To have breakfast with friends, Nathaniel and David, and their folks Karen and Jake.
A needed fuel and play date before the long drive back.
These next 3 pix are by Karen, who insisted, no flash in the house and then proved why.
There is a slight difference in quality.
And perhaps also in the framing. Let's just call the ELPH/Jess' photos a more run-and-gun type of shot.
When the fam arrived at home, there were boxes upon boxes of gifts, which Maddie carefully stacked under the tree.
Where Todd composites movie magic, and the Galaxy Quest ship floats in a stairwell.
And R2-D2 gets in the holiday spirit.
And the rolling hills are made out of foam, as Todd points out. For real - they are carved foam, covered in dirt and grass, built to be light enough to allow for a parking structure underneath.
After nap, Christmas cookies were made, complete with the cliche flour blow-up.
Even Max got in on the cutting action.
When 3 and 2 year-olds decorate.
And then go hot-rodding, hopped up on sugar.
Watching the rain pour outside, during one of the biggest storms (for LA) of the year.
The morning also began with waffle making by Todd and the girls.
Followed by a Christmas gift exchange.
Which resulted in an awesome tent/tube set-up.
"Dude, this is insane."
During a rain break, everyone headed to Wildcare, a nearby wildlife rehab center.
And held hands on the way back.
Their first 6 hour drive together (8 hours including stops). A lot was spent watching the video "Trucks."
A lot less of this happened then expected, especially if they were allowed out of the car about every 2 hours, ie received the fast food tour of the 5N.
There was even about an hour and a half of this.
All of it worth it to arrive at Maya's house, who shares a love of the Pixar movie.
And whose parents, Todd and Kearsley, share a love of a great glass of wine.
Meeting Aurelia for the ride.
In Griffith Park at Travel Town, one of the train rides is adorned with lights along the sides of the track.
And makes a stop at Santa's village. Maddie has just been introduced to the idea of Santa. She was interested but confused, sitting on Santa's lap in a bit of a stupor. (Jess was impressed that Santa knew who Woody and Jessie from Toy Story were.) Max was not happy, saying "Nooooo" when set on Santa's lap - Santa remained non-plussed.
At school, there was a fake mini tree with decorations, and the kiddos were fascinated.
Embracing the role of grandmother, Mimi appeared later in the day with a real mini tree for the kids to decorate at home, complete with candy canes and chocolate milk (which had nothing to do with the tree and everything to do with the spoiling).
The kids were fascinated all over again.
Mimi has always made handmade stocking for the Kender kids, and now has branched out to the grandkids and son and daughter-in-laws. Sam's arrived with Mimi today.
Maddie was fascinated and spent about a half hour discussing the different stockings, and whose was whose. She also carried one around with her for the rest of the afternoon.
The tree.
Using the cluster method (each one of those silver stars is it's own ornament).
Ooo. Strands of tangled lights.
"Ook! Ight! Ight!" (Max's words).
When Sam and Jess were just married, DoeZee gave Sam a train set similar to the one that he sets up around the tree in Jersey. Because Christmases had been spent on the East Coast, the train set never got pulled out. Until now. Once it was finally up and running, the kids watched enrapt. Before it was running, Jess was very much reminded of DoeZee from years past. Perhaps it was the similar tone of voice or turn of phrase, mostly centered around, "If you touch it one more time....."
By heading to the YMCA Tree Lot to get a Christmas tree.
Both kiddos loved the shaking of the trees to get extra needles off, and were slightly intimidated by the chain saws.
That evening the fam headed down to Diane's house for her Naples Boat Parade party, where George and Eric were also in attendance.
After loading up on Mediterranean food and refilling drinks in plastic cups, everyone headed out for the walk to the canals. Maddie held one of the many whirring lights Diane had handed out to the gang of 30, used to find each other in the crowds.
While Maddie used the backpack, Max was hand carried. Eric, seen here with Kathleen, pitched in give Jess' arms a break.
He also was the first to show Max the boats, which blew Max's mind.
A bad picture of the event. About 90% of the homes along the canals get decked out in lights, and the boats are similarly adorned. Both kids were amazed, and Jess began to feel like Christmas was here in California.
#1 Find 3 girls at the playground, preferably one who is Aurelia.
