Jack's first fish!

At long last....Jack caught his first fish at New Melones Resevoir

I think that we were more excited about it then he was.

He reeled it in and Loren took it off the hook 

(a process that took forever as the fish really swallowed the hook!)

Jack didn't want to touch the fish either...to slimy so Loren had to hold it in the pix.

I sure hope he doesn't inherit my dislike of fish!

Luke LOVED the fish and had no problem holding it...now he wants to catch one.

I wouldn't even open the cooler to get a sandwich out once that fish was in there...

Loren pan fried it for dinner and it was really tasty.

Jack called it dessert fish!

WW: boys on the hill

Random cute pix of the boys playing on a tree that fell down in my FIL's back yard (cliff)

Trip to the snow

We went to "the heather house" (or "other house" as Luke calls it)

this weekend.

It is sort of a tradition!

Lucky we got to go this time because Luke was super, super sick last week.

Tuesday to Friday with a VERY high fever. L took him to the dr on friday, and Luke snapped out of it on Saturday.

We went to the snow the first day...seriously not much snow.

It was icy, slushy and hard to find a good spot to sled that doesn't land you into a rock!

We did manage to find a great spot and had fun going down the hill.

It was great this year that all boys were into it...last time Jack wouldn't do it.

I, however, love to sled....much easier and cheaper then skiing!

Lexington Reservoir

We have had the most crazy mild winter this year.

Last summer Lexington Reservoir was filled to the max with all the rain we have had.

This winter we have had hardly any rain...

This time last year, the boys would be swimming rather then throwing rocks in the water.

We could really use the rain, but it was fun checking out the reservoir.

Loren has to drive by it every day on his way to work and I remember in 1985 when it caught on fire.

Jack's party

I just have to say that I am exhausted!  Jack's birthday celebration is finally over.

Today, we hosted 16 of Jack's friends at Santa Cruz gymnastics

(can you say sheer mayhem!)

And when he was younger we worried about his social game....

but, the boy has friends.

I love doing parties at SC gymnastics, because everyone has a fun time and the whole thing is over in 1.5 hours.  This time around it flew by.  So fun to chat with the parents (and meet some for the first time)!

But there were so many kids, it was hard to keep track of everyone.

And finally, right now, Jack's party is over and I am so ready for bed, thankful that I don't have to host another party till August!

WW: randomness by the ocean

my little fire starter

Luke LOVES the wood burning stove.

(and thankfully, he has never gotten hurt by it!)

He likes to get the fire wood with daddy and will drop everything to see inside of it when Loren checks on it.

Santa Cruz

Just a few shots of beautiful Santa Cruz in January.

It has been the most amazing winter so far...

I think it is trying to make up for being such a lousy summer last year!

We took a trip to the Santa Cruz boardwalk

It is open 12-5 on weekend in the winter...but not many rides are going.

It just so happens that Marini's candy is open on the boardwalk.

so I was able to get 2 strips of my favorite chocolate covered bacon!!

(don't knock it till you try it!)

And the boys had their first salt water taffy!

And, surprisingly, Jack didn't like it - too chewy.

This is my favorite ride at the boardwalk...but the boys are still not tall enough to ride it!