SANTA WAS HERE

Everybody was glad Santa showed up in our house and so was litte Andrew who really really happy and surprise that he couldn't stop smiling when posing with Santa. Same with Sandra and everybody else.

GOT FOOD? WE HAVE LOTS AND DRINKS, TOO

The main course included lumpia, morcon, rigatoni pasta, seafood chowder, sinigang, roasted turkey, honeybake ham, edimame, shimp salad and laing. Drinks were Callaway champagne, Napa Valley cavernet, Remy Martin cognac, Martenilli Sparkling Apple Cider and Pellegrino Mineral water. And the desserts were plenty: Extraordinaire chocolate cake (Fletcher) Leche flan (Mommy), homemade baklava, suman, ube and kutchinta (Nette) and beans, garbanzos and macapuno balls (bought by me) and assorted nuts. No wonder even Santa Claus to join in the fun and merrymaking.

A GATHERING OF FAMILIES AND SPECIAL FRIENDS

What would Christmas be without families and friends to spend it with? Shown are the Aguiluz Family, the Callanta Family and the Hopkins Family. Known whose family is missing? My family. Wishing would we could be together again on this joyous day.

CHRISTMAS EVE 2007

This is the view from the front gate, the back patio and the colored lighted peach tree. It's just amazing to look at these lights which goes well with the full moon and the chilly night's air. These are the times we feel blessed that of all the places to live, we ended up here--an almost perfect site and good people.

A MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM SUNNY OCEANSIDE

A Merry Merry Chrismas To Al My Love Ones! This greeting comes from us here in Oceanside, California. Home of the US Marine Training Base-Camp Pendleton, the largest such facility. It is also here that you can find, actually about 3 miles from our house, the San Luis Rey Mission, the largest mission church established by the Franciscan priest in 16th century. The photos shown is that of the Oceanside Marina and Harbor, just southwest of Camp Pendleton. There are small quaint retail stores and covered picnic tables near the Pacific Ocean. After a dip in the water, Kuya we can bring you to the Joe's Crab Restaurant which famous for their shrimp and seafood fares in a pirate's hideout setting. With year-round sunny weather even during Christmas day, Oceanside, being the first city you'll reach in San Diego County, would be the best start when you visit us. But, there's more to see like the Oceanside Pier that extend about a mile from the downtown area. So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip and we'll be your hosts. Have a bright day any day.

WINTER SUNSET

This was taken this year along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) 101 in Cardif-by-the-Sea, next to Encinitas where we stayed temporarily shortly afer arriving from the R.P. way back in 1987. It was an autumn day when I took that shot and it will be winter starting December 23. This is our winter sunset which made Bing Crosby sing about longing for "I'm Dreaming of a White Chistmas." The song was in reference to weather in San Diego during this time of the year. Have a Merry Christmas where ever you are. For Christmas is in the heart not the gifts, although, I must admit it's nice to have both.

The very very tall Christmas tree at South Coast Plaza near John Wayne Airport in Irvine, California

A wreath near the living room

"When I was small and Christmas tree was tall", as the song goes. Well, our tree is smaller than any of us.

The giant Christmas tree in front of JC Penney at the El Camino Real Mall, now Westfield Plaza, in Carlsbad

CHRISTMAS IS HERE TO STAY

Our parol blinking bright as a star