Christmas 2010

Christmas this year as been a memorable Christmas considering that it was full of "firsts" for Cheryl and I. 

This was our first Christmas as "official empty nesters". It was our first Christmas without our traditional Christmas Eve Party at Grandma Pinkies. It was our first Christmas to have lots of concerns for health and wellness for our family. A nephew in the hospital pending surgery and a daughter and son-in-law who were deathly ill with a bug.  It was a first Christmas to spend several days with our two granddaughters Adyson and Lexi.

Here is Livin' the Dream Memories:

 

 

The Christmas Season Begins

This year, Cheryl and I decided, okay it was a unilateral decision by Cheryl to take our family photos and develop Christmas Cards for close family and friends.  So after enduring the preparations for the photo shoot, the actual photo shoot, the selection of what photos we liked, and the selection of where to go for Christmas Cards we have finally accomplished our task.  Well almost completed we still have to mail the Christmas Cards out. 

For anyone interested in doing the same Shutterfly has a great website to assist you in creating your own Christmas Cards.  Go to  http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards.  We enjoyed the ease of the site and the ability to drag several of our photos into a collage and we were done.  Thanks Shutterfly. 

Of course Cheryl will not let me show off the card until you receive it in the mail.  We know that you will enjoy it.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a Goodnight.

Thanksgiving Adventure 2010

Tuesday, November 23rd

Our adventure begins Tuesday afternoon.  According to Cheryl we started our own version of the movie "2010" where the world comes to an end and a family frantically outruns the devastation of the world.  Okay, well the world wasn't ending but imagine how we felt Monday night when the weather persons all communicated to the Intermountain States:  "if you don't have to travel then don't!  Blizzard like conditions will arrive Tuesday afternoon by 3:00 PM.  In fact, the first time in the history of our company we told all of our projects and delivery drivers to cease and decease operations by noon and get home before the blizzard strikes. 

Okay so what does that have to do with Cheryl and I beginning our adventure.  Well of course with all of the hub-bug about invasion of privacy with the airport screenings or pat downs we chose to drive to our Thanksgiving destination.  Tuesday afternoon I vacated work around 1:15PM and hurried home to pick up Cheryl and head South out of town.  Of course we were trying to out run the storm and with a bit of luck and some strong wind we made our first destination 350 miles away from home and South enough to enjoy sunny weather. 

Had dinner with Cheryl's folks who happened to be in the same town and Cheryl's sister that night. 

Wednesday, November 24th

We got off to a slow start but enjoyed our drive to Southern California and Escondido.  Only problem was that I thought I was trying to out race the storm that we left behind and as we came across the California State line it appeared that all of California was evacuating from a serious earthquake or grandma lived a long ways through the woods and over the river.  Hm.. at least we will have Southern California to ourselves.

Thursday November 25th- Gobble, Gobble,Gobble

Who could ask for a better day.  Okay our children all chose to abandon us this year something about it was the in-laws turn and we of course graciously accepted the offer to fly the coup.  Our Turkey Day celebration was a first for Cheryl and I.  We drove to Oceanside and walked along the beach side checking out the waves, surfers and birds.  Sixty degrees and rising with sun shining felt great and refreshing. 

Our turkey dinner was served to us by a Kenya Native who went for a run one day and stopped in Oceanside.  Mimi's was a fun spot to watch the various families, couples and friends gather and enjoy a Thanksgiving feast.  Mmmm...still can taste the tender dark meat turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie.  Diet??? what diet.  Let's just say I hope I'm not starting all over when I get home Sunday night. 

Finished our day with a nap and relaxing, watching TV, and just livin' the dream.

Friday, November 26th - The Day After

Day began way to early.  Somebody for free discounted tickets to the Wild Animal Kingdom booked a Owners VIP tour with the resort and it wasn't me.  Regardless, we ended up staying up half the night and then getting up at the crack of dawn to take our golf cart tour.  Now of course the resort wants to assess your membership and determine if there is a "better way" for you.  Well after 5 hours we walked away with the plan to upgrade our membership and a few pennies less in our pocket.  It after all was a good deal that we plan to utilize and enjoy more.  Time will tell of course.

Mm, a bloodsicle

After a quick bite to eat, we traveled SE to the Wild Animal Kingdom.  Imagine our surprise when we were able to find a parking stall right across from the entrance gate.  Okay it was the end of the day and people were beginning a mass exodus out of the park.  We immediately headed to the Africa Experience and caught the Cheetah Tales show on the way.  Amazing animal that strolled within a few feet of Cheryl and I and a impressive presentation of the cheetah's abilities. 

