Holiday's are for seeing your friends!

It was 82 degrees today - a perfect day to sit on the patio and have lunch with Vince, Peter Carlstedt and Daniel Benshimon.  We used to all work together - like 30 years ago.  And these guys - Peter and Daniel are part of my Demo Dream Team so we still work together today.  Some major talent at this table :)

After lunch we stopped by Paul Eventoff's place to pick up my new painting - my Christmas present to myself - an original oil from Paul.  He was my art teacher for many years and I've loved him and his wife for even more years.  I'm honored to have one of his pieces in my home and will cherish it always.

Visiting with Jessica Trinidad

 I love it when I finally meet someone I've known for years but never met in person.  Jessica Trinidad (voiceover artist) came to town from Iowa and we made time to hang out with her and her son Dante.  Such a good time.

Best Friends

 I love Izzy's one white whisker.  His mom has the exact one white whisker in the exact same place.  

La Cage Aux Folles

At the Pasadena Playhouse to see La Cage Aux Folles with Lorie, Gug, Mark, Rick and Vince.  Duh....I forgot to get a group shot but here's me and Lorie.  After the play we had dinner at Santorini and then went to the hotel Lorie and Gug were staying at, The Langham, for drinks.  Such a fun day with friends.

Santa's elves...

More Izzy....

 He's growing so fast that I want a lot of photos when he's tiny...

His ONE white whisker is glowing in the sun...

My happy place - on the couch with these two + husband :)

Solvang - visiting Mom and Santa Barbara - visiting Lorie and Gug

We hung out in Solvang with Mom.  Had a great lunch at Leonardo's and then walked around the jam packed village.  We never saw it so crowded but it was a holiday weekend so I shouldn't be surprised.

Showing Lorie and Gug photos of Izzy. 

It's fun to meet in Solvang.  It was very festive with all the lights and decorations.

Thanksgiving 2 - Izzy was very photogenic today

 I told Izzy he has the job, that he doesn't have to be so darn cute but he can't help it, he just is.

A little warm up before we ate dinner.

Thanksgiving

Presenting....the whole family!

It only took a month to finally get a shot with all of us in it.  A Thanksgiving miracle!

And to start out the holiday right....Vince surprised me with a bag of my favorite chocolates from John Kelly Chocolatier....yummmmm

Kara Bertok Animation Demo

 We finally hit the studio and produced Kara's Animation Demo.  Always a good time.

When I got home there was a sweet thank you note from Rive and Collette - 4 and 6 year olds - that I'm teaching.  Ahhhhh....

More Izzy...

 More photos of my all consuming love...Izzy

Garden Concert at Jocie and Zach's place

 So fun and inspiring...after weeks of anxiety (the election) I got to let it go and enjoy life.