A California Christmas

Caitlin and I spent the holidays in southern California with the Dekker family.  Temperatures weren't much warmer than the 50's, but that is 50 degrees warmer than Provo at the time, so we were thrilled to be there!  We celebrated a full Dekker Christmas, as Wil and I (the two new son-in-laws) filled in for Arie and Daniel (the only two Dekker siblings who were unable to attend).

Unfortunately, Caitlin and I are both poor at remembering to bring/use a camera, so your imagination will have to be sufficient in satisfying each of your respective needs for visual stimuli and accompaniment.  (Someday, we will join the rest of our generation and purchase iPhones to alleviate this dilemma.)  Suffice it to say, we had an amazing time and enjoyed all of the family fun!

While there, we decided to make the trek from Anaheim to San Diego to visit the San Diego LDS Temple.  (As it is the only activity of which we have pictures, it seems only fitting that I disproportionately overload the post with photos of the experience.)  It made for a great day trip!

We drove there in the late morning--a beautiful drive with the ocean just off the freeway.  Then, after spending a few hours inside the Temple, we walked around the Christmas-themed Temple grounds and enjoyed California at its finest.

Caitlin and I in front of the San Diego LDS Temple

In other exciting 'Francis Family' news, we finally purchased copies of our marriage certificate while back in Orange County, so now (after a day in various government agency buildings) Caitlin is almost completely an official 'Francis!'  Fun times! 

Also, Caitlin insists I mention that for Christmas we bought ourselves the complete Harry Potter DVD series.  It was probably the most excited she has been the entire year!  We got it for less than $30 too, so both of us were thrilled--although for slightly different reasons.

It was a great Christmas!