Next a tram ride through the various regions of Africa where we observed white rhinos, springboks, black rhinos, mule deer(okay mule deer are native to Calf but they were living amongst the African tribes), elands zebras, ostrich eggs, herons, pelicans, flamingos, lions, and many other wild animals with funny names that had big horns on their heads.  It was getting dusk and difficult to capture the animals on camera but still fun. 

Dinner, home again home again and crash for another day.

Saturday, November 27th

Another lazy morning by sleeping in and gaining some much needed rest.  So relaxing!  After we had dressed for the day we headed back down to Oceanside.  Enjoyed the remainder of the morning walking out onto the longest pier along the coast and observing the surfers, fisherman and people out for a stroll.  Met one individual who had family near us and his son who is a bishop nearby.  Perch was the target for the day as he indicated and we wished him luck.  It's a long way to reel in any catch from the ocean up and onto the pier. 

At the end of the pier is a great little famous restaurant known as Ruby's Since we were on the pier above the ocean we had to try the seafood combo plate and a famous shake.  Yes, it was a bit cool weather wise the shake was a tasty delight.  Enjoyed our lunch eating good fish and shrimp while watching the folks on the pier catching nothing but minnows for bait. 

The rest of the day we decided to stay out of the wind and drove north and south along the historic 101 Coast Highway.  Stopped for a brief spell at Oceanside Harbor and then turned south and drove all the way to Del Mar before turning back towards the resort.  It was fun passing through towns such as Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Encinatas.  Beautiful beach coast line for miles and just a relaxing lazy afternoon. 

Finished our vacation by having dinner with Sean and visiting before returning to our timeshare and sadly packing our bags for the long trip home tomorrow morning.  It's been another great chapter in our dream.

THE MUNSTER MASH

It's that time of year when are family's true characters emerge.  Each of us begins preparations week in advance as we prepare for our family reunion.  Here are just a few pics of the Adam's Family Reunion and the Munster who showed up.  Boo!

We even invited Pumpkin Harvey to the Party.

Only one way to train a dragon.

Never could train my pets or keep a leash on them.

We got the beer - let's party!

Is clothing optional?

The Grand Ghouls

Catch Anyone

Our Modern Munster Family

The Young Munsters

The Love Child

What an Animal

The Witch's Brew

Somebody set the Wabbits Watch- He's late again

I just had my teeth cleaned



I Spy...!

It was a grand mash to say the least.  Hope to see everyone next year. 



SUMMER TIME

Okay, a lot has happen and occurred over the last three -four months.  In fact, Cheryl and I were just commenting on how emotionally drained and tired we are today.  How come you ask?  Well let's look back over the last few months and see what has occurred.

Fishing with grandchildren,  watching and playing with grandchildren, planning and preparing for Taylor's wedding, Eye Surgery, Grandma Pinkies' Funeral, a new grandson, Ryder joins the family, family picture and finally Friday, Taylor and Amanda were sealed for all time

and eternity.

Here's a few pics to remember the summer of 2010.  



FUTURE OLYMPIAN



ONE, TWO, THREE..JUMP!




CHERYL VISITS TAYLOR ON PROJECT



ANYBODY WANT A RIDE?

THE BOSS IS ON THE JOB.









EYE SURGERY



BOSTON THE CONTRACTOR

5 GRANDCHILDREN SMILING FOR PIC.



PORTER CONSTRUCTS TOO





ENDOWMENT DAY

THE HAPPY COUPLE

THE CLAN



FISHING WITH PAPA



LEXI ON THE WEDDING DAY

ADYSON CHECKING ON PROGRESS

MARRIED AT LAST

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

GABE CONGRATULATES THE BRIDE



SEALED FOR TIME AND ETERNITY




LEXI EXPLORES THE TEMPLE DOORS

 


PROUD GRANDPARENTS



SISTER CONGRATULATE THE GROOM

It has indeed been one busy summer, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  Who could ask for anything better than 3 months with family.  

Grandma Pinkie

Recievd word after a troublesome day that my final grandparent, Grandma Pinkie, passed away late yesterday afternoon. I'm grateful for the time that I knew my grandparents and grandma pinkie. I'm sadden to have known the pain that she had to endure this last few years yet grateful that she has now returned home to love ones and her eternal companion.

