Thunderstruck

After seeing the movie Thunderstruck (like 100 times) Cooper has been obsessed with Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team.  He watches NBA & NCAA games all the time and has gotten quite good at basketball himself.  He constantly amazes me with his skills on the court.  

So...for his birthday this year he opted out of a party (which add up when you go to one of those "party" places they rent out) and instead we went to see our local Golden State Warriors vs. Thunder. 

It was the first time any of us had been to an NBA game and Cooper couldn't have been more excited to see Kevin Durant live and in person - which I will say was pretty cool!

He tried to get his attention with this cool sign he made (I still wonder if that girl in the background is old enough to be drinking that beer!)

 Great courtside shot before the game.

 Some action!

The look on Cooper's face when they came onto the court was priceless.  I can't imagine as a kid how cool that must be.  I think that is a memory for him that will bring a smile to his face for years to come.

Part 2

Spring Break Part 2 -

About 10am-ish on Thursday morning we realized how quickly our break was flying by and how tis was our last chance for a little getaway until summer vacation.  We packed the car and go out of town.  

Despite the warm weather (well 50's in Tahoe) and lack of fresh snow (although they got a bit of fresh powder Wednesday) we headed to Tahoe (well really we stayed in Reno - the lodging is waaayyy cheaper and it's not that bad of a drive to go to Tahoe for the day to ski).

Just so happened Squaw Valley was hosting the World Cup Ski Competition.  We went skiing on Friday and were able to watch the Super G competition with the US & world ski teams.  It was cool seeing that up close - absolutely amazing how fast the fly down the hill.

This is a picture of the course they were racing on.

 We could only take so much of watching and hit the slopes ourselves...

 OK a bit out of order here but what's better than skiing my day and swimming by evening?? Not much if you ask my kids!

 We like going into these snow parks - it's amazing the tricks people pull off in here.

 When we got to the bottom of the slopes we realized it was opening ceremonies for the World Cup.  They had bands playing and did a athlete parade with all the countries entering carrying their flags.  It was fun to stumble upon.

 They had 3 GoPro hang gliders enter to kick off the ceremonies, they literally flew over our heads, we thought they were going to take us out.  Here is Eddie & the kids checking them out.

 Again, out of order but a close second to the heated pool is french toast in the room while mom & dad get packed up.

 Here are the boys getting autographs from the US Ski team.  Cooper got his hat signed by the entire team.  Pretty cool! - We watched the competition on TV when we got home.  We were trying to recognize all the people we saw at the signing - it was fun to see it on TV and to have been there.

Well, it was a successful Spring Break!  10 weeks until summer vacation - It will be a busy time of year with Cameron being in 5th grade they have lots of activities at the end of the year.  That coupled with mowing season - before we know it the school year will be done.  (yay! a few months with no homework!)

Spring Break

Spring Break Part 1 -

Yay! We finally made it camping.  Eddie got his bike running so we loaded up and headed out.   It has been forever since we had gone.  We had an early break this year.  I'm not sure why we had Spring break when it was officially still winter until the middle of our break - but who am I to complain when we had a week off! I'll take it.  

We got in some great riding.  The trails were nice and groomed and the weather was perfect. 

We made it down to this cool creek crossing.  Normally this time of year that bridge in the picture is actually over the creek because the water is so high.  Not this year with our lack of rain.  Many times in the past this area is covered in ladybugs.  Eddie and I always used to stop here in the years past.  This was the first time Cooper was able to ride the trails that lead here.

 Well, he wasn't always on the trail!  He crashed on this trail and went over the side.  I was just glad he stopped when he did.  This hill was steeper than the picture gives it justice for.  He was a trooper.

 Hanging out by the campfire.

 Another pit stop on our ride.  Cooper is showing you the Black Diamond trail marking (they are marked in the same way snow ski trails are marked - green-blue-black). It was so awesome getting to ride these trails with the boys.  It's pretty amazing seeing some of the stuff they are able to navigate over.  Next time we have got to get some video!

We spent the next couple of days at home.  Cooper had a play date on the only day it rained.  Being stuck in the house with some wild boys wasn't working so we went roller skating.  I had a friend from high school meet me there with here daughter so I guess Cooper and I both had a play date.  Cameron opted out of skating which was a wise decision because a lot of Sonoma County was there - he spent the afternoon at work with Eddie.  Hey....someone's got to get some work done around here!

Weekend Fun

We've just been doing a lot of the daily grind things the past few weeks.  Busy with work, school and of course homework! We made time to get a way a few Saturdays ago for a day trip riding.  The only problem is, instead of riding Eddie spend 3 hours doing this...

 ...his darn bike wouldn't run.  A bit frustrating after driving all the way there.  He spent 3 hours trying to fix it but it just wasn't happening.  The kids and I made the best of it and did a few loops without him.  Didn't want to go to far alone.  It gave us the itch to go again.  Just gotta get that bike running.

Don't drink and ride.  We went for an afternoon ride and happened upon barrel tasting.  Apparently its a big event only 2 weekends a year - pouring tastings straight from the barrel.  I really should know more about this stuff living in Sonoma County.  Well we couldn't pass up such a fun event so we stopped for a sip.  It was so interesting and does make me realize I need to get more wine educated.  I think a wine tasting day should be in our near future!

Spring Break is early this year.  In fact, Spring officially starts the Wednesday of Spring Break (just so happens that's today as I type this and as it is raining outside - aren't we supposed to be in our bathing suits on Spring Break?) 

Hmmm wonder what kind of fun things we will find to do.....

Following "suit"

Well, as I suspected we managed to keep ourselves busy over our 4 day weekend. (I have decided I really like 4 day work weeks!)  We rented movies, set up a tent/campout in the living room and ate popcorn and rootbeer floats.  Stayed up way to late and had a great time doing it. 

 The kids decided to follow suit on the dressing up thing from the previous weekend.  We were lucky enough to go out to dinner with these handsome guys one night.

 We took Roxy on a nice walk one afternoon.  The trail we went on connects up with this new trail they just opened up in town.  We decided to try it out the following day on our bikes.  It was a beautiful day for a bike ride.

 Great resting spot overlooking the vineyards.  Also overlooks a pond that was behind me taking the pictures.

 We will have to hit this trail in each season to see the different colors and all.

So, we managed to keep ourselves busy and had a great time doing it.  It's already Friday night again.  Yay....

All dressed up

Eddie & I had quite a weekend attending 2 funerals in 2 days.  It was such an emotional/draining weekend but we were glad we were able to attend and show our support and love to our friends.  

Since we were all dressed up & had a sitter (thanks G'ma Sylvia) we took advantage on Saturday night and went to dinner & a theater show.  It was nice having a little date night.  Something we rarely get to take advantage of.

 Here we are headed out on day 2.  Since we aren't dressed up all that often thought we'd better get a picture of it.

Looking forward to the kids & my 4 day weekend.  A much needed rest after this past weekend.  Should be great weather so I'm sure we will find something fun to do.

Hernando got an A

All the blood, sweat & tears paid off.  We.....oh, I mean Cameron, got an A 45/45 on his Explorers Report.  He got several outstanding comments on his report (they grade each section individually) - she was very impressed with his cover photo (the picture from the last blog post) & with his costume for his oral report (thanks to Grandma Sylvia).

I'm glad to know I can pass a 5th grade history project.  :-).

No really, GREAT JOB CAMERON - you rocked it!!!!!