Winter

Okay it has been a few months, but just in case anyone looks at this blog anymore, I thought I would put up a few notes about life these days.  We traveled a bunch during the holiday season going to see family in Arizona for Thanksgiving and going to California for Christmas.  

It had been almost eight years since I had been to Arizona and it was great to see everyone.  We had a great big Thanksgiving meal at a events center that was built by Jeff called Noahs.  We had football on one screen and the kids were able to play video games on the other screen.  

The drive down was pretty uneventful.  We stayed overnight in Las Vegas on the way down and on the way back.  We stayed with Shauna's aunt Gloria and uncle Cory who were very hospitable and our kids really had no desire to leave the Hotel Bailey.  

I also got a book from the Ellsworths that has provided many hours of interesting reading. I know most people would fall into a deep winter sleep at the thought of reading such a large tome, but I love it.  Thanks Ellsworths.  

In December, we went to California to spend Christmas with Shauna's parents who also treated us like royalty.  The kids hung out with their cousins constantly and had a fun time getting reacquainted   John and Shauna braved the winding road to Big Basin State Park so our kids could see the redwood trees and eat on the pier in Santa Cruz.  Beautiful and always fun to visit.  

Spring Fun

Eventful Spring

This Spring has been really busy.  We had a baby, Ruby Isabelle, in April. Number three is a serious jump up in child rearing.  All of our schedules are in chaos, but it is fun...most of the time.  I have included some pictures from our Spring.  Soccer with Joaquin; Joaquin moving on from preschool; trying beef bourguignon and garlic potatoes; trip up to Tahoe to run the DeCelle Memorial Relay; and hanging with family.  

Mom and Ruby.

Dad napping with Ruby.

The Sharks kicking it.

Last time in preschool. 

Feeding Ruby.

Beef Bourguignon.

Garlic potatoes.

ELena at Tahoe equestrian center. 

Joaquin's dream.

Knocking back a cold one. 

Samuel Langhorn Clemens

Steve and Paul finish leg 7, 10.5 miles.

Huh?

At the swing in Tahoe/Donner. 

Sand Castle

Playing in the stream.

Before the run Emerald Bay.

Support crew.

Ludwigs and Mayers.  

Thoughts

This is a post for all the parents that feel under appreciated or unappreciated.  Last night as I was getting ready to tell Joaquin his nightly story (this one was about a sailboat that found treasure; defeated pirates; acquired a three-legged cheetah mascot;  and was sucked up in a water spout and landed in Hawaii-intrigued yet?) he said, "This is the life."  I said, "Yep, a full belly and a safe house."  Then he said, "And great parents."  Man, that there will do you some good.  Although his parent sample size is limited and "great" might be an over statement, it sure does make one want to be a "great" parent.  

One other thing that I recently emailed the family about was Elena who was looking for some Ovaltine the other morning.  Shauna asked her if she would rather have the "church" cocoa.  Elena promptly responded, "No, that's poisonous."  She is only three and already able to frame her arguments so they are tough to counter.

At Alta sledding and skiing.  

Cheers.

A Few Good Days

Here are a few pictures of our kids from the past couple of weeks.  

 Elena sleeping...ahhh I think it is more restful for us.  

 Joaquin after a sweet birthday party.  He was stoked about his paint job.  

 Another bday party at Summit Park with sledding.  

 Joaquin heading up the hill for another go. 

 Joaquin and crazy hair at church.  

 Friends over for Elena's bday party.

 Happy Birthday Elena!!

Joaquin showing us his basketball skills.  He shot his shirt right into the toilet one night while getting ready for a bath.  

Christmas in CA

I have to say that Christmas this year was one of the best I have experienced.  A lot of it had to do with me getting my Christmas shopping done early (Thanks Sandra and Amazon).  However, the more I think about Christmases on Sunday, the more I like the idea, and this seems to be what made Christmas this year so much more memorable.

As a kid I hated Christmas on Sundays because it postponed my time with my toys and candy, but waking up and going to church on Sunday and having time to reflect on Christ and the love our heavenly family has for us put me in the right frame of mind to enjoy the rest of the important day.  

We flew out on Dec. 19th and Shauna's parents picked us up at the Oakland airport, which is pretty far from Cupertino and required a round trip of a couple of hours.  Generally, we fly into San Jose, but the airfare is significantly more expensive for flight into San Jose so they humored us.  

We had a great time and the weather was nice and we were able to get outside everyday for a run, a trip to the park, or a road trip.  Our kids had a blast with their cousins and the four of them were basically inseparable while they were anywhere near each other.  

We made a trip down to Santa Cruz and visited the sea lions, butterflies, and the ocean.  Joaquin loves any kind of water and went out into the bone-chilling water with his bucket to get some water for his sand castle.  On his way back in he was hit by a large wave (large by a 5-year old's standard) and he went swimming with the fishes for a few seconds.  He took it like a man, and he and I went up to beach to change clothes.  Before long he was back at the beach, but staying clear of the water...for once.  

We had a great time and enjoyed the trip and the love and hospitality of Sandra, John, Dan, and Sarah.  Thanks guys.  Below are a few pictures of our Christmas vacation.  

Enjoying the Trampoline at Dan and Sarah's.  

"You're not Santa.  You smell like beef...and cheese."  (Quote from Elf) But Joaquin is not quite sure about this Santa.  

Driving the Pink Cadillac. 

Checking out the loot "Santa" brought.  

Has to be a dolly.  

Grandpa and Grandma enjoying the show.  

At the pier in Santa Cruz.  Saw otters, sea lions, and a lot of bird crap.  

Monarch butterflies overwintering in Santa Cruz. Hard to see but use you imagination.  Did you know that three generations of monarchs are born and die during one migration period?  Must be tough work.   

Best cousins checking the butterflies.  

Ahhh, the beach at Natural Bridges Beach State Park, Santa Cruz.  

The adults making sure they don't have any fun.  

Sun setting at Santa Cruz.  

Joaquin doesn't quite have his sea legs under him yet, but that has never stopped him before.  

In dry clothes, but still a like frosty.  

Did not know they had penguins this far north. 

 Gramps and JJ headed for the car.