Happy New Year 2011

 Well, here it is...New Year's Eve...and I'm ready to watch the ball drop in Times Square...but not until after dinner.

 Barbara made me my favorite dinner...lobster tail, escalloped potatoes, fresh asparagus, applesauce, drawn butter, and...of course, a glass of Bailey's Irish Cream!

 Ready...Get Set...EAT!

 On New Year's Day, Carl invited Barbara and me to a party up in the mountains.

 Here's the view from the deck...lots of redwoods, steep ravines, and a very full stream at the bottom of the ravine.

 Their house is a real log cabin, heated by a very big fireplace.

 If it were a bit warmer, we'd probably have stopped for a dip in the hot tub...but as it was, we were happy to get into the house and sit by the fire.

Carl wouldn't let Ray and Siobhan take down the tree until we had a chance to see it so it was good that we made the trek (AND IT WAS A TREK!) to La Honda in the Santa Cruz Mountains to see the tree!

 Here's Carl's room...with toys galore!

And here's Carl, setting out the food for our "party"!

 Of course, we had to check out all of the pets...including the 9 newts...and we got to see them during their feeding time...crickets everywhere!

 Carl REALLY wanted me to hold one so that I could "pet it"!

 We got to watch a Curious George video...wouldn't have missed it for the WORLD!

 Lots of food...some prepared especially for the party by....Chef Carl!

Barbara brought a face painting kit along for Carl...and Carl LOVED it!  Not only did he have his face painted, but he also painted his Mom and Dad!  (We got out JUST IN TIME!)

All in all, not a bad way to start the New Year.  Here's wishing everyone a very Happy and Healthy New Year!