We have had a wonderful holiday visiting first Alison and Eric in Salt Lake City, and then the foggy Bay Area. We even stopped at Sam and Maryo's cabin near Soda Springs for a much-needed one night respite on our journey.
We had Christmas with my sister in snowy Salt Lake City:
(The tree on Christmas morning)
Ali found a great little ride-along fire truck for Alex - it's just like his green train at home!
Leading up to Christmas, Dana had to spend much of her time finishing a law paper on parallel importation and drug research incentives for the pharmaceutical industry.
Meanwhile my Dad and Alex spent some quality time together. Here they are watching Alex's new favorite movie, "Cars". I copied it over to the iPhone for our drive across Wyoming, and it was a big hit. While Dana drove, Alex and I sat in the back seat and watched most of the movie. Finally sometime around Rock Springs, he fell asleep and I moved back up to the front seat to help drive.
We were not sure what to give Alex for Christmas. We figured he would be a popular guy on Christmas morning, but I really wanted to get him something fun. Then at the store on Christmas Eve, I found this ENORMOUS yellow Tonka dump truck. I couldn't resist, so I hid it until Christmas morning. Before Alex woke up I wrapped a bow around it and stuffed it under the tree.
Alex had become so accostomed to the tree and it's surroundings over the previous several days, that he didn't even notice the truck when he came into the living room on Christmas morning. We played and talked for about 30-45 minutes before he suddenly stopped. He was staring at the tree, and then he pointed and said softly, "a truck!" Sure enough, he had spotted his new toy!
It was a big hit!
We had a wonderful time in Salt Lake City. Alex went sledding for the very first time at Sugarhouse Park. Alex learned the word "sticky". We had several lessons in how to pet dogs and cats nicely.
On December 26, Dana and I left Alex with my sister and brother-in-law and my parents, while we drove west to the Ba Area. My good friend and former college roommate Chris Wagner and his fiance Monica were getting married in Berkeley on 12/27, and we planned to be there. The weather looked bad the night before, but it turned out it was not bad at all. The freeway in Salt Lake City was closed for about 5 miles in SLC, but after that it was a breeze!
We got to the California-Nevada state line around 6pm, and decided to take up our friends Sam and Maryo on their invitation to stop by their cabin for a visit. I figured we would stop in, and maybe avail ourselves of the leftovers they offered for dinner. (Yum!) It only took a littlle while for us to finish off a couple of bottles of wine and decide that we probably ought to stay and enjoy the warm, cozy fire and spend the night. Besides, Bangor and Sam and Maryo's daughter's dog Oliver were there, so it made for an irresistable "two dog night".
We made it to the wedding at the Berkeley City Club and had a ball. After that we had two full days to ourselves while Alex stayed in Salt Lake City. During this little Alex break, we took some time to catch up with old friends...
Melissa (she moved to Hayward)
Greg, reliable Greg, whose telephone ringer does not work
The redwoods at the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden. I love these guys!
Lovely Dana in the redwoods
Some wild turkeys
Anthony, Dana, Dan, Greg and Kyra
Taj
And I couldn't resist snapping a photo of one of my favorite street signs in Berkeley
On Monday we picked up Alex from the airport when he flew in with his Grandma and Grandpa, and my grandma Jane. Since then we have had a relaxing time lounging around in the fog, waiting for 2009 to sneak in.
Today we drove up to Napa to get our first look at my Dad's completed Glasair...
Me, Grandpa and Alex in the cockpit.
The cockpit (still a few cosmetic items to finish)
Grandpa rolled around the hanger floor with Alex. Here he's showing off the landing gear
There's been so much more going on, but lots of it doesn't have pictures. I'll try to elaborate as we start the new year.
Tomorrow morning I start the drive back to Colorado, by way of Salt Lake City. On Saturday Dana and Alex fly home together, and hopefully I'll be there in time to pick them up in Denver!
Cute shot of Alex (as Harry Potter?)
