Ada's Christmas Gift

Saturday afternoon the twins went to their favorite restaurant in the Castro, Harvey's.

Afterwards, Ada and PapaJason went to a very special store.

Since they did not have an appointment there was a little waiting, Ada was not scared or nervous for what was coming.

Ada was getting her ears pierced.

PapaJason said she did a great job and did not cry at all.

She loves her ear rings.

Later that evening the Atanous Family came to spend the New Year's weekend in SF.

Urban Hike

The twins decided to do an outing to Corona Heights to do a little rock climbing. But first, tree climbing.

Ada and Navi ran ahead and climbed the rocks at the summit.

It is a fun spot to climb and run around.

 Afterwards they went to the local gay sports bar for lunch. DaddyQuique wanted a good cocktail with his meal.

Ada had a corn dog and much of DaddyQuique's nachos.

Navi was predictable with his order, chicken wings!

Later that afternoon UncleBrad arrived from Los Angeles to spend the New Year's weekend in SF.

Tide Pools

For a fun surprise DaddyQuique took the twins to the James V Fitzgerald Marin Reserve in Moss Beach for a little tide pool viewing. Lucky for them the tide would be at it's lowest an hour after arriving.

Ada and Navi didn't really know what to expect, even thought they've done this before.

But once they started walking about in the rocks and looking in the water they were amazed.

There were some really beautiful creatures to see.

Being careful the twins were able to go off on their own knowing they had to be careful and watched where they stepped.

After a long while their interest in the tide pools waned a little.

So they turned to playing in the sand.

They had a great time and wanted to stay longer, but both had to go home for lunch and get ready for their play dates.

Winter Break Activities

Now that Christmas is over the twins have a bit of time to fill. First activity - the movies to see Jumanji, which they both thought was great. Then chocolate chip pancakes for lunch.

The SF Zoo is another great activity to fill a day. The lemurs this afternoon were very active and they go to see a very special playful rhinoceros chasing and tossing a giant ball.

Parks are the usual go to's. Even when they say they want to go home, after a few minutes at the park they wish to stay longer.

This particular park they like because they were able to play on the hillside and get VERY dirty.

At home their Japanese guests are always tons of fun. Ada and Navi have been loving having Yuri and Tomoya.

San Francisco Christmas

Early Christmas morning in Salinas, the twins, Benji and Marky quickly opened their gifts.

Including Lotto tickets from their TiaVicky. Ada won $5 and Marky $10! After saying their goodbyes the Lopezjoneses were on the road to prepare for a second Christmas in San Francisco where they are hosting a feast for 13 extra special guests.

Of course waiting for them in SF were a few gifts from Santa..

And some treats in their stockings.

 It was not a lot, but there was a whole lot more to come later.

 As the evening approached guests arrived. Grandpa, Nonna, ZiaNonna, Linda, UncleDoug, Henry, GrandmaAnnie, Kendra, Shane, and Eric.

Back again this year Lorenzo and this time around two special guests from Japan. Yuri, Kaana's best friend, and her boyfriend Tomoya.

The evening were gay and merry. Navi played a game of Uno with GrandmaAnnie and AuntieShane.

But before dinner there were a few gifts to open.

A few turned into a lot and all eyes were on the twins, they were SO excited! Thank you to everyone!

Finally it was dinner time and seating 17 people came with an obstacle of being able to fit everyone in the same table. The solution was to create a kids table.

As they were the only kids they basically had an entire table to themselves.

Happy Christmas!

Salinas Christmas Dinner

Christmas Eve afternoon everyone headed to Dalila's house to celebrate. All the kids immediately wen tot the sugar cane bushes to play.

There are not many pictures to share because the dads (DaddyQuique) fed the twins early in the afternoon and did not really check in on them until well into the night.

 It wasn't until it was piñata time that they saw the twins. Having a piñata for Christmas is a very traditional Mexican custom.

 A few of the kids had their turn at the piñata and then it was Navi's turn. He got the blind fold of course.

Inside were many chocolates and treats, even the adults enjoy this part of the evening as they jumped in for their share of the candy as well.

Somehow most of the younger generation was able to stay together for a minute to get a picture. There were a few more kids than usual, Yadira was visiting from Arkansas, she is the one cousin of DaddyQuique who established her roots the farthest, everyone was happy to see her and her four children.

By the end of the night, things were winding down and everyone eventually made it to the living room for a little TV, or to get more comfortable in a sofa and fall asleep.

Before going to bed all the kids got to open one gift from the elf on the shelf, pajamas!

Salinas

On Saturday afternoon the Lopezjoneses headed to Salinas for the holidays.

 Marky was with his dad and Benji wouldn't arrive until the next morning so the twins got to play video games all evening, after many hours of playing in the garden with the dog, Larry.

Christmas Eve morning Ada, Navi, Benji and Marky were full of energy and with most adults busy preparing for the evening DaddyQuique and PapaJason rallied all the kids and took them out for a walk.

Which ended at the playground DaddyQuique used to play in as a kid.

Everyone had a good hour of energy burning fun.