Winter and spring fun

So as promissed I have an update as to what we are doing. We had a chance to go to Yosemite this weekend and take in the sites in the winter season. It did not seem like winter when we were there as the temperature was in the mid 60's and the snow was melting fast in the valley. We had gotten snowshoes in preparation for hiking, but found them not needed in the valley so we headaded for higher elevations.

The view from there tunnel view area.

Yosemite falls was flowing, but not much yet.

Brenda taking in the sites. Just after this picture we saw a guy hiking up the drop off in from of the viewpoint. He was wearing a skunk skin hat and no shoes. He was trying to look like a real mountain man, but ended up appearing as if he had some mental illness and no concept of reality.

We went to higher elevations and started off on a short hike. The snow was deep so it was nice to have the snowshoes. We only saw two other people on ouor 2hr hike so that was also nice.

I thought it would be a good idea to walk along this tree. The snow was very deep, and if I would have fallen I figured it would be a soft landing so I was not to worried.

The best view I saw all day.

We then went to Myron and Andrea Kampers in Tulare for Sat and Sun. night. We had a great time visiting with them and just relaxing. Sunday we went out for a hike around the old oaks and had a great time.

Brenda tried to show us how to run up a hill. Andrea is about 7 months pregnant so she did not run...and although I am not pregnant, I did not run either.

Hiking in the oaks.

Here are the ladies. It is spring out here in California..I know it is early. Green grass is about the only way we know winter was here. It is really nice to have the grass green and we almost forget how nice it looks when we have brown grass for 8 months in a row. Spring is the best time to be in the Central Valley.

Myron and I getting ready to go out to eat.

Dinner at the Firkin and Hound was good. I had been to a Firkin and Beaver before and I guess it is the same parent company that owns both of them.

Good times and good food make for happy women.

Today I did some work in the central valley and then drove home. the weather was great today and had a high of about 75. Absolutely great weather and I also got a good motorcycle ride in today. I don't think it can get any better.

Super weekend

I have been able to get out and go out surfing lately since one of my friends just got a board. I have not been out surfing in a long time and probably would not have gone if he had not dragged my sorry but out to the water, but I am sure glad he did because I forgot how much fun it really is. Although I did not get to go this week it was still a good week. Nothing really happened because I was out of town for a couple days, but it was a good weekend.

Yesterday I was able to go to the oil change place to drop my work truck off, the motorcycle shop, the sailing store, and dive shop, and into REI, all while Brenda was having one conversation with her mom. Wow can those girls chat.

Today it was lining the soccer fields after Church and then going over to pastor Brad's for a superbowl party. Of course fun was had by all.

There were a lot of laughs as well

All I had to do was take my camera out and Haden started saying "cheese" and smiling.

I got the kids all riled up and then their parents told them to calm down....fat chance.

Brenda and Carrie. Saturday we went over to their house in Felton for some food and fellowship. We also got to play a little Dutch Blitz. I was middle of the pack both games so no worries here. Yes she is pregnant.

Party goers checking their Superbowl Bingo cards. There were a few winners and I won on the second to the last play of the game.

Watching the game with the projector on the wall.

All in all it was a good time. It has been mellow lately, but I think we are going to be planning something for next weekend....stay tuned.

January in SJ

Not much happening this time of year out here. We are kind of getting in a rut doing the same old same old. This consists of work, going home and hanging out on motorcycle forums, and the bed. Same in day in and day out, which some may think would get old. So far it has not gotten old. I enjoy being at home and having time to relax and do a lot of the things that I have been meaning to do.

The weekends are not eventful either with it typically consisting of a couple of motorcycle rides and hanging out with friends. You might say that life is pretty nice. Sure there are always things that you would like to change, but complaining has never done anyone any good.

I can't remember if I described what I do for a living before, but it changes so often and I am to lazy to look back...so I will describe what I do here. When gas stations have tanks that leak I get to clean it up. One of the ways we do this is sucking the vapors out of the ground and burning them in a chamber before emitting them to the air....I know really interesting....not
Here is a picture of one of the Thermal Oxidizer units we operate.

