Sand Fire Update

With the Sand Fire no longer spreading here's a perspective of the area that was burned relative to Folsom.     Pretty close!   But also much different terrain as it is much more mountainous.  51 structures including 13 homes were ultimately burned by the fire and at its peak there were nearly 2,000 firefighters working it.  

Climbing Ropes!

Jack got to experience a little climbing at the State Fair too!

The "Sand" Fire

A fire broke out late Friday afternoon in Amador county in almost the exact location we were visiting (wine tasting with friends) earlier that day.   It quickly grew into a huge plume as photographed with my new Christmas/Birthday lens!   A wide-angle.!

The plume and everything to the left is smoke!

Gladiolus Match Purple Piano

Steph stumbled upon some gladiolus at Trader Joe's and snapped them up. They are huge and they also go nicely with our piano!

I remember that once upon a time there was a gladiolus farm "across the bypass" in Jonesboro and that once a bunch of zebras escaped and they found them in the gladiolus field snacking!

A License Right Up Dad's Alley!

Yeap!  Somebody actually had this plate made.   Dad - my guess is it is still available in Arkansas if you are so inclined.   I prefer the only "custom" plate I've ever had made.... "JACKETS"

Word Crimes by Weird Al!

Video developed by a guy from Sacramento!

Grammy Museum Tour

On the most recent trip to LA I had a chance to tour the Grammy Museum. I'd never heard of the museum and it seemed to be pretty new. The price was a reasonable $10 and while it doesn't come close to covering the spectrum of music that the Grammy Awards have covered it was pretty neat. Strangely enough, the band that got the most exposure - through a ~20' long exhibit was Cheap Trick. Not even sure if they've won a Grammy but the exhibit was interesting.

 





Little to no mention of groups like U2, The Eagles and the list goes on. But still an interesting way to spend an hour or two.

Scooby-Doo Cereal on Clearance

No surprise this stuff is on clearance.  Between the color and the prominent location of Scooby ready to eat it looks way too much like a box of dog biscuits.

Case in point.  As Jack is watching my type out this blog post I asked him if it looks like cereal or dog food.  He responded immediately with dog food.

Excited Girl in Her Big Girl Bed

After months of trying we finally got Elle's big girl bed built. The months long saga could be a blog post in and of itself. The end result was worth it as Elle was on cloud 9 with her own "big girl" bed clad in lots of pink! Let's hope she's as good in it as Jack was during his transition!

Happy Fourth of July!

Dance Party

Nothing beats dancing on the patio!   Jack demonstrates a few of his hip-hop moves...

Michigan / Montreal Hodgepodge

As our first "sabbatical trip wraps up here are some early pictures. There are lots so will post a few more of the best ones later!

Old Town Montreal

Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal

Wave! You're on a Waverunner!

We got to help Grandpa launch his waverunner into the lake for the first time.   For a minute Jack thought he was going to get to ride it by himself!  Maybe in 10 years...!

Later, Jack and I went out into Lake Michigan and into Muskegon Lake and took a "selfie" in front of the Milwaukee Clipper! Once a ferry now reduced to a tourist attraction.


 

Lost Travel Video Emerges

With a lot of travel upon up for this Summer we found a lost video from a year or so ago where Jack deemed himself Elle's herder.

Hey Jack! I've Got a Secret

Elle likes telling people secrets.  Never mind that she doesn't actually have any secrets and just kind of babbles in your ear!

Funky "messed up" Pic

Shutter was open too long...but kind of made a cool effect.   Look closely and you can make out Elle's Mouse Ears!

Stephie's Pink Hair!

Steph rocked some pink hair extensions for our recent trip to LA. 

You've Got To Really Love Cows....

We were behind this self-proclaimed cow lover the other day and had to  document it!

Jack and Elle: The Ballad of The Hot Dog

The kids  enjoy the Oscar Meyer wiener song.   In fact they sometimes ask to see one of the original videos! 

Happy Father's Day!

Here is a funny Father's Day Video...