My friend Richard got me to make him Big Slick as he is an avid poker player. The window turned out very well. It has iridescent glass on the spade and the white aroung the spade. The pics do not even come close to showing how this window looks. Richard loves it. Onto the next one. Jim

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, from San Diego!!! We were blessed to be joined by our two photographer friends, Christy and Dan, so of course, we got some nice pics! We are thankful for all the wonderful people we are honoured to call friends and family. Hugs and Kisses to you all!!!

Paddle Boarding is far harder than some people make it look. Our friends, Christy and Kelsey rented paddle boards, which are surf boards you stand on and paddle around on. I (Leslie), managed to stay up for about 5 minutes before my feet were in cramps trying to stay upright. This was the perfect picture to depict Jim's efforts to get upright. He managed a few moments, but we figured he needed the "Big Unit", as he kep making the board sink at the botttom end. Our biggest thrill is that we are outside in bathing suits!!! Na na na na, hey hey!

We were very fortunate to have Richard (pictured with Yvonne, above) take us out on his boat today. He has a lovely, pontoon boat that can seat 16, but 10 was just perfect. We made our own little "Booze Cruise", with nibbly food, and drinks for 3 hours. We drove around the bay and out into the ocean. There, we had some fun swells, but then got to see a group of seals hanging out on a buoy (pictured above). We turned around and stopped at the Barefoot Bar, where we all got a pit stop and got to look at a pond full of local fish, including shark. The weather was magnificent while we were out and started to cloud over as we came "home". It is so hard not to think of San Diego as home, we love it so much.

Last weekend, the Mission Bay area hosted a local Breast Cancer fund raiser walk. There were thousands of pink tents set up along the bay parkland. All of the bike trails were closed to facilitate over 4,000 people walking 20 miles each day for 3 days. It was a time for all to remember anyone we know who has battled cancer.

Our Campland gang took a trip out to the tidal pools at La Jolla Shores today. This is a really cool spot. The sand cliffs are hardened and have huge bowls carved out here and there that remain full of water when the tide goes out. We hiked all over the beach and saw hermit crabs, barnacles, sea anemones, and various small fish. It was a very pretty and fun spot to go.

Jim's newest masterpiece is a window for Yvonne's door. It is so pretty and pictures just don't do it justice. It was installed yesterday. The colours are actually a deeper blue and an amber colour on the framing pieces. Another gorgeous piece of art!

Sunrise at Campland on Thursday was quite spectacular! I enjoyed the sun rising while doing Yoga on the beach. What a life!!

Yvonne is now enrolled at Soo Bahk Do with a gang of her buddies from the neighbourhood. We were lucky to be invited to a "fun" class for Halloween last Saturday. Yvonne enjoyed it so much, she wanted to continue. Luckily, we had just arrived, so we've got a full month to give her a chance to learn something. She is also planning to attend during the month of February when we are back here in San Diego. Yesterday, she had a short private lesson to teach her a bunch of the moves. She really enjoyed the kicking part. We enjoy the fact that it is an extremely disciplined activity, yet the kids have a real hoot. The instructor is strict and bellows his way through the class. Yesterday, misbehaviour was rewarded by a whack on the head with a pool noodle. We are now pool noodle fans - every parent should have one handy. It sure gets their attention!!! Yvonne will be getting her first belt on Tuesday, which means she has successfully learned the introductory moves. We'll be sure to remember the camera that day!!

Isaac invited Yvonne to try out his new ATV. This is her first try at actually driving it herself! This is a pretty popular weekend passtime in the desert areas throughout California and Arizona.

Bike riding around Mission Bay and to the Pacific Ocean is one of our favourite activities while in San Diego. We are making it a priority to go a few times a week to really soak it in. Not to mention we are really trying to shed the extra pounds that have crept up on both of us the last few years. This picture of Jim and Yvonne is taken just a bit north of Belmont Park on the oceanside walkway. It is a cool spot to hang out and watch surfers and all the gorgeous, fit California bodies jogging past!