I think that my eternal companion's comments on facebook say it the best:

Attitude is everything! Grandma Pinkie passed away today. She's larger than life & enriched us in amazing ways. I'm grateful for eternal perspective! I'm choosing to spend a little time & think about what a GREAT day she is having being reunited with loved ones. Grandpa, who was her other half & has missed every single day & her mother whom she loved so much. So, Pinkie have a great day! We love you & will miss you.

Thanks Cheryl for those words of wisdom and gratitude. We love you Grandma Pinkie and we are grateful for the time that we did have here on earth to know you and have you as our grandma.

A Poke in the Eye

Thursday, August 12th visited the local eye specialist. It has been a good year since seeing him. Endured the dilation of the eyes and his initial exam was "mmm...oh...wow...mmm..wow look at that.... wow...mmm...a lots' hap pend with your eyes in the last year".

Okay, we were expecting some small bleeders and knew that I was having trouble with some hemorrhaging in the eyes. Let's go into the technician and have a scan completed for more details. Not a big deal. Oh, wait we need to do a IV w/dye to highlight the veins in the eye. Okay 1996 was the last time I had this done and yes I blacked out then.

Ensures everyone that I was over the needle in the arm fear and that I would be fine. I was right. IV was nothing. Sat up to the eye scan placed my chin in the scanner and begin to take the scan with dye running through my veins. One, two, three pictures and oh...the room begins to spin and I begin to sweat. Called time-out and pushed back with my head between my legs, took some deep breaths and felt back in control. Let's get this done the quicker the better. One, two..."Oh Hell" and everything went black. Yup, I passed out for all of about 5 seconds before being rev ivied. Had a sip of coke and finally endured the remainder of the test. Lesson learned. It's not the IV has it is the dye running through the veins that rocks my world.

Photos definitely show the need for some laser treatment. Doctor was hesitant to proceed however, after I had had such a rough time taking the photos. Ah, what the heck what's one poke in the eye more going to do.

First, poke was a shot of numbing agent to numb the entire eye area. Oh, I thought the pressure injected was going to bust my nostril. That was a trip. Next, Laser zaps..there is a bleeder zap zap zap and so forth. Some 3000 plus zaps completed the laser treatment or laser burns and finally one last poke with a Kellogg shot and my one eye was completed.

Let's see 3-4 days of swelling. Woke up on Friday the 13th and open my eye up. Okay all I could do was open the eye up to a small slit due to the swelling. It should be gone in a week or so. At least I wont' have to worry about going blind. Luckily for me I was able to spend Friday the 13th at home resting. Imagine if I had the surgery on the Friday the 13th what could have happened then.

A Day Outdoors

Invited Jenny and her children (our grandchildren) to come and spend some time with us yesterday up the canyon. We found just the perfect spot for young ones to threw pebbles in the river. Of course grandpa (me) told Adyson and Lexi to go ahead and throw all the stones in the river paticularly where those fishermen are fishing. Hm...okay, I was polite and asked them to wait for a few minutes that the fishermen would leave and they did.

While my princesses, and Boston played along the river bank and threw some stones in the river, Papa was able to put his new fly rod and reel to work. To everyone's amazement, it only took a few minutes and Papa was yelling "Fish On"! Funny I didn't see the other fishermen catch anything in the same hole.

Grandkids got a kick out of seeing Papa catch the fish and some of them even watch me let it go. Of course it was Boston my grandson. Adyson and Lexi were off in a fairy tale of their own and soon lost interest in the fish.

Ended up catching two fish for the day, landed one and had several good strikes. Finished fishing around 1:00 PM and we just sat in the picnic area and caught a few zzz's and Cheryl read.

Another wonderful day in the Great Outdoors! Thanks Aydson, Lexi, Boston, and Jenny for spending some time with us up the canyon.

A Little Relaxation & ATV Riding

Enjoyed the state holiday this past weekend by visiting our good neighbors Bruce and Jane at their cabin. Spent the day relaxing, taking little ATV excursions, spotting and observing the wildlife and even did a little fishing.

Tragically, we also experienced the link to the following news story.

ksl.com - Man killed in ATV crash in Summit County

Our prayers and thoughts go out to the family and the man's son who was riding with his father at the time of the incident.

Our day was nearly perfect otherwise. Who could complain about see not one, nor two but in fact five different moose enjoying the afternoon also. Even saw a calf with it's mother. An awesome sight indeed. Sorry no pictures somebody left the camera in the backpack at the cabin.

