Christmas 2014 Visit To Temecula & Mission Inn

Keep your Christmas-heart open all year round.  ~Jessica Archmint

12/22/2014 - Time for a Drive To Temecula And Riverside

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014

12/22/2014 - Temecula

We needed to be at the Mission Inn at 4:00 for dinner so we thought a quick side trip to Temecula was in order plus we got a chance to see AJ Saam (Laura was recovering)

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
First stop was Pinnacle for lunch with Brian and Jan and a guest appearance by AJ

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
We are getting into the spirits

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
We tasted outside today

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
It was a beautiful day

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
The four amigos

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Surrounded!

Thornton Winery

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
The Snowman welcomes us to the winery

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
We went to Thornton to try Champagne and Chocolate wine

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
"Did someone say Champagne???"

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
"M-m-m-m-m Should I have another bottle or not??

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Our favorite two-fisted drinker

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014 Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014 Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014  

  Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
"Now I know what double-chocolate is!"

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
"Most of those glasses belong to Brian... No, really!"

Off To Riverside And The Mission Inn

Traditions! We meet up with the Duda's at The Mission Inn for dinner, walking, and a carriage ride.

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014

Did You Know? - Enjoy more than 4 million dazzling holiday lights, appearances by Santa Claus, the world’s largest manmade mistletoe measuring 12’ x 8’, horse-drawn carriage rides*, freshly fallen snow, an elaborately decorated Christmas tree in the hotel lobby and delectable holiday confections located at The Inn.

The Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights is an annual gift to the community from property Owners Duane and Kelly Roberts who saved the historic landmark from destruction in 1992. The City of Riverside has adopted The Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights as a citywide initiative with a vision of a Dickensian holiday spectacle featuring lights and decorations throughout downtown Riverside, an outdoor ice-skating rink on the Main Street pedestrian mall, holiday vendors and family-friendly entertainment.

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Forty-five minutes

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
It's indeed an older facility but beautiful

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
We have arrived

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014   Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014   Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
OK... Just an Italian Christmastime meal

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
First stop the Bella Tattoria restaurant

Did You Know? - A trattoria is an Italian-style eating establishment, less formal than a ristorante, but more formal than an osteria. There are generally no printed menus, the service is casual, wine is sold by the decanter rather than the bottle, prices are low, and the emphasis is on a steady clientele rather than on haute cuisine.

The food is modest but plentiful (mostly following regional and local recipes) and in some instances is even served family-style (i.e. at common tables).

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
"Eye see you" NOTE: No extra cost for the special napkin

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Nick had a special pizza

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
"Here's to ya!"

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
"Dis is ma serious look!:

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
The Duda's always make it enjoyable

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
All smiles... Powered by wine!

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Merry Christmas all!

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Nick is giving us the "What is he talking about?" look

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
We had lunch at noon and dinner at 5:00... We need to walk

Time To Walk And See The Lights

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
The hotel is decorated on all sides

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
"I feel like I am being watched.... and... I have to be good!"

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Trees everywhere

We Walked Through The Hotel

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Great decorations in the hotel

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
We tried to put Nick in the slot but he would not fit

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Santa looked a little stiff tonight.... Needs some eggnog or better yet, champagne

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
It's like magic

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Do NOT bite the gingerbread man... He bites back

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Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
They light up everything

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
The city of Riverside dims when these puppies go on

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Hey Frosty

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Looking good

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Many are animated and wave at us

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
The front of the hotel was a zoo!

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Overlooking the plaza

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Seven o'clock and all is well... Still in the high 60's

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
View from the front of the hotel

 

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
OMG..... What was that??? We got to do it! A rocket carriage

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
We have a 20 minute wait but with family and friends it feels like five minutes

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Awaiting out ride

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Bob takes the camera duty

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Here comes one now!

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
"I want to ride on the horse's back"

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Everything is decorated

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Dig the shoes

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Coordinating the next couple of days

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Off and running

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
No... They are not texting one another

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Doing serious research... Don't they look serious?

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
A nice young man... We need lots more of these

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
"Yeah... We get to ride in a carriage... Where is the bonnet?"

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Hello there

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
The serious look

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
Mom is have a great time

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014
We needed to know that Nick was a normal teenager!

Temecula and Mission Inn 12/22/2014