Ixtapa Beach - Part 1

Once again, Steve and I headed south to Mexico for our annual recharge in the warmth; the big thaw.  After last year's crowd at our usual place (which meant I had to get up at ungodly hours to go save a spot on the beach) we tried a new condominium-only complex.  Though our condo was not on this side, here's a view from the beach side.....

And here is one of our pools, crowded eh?

and our spot on the beach to the far right, again crowded ..........NOT!!!!!

Steve in his favorite position at the beach........

A view from our 7th floor condo looking towards the "hotel" end of the beach and where we used to stay.

The view looking the other way.  Tennis anyone?

My view every day......the "deep thoughts by Kathleen" tree.

Our very first morning I was up about 9am. I couldn't wait for Steve to wake up as the sun was out and beach time was a counting down so I headed on down to the beach.  Since I am not a contortionist nor flexible enough to put sunscreen on my own back, I thought about asking the security guy or the lifeguard to put sunscreen on my back but then thought nah...I would then be embarrassed the rest of the time.  It was so hot and I needed to cool down so to the pool I headed. I then ended up standing in the pool talking to some woman about the complex, forgetting that my back was toward the sun and very unprotected.  So yes, the very first day I burnt my back a pleasant "beach pink" lipstick color!  No more sleeping in for Steve!

And 2010 Begins!

So after the fireworks, we all came back into the house for a toast to the new year!

New Year's Day evening we spent at Matthew and Irene's for opening of our exchange gifts and dinner.  Nanna and Kristin patiently waiting.

Chris and Riley showing off their new Nanook jerseys.

Chris began reading his book from Aunt Kristin right away after being concerned about it's thickness.

After Kristin opened Michael and Karyn's gift of beer and their certificate for future bimonthly cases of either beer or wine, she texted Jill right away.

Michael, Karyn, Steve and Nanna begin feasting on the crab. Dinner included king crab, prime rib, mashed potatoes and salad.  It was so wonderful............

Lingering around the table after the table, Kristin tries out Maya's toy from Sweden (I think...) which is all about using your imagination.   Perhaps Kristin is trying to be a girlie storm trooper? or is it her own version of Wierd Howard?

Maya being herself on James' lap.  She is such a happy little girl and can she ever talk!

Cleanup crew:  Nanna, Irene and Karyn.  Picture by Maya.

Matthew taking a quick nap after dinner.  Picture by Maya.

On Saturday, January 2nd, several of us (Kristin, Gary, James, Steve and I) went with Captain Dan on a winter king charter.   Kristin and I mid-morning waiting patiently for something to happen, and it did...a light snow.

Steve bundled up and ready for action.

While fishing in Sadie Cove, we saw some mountain goats down close to the water.

Even though we got skunked, an unbelieveable skunk as the two boats that were with us most of the time were bringing in fish, Gary ending the day with a smile.

Holidays 2009

It's holiday time again. Between the girls ski training and racing, getting new carpet laid and my work travel, Megan did find time to go get a tree with us. Much to Steve's dismay, she picked a big fat tree! After setting up the tree and decorating the house, it's always good to have a nap with your favorite cat.



Megan's tree was so "fat" that after Heather and I had the lights on the tree, we had to go back down the tree with additional strands. Heather and Robert then finished decorating it for us.

And then it's Christmas morning.........no more girls getting up early, in fact this year Steve and I were up and dressed waiting on the girls. Finally an excited "meanie" mom woke them up.

In all the excitement and making breakfast, I now realize I only took a few pictures.

(Poppop: The pillow case picture still has to be taken.)

On New Year's Eve day, Steve and I arrived in Homer to join the other Wise siblings for our annual get together. After much ado about waiting to shoot the fireworks at midnight and no sooner, it was finally time. At least this year it was about 30 degrees warmer!

Michael, Riley and Christopher getting ready for the show provided by "Mike Wise Fire Works and More"........of course I just blinded them with my flash.

and the show begins.........oops, missed that one but got the tree.

Oooh Aaaah...says the crowd.

Whoop! Whoop! Happy New Year's say the girls.........

Anchorage Besh Cup Races

This past weekend, Besh Cup #1 and #2 were held in the Anchorage area. Saturday's race was a sprint race at Kincaid Park. Everyone has to do a qualifying 1K interval start race and depending on your age class and how you placed, you either move on to the next level or not.

