Happy Christmas and New Year's everyone!

It's been a whirlwind these past few weeks. Friday the 22nd started the crazy holiday 1000 mile journey with our trip up to Santa Rosa to spend Xmas eve with Matt's parents. Despite my whining about the drive, I really enjoy it up there. Matt's parents have a wonderful place up in the middle of nowhere so it's nice to spend time where you can't hear the noises of traffic, city, etc. We didn't do much aside from Wii-searching, shopping, decorating the tree, and eating.. which was fine by me. I was concerned about China though - her back end just seemed completely off and there was definitely something going on with her tail. She wouldn't lift it aside from pathetically wagging whenever someone petted her.. she spent most of the weekend lying on the floor in our room, away from everything. Sunday evening we had our Xmas dinner and sat around opening gifts. I love to see everyone's reactions and what they recieved.. good times.

We drove back down to Pacifica Sunday evening and prepared the truck for our early (gah, 5am!) departure drive down to LA. I usually take the early leg of the trip and after a quick trip for coffee at 7-11 (they're open on Xmas!) we had an uneventful 5 1/2 hour drive to my mom's place. As soon as we got there we unloaded all the gifts and spent another Christmas gift opening event with Mark, Lizette, and Mom. Matt and I were pretty exhausted after this point so we took a nap before Xmas part III at my aunt's place. Prime rib was served along with all other sorts of non-Korean foods and the kids (we'll always be referred to as the kids table, despite the fact that we're all in our 20s, 30s now) played Super Mario Kart till gift opening part III.

Mark had driven back to Pacifica early Tuesday morning so we got to spend some quality time with Lizette and mom. During the day when they worked we spent the day Wii-searching and shopping. Thursday's drive back was very long.. lots of traffic leaving at 10am. Including a trip to the barn to check on Isabella, we didn't get home until 7pm. During our time away, there was an incredible wind storm that flew through the barn at 70+ mph, setting all sorts of records and havoc. 2 stalls had their roofs fly off and the shelter in the mare pasture flew up and off. There were downed trees and power outtages everywhere. I was so happy to find out that our shelter, even being in one of the windiest spots on the ranch, looked fine and dandy. It's getting its fair share of structural testing through - Isabella is in full blown heat this week and she's giving the poles some good rubbin (lovin?).

New Year's evening Matt and I spent resting and relaxing from all the traveling. I hadn't recieved much sleep at all the previous 2 nights so I was feeling pretty crappy. We were supposed to meet Amit and Laquel at Mezzanine that night for the New Year's eve party but both of us were really not feeling it. After many talks back and forth about whether or not to eat the $120+ tickets, we decided to get out of our pajamas and go out. I'm so glad we did - there were some really great sets from both DJ Mike Relm (who was much better than the first time I heard him) and Shiny Toy Guns.

Ugh, so this year I turn 30 years old. I am not looking forward to this! It's only a month away.. *cry*. Boooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!