Morro Bay in the Winter

This weekend we decided to take a quick trip to Morro Bay. Even though the weather started out rainy, it cleared up and we had a great weekend. Ken, Mardene and Robert Hanson joined us, and even Allison came one night for dinner and games.

We did stop along the way in Fillmore for Gavin to see the train station there. A little shop had a small Thomas the Train replica for Gavin (who is a true Thomas fan) to see.

It is always a treat to spend time with the Hanson family, pictured here at Morro Rock.


We walked along the bay one afternoon and found an otter family, just floating in the bay, anchored by the sea kelp.

Megan, Gavin and Danny are shown here on the boardwalk at the Elfin Forest. We had never been there before and it was fun to walk through the 100 year old pygmy oak trees. Morro Rock is shown in the background.

Trying to help in Sacramento

Once again it was time for the Sacramento Legislative Tour, where elected officials lobby the legislators and hope that they don't do too much damage to local governments with their takings policies. In the above picture, Helen, Dad, Mom, Erin, and Margaret are pictured with Sam Olivito from the California Contract Cities Association. The Governator was supposed to show for the reception but was behind closed doors with The Big Five, trying to figure out how to handle the 42 billion dollar budget deficit.

Margaret is pictured with fellow councilmember, Lois Gaston, and City Manager, Darrell George in front of the Capitol building where they spent the day with Senators and Assembly members.

Right on the Button

Alana and I had the unique opportunity to go curling yesterday with some friends. It was an awesome two-hour session during which we learned about the sport, took a lesson and got to play a game. Some of the terminology that we loved was "button", "hack", "burn the stone", and, our personal favorite, "hog". Most people don't own their own set of stones, as a set from Scotland (from which the granite and sport originate) costs about $17,000.


This is a picture of Alana and I "sweeping" a stone down to the other end. The friction that is created from "sweeping" and the resulting thin layer of water can help a stone travel an additional 15-18 feet.


Above is Nathan Beck and Ian each "throwing a stone". We thought the idea sounded a lot like "passing a stone", but proved to be much more fun.


Just in case you were all wondering, the US Olympic Trials for curling will be held in Denver, Colorado on February 21-28...See you there! Oh yeah, the title of this post refers to the small, inner circle where a thrower tries to land a stone.

More Christmas Activities

Alana's friend, Roxy, came down to visit and wanted to see Disneyland. Instead, we went to California Adventure and had a great time.

James came to California for an interview at the City of Hope for his residency in Lab Animal Pathology. We took a picture of all 5 of the kids.

Grammie and Grampie came for dinner when James was visiting.

The kids all went out on the Rose Parade route on New Year's Eve. It's always a fun time with the Hanson family.

We drove Alana and Evan back up to Utah and met Ian there. It was so cold (-4 degrees F) but we still went snowshoeing in the fresh snow. It was absolutely beautiful!

Family Activities at Christmas

Ian has a reputation for being able to open presents faster than anyone. Grampie high-fived him after Ian amazed even the unbelievers.

Uncle Evan set up his train for Gavin to play with at Christmas. Unlike Gavin's Thomas the Train, this train didn't require any pushing by hand.

We had Christmas dinner out in Redlands at the Ferguson's home. All the cousins, Grampie and Helen are posed in this picture.

On a beautifully clear day, the Crumps and Finlays decided to tour the Getty Villa in Malibu to see the antiquities from the Getty collection.

On this morning, we went to Santa Anita Racetrack for breakfast and to watch the horses work out.

Hair today. . . . .Gone tomorrow!

Well, Erin finally did it! Did what you ask?! Erin decided to cut her hair and donate 10 inches to Locks of Love, an organization that gives wigs to disadvantaged children with life-threatening illnesses that lead to hair loss. About 6 - 10 ponytails go into the making of each wig. Erin went with Jeannie and Allison to decide on a new, shorter style of hair. And doesn't it look great! Thanks for helping others!

Christmas Fun!

Here we are at the Tournament House for a membership appreciation reception. Dan continues to enjoy participating as a member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. This is his fourth year.


We woke up to have a beautiful white Christmas. Gavin stared out the window for a long time calling the snow rain. I got him a snow outfit so he and Dan could play outside together. At first Gavin couldn't make up his mind about the snow, mostly bothered that it stuck to his gloves and shoes. It didn't take long before he was throwing snowballs.