2013 so far...

Sorry for dissapearing off the face of blog earth for a while, the longer it is that we don't blog the harder it is to take the time to catch up and do it. Is anyone else frustrated with the way you download pictures on blogs now? It used to be so simple, but now who really wants to take the time to figure out a new system? It's like how Microsoft changes Office every couple of years, you spend time trying to figure out where everything is, then you finally figure it out and you have to take the time to learn it. Sometimes I miss the days of not having technology, life is so simple without it, but we are all addicted to it because it brings some good things too.

The girls have grown quite a bit since we last blogged, although Reese looks the same. They love to be outside and go to the park, we can't let Reese down or she will eat anything she gets her hands on, there was goose poop everywhere.

Yesterday Joni ran in a 10k that was actually 6.6 miles instead of 6.2. She ran it in 42 minutes which is rediculous. She not only came in first among women but was second overall behind some dude that looked serious in his spandex. Her friend Becky was 2nd, 3rd overall. I felt sheepish around these tough girls.

Yes I wore the same pair of shorts two days in a row, don't judge me, it was the weekend.

 

In January, I surprised Joni and Andrea with tickets to Ben Folds Five. We were standing right next to the stage, it was pretty fun and we love the group. They sang a ton of their older classics.

In February Joni and I took some much needed time away from the kids to take a northern California trip. We spent the first night in Sacramento in an old Ferry boat that has been converted into a hotel called the Delta King. The room was smaller than a cruise ship room but it was fun and random. As we were driving through snow at Donner pass...which was strange and not smart...Joni just found the place at random and it worked out. Old town Sacramento is a fun place with the wood plank sidewalks and old buildings.

 

Miles and miles of vineyards in wine country.

Day two was in Sonoma and wine country. We don't drink wine but it was a beautiful place and very relaxing. We ate at a fun cheese factory and tried lots of cheeses and fresh sandwiches. We couldn't for the life of us figure out what people did for a living in Sonoma, there are lots of huge houses, I'm guessing 2nd homes or retired folks.

Easter was fun with Ellie, although it's always difficult to figure out what to do with all that candy afterwards...probably should have thought of that first but Ellie had a blast with it. She didn't quite get the concept last year.

 

 

Ellie found jelly beans and chocolate...

 

Success!

My girls are the sweetest, I am one lucky guy.

 Our friends had an Easter BBQ, we feel blessed to know some really good people around here.

 

Reese and Ellie are fun to watch. Ellie loves to make her laugh, and once one of them gets going they both can't stop. We know Ellie loves her little sister, but we have to keep an eye on the two of them all the time.

While in San Francisco, we both finally went to Alcatraz for the first time. We had always wanted to go and it was worth the trip. I couldn't help but think how difficult it must have been for the prisoners to have such beautiful views but to not be able to get out. They said that on New Years Eve you could hear all the parties on boats and people laughing and having a good time, this drove the prisoners nuts.

 

And now a break for some random kid pictures...

One of Ellie's favorite things right now is to play with our phones. We frequently find pictures and videos, and we know what she has been up to.

Back to Alcatraz... below is the wardens office and me standing outside on of the prison cells.

 More alcatraz...crazy place...

We spent a day in Sausalito and it was one of the highlights of the trip. There is such an amazing view of San Francisco there, we walked around and ate ice cream. There was a man making giant bubbles which made for a fun picture with the city in the background.

 

 

One of our last days in San Francisco we ate at the stinking rose, which had garlic in everything, Joni was in heaven but she was not aloud to breathe on me for the rest of the day.

We spent a day in Union Square and doing some shopping. We decided to use an award I received at work to buy a bunch of gift cards, it made for a fun and guilt free day of shopping which is Joni's dream come true.

 Garlic Chicken and garlic rolls with garlic mashed potatoes at the Stinking Rose.

 And...garlic ice cream, it was actually pretty good.

 

Above are the giant lemons outside our hotel in Sonoma.

 Below is a picture of me waiting for Joni in the car... if you look closely you can see my mouth is open... she thinks it's hilarious that you can't tell whether I'm yawning or yelling.

I don't particularly enjoy this picture but Joni put it up anyways...I was trying to act femmy but it ended up looking too real and almost on purpose.

Like most everyone else we have been really busy with work, church callings, and the girls. Life hasn't slowed down much. We bought our first BBQ grill and we've taken advantage of all the beautiful weather, we actually use it almost every weekend. It's hard to believe we've already been here for almost 2 and a half years. We hope to make it out to San Fran again soon as it has turned into one of our most favorite cities.