Christmas  in Tahoe

Christmas through the eyes of  a two year old

This picture is of our grandson Wyatt admiring the tree at their home in Monterey prior to the trip to Tahoe.  We didn't have a tree in the RV and we didn't have a tree in Tahoe but that did not stop us from having a wonderful Christmas surrounded by family.  Wishing all are friends and family a Blessed Holiday Season!

On December 19th we left Tucson and headed to Palm Desert to park the motor home in storage for the week.   Val actually drove the new Tiffin for about an hour, putting my RV drivers course to good use. 

The confidence course worked....I  was begging to drive!  Bob gave up the pilots seat for a while:)

December 20th we loaded up the CRV and headed to LA to pick up Tracey and Scarlett,  December 21st we were packed to the roof of Tracey's Toyota 4 Runner and on our way  to Tahoe.  The predicted  8 hour drive turned into a very very long 13 hour drive through blizzard conditions,  By God's Grace we made it to Tahoe safely.

Packed to the roof  & Georgia stretched out on me

Scarlett all comfy traveling on Tracey

Our children and grandchildren and the Novak family( our daughter inlaw Pamela's parents and three brothers) all arrived the night before us.  The snow really began to come down heavy on the 21st and didn't stop.  Two feet  of snow the first day and then another two feet  to top it off!   We stayed in a beautiful  6 bedroom home called the Tallac Lodge.     There was so much snow on the roof & chimney we weren't able to burn a fire in the fireplace.  Not a problem the furnace worked perfect!
Upon arrival at the bottom of the street one car stuck in the snow blocked us.  I got out and hiked the hill  to the house, the  guys came to the rescue and within an hour  helped the other driver  dig out and successfully managed to get Tracey's car  through the snowdrifts and up the hill to the house.  Then came the reunion with all the family:)   The pictures that follow  give you a brief peek inside our Christmas week.   It was a special time that I will never forget.

The Tallac Lodge House  (front deck before  4ft of snow)

Helping make goodies for Santa

Papa  Bob with  Wyatt & Campbell

Nana  Val with her two favorite guys

Santa came to Tahoe!

Wyatt, opening the toy RV  we gave him ....priceless reaction!

Back yard with 4 ft of snow

Front Deck with 4 ft of snow

Tallac Lodge House  front view

Our daughter Tamara

 Zach   - Tamara's husband

Pamela and Wyatt

Our son Rob and his wife Pamela

Snow Bunny Tracey, first time  ski'ing since breaking her leg skiing in 5th grade.... so brave

Campbell

Georgia  loves the snow!

Beautiful picture captured by our son inlaw Zach

Farewell to Tahoe, we  hope to return in the Spring or Summer with the RV

Thank you to  Sandy and Jeff Novak,  Scott, Michael and  Kevin for sharing your Christmas with us.

Thank you Tamara and Zach for spending your first Christmas as husband and wife with us.  Thank you Tracey & Scarlett for being such great travel companions and the use of your  4 Runner.  Thank you Pamela and Rob for arranging this trip and the gift of two precious grandsons.      

Wishing each of you a Blessed New Year!

Titan Missle Museum- Tucson AZ

On December 8th  we decided to travel South of Tucson to tour the Titan Missle Museum.  It was actually very interesting.   Staffed with volunteer tour guides.  Our guide had over 4,000 hours giving tours there.   The tour itself takes you back in time to the Cuban Missle Crisis, and  brings to life what the crew went through it the this underground bunker.    Well worth the visit.  I  somehow ended up being the "Acting Commander" during our reenactment and received a card  showing I turned the key to launch the missle..  Fortunately for all of us the missle was never launched:)

Control Room 

Titan Missle ( should be upright but for some reason this picture wouldn't rotate)

Bob walking in the corridor in the bunker to the missle

Our Tour Guide

"Lazy Days" in Tucson

11/19/12 - 12/19/12

Bob  at"  El Rancho Gates"  on Poco

We arrived in Tucson on November 19th for a scheduled stay of one month.   Val's parents live here and are in assisted living.  We arranged this trip to spend Thanksgiving with the family, and allow the family caregivers a break from driving Mom and Dad to their many doctor's appointments.  It was good bonding time with Mom and Dad.   Dad has Alzheimers, and the time spent with him and momments when he knows who we are are cherished.

Lazy Days  slogan" If you love RVing this is home"

 We made our  way to Lazy Days Campground just off of I-10 .  Lazy Days is  an RV Dealer that has the campground facility and classroom instruction for those interested in increasing their RV knowledge and driving skills.   It is a great set  up to include an nice restaraunt  that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner  Tuesdays through Saturday.     Lazy Days has a similar  facility and campground in Tampa FL, but the Tucson campground is far nicer than the Tampa Campground.  

One of the two pools

Campground Lobby

Our campsite for the month  ( Note my only Christmas Decoration  a wreath on the front of the Motor home )

Florizona Restaraunt

  The Dog Park Gang at play and celebrating Georgia's  2nd Birthday

Georgia and Rio playing

Happy Birthday Georgia !  11/28/12  2 years old

The Lazy Days Dog Park Gang

Some would wonder if the campground  gets into the Christmas Spirit..... Yes they do here are a couple of pictures of the Christmas decorations.  Georgia was not a fan of the Santa that kept popping out the door on the little green travel trailer,  he spooked her once then we had to walk on the far side of the street as she growled at it! LOL  If we had been here over Christmas I would have strung some lights.   Next year,  now I can get the decorations on sale:)

Santa  popped in and out of the door

Motor Home site  all "Decked Out" to include little cactus topped with Santa Hats!

We left Tucson on  12/19 to head to California  for  Christmas at  Lake Tahoe

Emerald Desert RV Resort

We left  Monterey and headed south  to Emerald Desert RV Resort in  Palm Desert CA.  We heard about this place from the staff  in Naples.   It is a beautiful resort.  We arrived in the dark and couldn't wait to see it in the daylight because it was so pretty at night!   We were not dissappointed,  it  is beautiful.   We will be back December19th!

Pool  at Emerald Desert RV Resort

Entrance to the Resort

Clubhouse 

Family time in Monterey

Papa playing with Wyatt and Campbell

Bob and I  had not been back to Monterey since  we lived there in 1992  through 1993 when Bob was  the Commander of 3/123 Aviation Battallion 7th Infantry Division at Ft Ord.  Things have changed a bit since then.   This visit we checked in at the Monterey Pines Campground and found our campsite, and  headed immediately via car  to the Naval Post Graduate housing area 2 miles away, to drop off Ryder  and see the family.  I don't know who was more excited us or Ryder:)   

We had four fun filled days  to enjoy with  our two favorite little guys,  following are some pictures from our time in Monterey.

Morning at the Monterey Aquarium

Wyatt , Papa, Pamela  and Campbell (in stroller)  

Wyatt touching starfish

Wyatt and Papa enjoying the bird exhibit at the aquarium

Campbell  always  a Happy Boy!

Looking a Sharks

Campbell   sitting back  and relaxing 

 Baking  Brownies with Nana

Nana loves to have help cooking and Wyatt is such a fun helper!

Happy times!

Wyatt  "driving"   the window shade down:)