Holidays 2010

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

This year was a little rough on our emotions missing Joshua.  But, the parties made a difference to lighten the moods.  Family is what the season is about, and we had a ton of fun with our families this year.  We had a great party with the Denning side, unfortunately I didn't get pictures since it was at a pool.  But, hopefully I can post some later if we get anybodies copies.  These are from the Hughes side of the family.  These were taken at our annual Christmas party.  The theme was UGLY Christmas Sweaters.
                              (thus the weird apparel)

Paul kissing Ashley, minus some mistle toe.  NEWLYWEDS!! sigh.

Judeen, Jason and Bill  (not sure what they were laughing about)

Cory and Jessie (Adam's wife) pretending they were a couple.  ha ha

My mom Judeen telling Santa she'd like an iPad or something cool like that

My dad Bill asking Santa for a voucher to get an iPad or something cool like that

Cory asking Santa for more hiking gear

Paul and Ashley telling Santa they were especially good so bring something wonderful.
Santa asked if they wanted a baby.....they said NO, NOT YET!

Joe asking Santa to make his 'belly' go away. 

Stephanie asking Santa for a wedding ring since my diamond fell out. 

CHRISTMAS MORNING
We had a great morning.  I made a brunch,
we had the gang up and then we opened gifts.

Paul and Ashley opening some of the gifts

Cory, Mark, Joe, Bill and Judeen waiting for a turn to open the next gifts..

Joe opening one of his....ah, the anticipation!

 NEW YEARS TRIP TO CALIFORNIA
We left two days after Christmas and drove to California
to spend some Holiday love with our son Zach and his family.
Paul and Ashley joined us on New Year's Eve.  We had a great night playing games
and eating, then watching movies.  Joe mostly played with Mason and slept though. 
The next day we all left to tour Old Town San Diego;
we also had some pizza from a place that was
featured on Diners, Dive's and Drive In's on the Food Network;
 called Luigi's Pizza.  It was honestly one of the best pizza's we've ever had.
Then... we went on a Mariner's Tour of the harbor. 
You get to see old pirate ships,
submarines, and old time war ships.  We had a blast.

Ashley and Stephanie inside a Submarine.  Can you say CLOSTROPHOBIC?

Mason showing us the kitchen where he could be the "chef"

Long climb to the surface

Ah, to be back up for fresh air....

Old Pirates Ship.  Mason and Ashley at the Helm.

Mason informed us that we are to call him "Captain" from now on while there

Russian Submarine intrigues both Joe and Paul

While they studied the controls, we kept the kids busy climbing through the manholes.
Mason, Ashley and Carter

You can see how low the ceilings were.  Joe had to show that the signs were pointless

Carter and Mason in the Valve room.  They thought they were steering wheels.

You have to climb through a bunch of these to get to the next rooms.
 UGH, not exactly easy!

Joe demonstrating the finer art of manuevering the man holes.

Engine room

Mason and Ashley chilling in the engine room

Steph and Joe going underground... lol

Mason and Carter demo of the barracks.  They were located anywhere they could find a free area
to have the crew sleep.  And they were TINY

Carter and Mason checking out the ships and the water

The "Surprise" was one of the coolest ships by far.  Mason loved it.
He pretended that was his ship

An Aircraft ship

Carter and Mason in a mock up child size version

Stephanie and Joe after the tour