A new tradition...

Last year we went to the Lighting of the Bay (the Back Bay in Newport Beach) Ceremony for the first time and had such a good time that we put it on our calendar for this year. Always the first Friday night in December, it's such a festive way to kick off the holiday. Despite the chilly "breezes" coming across the bay, this year's event was very well attended, and just as much fun as we remembered from last year. Big steaming cups of hot chocolate helped fight the chill. Hot dogs, chili and chowder were also available.

The first group of kids performing, OC Song and Dance, is made up of adolescents and younger teens who do just what the name says - sing and dance. They are adorable. They were followed by a local high school choir who did a short set of traditional Christmas carols quite beautifully. Then Santa arrived in a decked out red jeep to throw the switch and light up the bay. New (we think) this year was the inclusion of a Menorah and Star of David on one of the lighted floats in the bay. Something for everyone!