Labor Day @ Twin Lakes Beach

We made plans to go to Santa Cruz and got ourselves on the road @ 10 AM. Arrived at the beach around 12:30, had our sandwiches, then played all afternoon in the sun. It was a gorgeous day around 80 degrees. We left around 7 PM. I think the boys were happy to have a day relaxing at the beach. I know I was. After four 18 hour days at work last week, I could've used this whole week to relax. But you take what you can get, right?

Weekend fun

Friday night was clean out the garage time. Christy had enough of our mess, so we tackled it and made it look a little better. She's on a cleaning rampage, so us boys are following orders.

We went to Herald day on Saturday morning. It's a small town north of us. The kids were excited to get candy from the parade. Our farm mechanic is involved in their community and told us about it. We were late and missed the pancake breakfast though, darn it. So we had tri-tip sandwiches after the parade. They had mud volleyball tournament as well with 50 teams. They started at 11 am and finished at 9 pm. That would be fun.

We headed out to IKEA where Christy said she needed something for the mud room so kids could hang their backpacks and put their shoes. We found what we needed and the kids had a great time. We had some meatballs too. I love meatballs at IKEA. Zach found a stuffed animal dog that he fell in love with as well.

It was a fun Saturday, and I even watched vantage point with my honey.

Playing in Island Park - Daw Reunion

We had a great time in Island Park at the reunion.  We went to the top of Sawtelle and the kids threw rocks over the side of the mountain. Kids went tubing and I water skied and realized just how old I am.  I golfed five times in six days. That's a record.  And Christy golfed two times in three days...another record. It was a lot of fun having her golf in the annual Bud Daw Memorial Golf Tournament.  We teamed with my bro-in-law Larry Valdez and my sis-in-law Jill Searle.  We managed a respectable 2 under par, good enough for middle of the pack honors. Chisty's Uncle Dennis and his two sons Josh and Jared won with a sick 12 under par...that's gross. We also floated down Big Springs in a canoe with Adam and Zach doing most of the paddling when they weren't out in the water wading. Adam was in big trouble for losing one of his Crocs. We drove home Saturday night and arrived home Sunday morning...11 hours later and a whole lot loonier after a night of driving with little sleep.  At least the kids slept sound. So the kids started school Monday.  That's their pic just before catching the bus. 

Our room in the cabin had a tub with jets. The boys thought that was pretty cool as you can see with all the bubbles.

Aloha

It ended too quick, but we sure enjoyed our time in the sun. Christy said we need to do something like that more often. I agree. It was pretty windy, but I won't complain. The sun felt nice, and we saw some interesting places. Some of the highlights were a visit to pineapple plantation (yummy), hiking, getting Mom and Dad dancing at the Polynesian Cultural Center (happy 50th anniversary), snorkeling, being goofy with my older brother, temple, byu-hawaii (how lucky is Katie), sun, sand, good food, pearl harbor, late night games, golf, and fun. It was a great trip.

I started this post a long time ago, but am just now six months later finishing it. Some kind of procrastinator huh?

The big 5

Luke wanted to go to Chuckee Cheese for his b-day. So we invited a few friends and partied for a little bit. He is excited to be school age and was already packing his backpack with the help of his brother Zachary the night before he turned 5. They didn't quite get that he has to wait until August to actually go to school. You can see he was excited to open his presents, gnawing at one and beating on another. He's quite the expressive and funny kid. The other night he was on his way to use the bathroom waddling and saying "almost there, almost there, almost there." He will often express "phew, that was close" as well. He's famous for cutting it close, sometimes too close.

Stormy weather

So, we had a rainstorm in Northern California if you hadn't heard. You can see from the gauge it dumped on us. On Friday the 4th it rained 2.75 inches. More rain than we get in a year in Idaho. Don't quote me on that though. Then over the next four days we had enough to end up with a total of 4 inches. As you can see, it kept us busy at the farm pumping water off the fields. There were wind gusts up to 70 mph and you see what that will do to wheel lines that aren't tied down. It has been an eventful few days.

Christy and I are going to Hawaii with my parents, siblings and their spouses. It's to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary. We're leaving on the 21st and Christy's sister is watching the four wild Indians for us. Good luck Mai, we hope you survive.

Christmas and our trip

Here I sit in Smithfield, UT enjoying the cold and wintry weather we left for sunny California. The kids opened their presents on Christmas morning at home in Lockeford, then we cleaned up a bit and hit the road for Idaho. The boys were thrilled to find that Santa thought they were good boys this year and brought them presents that they love to play with. We left for Idaho around 1PM and stopped for gas three times. We stopped once to have a bite to eat in Elko, NV but I felt like we could make it driving straight through. I don't enjoy hauling in all the luggage to the motel, sleeping, packing up again the next morning. So, luckily the roads were good and we made it. I tell you though, that last hour and a half was torture fighting to stay awake. It's a good thing Christy was there to slap me around and keep me awake.

