California Christmas 2010

Ashley and I made our annual trip back to California for Christmas, and we had a great time. On Wednesday morning we flew in and her mom Melissa and her step-dad Dan picked us up and we drove straight down to Pasadera Country Club in Monterey to do our food tasting for our wedding in May. The food was awesome, and we can't wait to share that day with all of our friends. Here are some teaser pics of the venue.




View from the back, where the outdoor dance floor will be located.




I really like this photo with the country club in the background.







On Christmas Eve, I took my grandma to get her haircut, and while I waited for her to be done, I drove past the old house that my brother and used to live in in Los Gatos. We lived there for almost three years. Here's a photo of the house back in December of 2006.




Soon after I moved to San Angelo, Texas, my bro moved out of the Los Gatos house and it was torn down. Here is the same plot, four years later.





This bar in downtown Los Gatos called The Black Watch is home to the hugest kamakaze I've ever seen. One, and you're done.




This year on Christmas Eve, my mom hosted all of us over at her house for dinner. At 2:30 we all met at the cemetery to say hello to my dad and do our annual balloon release. My brother Scott and his wife Vida brought their two daughters, Lola and Camila. Here's Lola saying hello to Grandpa Tim.






After the cemetery, we loaded everyone up and we went to El Camino Hospital, another tradition we've done for almost 20 years. We all bring over trays of snacks, candy, and other goodies and put one in each waiting room on every floor and at some of the nurses stations to hopefully bring some holiday cheer to everyone's day. The best part, though, at the end of every floor, we take the balled-up aluminum foil and try to make a basket in the can adjacent to the elevator. Here's Scott attempting a shot. He won overall but we all had a great time.




After the hospital we all went back to my mom's house for dinner and some presents.




Ashley with Camila.





Camila hanging out nearby while we ate dinner.




My mom holding Camila while Lola opened a present from me and Ash.




Christmas Day was a rainy one. I woke up and went over to my brother's house to hand out for a little while before I went over to Ashley's mom's house. Lola and Scott were playing together throughout the afternoon.



Here's my brother's dog Biggs crushing his Christmas present. A new rawhide bone.




Even though it was raining, we found a small window where my brother and I could take Biggs and Lola on a walk to the park. Here's Biggs bringing back a chew toy.




Lola trying to figure out the umbrella.







Me trying to get Biggs to look at the camera, but he was too locked in on the chew toy.






Lola taking her turn throwing the toy to Biggs.







Time to head home because the rain was kicking up again.





I headed over to Ashley's mom and Dan's where we had an awesome fondue dinner and present exchange. We headed back home early Sunday morning because I had to work Sunday night. We had a great time and we look forward to an awesome 2011. Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving in Michigan 2010

Last week Ashley and I made our annual trip out to Michigan for Thanksgiving. Her step-mom Amy lives in Fenton along with her little brother Jake and little sister Casey. We flew from Denver to Chicago where we met up with Ash's brother Ken and his girlfriend Bobbie. From Chicago we flew to Flint, which is a lot closer to Fenton than Detroit is. Amy and the kids picked us up and we headed back to house. Early Thursday morning we woke up and began preparing for turkey dinner. I was in charge of peeling the potatoes and Ash got the green beans ready. People started trickling over around 1:30, and I was hard at work getting the world-class mashed potatoes ready.




Ashley's Uncle John with his daughter Sam, before the big feast. We don't hold it against them that they both went to Michigan State! :))




Ashley's little sister Casey makes sure the knives and forks are up to par before eating.




Ash's Aunt Mary and cousins Sam and Shannon. (More Spartans!) Sam graduated last year and this is Shannon's freshman year.




It took some rounding up, but post-meal we were able to get a group photo together.




Uncle John, Ash's step-mom Amy, and her boyfriend Mark.




Me just acting silly in what was supposed to be a girls-only photo.




It has become somewhat of a tradition post-meal to head down to the basement of Amy's house and play what we like to call "Thanksgiving Pong". It's basically beer pong but instead of using beer in the cups, we use water in order to let all ages play.




Jake felt like it would be more fun to play with someone's phone.




Water pong does have its exciting moments I must say, shown here by the dominating duo of Amy and Ash's cousin Sara.




Sam's boyfriend Ben, who is a 5th year wrestler at Michigan State, puts his gameface on to try to take down Amy and Sara.




Ash's cousin Katie (who we previously visited in Boston) and her boyfriend Nathan.




Ash, Aunt Mary, and Shannon.




Ash and I trying our hand at Thanksgiving Pong. We did not fare well.




Casey provided musical entertainment on the karaoke machine.




Ken's girlfriend Bobbie along with Jake back upstairs for some yummy dessert.




Ash's cousins get together to chat and catch up.




Ash and Jake.




Friday morning Ash, Ken, Bobbie, Casey, Jake, and I headed to the New Calvary Catholic Cemetery to visit Ash's dad and grandma.













Friday was also John's birthday so we all headed over to his house for some home-cooked grub. It was delicious!



Ken watches Casey play with some cards.




Some horsing around.




Ashley, Ken and all their cousins.




Happy Birthday John!




Saturday morning the sun popped out for a bit and the fall colors are always pretty.





Ashley, Casey, Ken, and Jake in front of Amy's house.





These are my two favorite photos of Casey. She decided to play in the leaves for a little bit.






Back at the Flint Airport, headed to Chicago, then to Denver.




"Runway 2-7, clear for takeoff."




Lake Michigan on the right, Chicago on the left.




O'Hare was very festive.




On the plane back to Denver before I tried to grab some Z's prior to having to go into work soon after we arrived.




We had such a fun time and it's always great to see Ash's family. Thanks again to Amy for letting us stay at her house and for hosting an awesome Thanksgiving dinner. Next trip is back to California for Christmas. That first day back we are going down to Pasadera Country Club to do our food tasting for our wedding. Less than 6 months to go!