Concert at the Boardwalk

On Friday night we got to go see Eddie Money play out at the Boardwalk.  There was a crazy amount of people there (it was a free show after all), but we got VIP seating and he did sing songs that I knew (just didn't realize that he was the guy who sang them, hehe).  But best of all is that Bryce and I got to go without the kids, so we drove the motorcycle and really enjoyed ourselves!

Bryce's mom, Teri, and his cousins Julie and Susie were there too (it was thanks to Susie's hubby that we got VIP seating - thank you Donaven!)

 

23-152

 Bryce's new 23-152 pin , earned for his number for DUI arrests made last year, way to go baby!

Article from the Santa Cruz Sentinel May 14, 2010

MADD honors local CHP officers
Eighteen California Highway Patrol officers from Santa Cruz County won awards from Mothers Against Drunk Driving on Thursday during an event at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas.
The officers were among 23 cops and three law enforcement leaders honored for their efforts to curb drunken driving. They each arrested 25 or more drivers on suspicion of DUI in 2009.
Local CHP officers feted included: Clifford Inman, Chad Jessee, Nick Petrinovich, Elizabeth Addy, Ryan Armstrong, Gavin Hansen, Brad Eacker, Bryce Danenhauer, Shayne Dickson, Chris Shore, Jeff Hatcher, Jesse Mueller, Seth Nelson, Jeff Lloyd, Brian Samms, Tom Frank, Troy Vincent and Adam Voorhees.
CHP Lt. Les Bishop, who was recognized for his leadership, said, "I am truly honored to have the chance to mentor such a group."
Also, the state Office of Traffic Safety plans to honor 24 Santa Cruz CHP officers for arresting impaired drivers during holiday weekends.

Father's Day

Father's Day this year also happened while we were camping and on Danny's birthday as well.  The boys each made Bryce a card.  Danny's had train tracks and circles on it, and Austin's I can't remember because he lost it.  But Austin picked out a new watch for Bryce all on his own!  Bryce also got a new set of kitchen knives from Cabela's because our old set at home drove him crazy (they never stayed sharp enough!).

Down at the River

After the bbq we took a walk down to the river.  I knew if we went anywhere near the water the boys would get wet so I brought their swim shorts.  However I forgot that my boys get this trait from Bryce, and I didn't bring any swim shorts for him - not that it stopped him from getting in the water anyway!

Last Game

Austin had his last game of the "A" ball season on Saturday.  I finally got the chance to take some pictures of him playing.  Normally I am too busy running around after Danny to be able to get around to taking pictures.  But the day was so hot that all Danny did was sit in the shade with gypsy which allowed me to go on the field to take some pics!

After the game was a bbq party down at the park   Austin was so excited to get his trophy and game ball.  Danny had fun learning how to climb the ropes and was quite the monkey by the time we were done!

Freckles and chocolate cake crumbs!

I am so proud of Austin and how far he progressed with his baseball this season.  He was so much more focused and positive!  And it was really fun to watch him finally understanding how the game works, and working together with his teammates to make good plays.

Return to Greyhound

For Mother's Day this year, I requested my gift be some time alone with Bryce.  So on our day together we decided to take a picnic lunch up to Greyhound Rock, which is where he proposed to me.  The day was beautiful and sunny, but very windy!  We spent hours combing the beach for sea glass and shells, exploring the tidepools and running crazy with Gypsy!

We also climbed back up on the rock to the exact spot he proposed, so we could take some pictures.  The evening that he proposed to me it was getting dark, the tide was coming in, it was cold and super windy.  I was really cold, and the wind kept whipping my hair in my face and making my eyes water, so Bryce took my hood and pulled it in tight around my face.  I wasn't exactly looking like I had always imagined I would, but in the whole scheme of things that didn't really matter!  Right after I said "Yes, yes, yes, yes!", he joked that it was a good thing I had said yes or he would have thrown me over!  So, anyway, I took these pictures to capture the nostalgia of that most wonderful day 12 years ago!

Bryce at the Academy

Bryce has been at the academy this last week taking a training class.  He loves being there and not being a cadet!  The moustache is courtesy of a bonding experiment all the officers in his office are doing this month.  The one with the best moustache wins.  Bryce will be on vacation so he is not in the running but he grew it anyway, just because he could!

Daddy WooWoo

This is what Danny calls police cars ~Daddy WooWoo~ (like the sound they make)

I just think that is too cute!

♥ 12 Roses for 12 Years ♥

Twelve years ago, on Valentine's Day, Bryce and I had our first date, and we have been together ever since ♥  Every year I get one rose for each year we have been together and this year was a nice even dozen!  We went out Saturday night with our friends Brad and Crystal for dinner and a movie and had a wonderful time!  Bryce also got me some beautiful new sparklies for my ears and I love them!

STUCK!

A trip to the snow is just not complete until Bryce 4 wheels us until we get so stuck that we have to use a winch to get out!  Here are the pic of our spectacular stuck moment on this trip!

Notice the angle of the dashboard vs. the road - we were stuck in a ditch.  We could keep going forward but we couldn't get back on the road!

 Mark and Bryce setting up the winch to pull us out:  (pics by Tanya)

 

A neat shot of the tires spinning (and spinning and spinning)

 

Exploring Sonora and Columbia

We took a day to explore Sonora and Columbia while we were out there.  I had been to Columbia once before as a teenager and I don't think I truely appreciated it back then!

We walked through the main street in Sonora, had breakfast, checked out a couple of antique stores and found a store that I fell in love with called "Bella Vie".  I could have spent a lot of money there, everything was just so beautiful!  (the 2 pics are from Bella Vie's Facebook page)

 

Some pictures from our walk through Sonora:

 

 

Columbia was a very fun experience.  We spent hours just walking and exploring.  At the quilt shop I bought some great fabric to make my next Civil War dress.

 

We walked up to the old school house.  It was 2 stories - very impressive!

 

We both love old graveyards, the older the better.  They are so peaceful and full of history.

 

 

We stopped and had a locally made sassparilla at the St. Charles Saloon.

 

The fall colors were gorgeously set against a bright blue sky and made for some wonderful picture taking!