This year was really cool as not only were Heather and Megan racing in the Besh Cups but Michael (jr) was as well in the J3 class. Here is Michael finishing his qualifying race. Michael did great and moved on to the next race. Overall, in his class, Michael placed 5th.

Here's Heather coming down a hill in her qualifying race. She qualified to move on a quarter final heat.

Megan at the start of her qualifying run. She looked so cold and was it ever. Air temperature was -2 but the wind was just awful! I don't really know what the windchill was but it was brutally cold.

Megan coming down the hill.

After the qualifying races, Steve and I took a break to do some errands in ANC and then ended up at the hockey rink as Matthew and boys were in town for a hockey tournament. We got to see the 2nd and 3rd periods of Riley's hockey game and actually got to see him score! Homer won 3 to 2. I thought I had taken some pictures but apparently not as none were to be found on my camera. (I think it was frozen from the morning races.)

We returned to Kincaid Park to watch Heather race in a quarterfinal heat. Heather waiting for the start.

and they are off......

Though Heather didn't qualify to move on to the semi-finals, I think she placed 20th overall.

Saturday night, Kristin & Gary, Matthew & Riley & Christopher, Steve & I, Heather & Megan & Dave all converged at Michael & Karyn's joining Rachel, Judy and family for steaks, potatoes, and some great Caesar salad. Aunt Kristin brought flourless chocolate cake for dessert. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures though Pia took a few fuzzy pics with Michael's blackberry. It was really nice that Michael and Karyn were willing to host all of us. Much appreciated! As always, we had a lot of fun...well, at least I did. I think the girls also enjoyed getting to spend some time with relatives whom they haven't seen in since in a while.

On Sunday, most of us headed to Chugiak to watch the 2nd race. This was a classic interval start race. Michael raced for 5K while Heather and Megan's race was a 10K.

Michael at his start......even Santa was there making sure no one took off too early!

Megan going out.....

and then it's Heather's turn.......

For results and points, refer to http://www.crosscountryalaska.org/site/besh-cup-race-series

The Besh Cup races are a series of six races which is used to determine who is selected to the USSA Junior Olympic National Championships, and also this year the biennial Arctic Winter Games held in Grande Pairie, Alberta, Canada.

Heather summing up the weekend for all.........

Mom in Santa Rosa

This past week, I had a workgroup meeting in Santa Rosa, California. Yes, wine country; however, with working all day and wine tastings closing at 5, we didn't get to do much tasting at all. I didn't take any pictures but a colleague of mine took a few and sent these to me. The countryside was so beautiful with all of the various colors. Here's a huge pumpkin outside a winery with grapevines in the background.

We were lucky to arrange to met the wine maker of a pinot noir we had all enjoyed at dinner earlier in the week. He makes three different small lot (9 to 22 barrels) pinot noir's (one each from separate vineyards and then a blend from both.) We learned that pinot noir is one of the most challenging grapes to grow which is why he just makes pinot noir. Here is Ted (Elliot) of TR Elliot Wines giving us a small taste from one of his barrels. He gave us the opportunity to try two different wines; one was from the side of a hill while the other vineyard was at the top of a hill. His goal was to see if we could determine a difference in smell and taste. Even though the two vineyards are relatively close to one another, the climate and conditions can be so different. By the way, for only being barreled for two months so far, we thought both wines tasted quite good. (Michael if you are interested, check out the website http://www.elliottfamilycellars.com/mission.html.)

The group in the winery where Ted also makes, barrels and stores his wines.

Most of the group enjoying dinner at the Syrah Bistro, Santa Rosa. The food was wonderful as was the wine listing. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend this restaurant.

A Thanksgiving of Desserts

Steve, the girls and I had a nice Thanksgiving dinner by ourselves at home. Megan wanted the usual; turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, green beans, rolls, cranberry sauce, etc... I had everything covered and didn't realize until days later that I had pulled "an original Nanna" forgetting to bring out the cranberry sauce.

Later that night, we all went over to the Boyer's for dessert where Dave and some other friends had been invited for dinner. Turns out, we had enough dessert for everyone to have half a pie or cheesecake! I made two cheesecakes; triple chocolate as well as a pumpkin streusel. The line up....


Heather and Megan eyeing up the desserts. They also happened to the first ones to break into the fun.

The Boyers had a kick laughing at us in our "Puff" jackets.