Even did a little fishing or tried on the trip. Bruce tried out his skills on the pond and I quickly grabbed my fly rod and reel. Of course I wanted to try out my new 4X rod and new Lamson reel. Hm... how does the reel attach to the rod? Oh, you have to grab all of the reel and not just the 4X spool. Yup, there I was a great PDM hatch happening in front of my eyes and the trout were dining.

Oh well, how could I let a little oops ruin the whole day. I got as much fun watching Bruce and the rest of the kids fish with powerbait and no hits.

Had to even laugh as my wife ridiculed me and recounted the story to our friends of how I scarred my children with my fear of heights on a family trip to Arches and the hike to Delicate Arch. Hmm...I wonder if she saw this article that published this weekend in the news. I told you so!

ksl.com - Climbing regs reviewed at Arches National Park

We hated to the day end as we conclude our little adventure of relaxation and fun. Thanks Bruce and Jane for a great time.

Home Again, Home Again, Jigdy, Jigg

Sunday we took advantage of our last day of sleeping in. The hotel had 3-4 weddings over the weekend and could give guarantee us a late check out until 7:00 AM Sunday morning. Hm, so we asked for a wake up call at 6:55 AM and turned around requested a late check out which they allowed us to stay until 12:30 pm and then went back to sleep.

Now a afternoon, at the airport is always a adventure in of itself. It would be almost worth the price to purchase a cheap ticket and just go and sit at the terminals and watch and listen to people.

Hm, we listened to an argument between a girl and her boyfriend on the phone. Never could quite figure out what the argument was about; however, she missed her flight because she was unable to get a ride to the airport with her boyfriend. Okay, okay, a good 45 minutes of the "As the World Turns" and we relocated to other seats.

Caught our flight to Chicago and actually arrived early. Okay this is going smoothly. Yea, right. First we had to go to a different concourse to catch the flight home. Next as we arrived thinking all is well they announce that our plane was delayed. In fact, they had to swamp out our plane and our plane was on it's way from Washington DC and our flight would be delayed by over 45 minutes. ARGH!!!

Needless, to say we did arrive home safely after listening to all the problems in one of the stewardess life and all the people she knew and who her girl friends were dating. ARGH!!.

It's good to be home.

From Revolutionary to Civil War Times

Saturday was are last day of really getting out and seeing the sites. After a lengthy discussion and much deliberation we decided to kick back and take it easy Saturday. First stop, Jamestown Settlement. What I share this information with you yesterday. Oh, you're so wrong. Jamestown Settlement is right next to historic Jamestown where we went yesterday. To confuse the general public, the National Parks Service operates Historic Jamestown, the actual original location of the fort. In addition, the state of Virginia has created a museum and operates it as Jamestown Settlement. A word of advice, adults you will want to go to historic Jamestown and see the original location and archaeological diggings. If you have small children and want to show them what the Jamestown settlement was like then take them to the Jamestown Settlement. Best Value if you have time for both do both. Jamestown Settlement depicts the life of the settlers and re-enacts that life style with Indian Villages, the fort, and the replica ships to explore. It was well done and worth the visit. We didn't spend a lot of time here but thought we should at least visit the site. Another word to the wise. Watch for falling tree branches. While contemplating where and how to get to the Indian Village which we could see through the forest of trees, and these are not small trees, we heard a large cracking and observed as a 1 foot in diameter tree limb snapped and began it's downward descendant immediately above the Indian shelters. Luckily have snapping a few more branches in his downward path the branch was stopped by other limbs and came to a uneasy rest. By time we walked a couple of hundred of feet around the path to the village, security had arrived with the yellow caution tape and corridor the area off and consoled the shaken Indian actors. Just a little excitement for the day. Next it was back to Yorktown. We had heard that their was a feud brewing and we want to see what all the commotion was about. What you say we have already shared our Yorktown experience with you. Oh you're so wrong. Well to time travel. We traveled from the Revolutionary time forward to Civil War times. Arriving in York Town we entered the battlefield to observe the Confederate and Union Field Camps. Walking over to the battlefield we observed a demonstration in gear used by the troops, how to march, how to fire their rifles, and how to make a bayonet charge. Kinda of cool if you ask me. Here we were observing the Union Army, talking to those soldiers who served in the Civil War and observing what the field camps were all about. It was a great way to cap off our trip and start thinking about a Civil War Historical Vacation. Now we had to check out of our timeshare this morning so it was late afternoon and we traveled back to Williamsburg, checked in to our hotel for the evening and then enjoyed a stroll into the Merchant area of Williamsburg for a nice evening meal and thus concluded our day.

Here's a video to help you all enjoy the experience that we did.