New Year’s Eve

I am still writing the Christmas post, but wanted to get this up, as two of the photos are just too sweet.  I can't say our New Year's was terribly exciting, but what post-sickness holiday is?   We were thankful to be well enough to leave the house, have dinner out as a family, and enjoy a last night of holiday lights (some of the more spectacular shows close 31 December).

We stopped at our favorite Mexican restaurant in Pleasanton, The Blue Agave Club.  We found it by accident not long after we moved here, and have made sure to visit monthly ever since.  The waiters seem to enjoy conversing with us en Español (yes, we are really hoping that will come in handy soon!), and they have a house margarita that Peter can't resist. 

Their salsas are excellent.  There is a classic mild tomato salsa, a spicier green salsa, and my favorite, a smooth, but very spicy red sauce.  There is never a wasted chip with that selection.  Though I am boring and choose the same Enchiladas con Vegetales (with the mole sauce, of course) each time, I never regret it.  The girls usually end up with a junior steak (pulled and tender), Nick gets a side of grilled chicken (no nasty coating) and eats the girls' sides, and Peter tries something new each time. 

  Nicholas was a little harder than usual to entertain last night, but we found a solution.  Yes, the boy loves the iPhone/iTouch/iAnything.  He has had his own Nano since Pete gave his up last Christmas, and immediately learned how to turn it on for music at diaper change time.  It's a much easier than having a cd player in the room, so I will grant him this bit of technology at this age.

Since he learned how to use it when he was barely a year, you can imagine that it didn't take long for him to pick up on the iTouch or Phone. From scrolling through pictures to trying to update Peter's Facebook status (last week's attempt was "PMS", thankfully he couldn't post quickly enough), he is a natural.  I certainly don't think it's anything he needs, but nothing calms him down like scrolling through pictures of friends and family.  Or zooming in on a photo of a new buddy that he can't wait to meet.

  After dinner, we headed to, well, Bobville.  It is the home of Bob Widmer, in Pleasanton,CA.  Rumored to be an excellent show of lights, we just had to stop.  The home is a modest two-story typical California style house on an unassuming cul-de-sac.  Bob apparently started his Christmas display in 1978, after moving to Pleasanton, and it has grown from a few lights to a display that I would daresay must be permanent.

From a K'nex carnival to an American Girl doll bakeshop (well, seem to be American Girl dolls), there is something for everyone's taste.  Lots of singing Santas, and a Christmas village to excite the entire family.  It was a bit disconcerting knowing we were tromping through someone's backyard (especially when we noticed them watching), but still a very interesting collection, and worth seeing if you are in the area and want that extra oomph of holiday cheer.

While we still had several hours before our ball dropped, we headed home and simply had family time.  We played games, gathered party favors, and watched that classic, It's A Wonderful Life.  Totally boring, but sometimes the quiet nights are the best. 

From our family to yours, a very happy and healthy new year!