Nate's Communion

Nate, his godparents and parents ready for his first communion

Prior to the communion, we asked Barry to come take some photos of Nate at the church

We really like the way these came out.  Great background with the church and the clouds.  the cross looks like it's right on Nate's head.

This one shows Nate with a little more swag.  

This photo captures Nate's personality really well.  Love the laugh, as he's always playing and having a good time.

A bit more traditional with the rosary here.  A note on the rosary, it was actually given to me as a gift from my coworkers in Puerto Rico.  

Nate taking his first communion with the priest.

After the ceremony, the priest stopped to take some photos with the kids

Nate and his godparents, John and Lilia.

USS Hornet Overnight

Nate and Wyatt joined Pack 1592 for an overnight on the USS Hornet in Alameda.

Brian and I drove the boys down, complete with sleeping bags and bathroom kit.  Neither of us knew much on the history of the ship.  It played a prominent roll in the NASA program.

Nate, by the entrance ready and willing as always.

The Hornet is an aircraft carrier.  They have lots of planes from different eras on display.  Can't go in them, but cool to look at them and learn the history.

Our sleeping arrangements.  Just like the sailors back when it was running.  Bunk cots.  Actually more comfortable than I thought they's be, but tight quarters.  

Brian, Aaron and Ben along with Wyatt and Nate.  The boys super excited about picking their bunk.  Nate started out wanting the top bunk, but later decided he'd better have the bottom in case he rolled out and fell to the ground.

One of the Apollo modules that was recovered by the Hornet as part of the NASA program.

Looking inside the Apollo unit, it's hard to imagine three people fit inside and rode this thing to the moon.  Those are some tight quarters.  

The top deck.  Cool to see the launch and catch wiring for planes taking off and landing.

Sunset in Alameda is a great time.

Hope that's not a live torpedo, the boys wanted to play on it.
Reminds me of that Stanley Kubrick film.

Another view of the bunks.  Note this ship is one of the most haunted.  Even featured on an episode of ghost hunters.  They took us up to the front of the ship tot ell ghost stories, but it was all a bit too scary so we called it early.

If you do take part in the overnight, it's mandatory that you take a shift helping with meals, serving, cleaning, breakfast or dinner.  Nate and the pack had morning breakfast duties and they hopped right in to help hand out the food.  All in all one of the better pack activities we've done.  Something I would have never thought to do.

Maria's 2nd 25th Birthday

My angel turned the big 5-0.  Had to find a great way to celebrate, so we invite our friends up to South Lake Tahoe, rented a house and had a whole lot of fun.

Our friends from northern and southern California who came to celebrate this great time.  Not pictured are Lori, Brian and Barry.

Alyssa and Nate spent two days in snowboard school.  We had planned for only one day, but they both loved it so much, they asked to go back the next day.

Nate had a blast, really likes snowboarding over skiing.  Instructor says he's really relaxed and able to handle the board really well.

The first day, Nate and Alyssa had a nearly private lesson as they were the only students in the class.  Their instructor, Rico, was popular.  The kids kept calling him Puerto Rico.

Nate showing the great form on the board.

I think what Nate likes most about boarding is that he can frequently get down and actually play in the snow.  It helps him have even more fun while on the mountain.

Nate and Rico with a big high 5 celebration after making it down the run.

The 4 story house we rented worked perfectly.  The kids took the very bottom floor and I brought the Wii for them to play with.  Between iPads, Wii, pool table & Nintendo DS the kids downstairs were fully entertained while the adults upstairs were able to party all night.

For dinner, the group went to a great local Tahoe restaurant called Capisce, that we had found recently on one of our earlier trips in the ski season.  The food was as usual phenomenal, made even better by the great company.  Want to give a shout out to the owners who were able to accommodate our very large and very loud party.  Thank you!    

A little hard to get everyone in the photo, small restaurant, large group, but aside from our photographer Barry we squeezed everyone in.

Love the photo here.  Mike D brought the bottle of wine, Brian getting ready to take a sip, but the look on Lori's face is priceless.

The girls group shot.

The skiing at heavenly may not be the best but the views sure are.

The Epic mix team has photo stops all over the mountain and we took advantage and got lot's of photos.

Maria and I enjoying the snow.

Heading up from the Nevada side onto the lifts as we enjoy our final day on the mountain.  Happy birthday my angel, hope you had a great time, we sure did!

Fall Fun

At the Davis Pumpkin Patch in 2012.  Lot's of fun activities, our second year going.

This corn bath is one of Nate's favorites.  He can play for hours  All these corn kernels on a tarp, surrounded by hay, about 2 feet deep.

Great photo of Nate enjoying the fall weather.

In the corn bath, I guess it's the way the folks in the midwest pretend they're at the beach.

Nate working on his hand stands.  Gives you a better sense of how big the corn bath is.

Love the way Nate looks with the fall colors in the background.

Buried in corn.  

They also had this hay maze and climbing structure.  Provided a fun chase area.  This time I caught him.

Nate loves to be spun around.

Like Maria's shadow of her holding the camera at the bottom.

Nate and I relaxing and enjoying the day.

We also hosted a pumpkin carving party.  Friends and neighbors came by, brought a Halloween themed wine and we all carved our pumpkins on the back patio.

Brad really gets crazy with the designs.  I guess you can do that if you know how to draw.

Kids and adults all taking turns carving, cleaning and decorating the pumpkins.

A few of the finished products.

Maria's big holiday craft project.  She learned what modge podge is and how to use it.  Luckily we have our neighbor Brad to help with the writing and really finish off this project.