

Cy says Merry Christmas!

In all, Damon and I had a wonderful Christmas...as always, I am a sad that they are already over. We hope that everyone else enjoyed the holiday season. We are off now to go salmon fishing in Anderson...so I won't have time to post for a few days. Cheers until next time!

Merry Christmas- Part Two

After Christmas morning at the Killpack's, we headed to Calistoga for Christmas morning with the Cambra family (aka: my dad's brother's and sister families). Here we all are:

And here is the "boy" picture:

And the "girl" picture:

This is my Uncle Dickie with two of his grand-daughters...we have had the pleasure of watching these girls, Calista and Brianna, grow up. They are such polite little girls that make the holidays even more special.

Geoff was really excited about his present from my Aunt Susan and family:

Aunt Sandy, who is married to Uncle Dickie, was excited about her "Dickies" shirt:

Here is my dad with another one of Uncle Dickie's granddaughters...she opened up some hair ties, which my dad promptly put on her arms so she wouldn't loose them. Is this how he raised my sister and I?

My Aunt Michelle and Uncle Hughie, gave each of the girls a stuffed pony, they were so excited!

"Curly" with a bow on her behind...

My mom taught the girls to throw napkins and other paper items into the fireplace to watch them burn. Was this how my mom raised my sister and I?

During the annual tradition of our white elephant gift exchange, I had Damon steal a bottle that my Papa Hugh used to have on his window from my Aunt Sandy. It was decorated during his time in the service and he used to keep his dimes in it. Even though the bottle was stolen from me by none other than Geoff, it was still good to hold it in my hands for a while. It brought back memories of my Papa Hugh, who LOVED Christmas, and always gave me quarters in my holiday cards.

Here is Diana modeling her fishing apron and mit...which, I ended up stealing from her before the game ended.

My dad opened a jewerly set, which he commissioned Calista to help him try to sell to the others. It was hilarious...all that was missing was a trench coat and some gold watches.

This is their reaction when they finally "sold" the jewerly set...I think we found my dad's new post-retirement career.

The happily engaged couple...

This picture is precious of Diana saying goodbye to one of the twins:

My cute cousins, Chelsea and Diana...