Then we dined at Bing Crosby's Restaurant

Our Day at Joshua Tree

The Day after Christmas

This is Jack the day after Christmas. On his scooter, in his Real Madrid pajamas. He wore his pajamas to bed Christmas night, all day today, and again to bed tonight. Chooch may have to do an intervention to get him to change out of them. And the scooter! He rides it everywhere. Brought it over to my place today, rode it around the flat, up and down the driveway, on the sidewalks, and then home. He is one happy kid...
---- Nana

Christmas in Palm Desert

Santa's Wonderful Visit!

Santa crept over our balcony very quietly last night and left almost a sleighful of gifts! He brought Jack an amazing scooter with lights and motor sounds and Jack has driven it around, showing it off to all the neighbors. Namy got the roller skates she hoped for. Of course, there was so much more. Their stockings were filled with candy canes, lollopops, toothbrushes, toothpaste, funny trick things among other surprises. Namy and I thank Kate for our genuine ladies' fans from Sevilla. I love my Anne Kleine watch. And Namy loves her Groovy Girl cat named Cha Cha. Jack smiled when he saw his authentic Beckham p.j.s. and he immediately put on the NYC police shirt from Kate. My one-of-a-kind music box is a treasure, Bill. Grampy's walkie-talkie gift was a showstopper. The kids can't wait to use it. Bob said the set is the good kind, the kind the skiers use. And the kids both liked the DVDs Grampy gave them and the presents from Uncle Bill Many, many thanks.

Nana was here early with a stollen for breakfast and coffee. Bob has already set up the webcam we gave her. And he tried to set up the wireless box...but she will have to call Hathway, as only an Indian company can figure out how to connect things to the equipment here.

All in all, it's been a magical day. You should have seen the gleeful faces in the early morning. Lots of Love Choo,Bob,Namy and Jack.

The two Bills and I made it to Palm Desert. Bill Jr drove the 11 hour trek from San Francisco down to Palm Desert not long after getting off the plane from India.

We have a nice suite though not the Presdiential accomodations of last year.

The Bills are now getting the free breakfast that you can eat outside by the pool. I was up on New York time for mine. Many kids are running around excited about christmas and we think of and miss Namy and Jack. I am sure they will be thrilled with all the great presents Santa Claus might bring them. ;)

Today we will do some last minute shopping and maybe take the tram to get an aerial view of where we are. It promises "360° of Wow" where rotating tramcars whisk you up 8,516 feet to the Mountain Station.

More later.

Miss you all at this time of year.

Kate and Bill and Bill

Two Days Before Christmas

It's two days before Christmas and we think we've seen Santa's elves peeking around, watching our behavior. And we've all been sooooo good. I have even decorated my palm tree with twinkling star lights and Santa ornaments. And see how the presents are heaped under the tree. Jack and Namy spend time counting and examining each one. We plan to go out to a pasta restaurant (Pasta Fresca) on Christmas eve with friends. Then on Christmas, we will celebrate the day at the Barnetts. I bought a stollen in Frankfurt as a breakfast surprise. Later, Namy and I will make ice cream snowballs with the coconut, candles and green food coloring (for holly leaves) that I brought from the US. (Just like the kind we used to buy.)

Hope Santa is good to everyone. My wish is peace from the North Pole to the South Pole. ---- Nana

All she wants for Christmas ...

"All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth." That could be Namy's song this year. She lost one of her front teeth a couple of weeks ago. The other one wiggled and jiggled but didn't fall out until yesterday when Jack bumped into her with his head. In the interim she had great fun showing off her one snaggle tooth. We all think Namy's new smile is a winner and we hope she can still eat Christmas candy without those missing teeth. --- Nana

Aunt Kate and friends at an art opening NYC

caroline,caroline,rose,me,stephanie and laura in her rabbit fur coat

opening of myartattack dec 8th nyc