Shelly's new ride

After enduring my former company car, a Ford Taurus, for several years, I finally let Shelly pick a car that suited her better. After months of research, she selected a sandy beach 2010 Prius. Toyota began to distribute these cars in late May but so far none of the 2010 models that arrived in Boise had the desired color or option package. The day before we left on our vacation to California, I decided to check the Reno and Sacramento markets. As luck would have it, the exact car we wanted had just arrived at a dealer in south Lake Tahoe. After a few phone calls back and forth, a deal was reached and we returned from our trip with a souvenir that should provide us with many years of satisfaction and usefulness.

Family reunion in CA & camping in Yosemite

Our first vacation in 2009 was a fun filled week that started with a 3 day Denio (my mom's side) family reunion in Ripon, CA. We had been unable to attend the last few reunions, so it was special to see so many after so long. The Community Center proved to be the perfect location for the ~125+ family members that attended and there was plenty of room to play games, visit, eat, etc. Highlights included a talent show, softball games, great meals and a fellowship meeting Sunday morning with around 80 people.

So many people were taking pictures that we decided not to. So, if you were there and got some great shots, feel free to email them to Shelly or I and I will add them to this post.

Tuolumne Meadows - Yosemite

After arriving at Yosemite late Sunday afternoon and setting up camp in Tuolumne Meadows, we spent our first full day on Monday exploring our nearby surroundings. First, we went to the Tuolumne lodge and the cascading waterfalls and pristine pools.

Pictures do not come close to capturing the natural beauty of this place.

Looking down stream, we could see Lembert Dome, our next destination

The girls taking a rest on the trail to Lempert Dome.

Out of the trees now at around 9,000ft and starting to climb the solid granit dome.

The final push to the summit.

We made it!

B & E on the summit! Standing on the edge of a 1,000 ft cliff and the meadows below.

Tuolumne Meadows

Playing games on the dome.

Heading back down.

After a great hike, we decided to cool off and spend the afternoon relaxing at Tenaya Lake.

Sheer granite cliffs rising from the blue water to the even bluer skies.

Yosemite Valley & Mariposa Grove

Our second day in Yosemite took us from the cool air of the high elevation Tuolumne Meadows to the valley floor almost 3,000ft below. The 40 mile drive took over an hour due to the windy mtn road and countles scenic view points.

Our first view of the valley and the north side of half dome.

Yosemite Valley - El Capitan,(left), Half Dome, (center) and Bridalveil Falls, (right)

Yosemite Falls

The halfway point of hiking to the top of Vernal Falls

Hundreds of steps but each one taking us closier to our goal.

Vernal Falls

Bryce climbing through the mist.

The view from the top.

The Ahwahnee Lodge where we recovered after the great hike and celebrated Erica's birthday, (11).

The birthday girl!

Rested and refreshed, we next went to the visitor center and then another hr drive to the south entrance of the park to the Mariposa Grove, which is home to several hundred giant sequoias. Again, pictures do not give you the true prespective of these monster trees that are 18ft across and up to 300' tall.

The root ball of a fallen sequoia.

A giant in the mist of full size cedars and firs.

The base of another sequoia that had been cut out to all carriages to drive through in the early 1900's. This tree was still very much alive, towering heaven-ward and seemed unphased by man's efforts to entertain himself.

Softball Champion

In April, Erica began her second year of softball and it didn't take long for all of the basic skills to start coming together. With her strong arm, she started most games at either shortstop or third. Her agressive bat was always a factor in the middle of the lineup. Her coach began working on her pitching technique and before long she was on the mound for one or two innings a game. Always a cool as ice.

Ready for the ball at shortstop.
Balance and power at the plate.

Erica quickly grew into the role of the closing pitcher. Shutting down the opposition and saving many victories.

Rounding the bases

and heading for home.

Her team finished the regular season tied for second. Both losses were early in the season and to really good teams. Following the regular season, all teams played in a single elimination tournament. Erica's team had a first round bye and then a fairly easy victory in round two. In the semifinal round, the barely beat the other second place team which put them into the final against the undefeated first place team. With a crowd of over 400 people cheering them on, Erica and her team proceeded to win the championship game and bring home the 4ft trophy. What fun!

Hoisting the hardware

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is always a special day and while we wished we could spend the day celebrating our own mother's it was nice to take a least one day to say "thanks" to the one who does so much for everyone in our home.

Spring Break in Seattle

One of the many advantages of living in Boise is that we are an easy 8hrs drive from Seattle. So, with the kids out of school for a week, Shelly took them to see her mom and brother and spend some time with their cousins.

Bundled up at the beach, waiting for low tide.

Claming!

Bryce with the prize!

A business for the kids...aka college funding plan b

Late in 2008, Shelly and I began discussing alternative plans to help pay for the kids college education, as the stock market investments haven't exactly been growing according to the plan. After looking at many business opportunities, we decided on a candy vending machine business. Even in this economy, we figured people would have a few quarters in their pocket and would trade them for a handful of M&M's or Skittles. It seemed like a simple business model and would be a great chance to teach the kids about the basics of running a business and cash flow management without going into major debt.

In order to reach the desired monthly cash flow, we ordered 52 machines and over 1,500 pounds of candy. B & E Enterpries LLC was created and local permits and licenses were then acquired. When the truck arrived 2 weeks later, it was time to roll up our sleeves and get to work and within 10 days all of the machines had been placed in local businesses and the quarters were begining to roll in. Shelly and the kids are in charge of servicing and cleaning the machines every 3 weeks or so and I manage the placement of the machines. As part of the business plan, we partnered with the National Childern's Cancer Society. Kids helping kids! You gotta love it and that concept has made it very easy to place the machines in local businesses.

The goal in about 2 yrs is to hand the business off to the kids and let them work together to run what should amount to a nice little consistent operation.

Shelly and Albert double checking all of the initial shipment.
The founders of B & E Enterprises

Step 1: Machine assembly is a group effort

Opening day at the local little league ballpark. (That's Bryce under the hoodie and blanket, making change and enjoying temps in the low 40's while learning that being the boss of your own business isn't always fun.)