Thanksgiving Tournament

For Thanksgiving this year we went to a soccer tournament. This is the first Thanksgiving away from home. We went down a day ahead of the team and spent a day with Grandma, Grandpa and the Sinks. We hang out and had some good eats. This is kind of a long post but I hope you can get a feel for our Thanksgiving trip. It was most likely Richie's last soccer tournament. He has been having head aches and memory loss as a result of too many concussions playing soccer.

We arrived in Las Vegas Wed night and hung out, ate some pizza and prepared for the feast. As you can see there was no shortage of food. Grandma and Lisa prepared a great meal for the group.

Caden was a beast consuming huge amount of food. . . nothing but his best effort. All the boys had their fill.

Grandpa shares a moment with Lisa and Jim.

Jim, Rachel and Heather came down to Vegas with us. They stayed a few days shopping with Lisa and Grandma. Jim is being a gentlemen serving Rachel.

Grandma giving Grandpa some real "SUGAR" They have been married a long time. The reason why I say a long time is no one knows how long. They never give you a straight answer.

Heather holds her own as she loads up her plate with the mash. Notice the little piece of meat. We need to work on eating a bit more protein.

We had 7 different types of pies none of which were purchased. My two favorite pies were the banana cream and cookies and cream pie.

Jim and Lisa take a little break after dinner.

We had dinner around 2:00 in the afternoon. After dinner we took off for San Diego. We did not arrive until about 10:00 that evening.

Jamie and Corey drove down to spend a couple of days with us. We went for a walk around La Jolla cove and found a little place for breakfast.

It had a great view. I spent many a day spear fishing in these blue waters in my younger years.

A quick little pose on the rocks of "The Cove". This is one of our favorite places to sea creatures. I have taken the kids here a few times.

We could not visit the cove without seeing a few seals. They are definitely not bothered by the presence of humans. Corey and I walked right up to the seals.

Soaking up the sun and getting a little shut eye.

You do not have to look very far to see wildlife along the Calif. coast. I don't think you can fly much closer to the water before swimming.

Lynne and Jamie find some crabs and sea anemones.

The waves did come up and get their feet wet.

Here is a closer look at some of the aneomes they saw. Big beautiful invertebrates that look like underwater flowers.

I love you baby !


After spending some time at the beach we went to watch Richie play soccer. They played three games on the UCSD campus.

Richie steals the ball, dribbles up field and passes down the sideline to a team mate. He has been a very unselfish player throughout his career. He has the highest goal / assist ratio on the team.

Mr. Header goes up for another two fisted pass off the noggin.

Sprinting up the sideline and over his opponent.

Preparing for a cross Richie puts the ball in front of the goal.

up.... up and away

Nice strike

Moving up the field he looks to pass to a team mate.

Shielding the ball with his body.

See ya ! Richie sprints to the middle of the field for a shot.


Richie has a good verticle and can get air very quick. His quick jump gives him an advantage over his opponents.

He used his head way to much.... if that is possible in soccer. Here he is passing the ball to a team mate up field.

We have had a wonderful time watching him play soccer. I will never forget the State Cup games, State Soccer Championship, and many tournament wins. I have been very proud of his effort and physical play. I am sure he was a little tired of us always there on the side lines. We have traveled to many states with Richie playing soccer.... its has been fun.
Thank you Sir Richie !

p.s. Richie will be running track this spring

Gingerbread Fun

The air was filled with the smell of candy and ginger bread this holiday evening. Laughter and some cajoling was diffused throughout the room. At times it was hard to concentrate on your piece as others were enjoying themselves. Perhaps it was just Lynne and I because of our inalienably to multitask as efficiently as we once could. It gave me joy to spend time with those that could make it. We missed Chad and Angela and hope to have their presence adorn our gingerbread festival. There are many others that missed this year's gingerbread build-a-thon and hope this season will find you peaceful and full of thanksgiving.

Participants begin to assemble their houses. Grandma H. looks on and provides wisdom and advise. Years of gingerbread made her the resident Yoda of Gingerbread.

Once they got started the houses went up fast. The time consuming decor took much longer. Jim can be seen giving Rachel guidance and encouragement. They made a great team. They are three time participants and champions in their own right. Rachel made their own gingerbread, the only builders to make the real deal. Textually the house had a wonderfully authentic appearance.

She did not need both chimneys so a little frosting and a treat is born. I was pleasantly surprised by the snappy fresh taste of the artificial chimney.

Lynne takes candy and ornates the sides of our work of art. Yes I look at these beautiful sculptures beautiful pieces of art.

Justin and Stephanie...two time artists and this years champions. Yes, Lynne and I give this young couple the best of show award. Their piece was very imaginative and well thought out. They built a scene from Who-ville including Mount Crumpet and the sleigh. Both played a very important part throughout the construction.

Back away everyone, Heather has a weapon in her hand. What to most people is a simple tool Heather can turn into much, much more. She is using the 'Jessica vegetable can' technique to put up her walls.

Having mastery "Gingerbread Yoda" gave Heather a false sense of security. Heather and Grandma make a great team.

Richie was Heather's official partner and provided a unique and natural look to the piece. He created the forever famous "Bridge to Terabithia" I guess that is because he longs to get lost with Rachel S. and roam the forest creating a magical world of wonder.
Rachel S. was Richie's partner last year during an epic battle where they created a piece with beautiful stained glass sugar windows. Next year I hope to see another creation from Rachel S. and Sir Richie III. If you doubt their creative powers, take a look at their carved pumpkin...if you haven't seen it, you must check it out...creativity abounds with these two as a team!

Jacob creates a little house all by himself. The use of chocolate for mortar was generous. Going to use that next year Jacob.

Derek did not create a ginger bread house, but I am sure he would destroy it and ate it if one was put in front of him. He was entertained in his high chair by all the hustle and bustle that was going on all over the kitchen. What bundle of joy. Truly a happy soul.

Momma G. Just starting to apply her icicles. Take a look at the base and you can see one of our many new features this year. Yes you are correct.... lights. The batteries are inside the house and wires are essentially covered with Icing. Good job Lynne!

Piping expert, Jessica Astin can really lay down the frosting on a gingerbread house. We got her some decorating tools last year, and you can tell that she loves to create beautiful, and colorful decorations! Her use of cookies shingles has not been witnessed among our friendly gingerbread group. Thanks for exposing us to once cream filled cookie shingles.

A work of art...and as Jessica put it, a relaxing night just to have fun, decorate, and play with candy! I will be surprised if Santa and the rest of the house can survive Richie and Jimmy.

Good job Jacob.... you da Man! First official entry and what yummy entry. I love the little cookie guy with green eyes. Keep on building little guy.

Easy.....Easy does it...... Nice balance Jacob! A true champion! I look forward to many years of building with this young man.

Heather spent many hours working on the creation of candy stone. You can see the stone was applied to one of the walls on the house. There is another red piece that can be seen as a window. She also the first to incorporate "jello" or horse hoof within her gingerbread landscape. It took some early preparation but I really appreciated the contentious use of creative materials.

We can see a good shot of the bridge and water (jello) in this image.

Help me..... I am trapped in Heather's world. Please someone..... just eat me and get it over with.

Below are finished products and Awards for 2010

Rachel: Best use of Authentic Gingerbread

Jessica: Best Use of Cookie Products

Heather "Best Loopy Icicles and Stain Glass Stone"


Richie "Best Bridge Replica "

Justin and Stephanie: Best In Show.... congratulations

Grandma and Poppa G: "Best Use of Technology" (lights)

A big thanks for those who attended and helped spread a little gingerbread cheer. Until next year dream of candies and a new game plan. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Rich and Lynne