Wii 2011

On Dec. 3rd we hosted the annual Wii Tournament with the Prices and Agadonis. 

Chips, salsa, tacos with all the trimmings and mint cookies were enjoyed. 

Good stories, jokes and laughs. 

Then came game time 

-- it was a fierce battle this year ending in a tie -- 

but after a tie-breaker the Prices were victorious. 

We will need to practice our rootbeerbarsliding skills for next year. 

"Buddy the Elf...

...whats your favorite color?"

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.... it's just like talking, except longer and louder, and you move your voice up and down."

"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup."

Halloween Registrawr Style

Alpha always puts on an awesome event for Halloween!

Mountbocce!

Josh, Bowden and Lucy 

took on 

The Hutch and me 

in round after round of Bocceball. 

The end results were less than desirable for the non-mountain folk. 

Encampment

Please read the whole story here.... BUMMER-FREE ZONE

In the afternoon of the Saturday we were in Idyllwild the Mr. and I accompanied Mr. Tate into the woods (on camp property) to check out the potential abandoned camp of a hobo. 

Josh pulling the tent out of the shrubbery.

I enjoyed the scenery

...and documented what the boys found.

Click on the link above for all the details of our outing. 

Tradition

It is an October tradition that me and the Mr. enjoy some time in Idyllwild. 

This year in our walk about town with the Tates we came across an adorable raccoon! The little raccoon's were abandoned by their mommy so an Idyllwild local nursed them and tried to release them but they just kept coming back. We were allowed to feed 1 of them peanuts and Cheetos! 

Seriously cool to feed a raccoon. Their paws are SO soft.

Look at those teeth!

Office Antics

If you are on vacation there is a distinct possibility that something may happen to your cube. 

The Pits

Also in August: an opportunity arose for us to go to the tar pits with Paul's parents church. We had a good time walking around, hanging out with friends, and grabbing a delicious burger for lunch.

O'Baby!

My dear friend KJ is about to give birth to a little boy.... but back in August we had a baby shower for her. It was a wonderful time of prayer for this soon to be family of 3, fellowship, food, presents and cake. 

once just isnt enough

The Mr. had to work on the 2nd night of U2, and I really wanted to go! I scoured the internet all afternoon trying to hook up a deal like we did the day before but it just wasn't happening. I decided since I had no other plans that I would just go park at The Block and walk over to the stadium, because after all hearing U2 live is better than not at all. I got to the stadium about 10 min before the band took the stage. I found a bench and sat down, settled in with my soda. As the 1st song starts to play a dude comes up and sits next to me. 

::Isn't he sitting a little close, there are dozens of other benches!:: 

I start returning a few texts from earlier in the day. 

Then dude starts talking to me - Am I going inside? Why not? You a big fan? 

::What is up with this guy, I have  5 bucks so hope he isn't wasting his time thinking he can scalp me a ticket:: 

He gets on his phone talking to someone, then tells me to wait where I am and he would be right back. 

::Back to what shank me?::

I think I can get you a ticket he tells me. Dude leaves and I enjoy the live music and the stars. It was a lovely June night. Never thinking I would see this guy again he resurfaces and starts walking into the security check to go inside. 

::Liar::

Then he waves at me and says wait there, I'm going in, but wait there. 

::Weirdo!::

3rd song starts to play. Suddenly security guy comes over and asks me repeatedly if I am alright and why don't I come with him. Looks around, then palms me a TICKET! Says put it away and walks me over to security. He tells me to have a nice evening and enjoy the concert. I walk up to the gate, hand my ticket to the lady to scan. She asks "do you have a wrist band?" 

::Crap::

Well, go over to the next gate and they will get me one, have a nice night she says. It is then that I look at my FREE TICKET, I am in GA. Wow! Thanks random guy who some how hooked me up with a ticket to see a band I love. You rock, whoever you are. 

The concert was wonderful! I did realize that there is a reason we always get seats though, I'm short. With everyone walking around so much, I worked my way almost to the stage. Twas AWESOME. 

1. 
   

