Dave's Birthday!

And our 2nd Annual Trip South!

We visited our friends Kris and Carolyn again this year in Rochester for our 2nd annual trip down south for the winter. OK that's sort of a joke since obviously Rochester isn't that much warmer than Duluth and it's not like we did any suntanning or anything. But we did have a great time, laughed a ton and came home happy.

Last year's visit seemed too short so this year we spent two nights. We arrived on Friday, had a nice dinner and then attended Catherine's violin recital. This was a new experience for both me and Dave. Catherine did great and so did most of the other kids. There was one piece called "Meditation" which made us all quite sleepy.

After the recital Carolyn's folks came over and we all had birthday cake. Both Kris and I had made Dave a birthday cake and I think he was pretty happy about that!  We all know how much Dave loves cake!

On Saturday we packed in the activities. We went to the  farmer's market in the morning (wow does Rochester have a lot going on in the winter). There were so many delicious looking potatoes and leeks; there was a honey vendor, a couple of meat vendors, folks who had homemade pies and preserves; it was awesome. Luckily for us all, the chocolate-covered-bacon vendor wasn't selling his famous wares that day. I had almost decided to try a bite since I have never tried bacon before. And after all, how bad could it be if there was chocolate involved? Maybe next time. Then we took a special trip to Fleet Farm. I got some new rubber boots and a pair of Carhartt jeans. Carolyn and Emma helped me while Kris and Dave looked over the snowblowers. What a fun store.

We went home for lunch and then zipped right out again to make it in time for the community skating time. I haven't skated in about 20 years and Dave hadn't skated since he lived in Holland as a little kid. Oh the scary times of nearly tripping, careening over a fallen kid in front of you, and not being able to stop at will. Good time! After a while we both got the hang of it again - sort of. We had that I'm-old-and-scared-of-falling stance but what can you do?

Obviously we hadn't had enough activity so we headed home to take a quick walk and then play a few rounds of ping-pong and air-hockey. Carolyn is definitely a ping-pong shark. Dang she's good. We played girls against boys and I'm sorry fellows, but you just didn't rate.

More food and cake followed along with more good conversation. Well, the pressure is on for next year! How can we top this weekend?

Winter Break, the Wedding, and New Year's Eve

Dave and I were lucky enough to get out of Duluth over New Year's. We were happy to leave the cold, snow, ice and salty roads in exchange for California's sunny beaches. We flew out of Mpls so we headed down 1 day early to spend the night at our friend Kristen's house. She is a super entrepreneur who owns her own flight catering company, Atiki's Catering. She also makes me laugh my head off. Dave was talking about how he thinks everyone has a secret talent (his is blending in to any culture; mine is facial recognition). Kristin wondered what hers was and I knew right away - she is a funniness magnifier. She makes everyone around her feel like the cleverest and funniest person. She said, "I just thought all my friends were super funny." I said, "No- only with you." Anyway, we had a great time catching up and eating the delicious Pad Thai Kristen made for dinner.

The next day we headed to California for Bud and Jenifer's wedding. The gathering took place at the Asilomar Retreat Center in Pacific Grove (near Monterey). The retreat center is located on a state park so the feel inside the rooms is slightly government. If you've ever stayed somewhere run by the military you will know what I mean. I'm not saying I didn't like it because I did. It was awesome. No TV's, no phones, just woods, beach and quiet. The Center has tons of cedar shingled "cabin pods", each with about 10 rooms plus a common room. The wedding party took up about 3 of these pods plus a few extra rooms.

Dave and I got there early the first day and were able to walk for hours on the beach checking out the tide pools and the pathways throughout the resort. It was soooo nice to be able to walk around in just shirtsleeves.

The rest of the family arrived throughout the day. We were in the same pod as Aunt Lisa and Uncle Jim, the Pratts, Bud's parents, and a number of Bud's siblings and their kids. There was one unfortunate couple who were not part of our party but who were stuck with us in our cabin pod. I think we were ok to be around though. We observed quiet hours for the most part and shared some delicious wedding cake.

In the morning the day of the ceremony the family was able hang out, walk on the beach, and get some visiting in. Mary Alice and I even waded in the ocean. Definitely gave you an ice-cream-headache in your feet but it was still super fun dodging the waves.

The ceremony was both fun and touching. They interspersed their vows with singing (see youtube video - Bud and Jenifer sing their vows) and at the end the whole wedding party sang to the new couple (see  youtube video - The wedding party sings to Bud and Jenifer). Bud and Jenifer are so clearly in love. It is so sweet to see them together. I wish them as much happiness as they can hold in their new life together.

The wedding and reception were on New Year's Eve and held at the Asilomar Retreat Center. After the ceremony we took pictures then adjourned to dinner: an excellent  meal and delicious dessert. We were left to our own devices after dinner and luckily the moon was full, the tide was extreme, and the whole beach was lit up by moonlight. Dave and I took a late night walk (not quite til midnight but it was midnight in Minnesota - body clock time) on the beach and were amazed by the brightness. Each whitecap glowed as it came to shore, the white sand beach looked like snow it was so bright, and there were a number of small beach parties going on with little bonfires. And it was warm! Warm enough to walk without a coat. It was a lovely New Year's Eve.

On New Year's Day we all went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was soooo cool. The jellyfish tanks were super serene. And the tank with the sharks, tuna and other fish seemed really big. The room where you could stand and watch was dark so the tanks seemed super blue and soothing.

That evening we went to Phil's Fish Market & Eatery for dinner. It's a family style restaurant - meaning that you sit at any old table even one where people you don't know are sitting. Not sure that would go over in MN. The food was great. And even though they were primarily a seafood place they offered vegetarian options and I had one of the best veggie burgers I've ever eaten. We rode there and back with Aunt Lisa and Uncle Jim which was fun because we were able to catch up and also devise a sure fire TV hit "Bridget goes to the Quetico." (Bridget being the northland version of Gidget.)

On the 2nd, Dave and I left the warmth and sunny skies of California and headed back to our regular life here in Duluth, MN. It's ok to be back. We like our life. But it sure was nice to take a break! Thanks to Bud & Jenifer for bringing us all together for such a fun and memorable event. Best to you both in your new life together.