Friday, September 28, 2007

Staying cool in the water. So Long Summer it was nice why we had you around!

Ms. Lindsey staying cool in the pool.
Hi Logan can I get in your boat?
Hey how did a mermaid get in the pool?
chris you better watch out!
Ron Zack and Chris staying cool in the pool.
Chris Catching a little air.
Me on the single ski
This is Scott on the wake surf. I never tried it I was too scared but it does look like fun.
Stacie on the wakeboard

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Gates Wedding 9/14/07

On Friday September 14, 2007 my cousin Anderson was getting married to his girlfriend Lindsey. The wedding was held on the beach on Coronado Island in San Diego. The weather was warm and you could hear the gentle sounds of the ocean. This is a picture of my Uncle Phil Aunt Sharon Mom and Dad Whitman.
A view of the reception. Dinner on the beach. and Dancing too..
Music is a large part of the family. Anderson's Mom sang a beautiful song as his Dad played the guitar.
(Picture is not of them. Hired musicans I asume)

When it was time to say goodbye and watch the bride and groom go, we sent them off with sparklers. They walked down the firey aisle and into their future. Too bad I did not have a good picture of the Handsome couple.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Camp Tuolumne September 8-10 2007

Theres no place like camp Tuolumne. I have been going with my family since I was a little girl. My father went with his family and I hope someday to go with my children. Family camp is wonderful. We call it gourmet camping as all you have to do is roll out your sleeping bag on a cot and start your fun. There is fishing, swimming, arts and crafts, hiking, star gazing. And always meeting new friends.
Some of our best friends and their son Louis. Nathan and Cristen have been joining us up at camp for a good 6 years now. We all love to go and make memories.
Here is Mom with Louis. He was the most popular camper this year. I think the most handsome too.
Louis's first time at camp. I think he had a good time. Sometimes it was loud in the dinning hall. Soon he will be running around and fishing like the big kids.
Mommy and baby. Near the river.
The best part about sleeping at camp is sleeping outside. You see millions of stars and the birds wake you up in the morning.
Dad shoots and he scores in the bocce ball tournement.
Nathan and Chris discuss their winning point. They finished in first place and were titled Bocce Ball Winners. Good Job guys
A view as the bocce players make their way to the next point.
Here are some old time campers. An ice cream toast!
The Blues band rocked us all. They sang all your favorites and some new ones too.
The energy was great. Kids to grandparents dancing the night away.
I liked this yellow picture it is of chris and myself big smiles on the dance floor. We can't wait until next year!

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Road Trip 7/31/07 to 8/12/07

Leaving home is never a problem when your headed somewhere new. We left our house early July 31 and headed towards Montana. We covered 3300 miles in two weeks we made the most out of this trip. Camping, staying in hotels and with family. Road Trips Rock!
Every time we passed by Hay Chris would say " Hay" yeah it kinda wore on me after a week of passing "hay"
Oh yeah the best part of road trips road snacks. This is from a little taco stand just near Goose Lake Oregon
a dogs gotta pee and so do we..
a little more road snacks. Easy Cheese. A good friend of mine has a better idea of what he would like to do with Easy Cheese,
Driving into Idaho. One fantastic view after another
Great Open Spaces
We camped here along the river for 6 bucks. One of the best nights sleep we have had in a long time.
The perfect dinner.
A quick stop on the Lewis and Clark Trail.
The whole reason why we took the road trip in the first place was for this. A shaffer/ Cunningham/Birthday/ Family Reunion. We had two 30 year old birthdays to celebrate my brother Jason and my cousin Marco. Aunt Sharon did the best she could to gather the family for a reunion. So many were missing but thoses who came we had a great time. I noticed that I was not able to get great photos of everyone so I just used what I could. Family, it is one of those things in life that make you who you are. I am so blessed to be part of this family and my Dad's family and of course Chris's family. I find it strange when I meet people who have tiny families. I have told them to join mine. What is one more family member anyway? Family to us is not just blood related oh no it is far more than that. Family to me is love, friendship, and truly being there when needed. Okay and let's not forget to mention family should be different, spread all over the country and well, know how to have a good time
Cousin Chris Shaffer, Aunt Sharon, Cousin Marco and Cousin Olivia
Cousin Pam and Andy
Chris and my brother Jason out for a little Four wheeling fun.
Cousins: Kayson and Dante
Jason with Chloe. Hanging out on the back porch.
Chloe in the Swan River
Because of forest fires my cousin James needed to wet down all areas around the cabin. Well, maybe it was really just a way to stay cool and have fun.
A view of the back of the Surrena's cabin.
We made our way into Yellowstone National Park. We only had a day to drive around. Problem traveling with a dog in a National Park is you can't take her with you on hikes. Big bummer. So we did our best to see what we could from the road. Here we are at a very hot spring. The sulfur is in the air and the ground boils under you.
We did manage to leave Chloe in the car for an hour so we could walk to these Falls.
Yellowstones Famous Buffalo's.
Here we are waiting for Old Faithful to blow.
Oh boy there it goes. I was not really so into this. It was really crowded and well so this is all that happens. the ground does not shake, no sirens ring. Just a burst of steam and then it is over. It sure does bring in the people.