California Hall of Fame

Last Monday, 12 Californians were inducted in the CA Hall of Fame, an annual ceremony honoring individuals for their contributions to California and the world at large. This event is held every year at the California Museum for History, Women and the Arts, in downtown Sacramento with the Governor and First Lady hosting. Those individuals inducted were: Dave Brubeck, Jane Fonda, Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel, Robert Graham, Quincy Jones, Jack LaLanne, Dorothea Lange, Julia Morgan, Jack Nicholson, Linus Pauling, Leland Stanford and Alice Waters. There is an exhibit about the inductees with artifacts from their lives. Some of the highlights of this years inductees are Leland Stanford's carriage, in addition to the actually golden spike; Julia Morgan's drafting table, a reading room devoted to Dr. Seuss and Jack LaLanne's Glamour-Stretcher. Helen, Allison and Dan were very fortunate to be able to volunteer at the event with Erin.

Gavin's Best Christmas Party

Gavin was able to go to the 18th annual Brush Christmas Party this year. It was his first chance to see the plethora of desserts that Mary (a professional food stylist) had prepared. It was a crisp, cool night so we sat near the fire on their back porch and enjoyed good company and incredible food.

In addition to seeing Santa, who made a timely appearance, Gavin tried to shake hands with the life-size snowman by the front door.

These are just a small portion of the dessert treats that we sampled (and sampled and sampled). Gavin's eyes truly grew twice their normal size when he saw all of this dessert.

Live From New York. . . . .

It's Saturday Night Live!! On Saturday, Jeannie and three of her friends from the Academy took the train to New York City to be in the audience for Saturday Night Live. The host that evening was John Malkovich and the kids agreed that it was a very funny performance. Saturday Night Live has been on the air since 1975. The kids also stopped by Rockefeller Plaza to see the ginormous Christmas tree, towering 72 ft. high. As they returned to the Academy early Sunday morning, it started to snow on I-95. Looks like Jeannie will get her first opportunity to drive in snowy weather this winter!

Breakfast with Santa

This morning was the annual Rotary Breakfast with Santa. While Margaret, a member of the Rotary Club, was in the kitchen cooking pancakes and sausage, the family had breakfast and then visited with friends and Santa.

Gavin and Megan went to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. Initially, Gavin wasn't very anxious to go near this strange man in a red suit (a lot of it had to do with Gavin cutting several mollars) but with Mom there it was O.K.

Gavin got to pick out a book from Santa and naturally it was his favorite, Thomas the Train. He is showing his book to friends, Elizabeth and Emily Golding. They helped him get over his fear of Santa because they were both so excited to see Santa.

Gavin with his friends, Emily and Elizabeth, who were attired in their beautiful dresses.