December part 1

We still had beautiful colored leaves in December . . .
I know, this is sad, but he was smiling like one split second before! Love this face anyway!
We finally got started on our Garden Plot. We've now planted Winter Squash, Zucchini, Basil and Cucumbers. . .hoping for the best!When Jared finished finals and grading we celebrated by going to South Coast Plaza and seeing all the big Christmas Tree and other fancy decor.
Then we ate at Rain Forrest Cafe. We came once when Max was 3 months with our friends the Anderson's. He got a little scared back then when the lights go dark and you hear the thunder and all the animals make their noises. But he thought it was pretty amazing this time! Especially since we sat right by this humongous elephant - "eh-pant!". He just grabbed our hands and wanted to pull us away from the table to see all the other animals too. We took turns eating. Really, elephants have never quite been the same since then and he woke up the next morning talking about them.
We had a huge rainstorm for about a week straight in December. It was kind of fun! But crazy! Just buckets and buckets of rain. Anyway, our Sea World Fun Card was going to expire at the end of the year and I really wanted to make it one more time. We braved a break in the clouds one day and Max and I drove down to San Diego. We were so lucky and it was only just a little cold but no rain for those few hours! Here we are with some Polar Bears. Beluga Whale, I just love the "Polar" exhibit at Sea World, one of my faves. It was feeding time for the PenguinsWe saw the Dolphin Show again. I actually cried at the end! What is wrong with me? Can I blame hormones? I don't know why, just the performers and the music and everything . . .No line to see Elmo! Max was so excited about Elmo, way more friendly with him than with Santa! We rode the Elmo's Flying Fish Ride again. Enjoying a candy cane.Jared with his brother Chase and his Dad.Aunt Jess racing Max. He loves to race, he says "ready go!" and "1,2,3!" He could do this all day.