… is Mammoth’s cute trunked mascot. We caught him a few times on the mountain but didn’t get to catch a pic.

Back up a little, we planned our snow trip cushioned with a stop in L.A. Daddy got some seats in his co.’s suite at the Staples Center for a Lakers game so we decided why not (though def not big b-ball fans).

We left SD after lunch so had enough time to stop at the La Habra Children’s Museum (yep, in the ASTC program).

Look beyond. :)

All in all, it wasn’t huge but had some nice local/regional touches and good use of their space.

Historical caboose outside the museum. The museum actually used to be a train station and depot.

Sweet Veggie, we meet again! And oh, what a delight. We stumbled upon this place (during their grand opening) last year when Mommy was headed to TW and the boys had to drop her off @ LAX before going to Big Bear. AYCE Taiwanese vegetarian goodness, mmmm-mmmm. This boy had ??? many bowls of shaved ice, haha.

With our bellies full, it was off to Staples Center.

Saw this line on the walk there and asked security what it was for. We were assuming some kind of concert or celebrity. Um, no. It was the queue for ice skating???

They gave out Lakers fedoras.

He enjoyed the experience and it turned out to be a close and exciting game.

The other side of the crazy ice skating line. We peeked in the rink and it was seriously like shoulder to shoulder skating.

A quick Chinese bakery run afterwards and then we drove to our overnight in Victorville before going up the mountain the next day.

We stopped at Fossil Falls for a short hike to stretch out our legs. Can’t really tell from the pic but it was super cold and windy.

All volcanic rock in unique formations…

Another one of those in the middle of nowhere jerky places.

We then took a drive around the Alabama Hills, the gateway to Mt. Whitney (tall mountain in the background) — Daddy’s dream hike that will likely soon come true. :) This area is also known to be the backdrop for quite a few shows and movies.

E was excited for Nightmare Rock — painted by local artists. It was getting dark and even colder so we decided to make a beeline for our condo and then spend some more time exploring here on the way back.

Geared up and ready to go.

We spotted him on the mountain with his snowboard group and tailed them for a bit.

Ladies and gents, we are all on a lift together as a family. :))

Mommy and son riding. Mama’s dreamed of this day since you were born, hehe.

A mighty fine mountain…

Our high altitude date. :)

But gah, it was snowing on the day we were leaving. No powder this trip but still some great runs.

Daddy likes seeing the SUV in all these new and adventurous places.

Found Convict Lake while coming down the mountain.

In search of snow for his snowballer. (Remember when we picked this up in Utah?)

Back at Alabama Hills for a hike to see the arches.

A nook of warmth.

A couple hours later, grabbed some comfort Chinese food in LA w/ some to-go hot desserts and rolled into home sweet home in the late eve.

Annnnnnd, yo, it’s another new year!

Had to do the cheesy beach/cliffs pic for our first family photos here, right?

It was actually pretty fun, though, and we enjoyed working with our photog who moved here from Russia a few years ago. :) It really just felt like a stroll along the cliffs around sunset, which is when we usually go anyway.

A few other takes we really liked:

For the first half of E’s holiday break, we hung around town.

Sat on Santa’s lap @ a library party. Afterwards, he saw Santa getting in a car and asked why he didn’t come in his sleigh. :D

Acai fix. You really can’t beat Everbowl — all you can ask for toppings.

Checked out this neat biker-centric coffee shop before going to an artsy, handmade market in Barrio Logan. Daddy is sold on their coffee.

The skate park under the bridge on our walk there was pretty neat. Lots of cool street art, too.

Went to see lights at the SD California Temple. It’s similar to the one in SLC.

More lights @ Starlight Circle.

Lots of spectacular decorations but this Star Wars one was his fave.

These are the back at Legoland faces. :P

Did a lot of water/boat rides this time.

We had about an hour to check out SeaLife which we also get entrance with our passes.

Not huge but still better than the one in Dallas.

All the Lego ornaments!

Christmas passed quietly but yet meaningfully. We lit a b-day candle for Jesus and had a little devo. Like our new minimal, birch tree? :)

He was def dreaming of a Lego Christmas and that he got! He pretty much built all gifted sets day of. :) Santa brought: The Hulkbuster Smash-up, Tatooine and First Order Specialist Pack, Killow vs. Samurai X and then a few from friends.

Rooftop of The Nat was open post-Christmas.

Some fun and creativity @ Fleet Science Center.

Just enough daylight for a little time by the playground in Balboa.

Went for Jungle Bell festivities at the SD Zoo. Thanks to one of our neighbors for the tix!

And this is how a hippo sleeps. :) Every number of seconds, he goes above water to take a breath. Poor guy, talk about interrupted sleep!

The tree lights show with music was quite good.

Short Torrey Pines sunset hike. Didn’t get to trek down but there’s always another time.

We’ll say it over and over: this.never.gets.old.

It’s off to L.A. for a Lakers game in Daddy’s company suite and then Mammoth Mountain for our first snow tracks of the season. First time Ikon Pass-holders, woohoo! :)

After Disney, the Ong’s came to check out our new ‘hood in SD.

Grandparents stayed w/ us and X spent the night on the weekend when E didn’t have school. We got them all Storm Trooper jammies but didn’t get to catch a pic of the 4 kiddos together.

Serious Lego play deep into the night (and then morn!). :)

Leisurely brunch @ the La Jolla Open Aire Market.

And then of course LJ Shores & Cove/Children’s Beach.

Lovely evening stroll through Balboa Park. (They did some of the museums on another day).

In front of the Old Globe. Found out Dr. Seuss lived most of his life in SD and his wife recently passed away. :(

BIL totally enjoyed a round of golf at the coveted Torrey Pines Golf Course.

It’s next to the Gliderport.

And the stunning cliffs we can fall in love with over and over again. :)

A stop at the SD Central Library (Daddy needed some Wi-Fi for work matters).

We highly recommended the U.S.S. Midway and though we didn’t join, they had a good time exploring. It was nice seeing the ship again dropping grandma and grandpa off for a visit.

They call this the “hot dog”. :P

Dinner at Water Grill. Hehe, they were the only kids in the entire resto.

Bros said farewell as their family left first for the rest of their road trip through Cali.

Took the grandparents to the Little Italy Mercato farmer’s market and finally got to try this place walking back to the car. Grandma loves her sweets!

He called dibs on the “gold flakes”.

Surfin’ Santa (totally Cali style!).

Kringle Mingle in Cardiff.

The cutest Camera Camper!

Then took them to Del Mar for the sunset while waiting for a tree lighting. He wanted to go to his usual playground @ Powerhouse Park.

Reindeer Lego build.

A walk through the La Mesa Holiday Village after dinner.

Christmas in the Valley @ Bate’s Nut Farm on the way to San Bernardino to drop off grandparents at Great Uncle’s house.

The SD Mountain Bike Association set up a really fun bike course for the little humans.

Then someone arrived while they were chomping away. (See background).

An unexpected greeting (and candy cane) from Santa!

He’ll take on any ramp. :)

‘Til next time, Mama & Gong Gong!