Springing Forward

Ever felt like someone changed the laws of nature? It doesn't seem like 3 months since I updated this site, but the calendar says so. Maybe someone is stealing some hours from my day. If so, I hope that person gave them to you.

January.

Holly & Dan joined us for a weekend of wedding planning. I'd like to say wedding planning is fun, but you've all seen "Father of the Bride." 'Nuff said. But the fun thing was an "open house" on Sunday afternoon. Several of Holly's friends, and folks from church stopped by to see Dan & Holly. It was a good time.


February.
Carolyn and I went to a NASCAR race again. It's not as much fun as it used to be. Too bad. Carolyn and I also went with some kids from my high school to cook dinner for the residents at the Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House.


March.
After spending a month at nearby Ft. Irwin, Holly got away for a couple of hours to see us on Sunday afternoon, March 1. That was a good way to start the month. Now with Spring about to spring on us, we have been working in the yard, waking it (and the pool) up, so that we can enjoy our great outdoors.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

This year Christmas is coming very early!

We had our traditional Christmas Eve fondue dinner on Sunday night. We went to Tim and Stef's, and had dinner and opened presents. It was a great evening!

On Tuesday evening we went to Stef's school concert. all "5" of her groups did great!

On Monday it snowed a little But today it snowed A LOT! It started snowing at 6 this morning, and probably won't stop until tomorrow morning. Hesperia schools were closed today. Both Hesperia and Victorville will be closed tomorrow. So that means Christmas break also came early.

We got over a foot of snow. It damaged some trees in our back yard. When it covered the Christmas lights in our front yard it made a cool light show.

Ridin' The Rails

Ok, maybe that's a bit melodramatic, but we did ride Amtrak's Coast Starlight from LA to Tacoma to spend Thanksgiving with Holly. We made it fine, and had a mostly pleasant trip.

Tim took us to Rancho Cucamonga where we caught Metrolink to LA's Union Station. There we boarded our train.




We were downstairs in a coach car, only 12 seats in our area, so it was a bit more private than regular coach. We slept there, and did some reading, but spent most of our time upstairs in the Sightseeing Car with all the windows.

We are two meals in the Dining Car. You sit with other people, so we met some interesting folks.


It was nice seeing the landscape go by, the So Cal Coast and Oregon Cascade Mountains. This time of year, too much of the trip was in the dark to see much.

We slept like on a plane, but with more leg room. We upgraded to a sleeping car for the return trip, so that we can compare.

Fall '08

We didn't do Trick or Treat at home this year because of high school football. The Hesperia High School Scorpions are now 9-0 on the season. This has never happened to us before. It has been quite exciting. We even went with our "rooting section" up to Lake Arrowhead last Friday night for a game at Rim of the World High School. This Friday, the 14th, is our last regular season game, and it is a home game. So it will be a big deal

School has kept both of us busy the past couple of months. Carolyn carved pumpkins with her class again this year. It is always a big hit. The kids get to take the Jack-o-lanterns home. So that is good for them. Carolyn has been fighting a cold that was diagnosed today are a respiratory infection, so now she is on meds. That should help.

It has been unseasonable warm here. Supposed to be in the mid 80s tomorrow. Hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just 2 weeks away.

Take a Hike!

How many times have you wanted to say THAT to someone?

Well, today we did . . . with the Outdoor Club at Hesperia High School. We walked along the Pacific Crest Trail near Silverwood Lake.

It was mostly deserty dry brown stuff, but we did find some shade and trees from time to time. Another teacher is the advisor for the club, but we went along for extra support. There were 12 students and the other teacher. We had a good time, and we're glad we did it. We are also glad we have a pool to come back to.

Jack Shack

We are getting ready!

The whole McKean gang is going to be here the weekend of October 12. Yay!

That includes the newest McKean, Jack Michael. So today we got some stuff for him, and all his brothers, sisters and cousins (that's multiple choice, not necessarily all inclusive, Kallie). The new safari pack n' play we call the "Jack Shack."

Ok, Jack. Y'all come by real soon, y'hear?

Friday Night Lights!

Friday night high school football is back! For over 10 years, maybe for 13, we've spent almost every Friday night home football game with the same group. Don & Tammy Fortner and Joe Ellis, and Darrell Fortner. Our families were in the marching band together, and we've been to dozens of field shows and football games. So last night was a kind of an annual reunion. It helps that our team won 32-10.

We are always as interested in the Marching Band as we are the football game. And, of course, we never think it was as good as back when . . . We have lots of "war stories to tell. We also have a fun rivalry, because between us we are Chargers, Steelers & Raiders fans.

In a time that seems so full of things being unsettled, and all politicians promising change, it's nice to know that some things don't change. Good friendships can withstand a lot!