Yes, I do love California

We enjoyed a great Stake Conference weekend.... The conference broadcast on Sunday was directed specifically to northern California members of the church-our history, our growth, and our strength.  It definitely reminded me of the wonderful place that we live.  Don't get me wrong, as I enjoy being able to run and play tennis all winter long, being able to be in the mountains or at the beach in less than two hours, and gorge on amazing local produce in all the different seasons I know this is an amazing state.  But lately we have all been reminded of the not-so-terrific qualities of this state.  The state's financial situation is a wreck and there is no quick fix or short term solution.   We all must be willing to sacrifice to make things better.  Elder Lance Wickman of the Seventy reminded us that we shouldn't be chasing after "Zion" and truly it is right here below our feet.  President Uchtdorf (so handsome) also reminded us that tough times never last but that tough people do!  A great reminder of what we have and what is required of us....Elder Wickman even quoted CAL'S fight song....We are Sons of California;  A loyal company;  All shout for California while we strive for victory!! RAH RAH!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Erin and Chance flew home for the long weekend.........The rain kept us inside by the fire most of the weekend and it was great. We all loved getting to know him and spending time together.

OOOH LA LA...Can you say kumquat icecream??

Corey and I finally used our gift certificate from my parents 2 Christmases ago and experienced Chez Panisse....something I only dreamed about during my college days in Berkeley. Each course was amazing and something we'd never tried before. Can't decide which we liked better....the Steamed local halibut with escarole and steelhead caviar or the Grilled rack and loin of Cattail Creek Ranch lamb with cumin and olives, roasted parsnips, carrots, and turnips. Actually, the pictured Kumquat and kiwi ice cream pavlova was divine as well.....Thank you Mom and Dad for the once in a life time culinary experience!

I'm in LOVE!

I've been playing around at tennis for about a year now....some days better than others but playing when your elbow isn't screaming is so much more enjoyable. I'd been suffering with tennis elbow-(no joke!) for about 6 months. I finally broke down and got a shot of cortisone-drugs are amazing! And with the spring-like weather in Lodi, I played 4 times last week!

Hot water....unlimited!

A new tankless hot water heater was just installed at our house. Amazing that the old one was still working....it was 1/2 filled with sediment! All my other neighbors are on their 2nd or 3rd one....I guess we should feel lucky. Anyway, the tankless concept means the water is heated as needed so it will never run out AND a big giant tank of hot water isn't trying to stay hot in a freezing cold garage. Hopefully the new bugger will pay for itself before too long! But, we might actually see a rise in our bill because I think Emma gauges the length of her shower on how long the hot water holds out!