AN AMAZING DAY AT THE BEACH!!

Not to rub it in to those of you in cold weather climates, but it was FABULOUS at the beach today. We went to our favorite outdoor beachfront restaurant (missed you Donna!) and sat outside. Then we went down to the water and enjoyed an almost empty beach. The sun was out and though we didn't see our usual dolphin pod (is that what a group of dolphins is called?), we did see a quick sighting of a recent cheeky seal that turned up a few days ago. Adrian has been off work all week, so we've made sure to enjoy the good weather with several trips to the beach.

ARE YOU HAPPY NOW DAVE AND ALI???!!!

This one is for Dave and Ali, who can't just accept our moderate home for what it is, but have to complain, complain, complain about something as small as a doorknob. I mean, if they loved us, would they care that we had no bathroom doorknob? I think not. So relenting to peer pressure, Adrian went to the antique hardware store to find the pieces needed to make our doorknob work once more. Manly-Man that he is - we now have a working doorknob. Happy now Dave and Ali?

Preparing for Santa

The household was ready for Santa on Christmas Eve. Jessica baked cookies and we left carrots for the reindeer and 'bubble juice' for the big man. The 'after' shot shows that Santa chowed down on the snacks, and took carrots outside for his reindeer who left a nibbley mess on the porch The before shot of the tree shows that in true American fashion, we all over-bought. HO, HO, HO, Merry Christmas to all!!!

Santa Invades the House

Santa did the business this year! He dragged magic snow down the chimney and left Jessica special presents and a GIANT Barbie house with a GIANT golden bow. The cheeky reindeer even came up onto the porch to munch the carrots! Luckily they didn't leave any other 'presents' on the front lawn.

Fab Presents for One and All

The kids all made out like bandits! Lucy plays on her Elmo 'puter, Charlie plays with his new music-playing star-stacker, Jess holds up a book of Adrian's. Jessica powered through her presents this year and then had a sad 'Aren't there more presents for ME?'

The Carnage is Over

Presents are finally opened and everyone tries to clean up the mess that is left behind. All the Nash trash cans are overflowing and we have boxes piled on the front porch.

PAGE SCHOOL 'HOLIDAY' SHOW 2007

Always very PC, the annual Holiday school show had songs from around the world and we ticked the box for multiple religions. Nothing like a rousing chorus of 'Dradle, Dradle, Dradle' to put ME in the holiday spirit! The day before the show, Jessica informed me we HAD to get a new dress. I was certain that the dress from last year would still fit, but Jess was horrified at my fashion faux pas. "People will know it's the same dress!!" So off we went and I can only be thankful all the holiday dresses were already 40% off. Jess chose her dress, refusing my input. Obviously a mother who would wear the same dress two years running can't be trusted.

Pics: Stage before the show; Jessica backstage with Ananda and excited about the 2nd grade selections - Oh Christmas Tree and Christmas in America; On stage singing and dancing; and the final curtsy. For those of you who just can't get enough, we have video and can dupe you a copy!

SANTA, WHERE'S MY PUPPY!?

So despite the fact that Dad TOLD Jessica that there will be no puppy till she's ten, Jess is hoping that Santa can short-circuit the system and sneak one in on Christmas eve. I am hoping we don't have big tears when no puppy-sized box is under the tree.

Sprinkles Red Velvet Cupcakes

Not sure how much red dye is in these cupcakes, but I can certainly testify, IT IS A LOT!!! Tasty though and we'll be making them again.

WOW - ALREADY FOUND MORE SHOTS

Missed these and have to include them! Jessica loved the hammocks on property. And one afternoon, a blues band was practicing in the cafe, and Adrian gave Jessica a dance lesson on the patio (whilst I watched and sipped my afternoon latte). Jess learned some good moves!

THE BIG FINISH

OK, here's the last of the photos . . . at least until I find a few more I like. Or until Jerri emails me pics from the fishing trip she and Adrian went on. The big finish is all about the family photos, on the beach, in the great light of the setting sun. WORK WITH ME PEOPLE. Needless to say, most of the Heffernan crew were obvious amateurs to work with. But I suffered and did the best I could with the small bones they threw me! Mildly annoying that I have uber-snorkel-hair, and no time to go fix it. And also extremely annoying that trying to get shots of all four ladies together was like trying to herd kittens! Why does Jerri get to have about 10X more hair than me? And we got the boys together for a 'man' shot, but soon realized they just looked like a gay couple showing off their new son! Good thing they both earn so much and could afford the surrogate mother.

JESSICA GOES NATIVE

Jess has wanted to do hair beads on several holidays, so we finally agreed to let her go all-out. The braids should last about two weeks and she can't wait to get to school on Monday and show her 'girls' the new do.

FABULOUS POOL

But as much as Jess loved the beach, the pool was a close second.

FABULOUS BEACH

The beach was the softest, cleanest sand I've seen in ages. Possibly since South Africa! I got a few 'photo shoot' moments from Jessica, but mostly she ran from the camera just to annoy me. She did manage to let me shoot a few with dad, probably in exchange for ice-cream later.

CHARLIE CAN YOU HEAR ME ?

Family Joke! As hard as it was to get Lucy to LOOK at the camera and maybe smile . . . it was EASY to get Charlie, aka Choppy, to work the camera like nobody's business. Jerri and Bren need to sign that boy up with a baby talent agency and start planning their early retirement.