Viv's birthday

John and his dad

I had 2 cakes!! a chocolate cake that Hannah and Tim made, with help from Christie, and an icecream cake that Sally and Lyn brought over.

Joshua helped me to blow out the candles!

Me, Hannah and Tim at the dinner table

My chocolate cake

My extended birthday is nearly done

It is now 11pm in Texas, and everyone has gone home, so it is just Meg, Dave, John and I chatting. John and his dad are talking work stuff and Meg and I are mostly listening...

We had 15 here for dinner, and have decided to make the table somewhat bigger for Xmas day lunch as there will be another 2 people to sit at the table! 
I opened my presents from NZ this afternoon when Hannah and Tim  came over - many thanks those people, I loved my cards and gifts!  The Texans gave me a book, a sweater, and some almond chocolate :)
Hannah gave me a lovely top and Tim found a zester and cheese grater that  I have been wanting - good job!  I have new earrings from John that I have put in tonight.
 Tomorrow I think we are going to the ice-skating rink here in the Woodlands - I will watch but I think John will don a pair of skates.
Like everyone else we are getting organized for the big day, and I think I will need some beauty sleep to get through all the socializing.

Dinner at a Chinese Restaurant and at Colwyn's

The top  and bottom pictures were taken at Beijings and the middle one is at Colwyn and Christie's. Note the Texas ribs on the Texas plate!  They were so yummy!

The Woodlands

Tis the night before Christmas - no hang on, tis the night before my birthday (close), which is actually my birthday in NZ!  We have been in The Woodlands for a week tonight - a week of shopping, dining, chatting, laughing and generally having a very fine time. John's mum and dad gave us money for Xmas this year as Megan has recently had a new knee installed and is not too mobile.  We had lots of fun shopping for gifts, and I spent a fair amount of time wrapping gifts last night and this morning.  The Christmas tree is looking very festive with all the gifts piled underneath.
Hannah and Tim are staying with Colwyn and Christie and their two chn - David 18yrs, Danielle 16 yrs. David has his license so is able to transport them here and there - today to the movies - Tron, which is a new movie out this week.
I have had fun shopping in the supermarkets here - the different foods and the variety is really fascinating.  Lots and lots more 'fast food' in that all you have to do is 'heat and eat'.
The weather has been unseasonably warm - today in the 30's, so I am not needing my coat or jumper at all.  Apparently it will get cooler in a few days. Of course the house is air conditioned/heated ; whatever is needed.

Hannah, Tim and I in front of the Screamer rollercoaster. the circle with the yellow centre is where it does a loop-the-loop!

The Screamer

Final Hurrah in LA

For our last day in LA we hit Disneyland again in the morning. Our first ride was Raider of the Lost Ark which I found less stressful than Space Mountain - thank goodness, although the big boulder coming right at you is somewhat unnerving.  The scenery is so well done, right down to the smallest details. We toured Toontown and rode the roller coaster there that is certainly scary enough for me! We did some more of the original rides for the rest of the morning, then returned to the hotel for a rest over lunchtime.  When we got back to Disneyland later in the afternoon, we decided to check out California land as Tim and John had not been there on this trip.  We found the vineyard and stopped there for some light refreshments. Then Tim decided that he was going on the Screamer roller coaster. Let me tell you, that thing is huge and so fast! None of the rest of us would go with him so he went on his own.  He loved it - something I will never understand!  By  this time it was quite dark, so after watching the parade, we wandered back to the bus and went home to the hotel.  The chn had a sleep in the next morning while John and I packed, then we walked down the road a way for brunch at a breakfast chain called ihop. We arrived at the airport in plenty of time for our 3 hour flight to Houston, which was calm and uninteresting - just how I like my flights!  The family were there to meet us at the airport.

A Day in LA

Yesterday we did a tour of LA, starting at 9am and we arrived back here at 5pm.  It was full-on all day, but really great. Our driver (we found out at the end of the tour) knows Serj Tankian - musician. They grew up together.  It was really weird as Hannah had just been listening to one of his songs on her IPod.  Anyway we toured all round downtown LA, then on to Hollywood with the walk of fame stars in the footpaths and the hands and feet in front of Man's Chinese Theatre.  I must say I was thinking of the old, old tv series when we were in Beverly - Hills that is, swimming pools, movie stars! Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive are now on my - "oh yes, I've been there", list. We saw the oldest surviving house in LA on Olvera Street, which is very Latino. They were celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe in the square there. I bought a couple of small maracas and Tim found a hat for Craig. We had lunch in the Farmers Market - sort of reminiscent of  Melbourne markets but not as good. It was very hot and stuffy in the middle of the markets. Venice Beach was a great place for people watching. We saw the outdoor gym where various strong men from the past have worked out - Sylvester Stallone and Arnold S used be there apparently. Lots of weed was offered for sale and the usual junk. Lots of strange characters inhabit the beachfront promenade - one guy was wrapped up in a large piece of reflective cardboard, with just his head poking out the top, groups of guys were crumping etc. We ended the day in Fisherman's village in the Marina Del Ray which is the world's largest man-made small boat harbour.  It reminded me a little of West Beach in Adelaide.

That evening after a rest, we went back to Disneyland - Downtown Disney for dinner in a lovely restaurant called Las Uvas. The food was excellent! Then we saw firework display and a big light production with Mickey Mouse. All in all a most fantastic day.

Disneyland

We spent the day in Disneyland today. From the first ride - Space Mountain - we had a great time. Although that ride was a little too adventurous for me and John! Hannah and Tim had forgotten how 'thrilling' it really was and apparently said sorry at some stage during the ride. I didn't hear, was too busy concentrating on staying alive! We did 8 rides today, then John and Tim came back here to the hotel around 4pm. Hannah and I stayed to see the Aladdin show and did a spot of shopping in the new Disney Way shopping district. We arrived back at the hotel around 7pm to find a note from John and Tim to say they had gone next door to the restaurant for a beer, and that we were to join them when we got back. We ended up having dinner there and now we're all ready for sleep as we have a day exploring downtown LA tomorrow.

Anaheim

We are settled into our suite at the Staybridge, and everyone is having timeout before we go out for dinner.
Our flight was uneventful, yay! We had seats near the front of the plane (thanks Noelene) and so were served quickly with our meals, and got off the plane quickly too.

The weather here today was quite warm, with no need for jumpers or coats. We checked in to our hotel,  then went for a walk to find somewhere to have lunch. We channeled 'The Big Bang Theory' and had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, which is where Penny works in the TV series.
We wandered round the shops and Tim found himself a very cool Harley t-shirt.

We are all pretty tired tonight. There is only a 3 hour difference between here and NZ (give or take a day or two) but after very little sleep last night on the plane we are all a little the worse for wear.