Dad and Kathleen visited us last weekend on their way back from Tahoe. They look better than us!!! We munched on smoked salmon on a really windy Saturday afternoon, and showed them the new patio and hot tub that weren't here when last they visited. While they were here, Riley visited Abby while Ryan was snow camping. We had to put in a new side gate to counter Abby's new escape-the-backyard antics; so far it is working great.

New Years Eve '07

Lita flew back home on Saturday after spending a week with us. Her lungs became congested during her visit, but her doctor phoned in a prescription and she felt much better each day. Ryan and Lindsay went on a long bike ride on Saturday, and I resumed my power walking today (after a long absence) with a visit to Hoffman Park where the ducks paddled in the river and the deer leisurely grazed. Tonight at midnight we ring in 2008.

35th honeymoon

We're back from our weeklong 35th anniversary road trip. After flying back from 3 days in Las Vegas, we "Piloted" to Big Sur, San Simeon, and Carmel-Monterey. Our cabin in Big Sur was clean, cozy, and "Asian minimalist" per Cindy (and our dinner of fish tacos and tortilla soup was yummy). We visited the pier in San Simeon and took the evening tour of Hearst Castle. We also saw hundreds of elephant seals sunning themselves up and down the beach on Hwy 1, and we relaxed on our actual anniversary high atop the Carmel coast. My ears never unplugged from our Vegas flight so we had to have our former doctor Ritchie Wong phone in an Amoxicillin prescription to us in Monterey (Cindy has now developed similar symptoms). Cindy did all of the driving on our road trip along the California coast, and we were treated to perfect weather and postcard views everywhere.

November news

Alex has had a busy month, celebrating his 29th birthday and then buying a like-new 2003 Accura 4-door sedan. Dean and I went to Arco to see King James and the Cavaliers stage a late rally to decrown our Kings. We have started a weeklong celebration of our 35th anniversary by going to Las Vegas for 3 days. It was sunny and in the mid 70s. We stayed at the Wynn and saw the stage show SPAMALOT. It was hilarious. We also saw the demolition of the Frontier Casino at 2:30 AM from our 51st floor window. It was preceded by a spectacular fireworks show and then BOOM!! We are headed for Big Sur, San Simeon, and then the Tickle Pink hotel in Carmel where we originally honeymooned. I think we'll slow down a bit in December.

Bus trip

I got up early the next morning after the Halloween bash and hosted the SVBT members on a bus trip to the 49ers v. Saints game in San Francisco. What another glorious, clear and sunny day in The City, except the 49ers were thoroughly dominated. Before the game, we tailgated with an excellent catered lunch and liquid refreshment to prepare for the anticipated beating we knew the 49ers were about to absorb.

Halloween bash

We went to Richard and Trisha's Halloween party on Saturday night. It was an unbelievable combination of marvelous decorating and theme construction with a Burning Man/Halloween theme to it all. It takes so much work and imagination, that Richard and his volunteers only do it every third year. Jack and Dean went as "undeads" and Carol and Mary went as "good" witches. We dressed as tourists, and shot the above snaps.

Kings Fandemonium

We went to Monday night's Fandemonium at Arco Arena on Kings Row to see the new Kings players and dance teams. It had a Halloween theme and was geared for children. The players interacted with the fans and competed in silly contests, but did not play any basketball. The regular season begins on October 31st in New Orleans.

Tree removal

We reduced our front yard tree population from 3 to 1 yesterday. The 2 we removed were simply too messy. We'll probably replant, though, in or near the same spots with either evergreens or trees that are easier to maintain. The tree company will grind down both stumps later today. We also completed our anti-critter project by having the perimeter of the house updated with new vent screens and foam caulking, and had several roof line openings closed up. Because our location is rural and we are only 1,000 feet from the American River, we have lots of critters. It's great to see deer, wild turkeys, peacocks, and quail everyday (the squirrels can be both good and bad), but the mice, skunks, possum, and raccoons will move right into your house if you don't take proactive measures.

Hear Ye Hear Ye

Hear Ye Hear Ye...I have created a second, more topical kind of blog. I'm now also blogging at: marty-anderson.blogspot.com. Go ahead and bookmark it.

This is a more issue-oriented blog, probably more serious blog, where I can air out my views on the news of the day.

It may not be for everyone...I understand that my thoughts are not interesting to everyone...it will definitely be of a different tone than marty's mind, but I want to express my feelings on non-family matters too. I'll continue to blog on martycanderson.blogspot.com (martysmind) as usual, but invite you to check out, and bookmark, the brand new marty-anderson.blogspot.com (martysviews).

Genesis concert

We went to the Genesis concert last night at Arco Arena. The band put on a great show that lasted over 2 1/2 hours with flashy colors, special effects, humor, audience participation, and their special kind of music. Phil Collins did everything. He was the emcee, a drummer (they had two), dancer, tambourine player (on his whole body), and primary singer. He is multi-talented, but the other four band members also weighed in with solid performances. It was an older crowd, dominated by females, but even the guys had a great time. Highly recommended if they come to your town.

49er Sunday

The 49ers were beaten by the Ravens yesterday afternoon 9-7 in a boring game, but the San Francisco weather was outstanding, we had a fly- over by combat helicopters (it was fleet week in The City), the national anthem singer inspired everyone with her rendition, and the halftime show honored our local servicemen and women who have been serving overseas. A good time was had by all (except the 49ers). As you can see, we had a grand time tailgating before the game.

Last Days

Sure, we got a little gnarly as we closed down our vacation, but we were having fun.

Beach Bum(mer)

The Beach Ranger told us our fire was illegal...it needed to be in a fire ring, not on the sand...so he put it out before Cindy could cook her Smores...but we got creative and found a metal tub and moved our firewood down to about 20 yards from the ocean and started a new fire. Ryan entertained us with his Scottish accent and the Ranger came back at about 10 PM and told us we were doing a great job. Back at the beach house, we celebrated Lindsay's 24th birthday, and also included Onita (about 12 days early).

Sailing in Santa Cruz

We really enjoyed sailing in the waters off Santa Cruz Harbor...the captain told us that the weather was perfect.

Chardonnay II

Lindsay enjoyed the white wine and pizza on the Chardonnay II sailboat off the coast yesterday evening. The trip took about 2 hours and ended at sunset in the Santa Cruz harbor. We actually were in a planned race with other sailboats, but no one could remember if we won or not, as if it would matter anyway.

2006 Seabright Brewery

Click, watch, and listen to last year's Seabright Brewery dinner.

Santa Cruz 2006 remembered

Santa Cruz 2006...click, watch, and listen

Santa Cruz here we come

We're going to miss the annual Woody's on the Wharf that takes place each June, but we're still looking forward to being in Santa Cruz in September.

New backyard slider too

Ryan's house will really appreciate the new windows, but now getting to his backyard will be a breeze with his new 9' glass slider that opens up to his patio.

Ryan's new windows

Ryan is doing well after having surgery on his arm after a nasty bike fall. The pins are out and he has a cast on that should come off in about two weeks. He's been busy, though, treating his house to new windows, here's the two new ones in front of his house.