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Insight Bowl
IU is playing in their first bowl game since 1993 against Oklahoma (whom they last played in 1930). Go Hoosiers!!

Wild Animal Park Light Display
Since moving to CA, we have yet to find a light show that compares to Dominos Farms annual display. Last year at the Del Mar racetrack was a bust so this year we tried out the Wild Animal Park.

Peter and Chris wouldn't pose with me in the above picture but they had no problem pretending they were going to feed me to the lions in this picture.

While we weren't able to see the gorillas (a favorite) in the dark, we did find out dad is as tall as a gorilla but lacks the armspan of one.

And Peter was able to conquer his fear of spiders.

Because it was so dark and cold, we didn't see many of the animals at all. Instead, many of the animals we did see were in the form of Christmas lights.

But the lion cubs did choose to nap right by the viewing glass in their habitat...check out those paws, they are literally as big as my face!

And for the younger kids, the park had all sorts of activities including this sledding hill...complete with moguls!

The Burn Zone
Today I rode east through some of the areas that were part of the wildfire this fall. The pictures don't really do justice for the miles upon miles of black but they will give you an idea.

The scary thing is these photos were only about 5 miles south of my parents' house. While they were never evacuated, they were definitely right by the fires!

Seriously, hill after hill was charred black.

Not sure what all the yellowish-brown stuff was, maybe fire retardent or to help prevent erosion. It was incredible to see how close the fires got to the homes in Rancho Santa Fe. While the fire department had a tough time controlling the fires, they did an incredible job protecting many homes!

Christmas Festivities
Another warm and sunny Christmas in Cali...I am really getting spoiled by this weather! The day started out with my favorite breakfast (french toast) and a little Scrabble...Peter won his first game (ever) against dad and me...usually I win but as we all know, I am not a morning person. :)

After Peter's victory, we opened presents. The boys were ecstatic when they opened their authentic Red Wings jerseys. They have wanted those jerseys for probably at least 10 years if not longer.

Although I think Rudy was more excited with his new stuffed animal...for those of you who do not know Rudy, he absolutly loves stuffed animals. They are all over the house and yard. Doesn't he look ferocious?

After presents, we went down to the beach to enjoy the incredible weather. Aside from the chilly water, it was a perfect day to be on the beach!

And Peter got the attention of many beachgoers with his new jersey. Literally, the minute he stepped foot on the sand people were yelling "Go Redwings!" It was pretty funny and awesome to know we have so many Wings fans here in SoCal. When I wear my Redwings shirt in Colorado, people give me the death stare!

With a "cold" front coming in, the waves were up and it was a perfect day to fly dad's kite. I was in charge of getting it into the air...I nearly beheaded some people in the first few seconds of launching but once the kite was in the air, it was there to stay.

Chris let the kite out nearly to the end of the line, 500 feet...which meant he also spent 30 minutes realing the kite back in when it was time to leave!

Burnfest Success!
Today was another one of those burn 1800 kJ days...and I am happy to report I not only hit the mark but surpassed it by 216 extra kJ (that was only because I had to keep riding uphill to get home!) I figured out burning energy is a lot easier on flat roads with a steady pace so I headed north today along the ocean. The coastal ride started in Leucadia, went through Carlsbad, and then Oceanside (pictured) before taking on Camp Pendleton (marine base).

I was too scared to take any pictures on Camp Pendelton since it is military land (although there are a ton of "Tank Crossing" signs and tank trails!) so next up is the view from the bike path headed north to San Celmente. If you look closely you can see the Malibu hills way off in the distance.

Before getting to San Clemente, I rode through Onofere State Beach. Apperantly this is one of the great surfing beaches...and they allow car camping which is really cool!

Once I entered the park, this was the first sign posted...that really made me want to go swimming (better yet: surfing) at this beach.

As I exited the park, I got one more "view" before heading into San Clemente: the San Onofere Nuclear Power Plant...I never knew I lived so close to it, yikes! Once I got to San Clemente, I turned around and saw everything for a second time from a northern angle (with a tailwind!)

