White-Trash Party

Well, we had heard about these parties for a few years now, but have never been to one. You have to try everything once, right? So, we went to Robins home in Rescue for some down-home partying. We dressed the part. Chris is sporting a mullet wig, and fake-drinking Coors. I am "pregnant" with an african american baby. Not too politically correct, but all in good humor!
We had no clue that most people were actually acting the part! Robin rented a port-a-pottie and put it right out front of her house. She parked her caddy with the hood up and a sign reading: "ROBIN'S FAMILEE REEUNYON"!

We sat around the front yard in lawn chairs (plus a recliner picked up on the way) and threw our trash/cans/bottles on the lawn. Wonder what her neighbors thought! It was fun, and yes, all in good humor!

Brittany and Lucas' Wedding

I have known Brittany since first grade. We have kept in touch through the years, especially since we ended up having the same major at CSUS.
The wedding was gorgeous, with some threatening thunder clouds. It was held at Windwalker Winery in Fairplay.
Jay and Elly having fun.
We enjoyed the warm summer's day as well.
It was good to see Jay and Mat. Mat is working on his Masters in Physical Therapy. Congrats Brittany and Lucas.

Happy Birthday, Erik!

We celebrated Erik's 31st birthday with some time on Folsom Lake. Elise has been smiling up a storm these days, and Lily is great at getting them out of her.
Hanging on the beach, while the boys were out wake-boarding and sumo-tubing.
Dave, Erik, and Chris.
Ava and Lily had fun running around, gathering treasures on the beach.
We enjoyed a tri-tip out on the patio at Wynt and Daves, and some Ettore's cake afterwards. It was relaxing and perfect temp outside. Here's to ya, Erik!

Happy Father's Day

I trekked down to the Bay to visit Dad. This picture was taken by me, not my safest move, I know, but it turned out pretty well!
I got Dad a ravioli cutter, and we made ravioli from scratch. Guess I should have got him a rolling pin!! (Note: wine bottles work even better because you have the handle to hold onto.)
Court joined us for dinner, and she whipped up some of her honey mustard dressing, which I have made every time we have a salad since then!
Wouldn't be complete without a bike ride! We went about 27 miles out and back on the road. It was great! The bike lanes are much wider down there than in Sac-Town.
Cuties! Happy Dad's Day!

Happy 25th Chris!

We had Erik and Adam over for his birthday. Chris requested biscuits and gravy from Janet's recipe. She made them, and they were GOOD! The boys played the Wii, boxing, bowling, and baseball!

Happy 25th, babe! Thanks for cooking, Janet.

Quick Trip to Sly Park

Chris and I both had 2 days off in a row (can you believe it?) and a dog-sitter (thank you Janet!) So we decided to go up to Sly Park campin for the night. We packed up, stopped at the store, went back home because we forgot the stove, and we were on our way!
It was beautiful up there, perfect temperature. Many ladybugs, butterflies, and mosquitos.
Some nature pictures. We relaxed by the waterfall both days for a while. It was easy to lose track of time when you dont have a schedule!

This is a man-made spillway, but that didn't take any of the beauty away. I relaxed on a cool rock, and Chris enjoyed climbing around the falls.

Run.Bike.Swim.Play Ball!

Well, not me. We went to the River Cats game the day of the tri. It was fine, I recovered much better this time than my first attempt! A Beautiful Sac-Town view!
DJEJ (Cousin Erik) wrote us a nice note up on the board!
Carolyn on my left
And Chris on my right! We had some, well, unique people sitting in front of us. They were interesting to say the least. The game was okay, RiverCats lost. Afterwards, we met Erik up in the control room and he showed us how he chooses songs, and the computer system. A nice summer night!

Tri-Time

In another attempt to voluntarily subject myself to extreme challenge, I completed another triathalon. This was at Rancho Seco Park, on a warm yet breezy Saturday morning! The swim was rough, the roughest swim I have EVER completed! The wind did not make for a calm serene lake. There were full on waves going over my head. But, that was that, and thank goodness to move on. It was a half-mile, but half-horrible! What I thought would take about 12 minutes took me about 20! Putting on my shoes, getting ready for the 16mile bike. It was out and back, with the wind continuing. I ranged from 13-23 MPH in the conditions. But, I would rather bike than swim in the wind. (I never knew that, training for the swim in the pool at the gym!) The bike took about an hour.
Off for my run, actually feeling good! Took one of those goo shots and I was ready! I was prepared for a 10 minute mile pace, but finished 3 miles in 26 minutes! Yay!
Overall, it was so much fun. I ended up getting 5th in my age group, and 158th out of 400. I was pleased with my performance, and not too tired. Hopefully I will do another one this summer. We'll see!!

A School Day in Napa

I know, school and Napa in the same sentence?? Well, every Monday, we have class. This particular Monday, our internship director Melissa, booked us up all over Napa. We enjoyed a tour at Napa State Hospital, complete with a tour of the Psych Floor.
We also attended a cooking demo/lesson of starwberry shortcake biscuits with basil whipped cream. YUM!
Ate some delish Mexican food at a local dive.
We also got a VIP tour of CIA (Culinary Institute of America) Greystone. Here we are (minus Jill) in the tasting room class. Each desk has it's own sink and light to see the color of the wine. No pictures of wine tasting, but that was our last stop at Beringer. Not too shabby for a day at school, huh?

Welcoming Ashton

Jay (aka Maid of Honor) is with child and expecting a little boy. She had a wonderful shower at her parents house up in Pollock Pines. She may be in labor as I type!
Child #1, Elly Rain. Too cute, ready to be a big sis! She is 3 years old.

The Boys Graduation at Pleasant Valley

My alma-mater, Pleasant Valley, had two fine graduates this year. Cousins Bryce and Michael both graduated from 8th grade. I will always call them the boys, but they aren't looking so boyish anymore! Bryce sporting his home-made duct-tape tie.
Michael still wondering why he had to wear one!
Can't believe they have grown up so much!
Mrs. Hosley, our art teacher, was retiring this year. It was nice to see her again, and wish her well. She called us girls the Schledewitz Goddesses! (Who knew??)