I also wanted to comment on the "Bachelor". Before you get all excited...No I don't watch it, but my wife wishes I did. I saw about 10min of it last night and I .....she......it......Yes I am at a loss for words. These women are complete idiots and it is obvious to me that they are dying to get used. How can any one of these people take themselves seriously? Why are these women desperate? Probably because if you do get to spend time with them in an actual relationship you will see that they have no personality, are totally illiterate, self-centered and devoid of any moral compass. Brenda also agrees the show is dumb, but she loves to watch it. This may be one of the many mysteries of women that I may never find the answer to; why watch a show you know is fake and dumb????? The world may never know.

FYI if Brenda was on that show, instead of gossiping around the pool and looking like an idiot, she would be doing cannon balls and swimming laps.....which is much hotter.

We did not have any plans for Christmas this year and were just planning on hanging out with friends around here, but in a pleasant surprise my parents decided to come down and visit us. They came down on Tuesday and stayed till Saturday. I had to work while they were here...at least some of the time, but we did get to spend some quality time together.

Christmas eve we thought it would be a great time to go out to the ocean and see what is going on out there. There was a lot of surfers at Steamers Lane and they were fun to watch. The rest of the beach was like a ghost town (very nice).
The waves were medium and here at the mouth of the harbour we were treated to a sailboat surfing a breaking wave into port. Chilling at the lighthouse.

Christmas gifts for the rents from the kids were calendars of what is most important in there lives....us...oh ya, and grandkids.Christmas dinner was Turkey and a bunch of other goodness.
This is such a ridiculous picture, to be fair to my wife, I thought I would post it. She is always complaining that I put horrible pictures of here up, so to even it out I thought I would put one of me.Brenda got jewelry from my parents...she wears it all the time now.

Nothing like a 1000piece puzzle to pass the time and keep you frustrated.

Much to my surprise, my mother actually seemed like she would not mind a ride on the silver bullet. I am always looking for an excuse to go for a ride so I of course obliged her. she seemed to like it, but told me no more wheelies after the first light.

Saturday we went to the CV(central valley) to visit relatives and see Kevin and Lyndsay. We stayed the night at their place and had a great time as always. Kevin and I are always getting in trouble when we are together and this time was not different. I think it is because we are so much alike and have wives that we love to push to the limits.

Morgan is as sweet as they come.

Brenda reading to Ethan in the morning. This is the best way to experience being parents without all the hard work and commitment.

Kara and Eric came over with Annika to play a little guitar hero and have some holiday cheer.

Lyndsay wants to play guitar hero 24/7 now......no...not really.

Ethan is growing up to be quite the young man and is about 100x's smarter than his dad already. He can even Velcro his shoes(something his dad is yet to master). Kevin I know this may be a bit harsh, but you can take it, your Canadian...your used to being made fun of.

And finally today. Another nice day although cloudy at first, once we got the the coast the weather was great. A cycle ride down hwy 1 for a few hours is a vital ingredient in the recipe of live....

Until next post (which seems to be less frequent that I would like).

Last weekend (two Saturdays ago) we had our annual work Christmas party. This is usually a great time and this year did not disappoint. Although the venue did not provide a good space to mingle, there was plenty of food and beverages to go around. You may remember I talked about our Christmas party last year and it was a great time with dancing and got pretty late. This year we went to the fish market and rented one of the rooms.

Almost everyone dressed up and it was fun to see everyone in a social situation.

Shue decided to wear a red blazer and green T-shirt. It lightened the atmosphere and he had a great time.

Brenda had to try the double doors.

Lots of talking and general getting to know each other.

Notice Jason in his regular pose. He was seen lifting a few during the night.
Cheese. Emily and Heather are cool co-workers to have.

Cynthia....what can be said about Cynthia. She is always a good time, but it can get a bit crazy if you get her and Brenda at the same table. They decided to sit at the same table...

Saturday this week we went over to a friends house for a general Christmas party. Good...make that... great food was had by all.

Suzie is doing what she and other girls do best...look good. I know many of you thought that I was going to say dishes, but I have grown past that sexist attitude and don't think I will say what I am thinking. I guess I have not grown past the attitude, but at least I have become smart enough not to say what I am thinking........baby steps.
Such a wide variety of worldviews were present and it was great to make connections.

Obviously the women loved the baby...I did to, but that is not very manly to say.