Amoeba, Urth, Darts and Canals

The Roberts, Powells, Justine & I spent a day in LA together a few days after Christmas. Drew Roberts planned the day, taking us to some of his favorite places. It was so fun! We started out by going to Amoebe records, then off to Urth Caffe in Santa Monica for lunch, walked off lunch for a bit and then had a friendly competition of darts @ On the Waterfront Cafe in Manhattan Beach and then last but not least, Venice canals for a nice stroll and Thai food for dinner. It was a really fun day with great friends!

Katie, Justine, me & Krista

Drew & Drew

Roberts & Powell

Serious concentration

Love.

Christmas with the Siblings

Christmas has become a holiday of change & much less of consistency. Growing up we always did just about the same thing every year, with a few minor changes here and there. But over the last few years, Christmas has held much change, each year looking different then the last. I guess thats what happens when you grow up.

Though I have come to recognize that the new "normal" Christmas is not what it used to be, I'm thankful to have had the chance to celebrate Christmas this year with my siblings. The last time we'd been all together for Christmas was 2007...so, to say the least, I cherished my time with them. After all, "normal" isn't "normal" anymore, so who knows what next year's Christmas will look like.

Here are a few pics of our Christmas day...

We started the morning skyping with my parents.

Then the Christmas stocking & present opening began.

Yep, Justine & I definitely have matching pjs...and they are most definitely footed pjs!

Jared & his girlfriend Doreen.

All the way from Gulu, Uganda!

Joel-e-o-lio

Abbey & her Papa D.

Sisters. Love them!

At my grandparent's house in Hemet for Christmas dinner!

Abbey loving her new scarf, gloves and hat.

She couldn't wait to put them on...much like every other wearable gift she got that day.