It's December 12th and I have to make a decision: to get a tree or not?
Have you ever watched the TV show called "HOARDERS"?
I'm not saying you should... but I secretly do. It's a depressing, disgusting show that leaves me feeling fearful - but I can't turn away! Before our move I must have watched too many episodes, (cautionary tale?) I garbaged a few things that i wish I hadn't. Why did i throw away my handy fake Christmas tree? That would have been so simple to put up.
It was Chaplin that made the final decision: "we need a tree". So Adam and Chaplin picked out a Home Depo special that made our place smell like Christmas pine.
But it still didn't feel like Christmas. So in an effort to force a Christmas feeling out of ourselves we went hunting for snow on a warm and sunny day at Universal Studios.
Wow real snow on their Grinchmas set! And wow did that little patch of snow ever attract a lot of visitors young and old. Snow ball fights were allowed.
December 21 - Christmas Holidays.
We drove to Yuma.
The drive out of LA to San Diego is ugly and heavy with traffice. Slowly the traffic thins down, and the scenery changes into desert land. And somehow we drive through the most alien looking Jucumba mountains. The mountains are formed by enourmous boulders stacked high. It looks alien built and I told Chaplin that centuries ago giant aliens created this as their rock garden. Hmmm. Jacumba is located on the US-Mexico border and is heavily patrolled on foot and air (for giant aliens from Mars!).
It felt great to arrive at mom and dad's Yuma winter home, almost as if I were home for Christmas feeling. I don't know - maybe because I'm still out of sorts in Santa Monica that just being in a familar setting with my parents is comforting?
Have you ever wondered what 70 tons of snow looks like in the dessert? ME TOO!
Notice the green grass all around Chaplin.
Mom and dad took us to the Yuma Christmas Village at the Quartermaster Depo.
They had 'guaranteed' snow on the sled run for 4 days. We visited on the last day, so we didn't have to pay for any of the sled rides as the snow was not 'guaranteed'. LOL
Dad and I laughed about building this in Fort St. John and charging $5 a ride... that would NOT be a money maker. BUT in Yuma it is out of the ordinary and I even over heard some children talking about this being their first time seeing real snow.
Visit to the Camel farm, where I found this goat. I liked his looks, but he was constantly angry, which at his size made him even cuter!
What do two donkeys sound like? Worse than one. Nobody wants to hear that racket, and that is why i think horses are more popular.
This is Chaplin's pool in the back yard.
LOVED IT!
Christmas Eve -The traditions continue - thanks Nana for picking up the ornament for Chaplin, making meat pies, and baking Adam butter-tarts.
Christmas Day!!! Finally!!!
Chaplin's big gift from Santa was a skateboard. Well... we do live in the birth town of skate boarding!
Christmas 2011
Adam, Lori & (*Jedi) Chaplin Boyd
* notice his Jedi sword!
Conversation:
Chaplin "Can I go to weapons school"
Adam "what like Harry Potter's school'?
Chaplin "No one where you learn to sword fight"
We were invited over friends of my parents for X'mas dinner. What a great meal it was.
QUICK QUESTION FOR THOSE THAT RAISED ADAM :
Where did he learn to put butter on his turkey? Anyone know where this comes from?
After Christmas we did a few trips around Yuma, and even went on a safe (half hour) hike.
We went out to the desert with mom and dad, Stan and Judy Sutherland, and their tiny black poddle Sissy (you can see her next to Stan's legs in the photo)
Sissy should be my dog! Because I really really want her. She is so fluffy and cute. Chaplin adored her, and she adored Chaplin.
Adam really liked the sound of the rocks rolling down the mountian, so he setup his recorder and instructed us to all grab a rock and on the count of 3 throw your rock and then shut up.
December 29th -
Our holiday was over and I knew it was time to 'go home' but to where?
Happy New Year - Happy Anniversary!
We went over to Peter and Jen's house for a fondue party and a sleep over! Chaplin was so excited to see Jake, Theo and Linden and play with kids again.
Here is a little part of a conversation I had with Jen at some point in the night - (short form)
Peter and Jen had spent their Christmas in Vancouver, I asked how was the trip?
Jen replied "Peter and I talked about living in Vancouver again and if we could see ourselves ever moving back. The whole time we were there it rained and we both said no.... SO Lori you've got to make this move to LA work, we are staying and so are you!" I loved the conversation, and my depression about coming back to Santa Monica from Yuma dissappearred with that and a stiff vodka drink.
So as usual I started my new year by going to Las Vegas.
That's right folks, i went again. That's twice in less than two months. And i'm not really any poorer for it.
I was actually there for a trade show with work -
but we girls know how to have fun.
Mindy Bing, Shirley Viens (MOM!), and me!
at the trade show with super tired feet and acting goofy. Just another typical day.
My dad flew in to look after Chaplin, and then on the Friday Adam, Chaplin and dad drove to Las Vegas. Chaplin stayed in mom and dads hotel room. thank you so much for that treat, and they looked after Chaplin all day Saturday. i think it was their birthday gift to him - they took him to the fun dungeon, to McDonalds, to the pool and then bought him a knights costume to wear out to dinner. They went to the Tournament of Kings, a horse & knight show. Chaplin loved loved loved it, because they had swords...
And the best news so far - Chaplin has started Kindergarten again at a school called Will Rogers. He's only had 7 days so far, so next blog i will be able to give you a much better update.
Lori "Sorry Chaplin it's not a weapon school"
Happy New Year everyone. 2012!!!
