The first GIFT of Christmas is a deeeeeeeelicious New York cheesecake baked by Tim Tuitt-a real New Yorker. He has mastered the art of making cheesecakes. It is a delectable dessert. You guessed it- we traveled to Newport with our cheesecake.
NEWPORT COAST RESORT-Dec.27-Jan. 3,2009
The Texans arrive at the resort after a 20 hour trek across the country. Jarod was a trooper for driving straight through. Megan was the bigger trooper entertaining three little ones. Carly is the first one out the door to give us all lots of hugs and kisses.
Damon, Clarissa and Steve are basking in the sensational sunshine.
Kaela and Ava build sand castles.
Elle enjoying the not so coy koi fish.
Navarre and Josh calling the fish to the surface.
Damon holds onto Ava so she doesn't jump in and swim with the koi. Kaela looks on as well.
OPENING PRESENTS:
Opening presents was soooooo fun. Megan gave me several copies of our very own Cover Girl- Carly was featured on the cover for December's issue of Austin Family magazine.
Steve's all-time favorite gift was the book made by Clarissa. I noticed him wiping away heartfelt tears while reading of her love for him.
Carly and Kaela loved the nightgowns I made for them. They wore them every night. Aren't they just the cutest.
I think the girls were having just as much fun opening Josh's present as he was having pushing the buttons to make the sounds for his tractor.
One of Carly's favorite books is Fancy Nancy. She turned 4 years old in October and has already begun a love of reading.
Josh loves to ride the luggage cart. He is modeling his pajamas I made him. The fabric is filled with Dalmatian puppies wearing Christmas hats.
J.C.Penney's - Annual family photos
We're at JCPenney's getting family photos. I made dresses for the girls and Megan purchased darling outfits for the boys. I was thrilled that the dresses fit perfectly. (I was a little nervous because they weren't around to try them on when I was making them.) Don't forget to check out their pictures on Smiles by Wire.
LOS ANGELES TEMPLE:
When picking up Navarre and Catherine we took a detour to see the Los Angeles temple. The Christmas lights are beautiful. We have a photo of Jarod at age 8 at this same bronze statue. (I know these pictures are dark but I have to tell you the moment was very bright.)
DINERS, DRIVES, & DIVES
Steve was in charge of navigating restaurants. He did a great job. Each place was fabbbbbbbulous.
While awaiting our table at the famous Rain Forest Cafe, Carly, Megan and Josh look at all different fish.
Clarissa needed to be fed so we moved quickly to Claim Jumper. (She is 3 months pregnant and you know how it is when you need to eat.) That's Jack walking to our table, he was tired of waiting on us. He wanted fooooood!
Ava is on Aunt Megan's lap awaiting our turn to be seated at Claim Jumper.
Schooner or Later was the name of this restaurant. The crab omelets were to die for.
We walked on the deck where the schooners were docked awaiting our breakfast.
Crazee Burgers was wild. They offered alligator burgers and much more.
SAN DIEGO ZOO:
I don't know why I like to photograph us in parking lots, but here we are all dressed in our red T-shirts. I loved the shirts. Jarod made one for each of us. He is so generous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This isn't the whole crew but a few of us in our great looking shirts. He put a cute saying for each of us. I loved Navarre's- Lady Hawk lover and Catherine is the Lady Hawk. Mine stated: Practically perfect in every way.
Damon and Elle
Clarissa and Damon looking their best as monkey King and Queen.
Papa Steve and Jack
Josh's smile says it all. We had a wonderful day at the zoo.
NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION:
Megan is our party animal and brought fun party favors. We had a great time bringing in the New Year. The little ones are wearing look alike pajamas I made for Christmas. Megan is wearing the infamous red T-shirts made by her talented husband, Jarod.
NEWPORT TEMPLE: (Temple dedicated 2005)
Jarod and Megan
Steve and Karon
Damon (Clarissa forgot her recommend so she couldn't attend).
MALE BONDING TRIP:
Navarre, Jarod, Damon, and Steve took the 1 hour drive down to Tijuana, Mexico. They were told by the border patrol that they are lucky to be allowed back into the country. Starting in June 2009-no passport means no reentry. Jarod and Damon brought back gifts for their children. The girls are dancing the Mexican Hat dance while Josh is waiting to wrestle wearing his blue mask.
MERRY-GO-ROUND at the mall
Josh (Megan right behind him). She wasn't hiding, I just snapped the photo without warning.
Carly and Jarod
Jack is taking few minutes of snooze time.
PACIFIC OCEAN VIEW:
Before the sun sets we took this shot by a Christmas tree in the middle of nothing.
Talk about a contagious smile!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just as the sun is setting Catherine & Navarre take a walk.
Damon and Clarissa (Don't they look like wonderful parents who can easily handle three?)
Megan and Clarissa surrounded by cherubs.
Jarod and Megan enjoying a peaceful moment -just before the storm. Josh had wandered off and it had us all in a frightful plight. Needless to say, prayers were immediately said and all darted off to find one of our greatest treasures. Within a short time he was found in the restaurant next to us.
NEWPORT BEACH PIER
Gayle and Jim Strong and their six children joined us for a fun day at the beach. Those in the strollers are: Kaela and Carly (hooked at the hip), Jaxon Strong-Gayle in pink behind him, Ava, Jack, and Josh. I'm on one end by Kaela and Carly and Steve is on the other end by Josh. I thought that it made a statement that we are encircling our loved ones.
Jarod had to eat a frozen banana. Why else would you go for a walk on the pier?
It was time for the day to end and Kaela displayed what I was feeling. I didn't want this perfect day to end either. It is toooooo fun being with my family.
AZUSA, CALIFORNIA visiting Grandma & Grandpa Val
We decided to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house before concluding our fun filled week. They were only an hour away from Newport. It was a perfect opportunity for photos. We started with the female population at the Val's that day.
Val, Steve (holding Jack), Jarod (with Josh in front of him), Damon, and Navarre.
Four generation snapshot. Jack is one and Josh is 3 years old. Grandpa Val is 87 years old. Steve is wearing a Harley Davidson shirt Jarod gave him for Christmas. Jarod is running a Harley dealership in Texas. All three have a love for motorcycles...I think it is in their genes.
Catherine, Navarre, Steve, Karon, Nellie in the middle just behind her sweetheart-Grandpa Val.
Jarod and Megan and kids. Josh is showing everyone his fabulous blue airplane.
Damon holding Kaela, Nellie, Steve, Karon, and Clarissa holding Ava, Grandpa Val front row and center.
Jarod and Kaela walking down off the hill after visiting Grandma's aviaries.
Don't they look great. Lydia, Gayle, Steve, Nellie (81 years young!) and Val in the front
Megan is our resident farmer, she loves picking fruit. She and Carly are enjoying the fruit picking experience with Grandma's tangerine tree. I keep trying to convince her to move to California so she can pick fruit all year round-wink, wink, nudge, nudge!
Gayle tending to the little ones.
SAYING SO LONG....PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW
Aunt Lydia hugging Josh.
Uncle Jarod tickling and squeezing his darling nieces-Ava and Kaela.
Jarod and Megan have a 20 hour trek back to Texas. That's there van in the background.
Catherine and Navarre (in his famous-Captain American pose) are returning to Provo, Utah where they are starting another semester of college.
