Christmas in California

We had a WONDERFUL time in CA for Christmas with the Wayne/Tacketts. Gene, Wendy, Cindy, and Danny - thanks for hosting us for 5 days filled with laughter, great food, and not too much snow!

We spent the first 2 1/2 days in Bakersfield.
We spent a lot of time with Grandpaji, Shushu, Benji, Amy, and cousin Lola just hanging out.
Lola was a little more into Maya at times than Maya was into Lola.

But we got them both to smile at the same time a couple of times (Maya is just like me in that a necklace always brings a smile).
We also spent time reading...
...making tea with a brand-new tea set....
...sending emails on Uncle Marshall's Blackberry...
...pushing Great Grandma around (literally)...
...giving kisses....
...playing in a brand-new Princess sleeping bag (thanks, Elana!)...
...hanging out with Shushu...
... and cuddling (the 3 hour time difference really through Maya for a loop - as well as waking up to a new group of people after every nap. No complaints from me, though!)
We (Larkin and I) also had a great time playing with Lola - she is one of the happiest babies I have ever met. I thought Maya was pretty happy; Lola tops her.
We spent the next 2 1/2 days in Lake Arrowhead with the Chernows, Wayne/Tacketts, and Tom and Laurie. We had a great time relaxing in front of the fire, going for walks (Larkin), and watching college football (me). I, unfortunately, can't seem to download all of the pictures from Arrowhead for some reason.

Maya did some drawing with Laurie (I think by this time of the vacation Maya was OVER having her picture taken, which is unfortunate given her Shushu's propensity to have the camera nearby at all times).
We tried to get pictures of Maya with all of the cousins (Sarah, Samuel, Justus, and Lola) but she wasn't having it.
Oh well. Maybe next year....

Thanks again for a wonderful trip to California!

The Tackett family is looking forward to a cancer-free 2010... and welcoming our newest member in May!