Quote on Reflection by William L Shirer

Most true happiness comes from one's inner life, from the disposition of the mind and soul. Admittedly, a good inner life is difficult to achieve, especially in these trying times. It takes reflection and contemplation and self-discipline. - William L Shirer

Quote from Lorraine Anderson

"Nature has been for me, for as long as I remember a source of solace, inspiration, adventure, and delight; a home, a teacher, a companion."
~ Lorraine Anderson

San Simeon Beach, California

December 11, 2006


Here we are at San Simeon Beach, California.


John can hardly wait to get his feet touching the ground.


John is 8 months 23 days old.
This is John's very first time on the beach.


John checking out the sand on the beach.

John is stalking the seagull that is in front of him.

Now where did the birdie go?



John having a great time!


Which way should I go? hmm


Catch me if you can?


Gotcha!

December 7 -12th, 2006 - we couldn't have asked for a better way to spend our wedding anniversary celebration vacation.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur

December 10th, 2006


Just on the other side of this tunnel is a view of Pfeiffer Waterfalls.


Here we are on our 2nd hike of the day. Behind us is a view of Pfeiffer waterfall.


This was the bridge we just were on. If you look hard enough you can see Pfeiffer waterfall on the right side of the bridge.


A view of Pfeiffer waterfalls.


This is the view at the end of the trail.

December 10th, 2006 Happy Anniversary to us

The morning of our anniversary it was lightly raining, but it didn't stop us from hiking and going sight seeing as a family. By late afternoon the rained had stopped.


Big Sur, California. Hiking at Salmon creek trail. Our first hike for the day.


Steve looking back at us.


On the Salmon creek trail Steve spotted this wind chime that was nailed to the tree. We decided it was best to leave it be and just take home a photo of it. Wonder who and why someone place this wind chime here. hmm...


Salmon creek trail water fall. This area is very special to us.

New! Linn's Easy as Pie cafe in Cambria

Better late than never to post this.
The orginal Linn's easy as pie cafe sustained heavy damage due to fire on Sunday, April 16, 2006.



Picture was taken December 8th, 2006
This is the new location and new Linn's easy as pie cafe.

On our way up to Big Sur, California we stopped to have a late lunch at one of our favorite restaurant: Linn's Easy as Pie Cafe

This is the new Linn's easy as pie cafe outdoor patio. Unfortanly it rained so we couldn't enjoy their new outdoor patio cafe.


The new Linn's Gourmet Goods.
Click the link above for more information.

Sunset at Ragged Point Inn

Here at Big Sur, California we celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary.

Ragged Point Inn

One of our many vacation spots.

John walking, dancing with Joy! We're here!

Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas, California

During a vacation to the Big Sur coast, we visited some amazing sea creatures.


A male elephant seal.

Towards the end of November the first males begin to arrive and sort out the hierarchy of dominant bulls, the ones best positioned to mate with most females. Timing is critical. The dominant bulls will be spending 3 moths on the beach, fasting the entire time, fending off the approaches of subdominant bulls. and mating with as many females as possible. The large bulls will lose 8 -12 pounds a day. If they arrive on the each too soon, they use up valuable energy; if they arrive too late, they may miss out on the best positions. Only 5-10% of the males live to prime breeding age, and not all of those get a chance to breed.

When elephant seals are on land, they are here for a purpose: giving birth, breeding or molting. Because they are fasting it is important that they concerve energy and not move about any more than necessary. If you are patient, you may observe them in activities like practice sparring during the molting haul-out, or during breeding season you man observe them fighting, mating attempts, or birth They will move when it is necessary.

Elephant Seal pups.

Only about half of the weaned pups who leave the rockery will live to return. Fewer than 20% live beyond age 3. Studies show that a larger pup doesn't nessarily have an advantage interms of survival. Apparently, the juvenile death rate at sea is related to the ability to find food and avoid predators.

*You've got bad breathe. =P

We noticed this tag and took a picture of it and reported it to one of the docents that was on location.
Researchers use color code tags, attached to the rear flippers, to identify individuals. A few of the commonly sighted tags and location of tags are:
Red - San Nicolas Island
Yellow - San Miguel Island
Green - Ano Nuevo
Pink - Farallon Islands/Pt. Reyes
White - Piedras Blancas
Orange - Rehabilitation
Purple - Cape San Martin/Gorda

If you see this tag please report it to one of the docents so the information may be passed along to the appropriate research agancy. Between 5% to 10% of the seals are tagged.

Company Holiday Party at Disneyland

2006 Another Wonderful Company Holiday Party.


John's very first Company Holiday Party!


Chip and Dale in the Company Holiday Parade.


During the parade, John getting a better view.


John giggled as Buzz Lightyear passed by.


John was so amused watching them.


Abosulety John's favorite: the seven dwarfs.


Time to go home. It's way past John's bed time.

10 things you might not know about me.

1. My first name was originally spelled Jody. I had it legally changed to Jodie. (A few of my friends and family still spells it Jody. I don't mind at all.)
2. I can sew.
3. I love to cook and enjoy trying new recipes.
4. I have a tendency to over pack for trips, vacation.
5. I tried smoking when I was a teenager and it made me gag. Definitely smoking is not for me.
6. Traveling by plane I always prefer the aisle seat.
7. During my childhood I use to have a phobia of clowns.
8. I prefer drinking tea than coffee.
9. My favorite childhood pet cat while growing up in Hawaii was Mokihana. R.I.P
10. I enjoy watching the sun rise and the sunset. It still amazes me.

Cactus from A-Z

Now here's an incredible cactus site. This website has interesting & beautiful photos of cactus. Nursery is located in Italy.

http://www.cactus-art.biz/gallery/Photo_gallery_index.htm

One of our favorite local cactus, succulent nursery.
California Cactus Center - http://www.cactuscenter.com

Quote from Tom Wilson

Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age.
Sometimes age just shows up all by itself.

*lol

Family outing at Eaton Canyon

Eaton Canyon is one of our favorite local hang outs.


John is certainly loves being outdoors.


Here is a link to Eaton Canyon: http://www.ecnca.org

Wonder boy

Our bundle of joy.

Steve and John 11-7-2006

It's Wonder boy!

Quote from Walt Disney

“The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.”

~ Walt Disney

John's first ride at Disney California Adventure

Heimlich's Chew Chew Train
Disney California Adventure November 5, 2006


Heimlich eating candy corn.


John enjoying the view from his stroller.

Learn from Life

Life has important lessons to teach you today. Some of those lessons will be enjoyable, many of them will be a bit painful, and when the day is over you'll be wiser for them all.

Each person you meet today has something to teach you. Though they may make you somewhat angry, impatient, uncomfortable or frustrated at the time, those lessons are sure to be of much value.

Every situation in which you find yourself has something to teach you. Keep that in mind as you work your way through them all, and look for the positive value that you can retain.

Life becomes increasingly fulfilling when you choose to learn each lesson it has to teach. As you grow in wisdom, the difficulties will become less difficult to live through, and the joys will become more profound.

In triumph, in tragedy, in joy and in disappointment there are always valuable, positive lessons you can learn. As you learn more of what life has to teach, many of the things that once held you back will lose their power to do so.

Choose to respond to each encounter, each situation, and each challenge of this day in a way that will enable you to learn something new. Accept the lessons that life offers, and you'll quickly find them to be of great value.

~ Anonymous

Quote from Stephen Wright

"Everyone has a photographic memory. Some don't have film."
— Stephen Wright.

Happy Halloween

I'm waiting for the Great Pumpkin to arrive.

John and Little Bear.

Happy Halloween everyone!