   Comments from U2 tours "Bono dedicates I Still Haven't Found to Quincy Jones, who's at the show. Other celebrities in attendance include Rick Rubin, Tom Morello, and Cindy Crawford. Before Moment of Surrender, Bono pays tribute to E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons, who died earlier today: 'Think about one man's saxophone. Think about Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Think of Clarence Clemons. This man just carried music, and music carried him until this day.' He then sings/recites some of Jungleland at the end of the concert."

   Set List

   Even Better Than The Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World,One, Amazing Grace - Where the Streets Have No Name - All You Need Is Love, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots - She Loves You, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Stuck In a Moment, Beautiful Day - Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights,Vertigo - It's Only Rock and Roll, I'll Go Crazy (remix) - Discotheque - Please, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On - Never Walk

   Encore(s): Ultraviolet, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender - Jungleland

   
   

House Guest

Once upon a time a dear friend named Charlie came to visit, this was during the 2011 year in the 6th month. We talked, laughed, movie watched, played, ate and slept. Not necessarily in that order. Some photographic proof!

Ruby's and the cheap theatre.

Moe stopped by to pat the baby.

Sleepover with The Hangover and making s'mores the ghetto way.

John's Incredible Pizza and games.

 Love You!



I am certain that we did much more than what is evidenced here but my brain is currently mush and I cannot remember.

Time Warp

March 29, 2011

E and I went skiing up at Mountain High, SO MUCH FUN!

Here are some shots of E skiing

Skiing with Me

(just kidding, well sort of)

For real this time.

Always gotta take some self-portraits!

I demand a repeat next year.... of course open to anyone else who wants to come along as well!

And now back to more Askew programming

Sorry we have been off the grid with our blog...

The last day of Askew invasion had us hanging out at the Discovery Science Center and the out for Mexican food.

HollyWeird Day

And on the 3rd day of Askew Invasion we hit up Hollywood. Walked around, saw the Hollywood sign, looked at some stars on the ground, visited El Capitain, did the wax museum and ate some grub.

Balboa Beach

On day 2 of Askew everyone headed to the beach for some swimming, kite flying, footballing, soccer kicking wave riding fun! After conquering the beach we all piled into the vans/cars and picked up MORE people and headed to dinner at Chick-Fil-A. It was great to see almost all of the Sousa's and share a meal with them!

Celebration!

March 21, 2011 @ John's Incredible Pizza

What a great night it was.

Loved getting to celebrate Abby & Drew's birthdays with the whole gang. 

 FOOD, GAMES, FUN, LAUGHTER, FRIENDS, GOOD TIMES

E turns Three

Earlier this month I headed over to the Henning house to celebrate

E's birthday!

 A delightful kick back event with food, friends and of course... cake.

Happy Birthday E!

Wine & Cupcakes

Back in February we went to a wine bar in celebration of Ruel's birthday.

It was a fun location with drinks, food, a band and great desserts!

Yum-o

The Hutchins Siblings having some drinks and conversating

Happy Birthday Ruel



Day in LA and the OC

A week ago Monday I enjoyed a day out with Morgan. First stop was a taping of the Dr. Phil show up in LA. We had some time to waste so we goofed around on the roof of the parking structure taking photos.

After the taping it was back to the apartment to hang out (take a nap). Then over to The Block for dinner and a movie. We enjoyed both our selections at Dave & Busters. I had the Chicken Parm Sandwich, a new choice for me and it was delicious with some sweet potato on the side. I did take half home for lunch the following day. Of course our movie of choice had to be an Adam Sandler flick. Sadly it was then time to take Morgan back to her place as she had to work the following day.

Cookies-a-plenty

For the 2nd year in a row - Gingerbread men, missing an arm or leg, some even lost their head.

 New this year - Peppermint candy canes

 Sugar balls - basically a sugar cookie with a powdered sugar glaze and "sprinkles"

 Also new - Rum Balls, but with imitation Rum instead of the real stuff.

 Oldie but a goodie - Sinckerdoodles

 Traditional cookies added to the mix - Peanut butter, Choc. Chip and Funfetti with green food coloring