There and back again... and some other stuff.

 Well, it has been awhile since I posted, but I haven't forgotten about it, I have just been getting more and more guilt ridden for not having done so. Like you do... But, that is all behind me now! So much to share, so many things have happened, so many places visited, so much to tell!

After our return from Hawaii we spent a week or so in Bend getting the new year started. It was good! My parent's were getting things started on the process of building their new house, and there was plenty of catch up to do at work, so I spent mos of the time working in the office. Then, we got to looking at the weather. And let me tell you, it looked COLD! Central Oregon was supposed to get snow, ice, freezing temps, and just generally unpleasant-ness. So we decided to drive south! Which turned out to work out perfectly!

As we were heading south I found out my good friend Kevin was going to be driving in a race at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey California, which just happened to be where we were heading! We made our way down and got to watch the race, which was awesome! Laguna Seca is a great race track for spectating. I think probably for driving too, although I've never personally tried it. Kevin was driving the black #327 car (RX-7 with a motor swap).

 

After the race we kept heading south. We were hoping to drive down Highway 1 along the coast, but some slides had caused a road closure, so we took 101 instead, which was also nice. Our next destination was Loma Linda, California where we were visiting with some friends and family. We were able to attend a funeral for one of Julie's great aunts and see some of her family there. We also got to spend some time with my cousin Brett, and our friend Urijah and see their house (Brett works at Newbury Park Acadamy down there). Spend an evening with Bethany catching up. And go to Joshua Tree National Park with Lisa and her boyfriend! All in all a great time down there.

But, there was another appointment we had to make back up in Bend, so we left (just before all the flooding! What great timing by us!) and headed back North. We were heading up to see Brian Regan live in the Tower Theater in Bend! We love Brian Regan and it was a treat to see him in Bend in a small theater like that! We had seen him before in a giant auditorium, which was awesome, but this felt way closer and more connected. Super fun times!

We have been in the PNW since, which has been good. We got to visit a friend on the coast, and go skiing with friends and family, which was awesome! Skiing with the nieces and nephews was especially fun (they are ages 3-7 currently) and let me tell you, they are all over the slopes having a blast. So fun to watch and be part of! And even better when Vincent can just park close to the slopes the night before, turn on the heater, and we are ready in the morning for a day of skiing without getting up super early! Vincent letting us live the dream is... well... the dream!

  
Next up on the agenda: Costa Rica! Julie and I will be flying down for 2 weeks with the seniors from Livingstone Academy. Julie's brother Kirk organizes the trip every year for the seniors. They do some mission work with the school/church there, and spend some time enjoying the beauty and excitement Costa Rica has to offer for their senior trip! Gonna be good times. I will be driving the van. Not Vincent. A different van. Well... maybe the other van is named Vincent too, but not OUR Vincent. Should be fun times! I'll write a post about it when we get back so you can see where the OTHER Vincent Van Goes!




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