Year End Wrap Up

What a wrap up to 2013!  Wow.  I am just NOW feeling like I can catch up a little.  I'm sure you're all feeling the same way.  The month between Thanksgiving and New Year's just flies.  Here's a photo recap and explanation of why I've been MIA most of the month.

My good friends and I traveled to Las Vegas to watch our friend, Kellie, compete in the World Series of Team Roping.  This was held at the South Point Hotel and Casino and is held at the same time of year as the NFR....Vegas was all about cowboys and cowgirls while we were there......

The annual toy drive to benefit UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital I began four years ago was a success.  It was held at Finnegan's Marin, a local pub, and this year my friend, Tanya helped as well.

Paige and I delivered the toys to UCSF the first day of Christmas break.

Many many holiday parties we had the pleasure of attending, were all so much fun.  Have you ever played Cards Against Humanity?....a must do if you haven't......

Oh my.  The Forty Niners.  What a season so far!  Attending the "last game at Candlestick" was so very exciting.  Fireworks topped off a very exciting ending to a game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Dominic is STILL not able to walk or work with his broken ankle, so he missed out on a few of these events and hasn't been working since the end of October....

Christmas Eve is always held here at the ranch at my in law's house.

Relatives stop in for appetizers and cocktails in the late afternoon and then our immediate family has dinner and opens gifts.

On my side of the family, it was my turn to hold Christmas Day.  We had prime rib.  I'm still recovering for all the food I consumed.

We also got together with some of the cousins and experienced Tilden Park in the Berkeley hills...Santa, Merry Go Round, picking out special ornaments and a sleep over for the kids at their cousin's house.

This year has been such a dry year for California.  With no mud or rain in sight, I've been taking advantage and hiking up the hill behind our house and the ranch a few times per week.

New Year's Eve was spent a some friends in Petaluma and ended at a friend's house here in Novato.  More food.  Mini Cheesecakes were easy to make and eat.

My friend Heather and her family were in town visiting and she made this delicious app....toasted crusty bread, chevre, slice of pear, balsamic glaze and topped with a spicy pecan....TO.  Die.  For.

The morning after.  Nourishment with bacon, eggs and potato hash.  Gotta start the New Year out right!

New Year's Day was spent at my sister's place.  We now have a new 9 year old motor cross rider in the family.  Bryce was so proud of himself after his maiden voyage on his Honda 70.  I don't know where he gets this stuff but after his first go-around, he pulls up to where I was standing, gets off the bike and says, "Mom, I feel Hot.........in two ways."

Really.  That's what he said.

At the end of Christmas break, we traveled down to San Luis Obispo to stay with our good friends/cousins for a few days.  I don't think we saw any of the kids unless they were hungry or thirsty.

Their dog, Sandy became my pal and running partner while I was there.  Such a sweetie.

Dominic's grandmother lives in a nearby town and we were able to drive down to visit her one afternoon.  The kids love their Great Nonnie.

I hope 2014 will be a very happy, healthy and prosperous year for you all.  Thank you for reading!!