vacation highlights

Condo right on beach, hoping over a few rocks to reach the sand. Best we've stayed at yet.

Houdini standing at the back door of the condo, looking out into the night, "Want see dat beach!"

Hootis and Rooney playing on the beach Christmas Eve for 6 straight hours.

Christmas Eve weather 71*, while at home it was 36*-feels like 29*

Christmas Day activities - Thanks to Stick expertly packing 95% of our presents.

Stick finding his inner "Surfer," boogey boarding in mighty cold water. Can you say, "red belly?"

Huge waves, approximately 55 surfers, surfing right in our "back yard"

Stick and the kids watching a school of Dolphin swim by in the waves

Walking on the Pier and seeing the barnacle covered back of a whale rise out of the water. There is some debate as to the length of the back. Some of us say it was 40' long, the one who really knows, says 10'.

Additional wildlife spotting of seals, pelican, star fish, anemone.

Waiting till the last day to take photos of the kids. The only cold day we had, hence the sweatshirts in the "header picture". Way to go, mom.

Two different people asking if Stick was "In the Corps?", Due to his really short haircut and the neighboring Military post. To which I intelligently answered, "huh"?

Commandeering enough shells to take home that the EPA may be after us.

Cracking open shells to throw live "muscles" to the seagulls. Everyone that is, but squeamish mom. eeew!