Homeland for the Holidays

Lest my previous post has cast an unintentional gloom on your perception of our fabulous Christmas vacation, take a look at all the fun times we had:

Tolley's house in Montana:

Ice fishing on Foys Lake: a Tolley Christmas tradition.

Playing Games (both traditional and electronic).  Also, (not pictured) swimming at the indoor fitness center in town, lots of shopping, Christmas party lunch at Grandpa's work, and trips to the Dairy Queen.

Decorating the Christmas tree, accompanied on the piano by Amy (was delightful to have my daughter fill this role!)

Christmas Eve present-opening: new pajamas, as usual!  Then,

Christmas morning surprises:

Grandma reads "Fancy Nancy" and Uncle Dallin, Lana and Amy build the new Lego set.

Grandpa carves the "roast beast" and we all enjoy our Luxury Christmas crackers (which managed to get through security at Heathrow just fine...)

Grandma Tolley teaches Amy how to knit.

Then we move into birthday mode and open more presents:

  

San Francisco with the Dobberfuhls:

The day after Christmas we packed up and flew into Oakland, California to spend a few days with Matt's parents who are serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the San Francisco area.  We began our brief sojourn in the bay area with a tour of a magnificent Redwood Forest.  Redwood trees are the tallest living thing on Earth.

Then we toured a local house we nicknamed "the Chevy Chase Christmas Vacation house."  Every inch was covered in Christmas decor both inside and outside.

Gma & Gpa Dobberfuhl live in an apartment attached to a wealthy widow's multi-million dollar house in Novato, CA.  After the kids were tucked away in bed (with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads) we got a private tour of the mansion (click on photos to see enlarged view):

The next morning we got up early to have a tour of the grounds and pick lemons with Grandma.

Then into the city:

Cable Car Ride through town:

Lombard Street:

Alcatraz Island:

Inside the Cable Car Museum:Consulting the map - this happened a lot... we think the grandparents might be good candidates for a GPS unit next Christmas.

Then, more of the city:

San Francisco's famous sourdough bread bowls with clam chowder for lunch.  Yum! 

Pier 39 and the Sea Lions:

Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Square:

And, of course, the Golden Gate Bridge:

Then, dinner in Sausalito and a Webkinz purchase... (thanks Gma & Gpa)

And just in case the kids weren't spoiled enough, the next day we visited a novelty toy store with model trains and amazing dollhouses, then a candy store, and a trip to the Charlie Brown Museum on Emily's birthday:

The Charlie Brown Museum (Santa Rosa, CA)

Charles M. Schulz (creator of Peanuts characters) was from Minnesota, and in honor of his northern-land heritage, had this lovely ice arena built onto his "Warm Puppy Cafe."

Then, back to Grandma & Grandpa's place to celebrate Emily's birthday with presents, cake and homemade lemonade.

A quick day back in Montana...

and then the marathon travels began again - driving to airports on snowy roads and sub-zero temps, overnight flights and finally - HOME! We are so grateful that we were able to be together with family for the holidays and are so glad to finally be safely back home in England. Thanks to our wonderful parents/grandparents for spoiling us with good food, great fun, and priceless memories. We look forward to hosting you here in England very soon! Happy New Year!