Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Last day of June

I haven't posted in a while. We went on our vacation to southern California. It was fun, but very busy. It's almost nice to be back at work so we can rest up!

On Sunday, we went to Six Flags Magic Mountain and rode lots of roller coasters. Monday, we visited Universal Studios Hollywood.

We spent Tuesday through Thursday at the Disneyland Resort. At Disneyland, we got stuck on a boat in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride for over half an hour. We were just before the last conveyor taking us up to entrance. We heard the Yo Ho--A Pirate's Life for Me song way too many times. After they finally got the ride going again, they gave us a Fastpass that we used to skip a 90 minute wait to get on Splash Mountain.

Friday, we drove down to San Diego, spending the day at SeaWorld. Saturday was at the San Diego Zoo.

On Sunday, we drove up to Joy's sister's home, near San Francisco. Sunday afternoon, we visited Muir Woods National Monument, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Lombard Street.

We drove home yesterday, arriving at about 5 pm.

Friday, June 19, 2009

The last workday before vacation

I'm posting this from my phone to make sure that I'll be able to post to my blog while we're on vacation.

We leave early tomorrow morning on the long drive south on Interstate 5. By this time tomorrow, we should be getting close to Roseburg. We'll be spending the first couple of nights in a motel in Sylmar, about half way between Six Flags Magic Mountain and Universal Studios Hollywood, our first two destinations.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Ready for vacation!

It's my last day working in the office until after vacation on Tuesday, June 30. I've looked at the extended weather forecast for Sunday through Thursday for southern California and it is supposed to be in the low to mid 80s most of the time, which should be ideal for playing at the amusement parks--warm enough that getting wet on the water rides will feel good, but not be too hot. Of course, we'll have to wear lots of sunscreen!

James wants to spend an afternoon in San Francisco bay area on the way back; that will mean an early [like 4 am] departure from San Diego on Sunday, June 28. That way, we'd get to Julie's [Joy's sister] in the early afternoon and could spend the afternoon and evening sight seeing. He wants to see Lombard Street, the Golden Gate Bridge and Muir Woods. James got a camera for an early birthday present and wants to be able to take some scenic pictures with it.

Monday, June 15, 2009

A fun family re-union

My nephew Derek was visiting from Colorado; he's attending the Air Force Academy. We got together in Tillamook at my Aunt's house. We ate too much food, went to the beach, went to see Munson Creek Falls, played baseball and croquet --and ate even more good food.

It was fun to have a large family event. Hopefully, these can occur more frequently. Last week, my brother Jimmy and his wife Joyce celebrated their 25th anniversary. Congratulations, Jimmy & Joyce!

Using Facebook, I'm reconnecting with some old classmates and friends from Columbia Union College and Maryland. It's been nice to get back in touch with long-lost pals. Technology is good for some things!

I work 5 days this week, then we're off to California for vacation!

Friday, June 12, 2009

Another Friday

It's Friday, June 12. I will only have one more Friday in the office until July 24, with vacations and holidays taken out. Yesterday at work, they had a Hawaiian luau with a contest for the best Hawaiian shirts. I wore one that I actually bought in Hawaii, but it didn't win the prize.

I have multimedia duty at PVC tomorrow. After that, we're driving over to my Aunt's home in Tillamook to spend time with family, including my nephew Derek, who is visiting from back east.

John is going to drive over there, his longest trip behind the wheel so far--until next weekend when we're going on our Southern California vacation.

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

A Good Graduation Weekend

On Friday evening, we went to Olive Garden for dinner to celebrate Joy's birthday--39 and holding!

Most of the rest of the weekend was dedicated to various PAA Graduation related events. Friday was Consecration, Saturday was Class Night, and Sunday was the actual commencement.

Selita looked nice. She has a new, shorter haircut.

Sunday, after commencement, we went to a graduation party for our friend Ian.

I'm already counting down the days until our Southern California vacation starts. Eleven days from right now, we'll be on the road heading south!

Friday, June 05, 2009

Graduation Weekend at PAA

My youngest daughter, Selita, will be graduating from PAA on Sunday. There are events all weekend, so it will be busy.

Knowing that we have only one child left in high school makes me feel old, in some ways, but in others, it doesn't seem that long ago that I was getting my high school diploma.

Today is my wife Joy's birthday. We're going to take her out for dinner this evening before going to PAA for the consecration.

We had a pretty big wind and thunder storm for Oregon last evening. It made me think there might be a tornado somewhere around, but I didn't see any funnel clouds. I guess that there were some funnels seen down in Salem, along with golf ball sized hail.

Monday, June 01, 2009

June is here

Joy and I had an absolutely awesome weekend. On Saturday, we drove down to see the Schreiner's Iris Gardens. The flowers were beautiful and colorful in the sunshine. After seeing the gardens, we drove over to Drift Creek Falls, in the coast range, a few miles east of Lincoln City. The waterfall is about 75 feet tall. There's a walking suspension bridge over the gorge into which the falls pour; so from the swaying bridge, you can look down about one hundred feet at the stream below.

Yesterday, we went out to do some shopping for our upcoming vacations. Joy got a very sexy swimsuit to wear in the pools and at the beach. For her birthday, she got her ears pierced at the Piercing Pagoda--she's been wanting to do that for some time and this was a good opportunity. After shopping, we went to eat at Claim Jumper; it was the first time that I've been there. The food and service were great!

Joy and I both enjoyed our scenarios from the 101 Nights of Grrreat Sex book! :-)

Now, it's back to work, but the weather is supposed to pretty nice all week.