Hanging Lights

While Bernd and Thea were here they were kind enough to help us put up our Christmas lights. The lower half of the house is fairly easy it's the top that gets tricky. When we built our house we did the Christmas light package which means there are plugs under the overhang so you don't have to run extension cords and then they are wired to a switch by our front door. It's very convenient minus the fact that getting the lights plugged in at the very top is EXTREMELY difficult and very scary! Bernd and Mark did a great job and the lights look wonderful. I have to take pictures of them at night along with the rest of our decorations but here is the process of putting the lights up. Thanks Batman you are the best!

Like I said the lower lights were fairly easy.

I helped a little, I was afraid just being at the top of the latter.

Here is the scary part.

At last success!

They took a moment to celebrate.

Thanks guys, great job!

Happy Turkey Day!

We just got back from Thanksgiving in California. We had such a nice trip. It was a little short but definitely worth it. We flew out on Wednesday night when Mark got off of work and came home yesterday. It was the first time in like 12 years that Mark's entire family has been together for Thanksgiving. Joel made a turkey and a turducken. Both were really yummy, I was actually surprised at how much I liked the turducken. There were mashed potatoes and gravy, a salad, pumpkin pie and of course butt bread. Friday we were able to meet up with a group of our friends. We went to Bernd and Thea's and saw all the amazing work they have done on their house. Then we met up with Marco, Becky, Dela, Chris and Danny for dinner and drinks in Walnut Creek. Saturday was a super lazy day, we had In-N-Out and then vegged out and watched movies all day. The Donat family came over to visit and we ordered lots of really yummy sushi. Sunday our flight was at 6:50am. so we were up at 4:30am, it's terrible getting up that early but at least we get home early and have time to unpack and relax before the week starts. Thank Judy and Joel for everything, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm sorry I didn't get a family picture I don't know what I was thinking.

Brody and Bode on Thanksgiving morning.

Judy's beautiful table.

The Turducken.

The Turkey.

The only picture I got that was sort of a group shot.

After dinner, Brody and Grandpa kicked off their shoes.

My little boy on his 2nd Thanksgiving.

Bar Golf

We played bar golf for Mark's 29th birthday. We got the idea several months ago when we saw another group of people playing. They were all dressed up in ridiculous golf attire and we had to know what they were doing. One of them was kind enough to give us one of their score cards and explain how the game was played. You play nine holes. Each bar is considered a hole. There is a designated drink for each bar and you have to drink it in a certain number of sips to make par. There is lots of funny rules and everyone has to dress up in golf stuff. We made cool score cards with tiny golf pencils attached. Thanks Bernd for drilling holes in all the little pencils. It was one of the funnest nights I have ever had in my hole life we can't wait to play again.

Mark and I in our silly clothes.

Bernd, Thea, Justin, Mark (Brody's back), Tim and Shara

The Boys.

The score card.

Justin, Mark and I.

Lisa, Ashley and Shara.

Nick, Mark and Suzy.

Bernd and Mark.

Bernd and Thea.

The Kraatz.

Yay matching hats!

At dinner right before we started.

Matt and I.

Thea, me and Christa.

We didn't quite get the entire group, I think we had 16 golfers.

2,404 Mile from Ordinary

One of our best friends from college, Tim, got married this weekend. We met Tim our sophomore year and have been great friends ever since. He was one of the groomsmen in our wedding. Him and Tania are such a great couple and we couldn't be happier for them. The theme of their wedding was 2,404 miles from ordinary. They live in San Francisco and got married on a little island right outside of Cancun called Isla Mujeres, which is exactly 2,404 miles from San Francisco. Their wedding was amazing. Mark and I had so much fun. We owe both sets of grandparents and my sister a huge Thank You for coming and staying with Brody so Mark and I could enjoy our weekend away. We love you guys. We took almost 400 pictures, I created a blog for the couple so everyone could share stories and post pictures. If anyone wants to see more pictures you can go to www.timandtaniawedding.blogspot.com.

It's not Mexico without tequila.

Mark and I our first night.

The bride and groom, aren't they cute.

Me and Mark with the groom.

Hanging out at the pool the day before the wedding.

We did get a little rain on Friday, but it didn't seem to bother Timmy.

Some guys on the beach caught a barracuda, Budge couldn't wait to hold it.

We didn't let the rain bother us either.

Some of our other good friends from college, Mark, Pat and Vern.

Pat, Mark, Me, Budge and Mark at the wedding.

The Kiss!

Such an amazing setting.

Mark and I at sunset.

Our last day, we had to squeeze in just on more trip to the beach.

Obama is our New President

We left for Mexico right after the election so I didn't get the blog post done until we got back. I just wanted to say we were thrilled with the results of the elections. I think this country needed a change and Obama brings hope. I know he won't be able to magically fix all of our problems overnight but I think it's a step in the right direction. I was really sad to hear about Prop 8 in California, I can't believe it passed. Hopefully it will be overturned. We will continue to watch the issue to see how it turns out. What an amazing time in our country. It was so great to be a part of such a historical night!

Halloween Party

On Saturday we headed down to San Marcos to Dusty and Christa's Halloween party. They do a big party every year with a fun theme. This year was fame rises from the dead. So you were supposed to come as your favorite dead famous person. Mark and I decided to go as Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love. I know she isn't dead but we just pretended. I didn't get the best pictures my camera died right after we got there. But here are all the famous dead people from Saturday night. Thanks Christa and Dusty for the fun party we can't wait for next year.

Me and Mark

Christa and Dusty

Matt and Abbey

Kinsey, isn't she cute!

Matt and Savannah

I didn't get there names.

Amy Winehouse

Me and the first lady, isn't she proper drinking her beer with a straw.

I'm not sure.

John Lennon

Something to do with the Sex Pistols.

Steve Irwin