The Collegiate Peaks

We went to Colorado this past weekend to see Ian. While there, we went to the central part of the state to a town called Salida. From there we went to the Collegiate Peaks Range and snowshoed about 4 miles up the backside of Mt. Yale (one of the fifty two 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado) . The scenery was beautiful and afterward, we went swimming in the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs. What a great way to spend time in Colorado!

When we stopped for lunch, there were a variety of birds around. Brad had a few crumbs in his hands so the birds came for lunch also.

Big Band Dance

Last Saturday night was the annual Big Band Dance at BYU. This dance is held every February as a salute to the armed forces. The dance is supposed to be set in a 1940s canteen. Synthesis, BYU's top jazz band, provided the music and a fabulous big band feeling. We did all sorts of dancing, including foxtrot, cha cha, and swing. I went with my friend Phil, which was especially fun because we went together three years ago as freshmen.

There was a short show that depicted a love story during World War II. We all then sang the different songs of the branches of the armed forces. A favorite part of the evening was when this World War II veteran talked about the more-than-140 missions he completed and then played the trumpet that he played many times during the war.

Phil and I had a great time together. I am not that best dancer (but I am learning!), so whenever I missed some steps Phil would just start spinning and twirling me to get me back on. The dance floor was packed, but we still spent a lot of time out on it. My feet were killing me by the end of the night... a small price to pay for a wonderful evening.

It's Just Like Camping in Helen's Kitchen

This is a picture of one of the tiles we are having glued into the corian backsplash. We thought the mother otter and her baby were sweet and a typical scene along the California coast.
The cabinets are in and the corian counter top is being installed here. The white squares along the backsplash are for the five tiles we are having glued in. They are scenes from California.
Our "camping kitchen" also doubles as Dory's bedroom. She doesn't mind sleeping in the "kitchen"!
We even had a new window installed where there was a blank wall before. There is now so much more light in the family room! It's amazing!

On January 12, the demolition crew came in and started their work on our kitchen and family room. All the cabinets, counter tops and flooring were taken out. . . . making way for all new. We moved our "camping kitchen" into our downstairs bedroom and laundry room. We have been enjoying MANY crockpot meals during our kitchen renovation. This is the end of week 4 without a functioning kitchen and I have to admit, it's gone pretty smoothly. On Monday, a cork floor is being installed in the kitchen and family room. Then the only thing left to do is have the appliances installed. We can't wait! More pictures will follow when it is completed.

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.

California Hall of Fame

Last Monday, 12 Californians were inducted in the CA Hall of Fame, an annual ceremony honoring individuals for their contributions to California and the world at large. This event is held every year at the California Museum for History, Women and the Arts, in downtown Sacramento with the Governor and First Lady hosting. Those individuals inducted were: Dave Brubeck, Jane Fonda, Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel, Robert Graham, Quincy Jones, Jack LaLanne, Dorothea Lange, Julia Morgan, Jack Nicholson, Linus Pauling, Leland Stanford and Alice Waters. There is an exhibit about the inductees with artifacts from their lives. Some of the highlights of this years inductees are Leland Stanford's carriage, in addition to the actually golden spike; Julia Morgan's drafting table, a reading room devoted to Dr. Seuss and Jack LaLanne's Glamour-Stretcher. Helen, Allison and Dan were very fortunate to be able to volunteer at the event with Erin.

Gavin's Best Christmas Party

Gavin was able to go to the 18th annual Brush Christmas Party this year. It was his first chance to see the plethora of desserts that Mary (a professional food stylist) had prepared. It was a crisp, cool night so we sat near the fire on their back porch and enjoyed good company and incredible food.

In addition to seeing Santa, who made a timely appearance, Gavin tried to shake hands with the life-size snowman by the front door.

These are just a small portion of the dessert treats that we sampled (and sampled and sampled). Gavin's eyes truly grew twice their normal size when he saw all of this dessert.

Live From New York. . . . .

It's Saturday Night Live!! On Saturday, Jeannie and three of her friends from the Academy took the train to New York City to be in the audience for Saturday Night Live. The host that evening was John Malkovich and the kids agreed that it was a very funny performance. Saturday Night Live has been on the air since 1975. The kids also stopped by Rockefeller Plaza to see the ginormous Christmas tree, towering 72 ft. high. As they returned to the Academy early Sunday morning, it started to snow on I-95. Looks like Jeannie will get her first opportunity to drive in snowy weather this winter!

Breakfast with Santa

This morning was the annual Rotary Breakfast with Santa. While Margaret, a member of the Rotary Club, was in the kitchen cooking pancakes and sausage, the family had breakfast and then visited with friends and Santa.

Gavin and Megan went to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. Initially, Gavin wasn't very anxious to go near this strange man in a red suit (a lot of it had to do with Gavin cutting several mollars) but with Mom there it was O.K.

Gavin got to pick out a book from Santa and naturally it was his favorite, Thomas the Train. He is showing his book to friends, Elizabeth and Emily Golding. They helped him get over his fear of Santa because they were both so excited to see Santa.

Gavin with his friends, Emily and Elizabeth, who were attired in their beautiful dresses.