The Drive Home
On Saturday, we got up late, packed our things, had lunch with my parents, and then headed back up to SF. 
Jason and Jia also followed us in their car and Koa rode back with us too.
Along the Grapevine, we also encountered some snow flurries, which was pretty cool.
There wasn’t much traffic and we made pretty good time. For dinner we stopped at The Apricot Tree Restaurant where they have a huge collection of old lunchboxes and thermos’ on display.
The meal also wouldn’t be complete without a taste of their fresh apricot pie, which was good but I still don’t think I like apricots.
We also took CA-152 across this time and stopped at the Gilroy Outlet Shopping Center. I picked up a new pair of Nikes and almost bought this adorable sweater for Kumquat.
We all made it home in one piece and the drive back up was much more bearable than the drive down last Saturday.
Afterward, we stopped at their house for some ice cream and more beer.
For lunch, we met up with cousin Marie and the boys. The boys are so big now and I can’t help reflect on how Cole (the oldest) used to be Kumquat’s age when I used to babysit him.
This morning, I met up with Holly, Patti, and Patty at Panera for some coffee and lots of catching up. It’s always great to be in the company of these girls. Just one year ago, they threw me a mini baby shower and look at us now!
On Christmas Eve, we took Janie to Disneyland for the first time. I’ve been going since I was really young and it’s been such a huge part of my childhood that our whole family was so excited to take her. Fortunately for us, the park was not very busy for most of the day and we got on the most popular rides in no time at all. It started out a little rainy but cleared up by the end of the day.
We started off at Disney’s California Adventure where I got to visit Cars Land, which was quite impressive. It’s the best job that Disney has done in a while. I loved seeing Mater and the rest of the gang roaming the street and all the added Christmas decorations.
In A Bug’s Land, Kumquat got to ride her first ride, Flik’s Flyers, which I think she enjoyed more than my mom who got a little dizzy.
By the time Kumquat woke up, it was time to ride the Finding Nemo Submarine ride. She initially enjoyed all the sights and sounds but then we went into a dark cave and it was all over for her. She cried and cried and didn’t stop until the ride stopped. Poor baby.
Lunch was in Downtown Disney where we met up with Jason and Jia. They had lunch with us and then took Jes to Costco to buy the prime rib that would be cooked the next day for Christmas. In the meantime, we went shopping for Kumquat’s first Disneyland t-shirt and then we headed back inside Disneyland to wait for the Christmas Parade. 
It’s a Small World was the highlight of the evening. It was all decorated for Christmas inside and out and it was a nice little celebration for the holiday season.
They even added Lilo and Stitch to the Hawaiian section of the ride. So cute! I can’t help leave that ride without a smile on my face.
After that, we headed back to CA Adventure to have some wine. We basically kept them open that evening and had some dead soldiers piled up by the end.
That was about the time when the parents went home and we were off to the Magic Kingdom again to finish off the day.
We actually stayed until almost closing and rode a few more rides before heading home. Kumquat slept in her stroller for the rest of the night without a peep – even through all the commotion from Fantastmic. I also got my fireworks and snow. And yes, I did cry. Again. Can’t help it when that sappy music comes on. 
Aah…it was another good day at Disneyland. Until next Christmas Eve!!!
Back when we lived in Irvine, we used to throw a big Christmas party every year. Now that we live in SF and everyone else is on a tighter schedule, we usually just go out to eat and have drinks afterward. This year, we met up on Sunday night (12/23) and had dinner at Hsiang Yuen and it was so nice to have everyone (sans Agustins) together in one place.
Afterward, I dropped off the kid with my parents and picked up Brother and Joy for drinks with the gang at Buffalo Wild Wings. Ah, gotta love the ‘burbs. Drinks were cheap, there’s plenty of parking, and the drive home is just 10 minutes.
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