Auditions day two...

Here are some of my favorite photos from the second day of auditions.

Winterguard

Today was the start of another winterguard season! My weekends will soon be full of rehearsals again. I've also accepted the duty of taking pictures at all of the shows and rehearsal for the group. Here are a few I really like so far!

Mr. Piowarsy and Layne

Today was Mr. Piowarsy's funeral mass. I was amazed at how many people's lives he touched. The church was almost completely full. The mass was beautiful and we continue to keep his family in our thoughts.

I also found out last night that a coworker of mine (and in my grade level) knew Kim, his daughter. They were in the same dorm in college and were very good friends. It truly is a small world.

Since I attended the funeral, I took the day off of work. While I was about to post on here, Layne started to do something I've never seen him do...chase his tail. SERIOUSLY chase his tail!! Here's a video of him that I caught, and at one point you can see him lose his balance when he stops.

Trick or Treat

So my niece, Mara, is now 2 years and 3 months old. Her mother has taught her how to sing the trick or treat song. It happens in the first 20 seconds or so.

Thoughts and prayers...

Paul and I received the sad news today that our dear friend (and best man) Tommy's father passed away. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Piowarsy family.

Another one!!

Congratulations to my friends, Kari and Tim! I was told last night that they are expecting their first child on April 26th! She's going to make a beautiful pregnant lady!

Ecklein Wedding

Paul and I spent tonight at the wedding of a friend of mine from high school, Tiffany, and her new husband Chris. Unfortunately, my camera died as she was walking down the aisle, so I was only able to turn it on for a picture every few minutes. Here's what I have...

Here's a picture of 6 week old Nora.

Ashley coming down the aisle as a bridesmaid.

Getting walked down the looong isle by her dad.

Happy Tiffany!

First kiss as Mr. and Mrs. Chris Ecklein!

The cake...which was pretty good!

Weddings

In honor of Tiffany's wedding this Saturday, I'd like to mention how many wedding's Paul and I have attended together since we started dating in January of 2004.

Jessica & Baccanon
(Our first wedding and only together 5 months! Still one of my favorite photos.)

Jon & Sheena

Jake & Tracey

Ashley & Rob

Jason & Tracey

Shawn & Paul

Jon & Jessica

Breanna & Eric

Marie & Mike (Paul's mom's wedding)

Ours

Halloween

Ok, so I know it's a little bit early, but the stores are already selling giant 300 pound bags of candy. Each year Paul and I have the hardest time selecting our costumes (or even being creative with it) and, without fail, I seem to get sick around Halloween. Since we've already started talking about what we're going to be this year, it seems fitting to post what we've been in the past.

2007: I was Joana, Paul was Lumberg (from the move "Office Space")

I was actually pretty creative with this one, or at least the "flair". Yes, I made the flair, no, I didn't have 37 pieces.
2006: I was a soccer player, Paul was "Pigman" from Seinfeld.
2005: I was sick, Paul .... I don't know what he did.

2004: I was a Girl Scout (and I made patches too!), Paul was "Kenny" from South Park.

Soooo....does anyone have any ideas?!?

Silly Layne

This weekend Paul and I went camping while Layne had to stay behind (poor guy). He was running low on food and treats so I stopped by today to restock. We gave him a new giant rawhide bone (so it lasts a while) when he started whining and whimpering looking for a place to hide it. So in honor of Layne, I've posted this film of him doing his routine with an old bone. *You can hear him squealing! Don't mind the mess either.*

Sonoma (Day 2) and departure day

Our last day in Sonoma was spent visiting eight wineries. Here are some comments and/or photos of each.

• Seghesio - we didn't take pictures here, but the tasting room has windows along the backside that look into the wine cellars.
  
• Ridge Lytton - again, no pictures, but we had a chance to talk to the guy pouring who told us that the local junior college offers a wine maker degree!
  
• Foppiano - apparently this place was open during the prohibition. They have a picture on the wall of when the government found out they were still selling wine. The ditch in front of the winery was filled with all of the wine they were forced to pour out. Fortunately, the prohibition didn't include drinking alcohol, only purchasing and selling. That day the town came out to drink from the ditch!
  
• Hartford Family - this place was in the mountains and was a very beautiful house. Here is a view from when you walk in to the garden.

• Martinelli - this place was ok. Didn't do much chatting, but Paul did catch me coming out of the bathroom!

• Kendall-Jackson - we received a complimentary reserve tasting coupon from Martinelli, so we headed there next. We didn't purchase anything, although we did enjoy the pretty scenery!

• Korbel - might as well visit another champagne place on our anniversary!

• Martin Ray - our last winery and another one of my favorites. The girl pouring was very nice and they were playing Coldplay! How could I resist! She was sweet enough to take a photo of us, though.
  

Finally, Paul and I headed to our anniversary dinner at a little place called Syrah, like the wine. We had a great meal and yummy desert. Our waitress took the photo for us and we were even the first table greeted by the chef (below) that night who wished us a happy anniversary!



Tuesday morning we had to head back to San Fran to come home. Paul was fortunate enough to have to drive over all the bridges that weekend.


Before we left, Paul and I took out our top layer of cake to have defrost while we were gone. That night we ate a slice of our cake, and one slice was all it took!