We are finally in Mexico! Though we did get in the same day as planned our rip was delayed 5 hours because they did not have seats for us on the flight. Here is what happened in our waiting time.. 

Great dinner tonight

Nicole back from School and Kong and Nong came over for dinner.  We had crab, Calamari, beef spare ribs, and egg roll wraps followed by a fruit plate.

Sunset in Del Mar

Nathan and I both caught nothing in Del Mar today (waves or fish)

Winter Flowers

Some of the nicest flowers come this time of year in San Diego.  These include Orchids, Poinsettias, succulents, and others.  These are all from our backyard.  The poinsettias were actually purchased last year and flowered again this year.  Seems like we always used to throw these in the trash after the Holidays. 

Late Thanskgiving post

This is a collage of pictures from our Thansgiving weekend.  Dad watched several videos on line about Turkey carving and then proceeded to make a masterpiece.  Mom as usual made a heck of a meal.

We Spent Sunday in Snohomish

 We all went up to explore the area around Susie Blue's new house this Sunday. The weather was cold and rainy.... What's new. I have discovered some lovely small lakes up there, one of which has some rental cabins on it's shore. I intend to stay there for a few days this summer.

 My friend Susie is living her dream with her horses in the backyard. The boys got to ride (were led) on one of her horses bareback. She's also within walking distance of a beautiful lake with black water from the peat bog it arises out of.  It is called Panther lake. We walked a creek near her place and spotted salmon making their migration to the lake. Wet, cold, dripping, dark, but the Northwest is really an amazing place to live.

Happy Birthday Tim

Good-bye Beautiful Cedar Tree

 

Our cedar tree died and had to be removed before it fell on the house. Our backyard feels bare now. We all miss the cedar tree.  I tried to count the rings in one of the logs that came off the tree, and reached only 50. I think the log was from the split crown though, and not accurate. I need to climb up the remaining stump to do my count. What should I plant around the stump now to fill in the area, and soften the treehouse? Any suggestions?

Finally home!

I finally arrived home yesterday for thanksgiving break. The past week at school was very busy for me. I had a math test, comm essays, and had to usher a play at school for my theatre appreciation class. While people had to collect tickets or pass out programs I worked the concessions stand and had probably the easiest job of all. The play that was showing is called Inspector Carol (or something like that.) It is required for us to see it so I most likely will watch it when I get back next week.
 At home I have been relaxing and watching my cousin knox. Today the Anessa Alana Avin and Ashtin also came over so out house was filled with kids running around.

See you guys tomorrow!

November Fishing

This was a first ever Tuna fishing trip in November.  Normally the season is over in early October.  Nathan took the "action" shot of me catching a Dorado.    We also caught two Yellowfin Tuna and some small yellow tail. We had a great afternoon meal today.  Still plenty of fish to bring to LA on Thanksgiving week.

Indian Summer at last

First ever November swim.

Here's a picture I found on facebook.  Is that a tuna Chris?

Saturday in Seattle

The new Chahuly glass museum at Seattle Center is very different and quite spectacular. 

Squid we happened to pass on the way to the museum

Chahuly's Venice association



Chahuly loved greenhouses



Museum garden

 

 

 

Autumn in New York

Rochester is so beautiful in the fall.  This is on our daily lunchtime walk around the campus.

Happy Birthday Chris

We had fun at the Del Mar beach but it was not one of the most successful for the fisherman. 

Coffee arriving for the fisher people

The catch

He also caught a very small Leopard shark.  As always, it was a very nice (and tasty) weekend in San Diego.  Having Nicole home was a pleasant surprise. 

Crazy Hair Day at School

Ben is getting nostalgic, already, about leaving Loyal Heights Elementary after 7 years (including pre-school.) He just had his last Spirit Week which ends with Crazy Hair Day and the Jogathon; an annual  fund raising benefit for the school. Ben ran 6 miles, and Liam about 3. Liam has lost both his front teeth. He looks quite adorable. The photos I took, however, were blurry.

On an aside. When I signed into the blog I somehow wound up at a review of the blogs I follow page, which included my defunct Baja trip blog. It has had over 2600 hits! and is still going strong. I guess Baja is a popular place to travel.

Success

Everyone caught at least one.

Fishing Weekend

Adam, Niko, and friends are here at the lake this weekend for their annual fishing trip.  They caught a couple salmon yesterday (one is in our freezer).  Today they went to the spot below but no luck so far.  They just went out again hoping for better luck at a different spot for the afternoon.

Now We're Done!..... Well, the Garden Needs Work.

We spent the day painting the porch.

Santa Monica

We're home after a few fun and interesting days in southern Cal.  In spite of the so-so swing music, the Hollywood Bowl was a spectacular sight with its thousands of patrons stacked up the hillside.  We had our picnic dinner before the show in one of the boxes that hold about half the seating.  They have hanging tables and just enough room for 4 chairs (a few have 6).  A couple of days were very hot for Santa Monica and we spent a long time at the beach, eating breakfast, playing in the sand and jumping waves.  While there we saw the smoke of a brush fire and then the planes swooping down to sea to gather up water to drop on the fire.  It seemed to be quickly under control.  This was a repeat of what we had seen from Tim's hillside the day before.  The rest of the time we played with Sydney and Cameron (very cute), went to music class and exercise class and swim class and to the park.

Fun at the lake

Summer is almost over

 
But good memories remain

Hi everyone! The first week of school has been crazy but my classes are looking good. I am really enjoying my communications and math classes. The new girls in DG are really nice and it has been fun getting to know them and introducing them to all my friends. Wish I could be in NY with all of you this weekend, have fun!!!!!!