Fern Grove - Eureka, CA (Final Part)

 One final hike in the trip was through Fern Grove.

 It was more of a water obstacle course than a hike.

 And the fern walls were spectacular.

One last stop before heading back to the hotel, a look at the elk.

Everyone had so much fun on the roadtrip.  But the best part for the twins must have been the unlimited sugary cereal, Fruit Loops, they got to eat in the mornings.

Old Grove Wonders - Eureka, CA (Part 2)

 The hike of the second day into the roadtrip was at the Redwood National & State Parks through an old grove. More tall trees.

 There were many tunnels made from fallen trees on the trail.

Again, it is hard to capture the splendor of these tall trees, but this picture kind of gives you a perspective.

A short video of the hike at the top of the grove.

 Another picture to give you a perspective of the size of the trees.

 One tall tree.

This picture was taken looking up inside a tree stump. PapaJason, DaddyQuique, UncleBrad, Kaana, Navi and Ada all fit inside with plenty of room for more.

The Tallest Trees In The World - Eureka, CA (Part 1)

 The Lopezjones' and UncleBrad took a roadtrip up north to see some really really big trees, California redwoods, the tallest trees in the world.

 But first, drive your car through a tree.

This was the first time for everyone to have driven through a tree.

 

Second stop was Founder's Grove.  There were some really big trees there that were hard to capture in a picture, but imagine how big it would be by looking at the roots from this picture.

 Temperatures were really cold in the shade, but it was really spectacular to see these old grove trees.

 These trees were TALL!

 Finally the group arrives in Eureka and checks into their hotel.  To the twins' excitement there was a heated pool.  After a swim, in the middle of winter, it was a late dinner at a local brewery and off to bed for more big trees and hiking the next day.

 The weather warmed up near the ocean where a stop was required to consult the national parks visitor center for information on hikes.

But first, family picture!

Italian Christmas

 Grandpa, Nonna and ZiaNonna made it over for Christmas dinner and they brought a few gifts.

 Later UncleDoug came to add a little southern flair to the party, as well as a few more gifts.

 ZiaNonna helped Kaana try out some winter gear for her up coming ski trip.

Dinner was a little late, but appetizers kept everyone happy.

 Nonna and Ada shared some special time together to pass the time as they waited for dinner.

Roast leg of lamb (with 10 heads of garlic), winter vegetables and salad was on the menu.  Everyone loved it.  Ada and Navi ate everything off their place because an apple pie followed.  Merry Christmas

A Mexican Christmas

 Christmas eve celebrations started early in the morning with the making of tamales. Abue, Jason, Enrique, Kaana and Anahi (Luhanna helped a little) made all them all (small kids were MIA).

That evening it was off to Dalila's house for the Christmas celebrations.

 

There was a lot of food; tamales (pork in green sauce and red sauce, chicken in green sauce and red sauce, cheese with peppers and plain), pozole, birria and many desserts.

 There was plenty of hanging out.

 Watching movies.

 And Kareoke.

The highlight of the night, besides the food.

 The next morning at Abue's house everyone opened their gifts.

 And played games.

 Later that morning it was back to Dalila's house for breakfast.  All the food leftover from the night before, yum!

 Then it was back to Salinas to open the gifts under that tree, with the yule log on TV of course.

The twins and Kaana were excited to open more gifts and empty their stockings.  Little do they know that a second Christmas will start in a few hours, The Italian Christmas.

Winter Break

 All three kids are on their break from school. They went downtown this morning to see some of the Christmas decorations.

 The Christmas village is back at a local hotel that has been missing for the past couple of years.

Kaana and DaddyQuique had to carry the twins in some parts of the village so they could get a good look.

 There was a new playground downtown and it's just what Navi wanted, "I want to go to a NEW playground," he said last night when asked what he wanted to do on his break.

 It was a beautiful day to be downtown and the crispness in the air made everyone get in the holiday cheer.

 Merry Christmas everyone.

Pizza in the Castro after a long outing.

School Field Trip

 At the beginning of the week the twins visited the SF Zoo with their classmates.

 They were both so excite to see all their friends outside of school.

 They got to see the penguins being fed.

 The class got to see most of the zoo, it was a long day with a lot of walking.

Everyone did so great and the docent said they were the best behaved class she has seen in a while.