I sure do appreciate you all...

Just wanted to drop a quick post to say how honored I've been to have you all check this thing out. It has really been a blessing, so thank you.

Unfortunately, we've got a foul-mouth coward among us, who is showing his foolishness through word and deed, while hiding behind the anonymous option that blogger affords those who don't have a google account.

Anyway, keep on posting! I so enjoy hearing from you all...and I'll deal with the coward.

A Weekend to Remember!

This past weekend I got together with a special group of people in my life, ReTeam T7 1999-2000. That year at Sky Ranch was a life changing year for me. I learned so much from Wendel and the guys and girls on that team. I learned that it's okay to mess up, as long as you learn. I learned that my past doesn't determine my future, my present does.

It was such an amazing weekend. Most everyone from T7 was there, but we were missing a few: Patrick Dove, Jason Shipley, and Lance & Tiffany Ferguson (they just had a little baby girl the Friday night before).

I've been to more reunions this year than any other in my life...probably b/c I'm getting old :p But I've decided that as often as I have the opportunity, I'll keep going to them.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Thanks for stopping by! Add a link to your favorites and check in every now and then. I try to post regularly with what is going on with me and my wife.

Leave me comments and let me know what you're up to. Thanks again for stopping by.

BTW - if you have a blog give me the address so I can keep up with you too!

P.S. I found this hit counter that gives you a map of the location of your visitors. Here is the map of the folks that have stopped by since last night. (pic updated Oct 31)

"The Rock" - San Francisco, CA

On Wednesday we went to Alcatraz to tour the prison and the island. If you've never done it, it's really interesting.

This is a picture from the ferry on the way to the island looking back on the San Francisco skyline.

As you approach the island there are signs from the prison days

warning boats to stay at least 200 yards off the island, and that anyone attempting to help a prisoner escape would be prosecuted and imprisoned.

This is a shot of the officers housing (bottom right), warden's house (center), and the lighthouse (top). The visit to the island included an award winning audio tour, which was given by previous guards and inmates of Alcatraz. They walked you through the history of the prison, a day in the life of a prisoner, the Battle of Alcatraz, and the Great Escape of 1962.

This is a pic I snapped of one of the guard stations.

San Francisco was a great leg of our trip. We got to spend a lot of time with Stephanie Francis Lind and her man Chacho. It was good to catch up with her, since we didn't get to see her at the reunion.

til next time...

Westmont Reunion - Santa Barbara

I know this is a little out of order...oh well. Last Friday morning we drove down to Santa Barbara from Kingsburg for the Westmont Homecoming. We got in around 11:30 and found Jeff and Laura Pierce and Erik and Paige Vanslooten taking pictures on campus. I love those kids!

Friday night was the Presidental Gala, which was a really nice dinner. We sat with Deyl and Paige Kearin and David Jay. They are such amazing people. They inspire me to challenge myself, believe in myself, and take some risks. Their stories are amazing, you should check them out.

Santa Barbara is just a beautiful place. Deyl and Paige were so gracious to let us stay at their place while we were in town. This is a picture of the sun rise from their front yard.

Saturday we ate breakfast at Cava Cafe, the most delicious $12 french toast you'll ever have. It was a good time to catch up with Jeff & Laura, Erik & Paige, Deyl & Paige, Matt Rumford, and Donnie Waisanen.

After breakfast we went to Westmont and met up with Andy and Amberly Wolf and their newborn baby Abbie. I love those kids too! After a great afternoon of hanging out, we got ready for the Class of 2002 reunion supper, which was fun, but not near as much fun as the afterparty at David Jay's new house. The festivities went on into the wii, I mean wee, hours of the morning. I had such a great time getting to meet so many of the people who shared in such a special time in Erin's life.

Lombard Street - San Francisco, CA

I have heard about the most crooked road in the world and today I got to see it. The walk up the hill was pretty intense, but worth it. We spent the day in San Fran today, we rented some bikes and biked to Fort Point right below the Golden Gate Bridge. Then we walked to Lombard Street and then on to China town. That was such a different experience. We were looking for this place called the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory and we found with the help of some locals, tucked away in an alley. We never would have looked there.

All around it was a fun but exhausting day. Tomorrow we are going to tour Alcatraz Island and see the prison, I'm pretty excited. Then we're off to the Fresno area to spend a few more days with family and celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving.

I hope you all are doing well, I am going to post in the next couple of days about the adventures of the Westmont reunion (what a blast!), so be looking out.

Tickle Pink Inn - Carmel, CA

A place to call home for tonight...

Sunday night, I surprised Erin with a stay in a great little inn called the Tickle Pink Inn. We were greeted in our room with champagne and chocolates. This was the view from our balcony, it was amazing.

California Dreamin'

We made it safely to California on Wednesday. We spent the day today with family and tomorrow we're off to Santa Barbara for the Westmont reunion. We are staying with two of my favorite Californians, Deyl and Paige Kearin. After the reunion, it's a surprise Sunday evening (blog post to come). We're happy to be here safely and we'll keep the updates comin'.