The Christmas Holiday That Was ... Part 1

Barely recovering from a very fruitful Thanksgiving, Christmas season came fast and furious!  With Bradley in tow, we took every opportunity we could find to expose him to his parent's favorite holiday and all it has to offer.

We got an early start when grandpa and grandma came to visit one night and the party train took off from there ...

Marina Boat Parade

Candy Cane Lane

 Titan Party

 Visiting the Brandons!

Kids!  Big Ones and Small 

Disney First Timer

Queen Mary Chill

Christmas with the Fam Bam

... with over a week still to go!

A Very Titan Christmas

Another year means another Titan holiday party!

This year Principal Chai had the honor of hosting.  As usual the motley crew were up to their tricks that created yet another ... um ... unforgettable "shindig".  Kim provided an amazing feast with the help of a few other teachers.  Ribs, C&O's pasta, hummus, and desserts as far thee as I can see.

An after party of a trip to the local Candy Cane Lane ended the evening on a festive note.

More from this set here!

Merry Christmas

- Posted by Ron via iPhone

Hello Mr Brown!

Unlike everyone else who was fixated on the end of the world (thanks Mayans) we celebrated life today!  Our good friends Grace And Chris welcomed their first child: Preston Thomas Brown!

Say hello to my little friend...

This little guy gave momma a hard time right off the bat, a 20 hour delivery!  Momma is resting comfortably and Chris is loving his new role as proud pappa.

Father swap

Best buds since birth
- Posted by Ron via iPhone

Disneyland!

Bradley is not amused

Well, the time finally came. The inevitable. The unavoidable. And I'm not talking about the Apocalypse, although few can make that argument.

But I'm talking Disneyland here!!! Bradley's first exposure to the big machine with mouse ears. As American as baseball. A tradition like Thanksgiving turkey. And at times as excruciating as pulling teeth. But any Disney aficionado knows, that with just a little planning, you can get a lot done in a little time and with ease. And that's how our day was like. Smooth as butter.

Like a having a friend that's a plumber or a mechanic, knowing a Disney employee works wonders on the wallet and makes things very convenient.

The D Crew
We started our day with lunch at Earl of Sandwich: Home of the world's greatest hot sandwich. And you know what? It didn't disappoint! The secret is the bread. A nice crunch on the outside nice, warm, and doughy on the inside. I also got the tomato soup, I love tomato soup ... and this one was one of the better soups I've had. Served perfectly with buttered croutons.

Mighty fine sandwiches
None of us had been to the new California Adventure with Carsland, that's where we went first. While the girls did some Christmas shopping the boys rode rides. It was the perfect comprise (pretty good poem there).

Eskimo sighting!
I took Pat Toy Story Mania for his first time. Turns out he was my good luck charm for I set the daily high score!

Bucket List Item #35

Dancing to the parade
It wasn't until the early evening when we finally got around to getting into Disneyland. At that point other people where available to join us at the park! We caught up with my brother, my sister in law, and Kim's cousin. We all got out of the cold to enjoy a nice warm dinner indoors at the Plaza Inn.

Catching up with the fam bam

Dinner time

Loving dinner

Buzz Lightyear Blaster was my dessert scoring almost an identical score toy Toy Story one (an off night). A Storybook ride and a very short firework show and that was it for baby Bradley.

Enjoying the firework show

He was such a good kid. Handled the day without so much as a hint of a fuss. A good first trip ... the first of many.

What a trooper

- Posted by Ron via iPhone

Santa's First Encounter

Today was The Leys day out. Bradley and Wesley got together at Brea Mall to see Mr Christmas himself ... Santa Claus!  After a fun lunch where Wesley was showing B the ropes on self feeding, we all headed down to see Santa.

Lunch date

None of us were sure what to expect in terms of reaction.

First up, Bradley. We sat in down on Santa's lap and almost instantly the water works began! You can see the experience of Santa come in, because despite an awkward situation he pose for some cute pictures!

Poor Santa felt bad

Next up was Wesley. Like a pro, he showed everyone how its done. He was striking poses like a Vogue catalog.

Wesley the trooper!

- Posted by Ron via iPhone

Bradley Is Growing Strong

And sometimes, that scares me ...



- Posted by Ron via iPhone

Noah's Ark at Skirball Center

A change in plans had me and Bradley having a free day to ourselves. Just our luck, Skirball's Noah's Ark was free today. Museum? Free? We're there!!!

Bradley was just this short of being able to fully participate in all the activities, for Noah's Ark is a type of interactive playground. But that didn't stop father and son in having a blast. Turns out inside the ark was a gigantic wall of animal puppets!!!! Our favorite!!! I had to restrain myself from buying every single animal there.

Natural History Museum Day

When I found out that the Natural History Museum had free admission every first Tuesday it was the first Wednesday of the month. One month later it was father and son bonding time again!

I thought it was going to be the typical Bradley is not amused venture, and it started that way as we entered the foyer and thru the new Dinosaur Hall.

Then something awesome happened. As we made out way to the animals of the world exhibits, Bradley became engaged! He was intensely looking at all the animals and as I imitated the sounds of a few he was laughing his face off!

He may not remember the museum on this particular day, but I know he felt the bonding.

A&F Newest Model

Actually a sneak peek of our Xmas card. But look at B really work the 'Blue Steel'!



- Posted by Ron via iPhone

Vegas Family Reunion

It was Altamira Family Reunion time again!  This time the Garaniels hosted the event at their Las Vegas home, ironically no one had any objections about the distance ;)  This particular reunion was extra special, in that this would be the first time a new generation of members were in attendance ... Bradley, Blake, and Samantha!!!

 Tradition is alive and well!

Tough love .. 

Bradley looking guilty