Lindsay Wildlife Museum

One day while passing through Concord, we stopped at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum. It was pretty cool, there were some rescue animals (mostly birds) that could no longer survive in the wild for one reason or another. The birds (owls, hawks, turkey vultures, etc.) sat up on top of the cages, unrestrained. At first, we thought that the birds were stuffed, so you can imagine our surprise when one of the birds started moving. I may have jumped a little. Or a lot.

As long as no one was up as high as them, the birds were fine. The lady said that she was surprised that they weren't threatened by Keith, because of his height.

Every time I tried to get a picture of this owl, it would turn its head away. I would walk away and it would face forward again. I'd walk back over to take a picture and it would turn it's head again.

There was a cool kids area too, but seeing how we don't have kids..... I can't tell you more about it.
There was a historic local Native American exhibit in the basement that was pretty interesting as well.

We didn't time it right to see any of the feedings or presentations but maybe next time. : )

Blue Angels Airshow

This post is forever old, but over the summer we went to see the Blue Angels Airshow. It was so much fun, here's some pictures.

When they were in formation, there was 18 inches between the wing of one plane and the tip of another, it was crazy!

Keith did enough pull ups to get a free water bottle from the air force. If you could do between 12 and 16, you got a water bottle. Above 16 and you got a t-shirt. I think Keith did 13 or something.

Until it's found......

You will have to continue to endure picture-less posts. I know our camera cord is around here somewhere, but I can't find it. I couldn't remember where I put it before we came down but then when we moved everything down a few weeks ago I found it in a box or bag or something.

I pulled it out, looked at Keith and said, "Oh ya, that's where I put it."

And then I tucked it safely back in that place and have yet to find it again. **Please tell me I am not the only one who does things like this?!!?

We are still loving life in California. I expected to like it, but I really love it already.

I got a job within the first week of being here, which was a miracle. I am working at an elementary school in Oakland doing the after school program. I am in charge of the 12 kindergartners in the program and I have had a lot of great opportunities. (More on that later) The commute isn't too bad, about 35 minutes there and around an hour back, due to traffic. The people I work with are great and the kids keep my laughing.

Keith is enjoying school. We only have 1 car right now so I have to drop him off at 1:00 before I go to work even though his classes go from 6:00-9:00, so he hangs out at the school all day but is able to get a lot of studying done.

And........that pretty much sums up our lives.

Wow, we really are not exciting people. I'll search for that cord tomorrow!!

California

Last Monday, with our car packed to the maximum (literally), we "moved" to Cali. We weren't sure about where we would be living or for how long, so we just brought the essentials (and an air mattress). We got into a duplex for really cheap but we weren't planning on staying in it past the end of September. But.... the price is amazing, the neighbors are nice, and the duplex is liveable (but quite small) so we are trying to stick it out for a year.

Things I am loving about California so far:

*SO many more shopping options than Pocatello, Idaho!

*The humidity level is perfect! Not muggy but not overly dry.

*Palm Trees! (I'm very happy to be reunited with the palms!)

*So far, people have been really nice and friendly to us.

*The Ice Cream section at the store down the road is HuGe!!

*Yard Sales!

*The fact that there is a freezer section in the Dollar Store!

Things I am not so much loving:

*Sales tax in California is crazy! (8.25%---pretty sure it's the highest in the nation!)

*Every morning we have been here, there is a big gray cloud sitting over Vallejo.

*It is SO cold in the mornings!

*The ice cream truck that drives around our neighborhood over and over and over every single day. (it passes multiple times within the same hour)

*Traffic

*Having to re-learn how to share my husband with his education.

We've learned that regardless of where you live, you win some & you loose some. So far, we really have enjoyed it here and people have been so kind and welcoming to us.

Our New Ride

Kawasaki Vulcan 1500

Ya Right! But we were grateful to my Dad who let us take it for a spin!

4 years ago.....

4 years ago today, Keith and I made some pretty awesome promises to each other.

It has been amazing so far.

Happy Anniversary Love!

Fun with BBC

(Not the British Broadcasting Corporation)

Brandon, Becky, and Caden were in town earlier this month and it was so fun to hang out with them! We were able to do a handful of things while they were here. Here's some pictures from our BBQ, picnic in the park, and Bear Lake.

BBQ with G & G Cornwall

This picture cracks me up

And Whit--I'm sorry, but so does this one

Grandpa let Caden have some cool whip and insisted that Caden hold the spoon and feed himself

He seemed to enjoy it!

Becky's family was kind enough to invite us up to Bear Lake while they were there. Keith and I stayed a night and my Mom and Dad came up for an afternoon. We had so much fun, thank you Tingey family!

Keith Water Skiing at Bear Lake

Becky Water Skiing

Bear Lake!

Love this baby boy!

Picnic at Ross Park

Playing a little croquet

Grandma trying to convince Caden to give in and take a nap.... it lasted about 3 seconds

Mohawk baby! (the handy work of Whitney and I)

It was so fun having them here, we miss you BBC!