On the 26th we had a Searle family Christmas party. It was also a time to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary on the 27th. We (the kids) gave them a Garmin 650 GPS for Christmas and a Shutterfly memory book for their anniversary. Each family wrote a memory and gospel principle they've learned from them and we filled it with pictures as well. I think it went over well. It was great to see my sister and three brothers and their families. They are all great examples to us and we appreciate their kindness to us. So, we had our pictures taken as well and will post it later. It was nice that it had recently snowed and has snowed since we've been here. We pulled the kids around on a tube behind the snowmachine and four wheeler. Luke and Isaac forgot what snow and cold are like. Isaac took all his clothes off and said he was ready to go play in the fluffy snow. We told him it wasn't quite like swimming and needed to bundle up. He just went plowing out through the deepest drift he could find and realized after that it can get cold fast.

We left Shelley this afternoon for Smithfield. Christy's brother is here from California as well putting in cabinets for his Mom. So we'll spend another day here playing with family then head back to Cali on Sunday. This trip has been fun, but traveling sure saps a lot of energy out of an old man of 34. Christy's sister Mailee came up from Spanish Fork to see her and do her hair and whatever else it is that sisters do together...a lot of talking. Anyway, I'm tired so night night.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Another month gone, holy cow, where does the time go? Christy had a birthday last week. She wanted an ipod, so I bought her the touch. It's super cool. I think she likes it, but takes a little time figuring out.

We went to the beach again with some friends and the kids were able to see urchins, anemone, star fish, and other stuff in tide pools.

We also visited the Oakland temple to see the lights and go through the visitors center.

Christy is taking the boys to the club swimming a couple times per week. I'm surprised how well they're adapting to the water and swimming. Isaac had his swimsuit on tonight asking to go swimming. They really enjoy it, which is good since I've never been a great swimmer and I hope they'll do better in water than myself.

My parents have their 50th wedding anniversary on the 27th, so we're heading to Idaho for the occasion. The kids are excited to see family. They're also very excited for Christmas. Luke asks us everyday if today is Christmas. That's all until next time...

Here we go

Quite busy I guess and forget to update the blog, and I know everyone is dying to know what is going on with us. I went on a trip to Provo at the end of September and golfed 36 holes with my brother-in-laws, then went to the BYU vs. Air Force football game. It was beautiful weather (except the 2nd half of the game it rained), and golfing was grand. Then in October I helped out Dr. Rasmussen in SLC with On - Target (a GPS/GIS/RS conference).

The family is doing well and having fun. Adam and Zach finished up soccer. Adam's team lost their first game in the playoffs, but he did great as a defender. Zach, well he enjoyed trotting around the field but never was too involved with that round sphere they have to kick. They had fun trick or treating. Last week we went to a car show. Adam won his school spelling bee and competed in a 16 school spelling bee yesterday. He made it to the fifth round before being eliminated. Then in the evening it was pine wood derby time for Adam and Zach. Zach's car won 4 and lost 2. Adam won all his races except for the championship race, but he beat the car he lost to earlier...so I guess he tied for first. Taking the kids to a movie right now, so I'll have to post more later.

fun times on the sod farm

We're planting now and it's rather dusty around here. It's quite the process since we have to prep the land, fertilize, seed, net, and pipe the fields. Thanks to the great weather in California, we'll harvest year round as well. There was an article in the local newspaper about local sod farms http://lodinews.com/articles/2007/09/08/news/2_sod_070908.txt. They highlighted our competitor, and put a small little blurb in about us, but at least we were mentioned. In other news, Isaac is pretty much potty trained. He's had an accident on a few rare occasions, but it's nice to be without diapers again. Christy tells me she needs another child. I think she's not thinking rational.

day at the beach

What a day! We went to Dillon beach on labor day. It was FREEZING!! The boys didn't seem to mind. They played in the sand, built tunnels, explored, and even played in the cold water. They had a blast. I stayed bundled up reading my book. It was fun spending the day together. We ended the night with pizza and hot showers. It was a good day.

This is our family as of July 2007. We got this picture at our niece's (Chelsie and Shawn's) wedding. Adam is 10 and in the 5th grade, Zachary is 8 and in the 3rd grade, Luke is 4 and will start kindergarten next year, and Isaac is 3 and is just full of love! We live in Lodi, CA and are lovin it. We love the weather...in the 100s lately, and being in wine country! It is beautiful here. We love our ward. So many great families and great friends! Greg is working with the webelos and I am the primary chorister...there is no greater calling!! Greg grows grass and I play tennis. We are having lots of fun here and hope to stay for a while. Until next time!

Soccer time!!

Adam and Zachary are playing soccer this year. They are having a lot of fun. Adam played today and tied 3 to 3. It was only 104 degrees outside. We love California!!

Well, another year gone. Here's our Christmas picture for the year. The boys are in one of the almond trees next to the house we used to live in. After a short stay in Bakersfield, we're now living in Lodi. I've switched to managing a sod farm after working at an almond/pistachio farm. Exciting huh? Hope all is well for friends and family.

Pictures from the farm

Well here are a few pictures from the farm. The home is where we will be living (the dog stays so you'll have a dog kids!). Then two pictures from the orchards. One is of trees planted last year, and the other is more mature obviously. And finally, a couple of visitors I met on the way into the office today. I'm just glad they didn't lift their tails!