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Oh my Ojai

We decided at the last minute to start the year off right and get away for a relaxing, health-promoting weekend at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa.  I had never been to Ojai and I fell in love with this quaint, scenic valley.  Nicole and Dan and Presley came along.  Michael and Candice decided it was too much to try to pack up two kids (one a newborn)  and head into the unknown.  I wish I had taken pictures off of our balcony - stunning rolling hills.  Scott and Dan golfed one morning and we each had a turn at a spa treatment.  Mine was an Ayurvedic herbal exfoliation, rubbed in with hot oil, and then soaked in with warm, wet towels.  The one hundred minutes of heaven were topped off with a foot massage and a hot oil scalp massage.  Now that's the way to start the new year - freshly exfoliated and moisturized!!

The thrill of the trip was a guided bike ride 16 miles down to the ocean.  There was a beautiful bike trail, the weather was crisp and sunny.  The last few miles going against the wind I was starting to feel it. The theme song of Rocky was playing in my mind as we came around the bend and saw the ocean waves glistening in the sun.  Love it!

The best part was when they picked us up in a van and drove us back up the mountain.  Now that's my kind of bike ride!

Christmas Present

This Christmas was quieter and more mellow but still very enjoyable.  We started Christmas Eve morning off with brunch on the patio at Ramos House Cafe.  It was so lovely, with the brisk air, the provided blankets, the train going by.  And don't get me started on the hot chocolate with homemade, grilled marshmallows that hinted at smores.  We had to catch Michael and Candice early before we headed off to Stacy and Richard's and they headed off the the DeCasas family gathering.  Nicole and Dan were enjoying their week with the Davis family.  They still slept at our house so we got to see them a few times coming and going.

After brunch, we walked over to the petting zoo so i could show Michael and Candice the horses that Jordyn has fallen in love with.  She's a natural!!

We enjoyed some evenings with all of us together before the holiday week began.  The girls were so cute in their matching pajamas.  Tyson will have to wait until next year for his Christmas pj's.

Jordyn checking herself out.

Presley checking Jordyn out.

Christmas eve was spent with Stacy and Richard and kids, Grandpa Bob, and Pamela.  We had a great international feast complete with flags Richard and the kids made of countries all around the world.  Yes, Robby, they made a Philippine flag!!

Christmas day the big thrill was our four hour phone call with Robby.  He sounded so wonderful.  It was the thrill of the season.  The other thrill was that Nicole and Dan got rained out at Disneyland so they came home early and we were all together for a couple of hours.  Ahhhhhhh, next year when the Robb dog returns and we can have a full fledged Stowell Christmas!!!!