(with Uncle Mark at a Dickens Christmas Fair)

We spent Christmas with Owen’s family, staying in Newport Beach for a few days with his mom’s family (many traveled down from Alaska!) and then in Manhattan Beach with his dad’s.

Although I’ve always had a hard time getting in the holiday spirit when in warmer climates (sorry, snowmen and other xmas decorations just seem so tawdry wherever there are palm trees), the mild weather and being by the ocean was enjoyable.

Nico and Olive behaved like champs during the long drives (excluding the 3 hours in LA traffic on the first leg). Now that I’m a parent, I’m shocked to discover that there are not decent facilities for families off highways. The most you can hope for is a McDonald’s with a play area. Unfortunately, this meant introducing my babies to fast food too young.

With grandpa Alan and nanna. Olive digs for gold. Nico is sick of photographs.

Nico is not walking yet, but almost! She got a kick out of taking great-grandma Carolyn’s walker for a spin.

Staring at great-grandpa Ron

Sunset on the beach

With great-grandma Becca and cousin Anna.

Tags: christmas newport beach manhattan beach ron otto alan otto trudy ana kardash rebecca manhattan beach nico olive

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