In the Christmas Spirit

Yesterday mom, dad, and I went to see the Nutcracker on UCSD's campus. The campus was less than impressive but the ballet (performed by San Diego Ballet Company) was very impressive. The little girls were darling and the older dancers were incredible on point...I cannot fathom standing on my toes that long!

Tasty!
As some of you know, my dad has been on the road quite a bit this year. One of his recent trips took him to Sweden, and you can't go to Europe without bringing home chocolate. With the poor exchange rate (euros:dollars, ~2:1) dad's two (DELICIOUS!) tins of Sweedish chocolate cost him a pretty penny...or two...but they are well worth it!

Early Writings
My parents recently found a book that I wrote many, many years ago. They think it's great, I beg to differ...creativity has never been my forte. The book is titled "Me and my cat".

"My cat's name is Frosty. My name is Katie. I'm 8 and my cat is 10."

"I see my cat and my cat sees me." The end...boy, that was an incredible story!

Guitar Hero (Mary this one's for you!)

Appearently I am a little behind the times when it comes to video games as I just learned about "Guitar Hero" today while Christmas shopping with my brother. Despite being a little late hearing about the game, it is so much fun! You duel people by playing songs on guitars or drums. Peter and I challenged each other over a little Bon Jovi straight out of the 80s. If you are bored (or just need a break from last minute Christmas shopping) head over to Best Buy and check it out!

Just Can't Get Enough
One of the reasons I love riding in SoCal is because there are so many awesome roads to ride on. I seriously could ride a different route every day of my vacation if I wanted to. This is a shot of Cardiff by the Sea, one of my mom's favorite parts of the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway).

And check out all the surfers (the little black dots in the ocean)...this wasn't even the beach with the surf contest or Swami's (the "it" spot for surfing). I really need to learn to surf! If you look just behind the surfers you can see brown (sand), that is because this is the time of the year when the low tide gets really far out. Usually there wouldn't be water this close to the shore but a "winter storm" blew threw last week (complete with 12 foot waves) and so the water is higher than normal.

Congrats Katie!

Katie Compton won her FOURTH consecutive elite cyclocross national title today...that's on top of her first UCI cyclocross win earlier this year! Not only is she an incredible racer but Katie is one of the coolest people you will ever meet!

Expending kJ round two
So, I have decided that it is pretty darn hard to burn 1800 kJ on a ride...today I rode for four hours and didn't make it. Of course, I was really tired from yesterday's burn-fest. However, I did ride up to Bonsall which means great riding and a LOT of climbing. Seriously, I felt like I was always going up hill.

Check out the desert mountains, some of them actually have snow!

After my ride, I jumped in the hot tub...check out the view!

Meanwhile, dad decorated the yard with Christmas lights while mom was standing nearby instructing where the lights should go. The big question was whether or not to put lights on the new avocado tree. And, notice dad is wearing shorts while stringing lights...that would never happen in Michigan! Man, life is rough! :)

Aaahhhh...
Really the title says it all...life is SoCal is SoGood! This is a picture from my ride today, it's La Jolla cove as I was riding down La Jolla Shores Drive...I am fortunate enough that my training consists of burning 1800 calories 4 times a week...that means I just get to ride, have fun, and enjoy the awesome weather during most of my rides!

After nearly four hours on the bike, I took the dogs for a walk just as the sun set over the ocean. (For those of you wondering, this is Cosby in the picture. Rudy was too busy playing in the bushes to have his picture taken.)

Sunset #1 of my time in California...seriously, can life get any better?!

The Countdown has Begun...
In less than 24 hours...

I will be in sunny SoCal for 2 1/2 weeks...and then I head to Tucson for a week...which means nearly an entire month escape from winter weather!!! :)

Snow, snow, and MORE snow!

It has snowed/freezing rained every day since Friday...knowing how much I love winter weather, you can imagine how excited I am for this weather. Fortunately, I am headed out of town in less than 48 hours...for nearly an ENTIRE month!

Happy (one day early) Birthday Renee!!!


Glitter Graphics & Comments

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

No, not because I now have to suit up in full leggings, booties, and gloves when I ride...and definitely not because I only have one more paper to write, a chapter to read, a book to read, and a final to take before classes are out (next weekend!)...but definitely because we have our Christmas tree up!