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.)

Christmas in San Diego

After deciding to enjoy a quiet family Christmas in Boise, it was announced that our Boise State Broncos would play their bowl game in San Diego, 2 days before Christmas. What to do...roadtrip??? Why not!

The trip began with a visit and a night with Gma Florence's in Palm Desert before we continued on to San Diego. Our first day in San Diego was rainy but we enjoyed exploring several museums in Balboa Park. That evening, we warmed up our vocal cords at a USD basketball game where they just happened to be playing Boise State.

Tuesday was Game Day! The pregame activities included a tailgate party with over a hundred of mostly our ole SoCal friends who were there to cheer on Ryan Winterswyk, who plays for BSU. We all sat together and enjoyed a great game.

On Christmas eve day, we enjoyed a fabulous beachfront breakfast in La Jolla and then took a stroll along the ocean, soaking up the coastal sounds, smells and sights.

Bryce showing up his skateboard skills.
Our little girl starting to look all grown up.

On Christmas day, we all drove to my sister's house near LAX and spent the day all together enjoying an amazing brunch Rebecca prepared and then seeing what Santa put in our stockings.

Before heading back to Boise, we had to soak up a little more sun and surf.

Thanksgivng in Boise

Thanksgiving is always a special family time and this year it was made extra special with a house full of some our most special people. Shelly's mom and brother and his 3 daughters joined us from Seattle and my folks made the long drive from San Diego. Everyone arrived Wednesday evening and by Thursday morning the kitchen was filled with activity and wonderful smells.

Great cooks and lots of smiles!

Hard to beat a orange rosemary smoked turkey!

Hungry cousins!

A little after dinner entertainment.

and a gingerbread house building/decorating competition.

Wonderful time together!