A Visit from the Frozen North

Trevor and Michelle brought their family for a visit last weekend, and we had a blast with them! Below are some of my favorite photos from their time with us.

Feeding time at the zoo. This is clearly the easiest way to feed the twins, set them on the table and start shoveling.

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At Fairytale Town Atticus was a little tentative at first, but really enjoyed two or three of the items.

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The Twins laughing it up, and Atticus getting a drink. We have a similar photo with Chris' kids on these chairs.

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Atticus living large on the tire swing and the trampoline in our back yard. And on a tractor at Fairytale Town.

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Elizabeth trying on Trevor's hat - and Jane being held by grandpa. These two look cute no matter what they do.

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Our beautiful baby girl with her two beautiful baby girls.



While riding in the car on the way home from In-N-Out Burger.

Bike Around the Buttes Day

Mike and Martha made it out here in great shape and after a day or two of preparation and relaxation, Mike and I donned our riding gear, loaded up the bikes and did the ride. 17.5 miles in a nice leisurely hour and a half. Of course they always have aid stations along the way with fruit and water and rice cakes, and whatnot. (It's not an event without food) Below you see the kind of views we had throughout the ride. (That's Mike on the left)

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After the ride they was a good lunch of hot dogs or chicken (or both), potato salad, green salad, lemonade and a cookie. We were feeling pretty good and wished we had done the 40 mile ride, so later in the day, we gathered Melody and Martha and drove up to Scott's Flat/Five Mile House outside of Grass Valley to the head of the Pioneer Trail. The intent was for us to ride the 6 miles up to White Cloud Campground while the ladies took a walk along the same forest path.

But the going was pretty tough because of the wet ground, mud, and ultimately snow - which grew deeper and more pervasive the further we went. There were many downed trees to be portaged around too. After 2.5-3 miles we gave up and rode Hwy 20 back to the starting point. You see a bit of the snow on the left, and on the right you can see the deep trail left by pioneer wagons over 150 years ago.

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It really was a lot of fun. Later that evening we had a cook-out at Rich & Joanne's (more hot dogs, yumm!) and on Sunday we all met again at our house for french toast, fruit and bacon. I hope Mike and Martha had as good a time as I had. The best part of the bike riding was the fun conversation all along the route. We'll have to do it again sometime.

Changes pt. 2

So the trees have been gone for a week, the fence was moved over 30 yards, and the pavement has been cut. The ground has been torn up and reworked into the basic elevations for the drive-through lanes and side walk. Should be done in a few weeks.

Looking North toward the school from the intersection of Teesdale and Phillips

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Looking South toward Teesdale

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Bike Around Marysville

Next weekend is the annual "Bike Around the Buttes" ride to benefit the local diabetes foundation. I have ridden this before (both the 40 mile and the 17.5 mile). One reason is because it's such a beautiful ride, if the weather is nice. Anther reason is because I have a student with diabetes who's mother is one of the organizers. The biggest reason this year is that my brother Mike is coming all the way out from Utah to ride the 17.5 mile route with me. That makes me happy.

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So this morning, my not as big brother Rich and I rode around Marysville as a warm up. Just east of our houses you can get on the levee and ride up and over the the 5th Street Bridge, then go up past Marysville cemetery and the high school and around to the recycle plant on Hwy 20, then back through Riverfront Park - all on the levees. From the park you get back on the bridge and ride home the way you came. It's a nice 15 mile loop and good prep for next week.

Changes All Around

I came home a couple of days ago to find a door hanger informing us that the "Phillips Road School Improvement Project" was beginning and that we would be experiencing equipment and delays over the course of the next few weeks.

Looking North East from the corner of Phillips and Teesdale

I'd never heard of the "Phillips Road School Improvement Project" before now, but the first manifestation of it is the removal of all the trees that lined the Phillips Rd. road side of Lincrest School's playground as seen below.

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It appears that the intent is to create a parking lot, or at least a drive-though area for student drop off and pick up. This has been need for way too long. . . but I can help but regret the loss of the shade trees.

I'll try to keep you posted on future developments.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Actually, I think the rain is going away... for now. This next week should be real nice. I'm glad, because that means I won't have to haul equipment for our Spring Concert in the rain. We're doing some very nice things: 1) Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man", 2) a real barn-burner called "Repercussions" which features the drum section split into antiphonal groups, and 3) the beautiful "Shenandoah" from the Civil Ward era.

There's not much to report here lately. Last weekend Mom and I have Friday off (a "furlough" day for the local days as a money saving device), but it didn't do me any good. I woke up feeling terrible and spent the day in bed. The next day was very rainy and miserable (I had a bad cold), but I had to go to the temple for the sealing of a young couple. (The girl is the daughter of one of my Dad's good friends in our Spanish branch.) I was to do a ring ceremony afterward for the many family and friends who couldn't come in the temple. It turned out well.

The next day we had a ward conference in the new Wheatland building. It was really a great conference, but took it's toll. The rest of the week I did my usual work at school and Church. Today I've been lazy and not done a whole lot, except I did the shopping so that Mel could stay home and work on taxes. (It was my small contribution to that effort)

Anyway, since there's not anything exciting to post a picture of, so here's a few that I may have posted earlier from our Pioneer Trek last summer. I was a general handyman and roustabout.

Me standing around waiting for the show to get on the road, and later speaking the youth

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Below is me fixing a handcart that was about to lose a wheel, and me walking off somewhere (probably to eat)
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A Visit from Japan

Over 20 years ago I had a foreign exchange student at the high school from Japan - Keiichi Goto. He was a great kid, who learned to play the trumpet, and did pretty well. He was a bright, happy young man and was a pleasure to have in class. He enjoyed high school, his friends, and the band so much that he applied for and received an extension to his visa and permission to stay second year. Over the years he has kept in touch with me via email and Christmas cards. A month or so ago he brought his parents with him and returned for a visit.

It was really fun to see him again. (That's him on the right in case you couldn't tell). Anyway, after he got home to Japan, he sent me a box with various Japanese snack food (how did he know?) and this photo that his parents shot of us.

Today's earthquake made me think of him again. I have heard yet how he's doing, but I hope for the best.