Why? It's Tradition 12/20/2011
Fio Riot's for dinner and then a walk...
The sky was beautiful
Sue began going there the day they opened in 1964 and went to school with the then owners son, Jim Fiorito
Nick found the bread sticks
Excellent choice
Bob, Nick and Robin
Nick has the giggles
Paul and Herbie
Sue and Paul... Notice the matching shirts provided by Diane Porter
Herbie with Jan and Brian
Jan and Brian
Luisa's brood with Greg and Mitch
Greg is explaining something
Carri is not too sure about this
Red scarf's are in
Michele got the corner seat
"Don't forget us!!"
To Naples...
Naples is a neighborhood of Long Beach, California, United States, built on a series of islands located in Alamitos Bay. Naples consists of three separate islands, divided by canals which open into the bay. Most of the streets on the island have Italianate names. The center of Naples features a large fountain which serves as a popular meeting spot.
In 1903 Arthur Parson built the islands of Naples in the marshy Bixby Slough of the artificial Alamitos Bay, in the mouth of the San Gabriel River. The design was by the firm Mayberry & Parker. The concept of canals and gondolas was similar to the "Venice of America" developed by Abbot Kinney up the coast.
Parson's Naples Land Company called its plans the "Dreamland of Southern California", and projected that "through the canals and under the high arching bridges gay gondoliers will propel their crafts like those in the waters of the Adriatic under the blue skies of Italy." The project was completed in the 1920s, then rebuilt after the 1933 Long Beach earthquake.
We "Stole" this tradition from Carri Fox who now joins us every year along with Greg Leach, Brian and Jan Fincg, Luisa and Mitch Lind, the Duda's and the Adams!
Brian went with Paul to try and find a parking place... We did, about two blocks away
Luisa brought her daughters and grandchild!
Theo says howdy to Grandma
"Now how do I do this"
Herbie is prepared for a cold evening... Robin is talking care of everything
"Hey guys! It's me!"
All smiles
The Parade Starts Here
The soldier stand guard
Great idea.. A lit up Choo Choo
We were serenaded
Did You Know? - In music, a serenade (or sometimes serenata) is a musical composition, and/or performance, in someone's honor. Serenades are typically calm, light music. The word Serenade is derived from the Italian word sereno, which means calm.
"On yon balcony the tree sittith"... How did I do Greg???
They look board.... He he he
On his exercise bike already???
Great decorations
Beware of the Grinch
There he is.... Mr. Grinch
Griswolds Redeux
The motorhome is out front
Sue meets a new four legged friend
About 50000 lights
Great idea... Would NOT like their electric bill
Hey....
Paul slips out from behind the camera
Frosty is outside watching the people
"Oh dear!"
A spittoon???
Did You Know? - A spittoon (or spitoon) is a receptacle made for spitting into, especially by users of chewing and dipping tobacco. It is also known as a cuspidor (which is the Portuguese word for "spitter" or "spittoon", from the verb "cuspir" meaning "to spit"), although that term is also used for a type of spitting sink used in dentistry.
Great Reflections In The Canals
Mickey was there...
Always on display for a load of fun
Busy displays....
A view down the canal
Z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z
Did You Know? - A hammock is a sling made of fabric, rope, or netting, suspended between two points, used for swinging, sleeping, or resting. It normally consists of one or more cloth panels, or a woven network of twine or thin rope stretched with ropes between two firm anchor points such as trees or posts. Hammocks were developed by native inhabitants of Mexico for sleeping.
Later, they were used aboard ships by sailors to enable comfort and maximize available space, and by explorers or soldiers traveling in wooded regions. Today they are popular around the world for relaxation; they are also used as a lightweight bed on camping trips. The hammock is often seen as symbol of summer, leisure, relaxation and simple, easy living.
Beat the drums
Mitch brings up the rear
The bear has a ring side seat
Play angel play
Why, Hello there little lady!
Nutcrackers on display
Did You Know? - Nutcrackers in the form of wooden carvings of a soldier, knight, king, or other profession have existed since at least the 15th century. These nutcrackers portray a person with a large mouth which the operator opens by lifting a lever in the back of the figurine. Originally one could insert a nut in the big-toothed mouth, press down and thereby crack the nut. Modern nutcrackers in this style serve mostly for decoration, mainly at Christmas time. The ballet The Nutcracker derives its name from this festive holiday decoration.
The carving of nutcrackers—as well as of religious figures and of cribs—developed as a cottage industry in forested rural areas of Germany. The most famous nutcracker carvings come from Sonneberg in Thuringia (also a center of dollmaking) and from the Ore Mountains. Wood-carving usually provided the only income for the people living there. Today the travel industry supplements their income by bringing visitors to the remote areas.
Mitch and Luisa are heading for home....
"Let's go on!"
High flying Santa
The Snowman Family
One goofy reindeer
The question is "When??"
Where is Donna when we need her???
She meets the wippets
Did You Know? - The Whippet is a breed of dog in the sighthound family. They are active and playful and are physically similar to a small Greyhound.
"Hey... I wanna come inside like you guys!"
"Hi there!"
Panda's like Christmas also
These guys sing IF you flash at them.... No, as is "Flash Bulb"
Who had the patience to wrap this tree?
Go angel blow....
Watch carefully... They change color
Same ones a few second later
A little cheeky here?
Herbie explains....
The yeard was beautiful but no one was at home
I give up... Take my.... Ah... That is....
Finally, the ghetto (according to Herbie)
Herbie is getting an idea
Christmas flamengos?
Anything is possible
Getting tired.. Heading for home
