Christmas 2009

Christmas morning 2009. We opened presents and spent the day with the kids and had a short visit from Dean and Carol, while munching on buffet goodies all day. Everyone was excited about Lindsay and Cory's big news.

December 2009

December's winter has been bitter cold and rainy. We had several nights in the mid-20's (even had a little snow one Monday morning) and now we are in a 3-day rainy pattern. Luckily, our ancient furnace died two weeks before the cold spell and our new unit is working perfectly. Last night we went to the Shellenbergers for their annual Christmas party (they have completed their home addition) and spent a few mellow hours with friends.

Halloween

Lita's birthday was also Halloween. If you turn up the volume, you can faintly hear Emily singing Happy Birthday in Italian!!!...listen for Abe's approving bark at the end...and the Cornells got together for a family picture with some spooky costumes. Click to enlarge.

Birthday cake

Saturday was Lita's 80th birthday party. Here's a picture of her cake and a short video of her blowing out the one candle (not 80). You may have to turn up the volume.

Dinner and the Theater

The night before Lita's 80th birthday party (Halloween eve), we went out to Fillippi's for some prime rib before going to the theater to see The Lion King. The dinner was great and the play was fabulous with great songs, outstanding costumes and clever special effects. Definitely recommended.

Grandma Lita's birthday

We're down in Rancho Bernardo getting ready for Lita's 80th birthday. Her loyal dog Abe has decided to start moving the river rock beach pebbles we just laid down around her pepper tree next to the patio. The big party is Saturday, and we're going to the theater on Friday night to see The Lion King. Back home Sunday night, will have to remember the "fall back" time change on Saturday night so we don't miss our flight.

49ers lose big

We saw the 49ers lose to the Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park on Sunday by 45-10. Click the vid to see the only touchdown they scored all day. The tailgating was fun, but the game was ho-hum.

Ebay fatigue

Turn up the volume to hear Cindy's confusion after a grueling day of photographing items destined for Ebay.

Santa Cruzin'

After a day of sailing the Santa Cruz coastline, I always have to take a nap.

Santa Cruz 2009

We partied with a delightful young couple from the U.K. on our annual sailboat ride in Santa Cruz last night. Click to start the vid.

Movin' In

Lots of work being done at Alex's new digs...yesterday it was a stifling 105 degrees and we were power-washing the garage, driveway, and front walkways, trimming bushes, mowing lawns, trimming a front yard tree, and then painting the inside...furniture, bed, TV, and a refrigerator go in today to make it ready to go.

Playing catch up

No excuses other than "busy" as to why I haven't posted in months. Let's catch up: in November, Cindy and I spent the weekend at the St Francis/Union Square in The City. (Click to see the amateurs show off their skating skills in the video clip below). In February, Lindsay starting working for the State and is now working for CalSters in West Sacramento. We also worked on our side yard project in the Spring (see the before-and-after pictures above). and our top patio (see more before-and-afters above). In June, Cindy and I had an "unvacation" in Kings Beach. She and I both had to interrupt the week by returning to town to have her eye retina lasered and for me to attend a client meeting in Pleasanton. My Mom visited for a few days going to and coming back from her Alaskan cruise. This summer, Ryan is planning a bathroom remodel, Alex is in escrow to buy a house, and Cindy has started selling small antiques on Ebay. We stayed at the Argonaut Hotel at Fisherman's Wharf two weekends ago, and this weekend I got ER-diagnosed with diverticilitis again. We have a Santa Cruz vacation planned in a few weeks. Looking forward to the beach breezes. CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT.