Birthdays Galore

This past week has been very busy with birthdays. Dave's was on Wednesday. My brother Brad's is also on Wednesday but we called him on Tuesday because of the huge time difference between here and Japan. Dave's uncle's was Tuesday and his grandpa's was on Sunday. So we did the only right thing. We celebrated pretty much all week.

On Wednesday, we didn't really do too much for Dave. He worked and when he got home he opened some presents. Shortly after that, I left with his mom to go back to Camp Nauvoo. Camp Nauvoo is 30 minutes away from where we live and where the ward was camping for a week. Dave did come up that night with his grandparents and uncle to eat dinner with us. Then I stayed the night and Dave went home so he could work the next morning.

I gave him a Michael Jackson Greatest Hits piano book. I bought this before MJ died. It's probably worth like a billion dollars now.

His parents gave him some new work clothes so he doesn't have to wear the same thing every day.

Thursday night, after I got home, Dave and I saw Harry Potter 6. That wasn't necessarily for his birthday but I thought I would mention it. I really liked it. Friday night, Dave's parents took us all out to dinner for Dave and Uncle David's birthday. We ate at a Thai restaurant.

Dad, Dave, and Uncle David

Michael, me, and Mom

Saturday was Dave's real birthday celebration. I made him muffins and eggs for breakfast. Then I baked, not 1, but 2 cakes. Then later that day there was a huge BBQ for the Stake to celebrate Pioneer Day. We ate and then headed back home. I finished decorating the cakes and getting things ready. Some friends come over and we played, ate, and played some more. It was great.

It was G. I. Joe themed.

Dave playing Foosball with Zach, Mitch, and Jenn while Rebecca and Chris watch.

Blowing out the candles.

This is the shirt I made him. You'll have to ask Dave for the story behind it. It says, "I AM THE INTERPRETATOR."

Then Sunday after church, the grandparents, Uncle David and Aunt Traudy, came over for dinner. After dinner, the McCaffree's joined us and brought cake for grandpa's birthday. We ate and played. That seems to be a reoccurring thing in our family. I don't mind. Anyway, this is getting really long. Needless to say, we dragged out the birthday celebrations this week but it was a lot of fun.

Grandpa and Grandma Ricks

Forced Family Fun

Ever since I can remember, "Forced Family Fun," has been our family motto. I love it. So whenever we have a reunion you will find this motto. We went to Disneyland again and Melanie made shirts again and of course they had the family motto on it (that's what the FFF stands for). We had park hoppers and spent 3 days at Disneyland/California Adventure. It was so much fun. Everyone was there expect Kevin. Bummer. Brad and Liz and their girls only stayed for 2 days because they had to catch a flight to Japan. The family really is spread throughout the world now, but it makes the reunions that much more special. I love being with family and we had a great few days at the "Happiest Place On Earth."

Disneyland welcomes, The Brough's.

Some carousel time.

On Casey Jr.'s Train. We were in the animal cage.

Toon Town Time.

Liz and Ashley getting really into the song. I love this picture.

Sara, Rachel, and Ashley gettin' down with the TLT (Tomorrow Land Terrace) Dance Club.

Bug-eyed and ready to watch a show.

Waiting for the Electric Parade to start.

Some of us also just got back from Grizzly Rapids. That's why we are wet.

I think Lilia's favorite band is going to be KISS.

The trip was great. The rest of the family left on Saturday to drive back to Utah. Dave and I stayed another day because a friend that Dave grew up with was getting married pretty close by. So I got to meet David R.'s friend, David G. Apparently this is how they were distinguished growing up. It was a wonderful day and it was great to meet some more of Dave's friends.

This is during the Money Dance. It was a good way to say goodbye.

Bike Trip

July has been a very busy month of fun vacations and they're not over yet. The 6th through the 11th was the big bike trip in California. Family and friends biked 350-ish miles starting at Half Moon Bay all the way down to Santa Barbara. I was part of the sag wagon. Here's the short version from my perspective seeing as I didn't bike.

Monday, we left at 7:30 in the morning. We drove to Half Moon Bay where the bikes were put back together and the bikers got there food and drinks. We said goodbye and the sag wagon headed off after them. That night we stayed at Sunset Beach just north of Monterey. We played at the beach that night for a little bit and then hit the sack.

The group at the beginning of the trip.

The sag wagon group.

Tuesday, we met the bikers in Monterey for lunch. After they left again, the sag wagon ran some errands and did some site-seeing. Since Dave and I lived there for 2 years I took them to the best spot to see sea lions. There were some but not as many as I would have hoped but it was still fun. I also met up with some friends. We walked down Cannery Row and got some wicked awesome ice-cream at Ghiradelli's. Then we got back on the road. That night we stayed down by Big Sur.

Some serious riders.

Wednesday, after the bikers left, we drove back a little ways to go to a Lighthouse. However, that day was extremely windy and chilly and the tour was 3 hours long. Needless to say we didn't go. But we did stop for lunch at this cool little place where we sat in a stream to eat. It was pretty cool. That night we stayed at San Simeon State Park.

Eating lunch in the creek.

Thursday, after packing up we went to Hearst Castle. Can you say GYNORMOUS? It was a huge and beautiful house. We went on one of their five tours. It was the introduction tour. We didn't see everything but it was still incredible. That night we stayed at Pismo Beach and the guys went skim and boogie boarding, while others were buried in the sand.

I wish this was my backyard.

He's got skills.

Friday, the last and longest day (92 miles) we met the bikers for lunch and then drove almost to Santa Barbara but stopped early to take pictures of the bikers making their way to the end. That night the group split up. Some stayed in Santa Barbara for another day to play at the beach while the rest of us drove up to Lompac and stayed in a hotel. The next morning we drove home to El Dorado Hills.

The Peloton.

It was a great trip. Dave will have to tell you more about the bike riding experience. There were some great sun burn lines but luckily that was the worse thing that happened on the trip. It was a pretty awesome time.

"I'm Proud To Be An American"

I really like Independence Day. It isn't my favorite holiday but I still really enjoy it. Parades, great food, and fireworks. I didn't see a parade this year. In fact, most of the morning was spent cooking and preparing for the exciting bike trip this week. Dave and I did go over to Grandpa and Grandma Ricks' for some enlightening conversation and 7-UP (the game, not the drink.) Anyway, after all this, we went to a BBQ at the Harrison's. We played Ping Pong, the boys went swimming, and we ate lots of good food. I would like to note that Dave lost every game of Ping Pong he played. He'll appreciate that.

Here are some nice Ping Pong action shots.

I think Dave was doing an impression of Elephant Man.

After the BBQ, we came home and dropped off Dad (he doesn't like fireworks), picked up the fireworks, Grandpa and Grandma, and drove over to a place in Folsom (fireworks are illegal in El Dorado Hills) and set things on fire. It was great. Dave, Matt, and I were in charge of lighting the fireworks, Mom was the firework's guardian, and Grandpa and Grandma were the spectators of the phenomenal show. It was a great Independence Day. God Bless the U.S.A!

I was really cheesin' it up.The box of all boxes.Matt starting the show.Grandma and Grandpa giving their best "Ooo's" and "Ahh's" at all the right moments.Dave waiting his turn.Mom guarding the fireworks.Part of the awesomeness.

A Dave Post

I know you have all missed me, so I decided to tickle the keyboard with a few thoughs for your salivating pleasure. First and foremost, I know you've all been wondering about how I'm doing with my weight-gaining, so I'm happy to report that I'm around 150 lbs now! I haven't weighed myself in a few weeks, and I'm even eating junk food as I write, so I'm probably going to hit my goal of a buck fifty-five pretty soon here. I know, we're all excited.

Second, you probably have something more important to do than read this blog. Just a reminder.

Third, I think "lbs" is the dumbest abbreviation ever. Who's with me?

Fourth, this needs to be said: You suck Michael Bay! In case you're reading this, then you should have spent less time during Transformers II perving over humping dogs, horny robots, skanky college girls, and Megan Fox's body, and more time plugging up your gaping plot holes! And cut back on the bleepin profanity! I will punch you in the jugular!! (Sorry everyone, I just saw it tonight and am a little flustered). The movie was entertaining, but I won't be buying tickets to Transformers III.

Finally, I look REALLY good in bike shorts. Pictures are forthcoming.