Long Time...no C

I apologize for not posting anything for a while. Andrea and I just have not been taking any pictures lately and that makes for a boring post. I can tell you that we have been on the hunt for a home here in the Salt Lake Valley. With interests rates at there lowest in years we are trying to strike while the iron is hot, so to speak. We hope to have more pictures up in a short while. In the meantime, thanks for checking out our blog.

Sailing Expedition

We left Chico at 7:00 a.m. and drove for 4 hours to the Berkeley Marina. Dad, Nate, Ryan, and I helped set up the boat on Monday. It was almost 60 degrees that afternoon. So nice! It took about an hour and a half to "step" the mast and secure it.After another hour to launch and unfold the boat... ...and after encountering some engine trouble, we were ready to sail!

YARRRRRR! Where be the best sailing waters me harties? There be no talkn' back to the cap'n or you'll be walkin the plank matey.

I think these two were trying to get wet.

This be Ayala Cove on Angel Island where we spent the night. A couple of scurvy rats row to shore in the dingy to pay the park fee. (We're honest pirates).During the night a thick fog rolled in. Around midnight a large vessel sailed right by us and blared his fog horn about every 20 seconds. After he left, we slept great. I'm rowing Andrea to shore so we can go use the facilities and walk on the beach. (Scurvy land lovers!)

After the fog started to lift we set a course for the Golden Gate Bridge. While in route we saw sea lions, pelicans, geese, and dolphins. We heard of a grey whale sighting in the Bay over the radio, but we never saw the whale.

On the first night, just the boys camped out on the boat, the second night we be joined by yon fair maidens. Ahhhhh a pirates life for me. YARRRRRRR!

Christmas Day in Chico

Andrea's learns how to use in-line skates

Chris shows us his skills...

Temple Square Lights

Special thanks to Chris and Melanie for these photos.

Christmas Time

We got our tree up and decorated. It's a 6 foot, $20 Wal Mart Special.

Thanksgiving at the Dodds

Andrea pours the drinks in preparation for the feast.

Boy we made quick work of that meal!

Mmm good food.

Happy here is demonstrating how the rest of us felt after eating. Andrea has the need to bead. Here she is teaching her sisters the intricate art. Thanks to Grandma Dodds saving years of birthday money, Andrea was able to get a really nice sewing machie.
Ben tries to bowl a strike. It's a lot easier on the Wii.

Next up is Andrea. She may not bowl a 300...

But she looks great trying!!!

Our Thankful Turkey

This is Andrea with Turkey-Lurkey, our thankful turkey. Two weeks ago Kristen and Joe came over and had FHE with us. Kristen gave us the materials to make our thankful turkey.

He gets the honerary spot by the TV. I know he's got a lot of colorful feathers, but don't call him a peacock, he'll be offended.

Once we had him on the wall we wrote down some of the things we are thankful for on his feathers.