Camping Shenanigans

Memorial Day in our family means a camping getaway.. this year with my side of the family.  Grammy, GrampC, Uncle Matt and his family of four.  We ventured to a new (to us) campground in El Dorado County on the American River - Camp Lotus.  We got out late thanks to some last minute work on my part and then a boatload of traffic, so we made it to the campground close to 9pm.

So the next morning we got things started early.  Breakfast, mimosas and some Catch Phrase (well the kids did without the alcohol).

L-R: Avery & Drew

Matt just found my camera

A little whiffle ball before the days adventures

Bird Invasion

After cleaning up from breakfast we made our way out for a day of wine tasting.  I forgot my camera so all of the pictures are from my cell phone.

The ladies L-R: Grammy Kathie, Auntie Rana, Me

David Girard Winery

The Kids Keeping Cool & Occupied

The Happy Couple

Family Photo

Wine Club Member area

View from the Wine Club Member Area

Gold Hill Winery & Brewery - Adrina & Drew

Miss Avery

Daddy, Drew (and Adrina)

Stop #3, Nello Olivo Winery

 The best thing that happened this trip was when Auntie Rana suckered GrampC into trying the cinnamon challenge.  There was a ramekin of cinnamon near a jug of sangria and it got Rana & GrampC talking about what you could do with it.  Rana dared GrampC to see if he could eat a tablespoon full of cinnamon without drinking anything or coughing it up.  Here's the video of what happened:





Poor GrampC...

Group Photo (no Drew)
L-R: Matt, Rana, Grammy, Avery, Adrina
Back: Dave, Me, GrampC

After a day winetasting we made our way back and found the American River - across the street from our campsite.

Adrina, Drew, Me

Uncle Matt & Avery

While we were on the shore we saw a "rock bar" where we could try and stake claim the next day.  And that's just what we did.  We spent the entire day in the water enjoying the scenery and beverages.

Uncle Matt & Adrina on the Rocks

Matt & I (rafters in the background)

Such tough guys

Adrina & Drew

Uncle Matt, Auntie Rana & Adrina (Avery was napping)

Family Shot

The American River

Battle of the Cold Ones

Random Rock Art

Avery finally woke up from her nap

This was a great campsite that was one of the least expensive to go to.  We'll be back for sure!

Goodbye Kindergarten

It's official... we have a 1st grader now.

L-R: First Day of School, Last Day of School

The final weeks of school were absolutely crazy!  Open House where Drew showed off his artwork in class and at the Y.  Here is the art he did in Art Class - We had the option of purchasing it to help support the art department.

Award ceremony where Drew got the "scientist" award in his K class.  He really took to the "animal" studies of worms, snails, and rolly pollys.  

I helped out with Field Day (next to last day of school)... his class was in charge of a water relay.  Kids fill up water from a bucket and pass it down cup by cup into another bucket.

After my shift was over I ventured down to where Drew was playing tug-of-war with his classmates.

He had a blast!

And it's so sad to say goodbye to a fantastic teacher Mrs. B!  We've had very good luck with teachers our first two years of public school (Drew was in TK last year).

Drew's final report card was perfect marks all across the board (except for the items they no longer assess).  We're so proud of our now 1st grader!

Baseball Season Wrap-up

Playing catch-up on a few blog entries... this one from May when Drew finished up his Rookie Baseball Season with the Yankees.

Here are a few pictures from the team parent from throughout the season..

L-R: Team Parent and Dave

Drew on First Base

From the final game of the season....

And here are my photos... I admit I mostly did video this game.

And the video - finally first video of the season I believe.  I saved it for the last game.  Drew had three at bats, and he shows off his switch hitting.  Keep in mind they don't get strikeouts and everyone gets to first base and runs all bases (no outs).

Here's his first at bat:




And his 2nd at bat (he was the final batter this inning so he gets a "grand slam":



Yes he hit the first pitch.... and was the final batter of the Yankee Rookie Season.

And his 3rd and Final at bat:




Team Cheer!  Hurray for a great season.

And a couple shots from the end of season party a few days later.

Drew is center right (wearing light blue Dodger shirt)

And Drew with this trophy and coach... Dad.

I'm a Mermaid

I am always looking for new races to keep me motivated for running so I signed up for a Mermaid Series run geared just for women.

This was the 10K East Bay version (6.2 miles). Unfortunately the wind has been terrible here and I almost didn't do this race due to breathing issues, but I prevailed!











I finished with a terrible time due to walking about half of it - 1:20:54 but I got my finishers necklace.

Of course I was at the doctor later that week to get antibiotics and an inhaler. Still fighting breathing issues nearly two weeks later.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Never S10P

If you paid any attention to the news this year, you know that April 22nd marked the 10th anniversary of the death of Pat Tillman.  It also marked the 10th annual run in his honor.  I believe I've done seven or eight of them.  And on April 26th I joined other ASU alumni, family, friends and strangers on the 10th annual Pat's Shadow Run through San Francisco.


This year's motto - Never S10P (where the 10 represents the 10 years and the "TO" in stop).  I did this run without Dave or Drew this year because they had an early baseball game.  So I joined about 60-70 others to complete the 4.2 mile run - Pat's ASU football number was 42.

Here's the official picture I grabbed from the Alumni Facebook page.

I am just to the left of the person holding the Tillman jersey.

Here was my view when I arrived - this is just before the run.  The halfway point is just before the bridge.


And Alcatraz before the run... it was a great clear day.  You'd never know it was raining cats and dogs the day before.



And a selfie before...

Just a random shot of the gathering before the run.





And here I am on the run... I'm maybe 1.5 miles in...


I've already reached the halfway point, but turned around to grab this gem...


...And selfie...


The San Francisco skyline....


I stopped to take a ton of pictures for tourists - since this race isn't for time, and there was a March for Babies event going on at the same time making the running path tough tough to maneuver - I figured what the heck.  Let some of these tourists get pictures of their party together - with the bridge in the background.

Then about 3 miles in I caught a glimpse of the Palace of Fine Arts..

My "unofficial time" was 50:08 which is terrible, but I was just enjoying the scenes and wasn't in any rush.  I really want to make it back to Arizona for the official race, but I'm not sure when that will be possible.  Drew's baseball season kind of puts a kink in those plans.