Rippin' in Ripon

The boys wanted to change it up a little, so we drove to Ripon to try out their skate park. Before going there, we stopped by Kingpin Skate Shop in Stockton to get Seth some new bearings. Ripon's skate park is way different than Stockton's with a totally different layout and much more vert. It looked intimidating at first, and there were lots of locals showing off and acting annoyed by younger kids getting in their way. We did meet a few 7 to 11 year old kids who were cool and helpful enough to show Seth and Saul the ropes, and offer advise on how to attempt certain tricks like dropping in. One seven year old daredevil flew over the coping and down into the park and back up one of the steepest vertical walls claiming, "It's easy!." Yeah, right. There were a couple of "old guys" about my age on long boards doing some impressive jumps and turns. I hung out with one of them for a couple of minutes and found out he's been skateboarding his whole life. I borrowed Seth's board and rolled down one of the least steep ramps without dislocating anything, so I was happy! The boys said Ripon is way better than Stockton, so we'll probably go again someday.

Dressing Up in Costumes, Playing Silly Games

The kids love Star Wars, so they were Anikin and Obi Wan for Halloween this year. Don't ask me which one is which, cause I don't know!

Corn Maze '07

Sherri, Dad, the boys and I went to the Del Osso Corn Maze again this year. We wandered through 25 acres of maize, got frightened in a very scary haunted house called The Curse of Sleepy Hollow, blasted pumpkins from a bazooka at about 20 miles per hour, and trotted on horseback around the field.A trick about the maze was that if you stick to the right hand side eventually you get through.Try going to the website for Del Osso Farm. You`ll probably see the wheel barrel maze `cause that was the one we went through.

Friday Afternoon at the Skateboard Park

Seth and Saul rolled around on Friday after school. Here are some pics and video.

Labor Day in Half Moon Bay

Remind me never to travel on Labor Day Weekend! No, it turned out to be fun. After a five hour drive to the coast yesterday, the 5.8 mile trail through the redwoods to Berry Falls from Big Basin Beach cooled Dad, Haven and me off while Sherri and the boys played at the beach. The wind attracted para-sailing surfers and spectators who crowded the shoreline, but only a few hikers ventured up the trails to the tiny but picturesque waterfall. The dirt trail to the falls climbs so gradually you barely notice you are ascending, but you fly all the way back to the beach on the way down. After the ride, Dad treated us to a delicious dinner at Cameron's British Pub. On a summer day in September, the trip there is definitely worth making to beat the triple digit heat of the valley or the foot hills, but Labor Day weekend is not ideal for driving. Even though the whole trip took more than eleven hours, it was ultimately worth the drive.

August Nights Are All Right

The boys and I went to the skateboard park then to a car show this evening. Saul is really into practicing his moves! Dad and the boys posed in front of a Chevy that was the same year and color as the one Dad learned how to drive in. It was some fun!

Dry Wall is Amost Done!

I'm taking a break from dry walling right now. Here is a picture of the progress so far.

Grout is Looking Good!

Out on the Tiles

Sherri and I put the tiles in last night! What a difference. It takes 24 hours to cure, then grout takes another 24 hours. The waiting is the hardest part. The toilet is in the backyard which makes it challenging... We go Borat style for a while, I guess.

I Told You Flight of the Conchords Ruled!

Good Progress

The guys from Jordan Plumbing helped move the water closet to its new location beside the bathtub. Man am I glad I didn't try to do what they did alone. Everything is coming together, and we'll be bathing tomorrow night! Yippee!

Who's the mother flippin'?

Everyone should check out Flight of the Conchords!

Almost Done Demolishing!

Kevin helped me take out the rest of the wall tiles yesterday, and I called Art Cervantes and Son to haul away the cosmic debris. Today I finished taking out the moldy ceiling panel and the floor where the new tub will be. Thursday is when the plumber is coming to hook up the pipes.

Bathroom Progress

I'm still doing the bathroom. Tearing out tiled walls and rotten floors is tough! I made a shower out of a blue tarp, a garden hose, and a pull up bar, so we've been backyard bathing since I smashed out the tub last week. We went campin for a couple of days, then came back. Kevin drove me to Lowe's in his truck to buy plywood for the floor, and today he's helping me get drywall. I need to be ready for the plumber by Thursday. Wish me luck!