Moaning Cavern - Murphys - Snowshoe Brewery Boondoggle

Yesterday we did another local boondoggle.  We started at Moaning Caverns where we took a spiral staircase down 165 feet.  It was so cool but very scary!  We ended the tour with a yummy picnic.

Then we went to Murphys and walked thru town checking out shops.  Highlights were getting Ahi a new harness (we forgot hers in SJ), shopping at the Spice Box and getting ice cream!

Then we went up the road to Arnold so the boys could have a beer at Snowshoe Brewery.

There was something for everyone!

Spiral staircase back up.

I am clutching G because I am terrified!

165 feet below the surface - that's the igloo behind us

Boys and their beer!

Kayaking - Dec 26, 2013

Spillway - we never get to see this because the water is right up to it.

On the day after xmas, Grace and I went kayaking at PML, in 70 degree weather!  Grace was disappointed because she wants to use her new ski gear, but it was a beautiful day to be on the lake.

The new jetty

15 feet of dirt next to the spillway

Grace knew just how to load up the kayaks

Crepes

Grace got a crepe maker for xmas and we have been eating them every morning since.  So yummy!

Coulterville Boondoggle

Geocache

Since there is no snow, we are doing day trips from the cabin that we would not normally do because we would be skiing.  Yesterday we went to Coulterville, a very small gold country town.  It had a good little museum and we did some geocaching.

Then we went to Lake McClure and had a picnic.  The water was so low at the boat ramp that we couldn't see ANY water while standing at the ramp.

Museum

Hello Mabel, sorry your barn burned down.

Geochache in a little safe!

TNDC Awards Survey - 2013

Time to take this year's survey:

TNDC 2013 Awards Survey

Complete by January 3rd.  Awards announced on January 9.

Xmas 2013

Mmmm...breakfast

We had xmas morning at Grandma Anna and Grandpa Roy's house.  Grandma Kathy, Grandpa Tom and Zena joined us.

Started with our traditional sticky buns, then opened gifts and moved on to brunch.  YUM!

If we only had snow!

Nosy Labrador looking in the stocking box!

Xmas Eve 2013

It was an unusual Xmas Eve because we were in San Jose and everyone was running around doing their own things!

Jim was getting crab, Drew was coming back from skiing in Tahoe and Grace and I were having lunch and seeing a movie with TNDC friends.

We ended the day with a crab and fondue meal while watching the movie "Four Christmases".

It was a great day!

9er game

Mr C and Jim could not have had a better experience at the 49er game - the weather was amazing; the game was exciting and the atmosphere celebratory!

Here are some pics!

Long walk in

49ers

Jim and his buddy, Mr C, are going to the LAST regular season home game of the 49ers at Candlestick park tonite!  This is a BIG deal.  I know someone who has a friend who works security there and they are expecting crazy behavior from the fans.  Jim and Mr C plan to hang close to Mr C's bro in law who is a police officer....smart men!

Para cords

Grace is making para cord bracelets.  The idea with these is that if you get in trouble you can unravel them and use them for survival - such as to make shelter.  Next she is going to make a collar for Ahi.

OH HO

My company changed its logo and decided to auction off its old signage and donate the money raised to charity.  So it opened the auction up to all employees and employees could bid on entire signs or just letters.

A couple weeks ago I was looking out of my window and saw an employee carrying a giant O and a small H that was from one of the signs.  By giant I mean an O that was about 3 feet long and an H that was about a foot and a half long!

I totally laughed out loud and thought - is he going to hang it up to be

OH

or

HO?

Pics

We took the opportunity to take some pictures after Drew's soccer game today.  It was a beautiful day and made for a great day of soccer and pictures!

Murray

Murray stayed overnite and went with me to the grocery store this morning.  I had to pack groceries all around him.  He seems used to it....his mama must be a caterer!

Grace kept putting a snuggie on Murray.  He was not amused.  And he was hot!

Thumb Injury

Drew came up after a goalie play today with an injured thumb.  A trip to the Urgent Care Center left him in a splint.  Doc doesn't think it's broken but felt that it was injured enough to mobilize it for a week or so.  It will be reviewed by a radiologist for a second opinion.  Luckily he is off of soccer for a week so it's perfect timing.