simple does it

This year we kept it very simple...homeade cards(which I had a ball getting up early Christmas Eve to paint), we played some great games, and had even better egg nog (one for big kids and one for little kids and both with lots of whipped cream)! We had a fun time remembering past Christmas's and I was sad to discover that perhaps the kid's were well aware that dad and mom were realy Santa a lot sooner than I was willing to admit...at least they kept quiet and let me enjoy it for a few more years! haha. The dogs had a little feast of pig ears and the boat's lights sparkled on the water on a very warm and rather calm night. I am truly thankful to our friends and family who wished us well and to you all I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Below are my homeade cards for the kids...

Stewarts card:

Katie's card:

MeRrY cHrIsTmAs!!

Family traditions...everyone has them. It may be buying special jammies handing them out  and wearing them as they drink hot cocoa, open family gifts and enjoy the spirit of Christmas Eve. All the while anticipating Christmas Day where by some miracle, no matter how old or how small, there is at least one gift or more from that mysterious man in red. This year we have a lot to be thankful for. Great friends, a wonderful family and most of all life. In our family, tradition has mainly been about making good memories..no matter how minute they may seem. We realy don't have a routine, in fact, some years Neil and I can't wait to share and Christmas comes almost a week early...other years a few days after...either way, it's all about building lovely memories that will last long beyond any gifts.

Below is my Christmas painting.

We were quite bummed when they cancelled Neil's appointment with the surgeon once again...but we are looking at it as "it wasn't in the plans." HIS plan. What is HIS plan for us? At this point only He knows...but as always, I am glad it is in HIS hands...takes a lot of pressure off, huh? haha...and with that let us all celebrate the "Reason for the Season," and I hope that all of our friends and family have a wonderful Holiday!

MeRrY ChRiStMaS from "Hand Full."

holidays on the water

Well you can take the girl away from land but you can't stop her from putting up Christmas lights! You guessed it, I just put up some pretty LED Christmas lights. I think it looks even more spectacular being seperate from the docks. The lights shimmer and twinkle in the water making for a very Halmark moment...I am not the only one, there seems to be quite of few of us moored boats that share the spirit of the Holidays.

This weekend is the first of two lighted boat parades. We hope to go to the first one at least which boast's to be even bigger this year! I hope to have a little video to show later.

Katie and I are still walking/jogging every day. I feel better every time I do it and we always enjoy going to the beaches to exercise. Every once in a while we come across a local artist who makes castles for the Hotel Del...can you imagine making sand castles for a living? How great is that? So below is one of her creations.

It has been rather chilly even for southern Cal according to the locals, but we are fast getting used to the chilly air and it definately helps to put you in the Holiday spirit, until you get to the beach, that is!

Tis the season...

It's December...can you believe it? I can't. It's nice to be in San Diego for another Christmas. We are looking forward to the lighted boat parade once again this year...should be coming up in a week or two.

Neil has had a few set backs with the surgeons as you all know, but is now scheduled in about 2 weeks to meet with one of the top spinal surgeons in the so-cal area. (not the 1 star rating doctor, thank goodness!) Good things come to those who wait, right?

We have not been able to get me into the doctor for a while because of insurance and financial woes as well...but I am going to be seeking employment this next week with hopes of getting our cruising kitty back into effect and also plan for Neil's upcoming surgeries should we need to become land lubbers for a brief time.

I know I wanted to be sailing off into the sunset right about now,actually right about a year ago, but it is a bad thing to live in the "if only's" and I am just thankful to be here, now, on this planet with the one's I love.

So to avoid getting sappy I will end it with this...Tis the season to count your blessings and may God bless each and every one of you.