Our 2009 Christmas

Hai Minh (expecting a boy, Ian, in April,) Brad, and Leezza with her new musical toy.

Honey Baked Ham and other delectables.

We played Christmas Charades and Apples to Apples.

Alan and Stephanie are expecting a baby in May.

Olvera Street 2009

The procession sang with the guitars while the characters reinacted Joseph and Mary's search for a room at the inn.

We had our choice of tamales, tacos, and burritos.

Vern and Clare in her newly purchased furry hat for Colorado.

Lee and Carol looking Christmasy.

Leezza and her Tree

She got the ornament from me and took it to Grandpa so he could hook it on.

She tried putting them on, (and off, and on, etc.)

Time out to get a picture with the Santa Claus hat.

Leezza Time

Bubbles were a huge hit

Between us we read every one of her many books and even reread some.

After getting the tree decorated she wanted to take the ornaments off and put them on again.

Our Birthday at Disneyland

It was my birthday today,

and Lee's birthday. So we sipped mint juleps at the Blue Bayou.

We were given a "Happy Birthday" button and one that signified that we were celebrating with a birthday person, so we each had twos buttons. Many strangers wished us happy birthday and we wished anyone with a button the same.

Sleeping Beauty and the beast went by.

Places we Went on our Birthday

We took a trip on the river boat and then, while on shore, we watched a big show with the Princess and the Frog on board.

This is the outside of Small World in the day.

This is how it looks at night.

This was inside. I like the wind blowing the snowflakes. It was 45 degrees while we were there so we could imagine those cold flakes being real as we left Disneyland and watched fake flakes fall to the tune of "White Christmas."

Pictures from the Christmas Parade

We saw many reindeer,

the dwarves,

Winnie the Pooh,

and, of course, at the end was Santa Claus!

Justin, Natalie and Jack Clayton

Vise Versa

This is the poster for the performance we saw of Vise Virsa, the band featuring Vern on the drums and Clare doing back up.

Clare is on the right

and Vern is making a blur of those drumsticks.

Vincent Visit Continued.

Hazel had no choice so she stayed home with her family.

Thanks Sabrina and Joey for a great Thanksgiving!

Tucson Visit to the Vincents

Sabrina did one of her charming paintings while we were there. She sells them at www.slovly.com

Each child chose where to go with Grandma and Grandpa Oldham. Sylvia chose McDonald's and Toys R Us.

Isabel chose to shop at the mall.

Luke chose to go to the Biosphere.

Trick-or-Treaters 2009

Farmer Girl Isabel with Chicken Sylvia, Mario Luke, and bottom left Brad, Hai Minh and a little cat Leezza with her orange basket.