Happy Fourth of July

I want to start by saying that we know many of you wish you could read about us more often. I know you miss us greatly. The reality is that we do not have consistent access to the internet while we are on our trip so we are having to take advantage of every starbucks trip to catch up. In all honesty most of my starbucks time is being used to catch up on the happenings of the day's Tour de France stage, so that is leaving little time for writing. Please bear with us.

This week we put our bags in the car and staked a claim on the spare bedroom at Emily and Josh's house in Santa Cruz. For those who don't know Emily is Erin's sister and Josh is her new husband. Most of our visits with them involve so much laughing that I end up wheezing by the end of the night, this trip was no different. We will miss having them close to laugh with us. I may also miss shows like Tosh.O and Wipeout. On the last day of our visit we loaded up on Dramamine and went to Monterey to take a whale watching expedition into the Monterey Bay. It was a beautiful day and a great trip. I think we were all glad we had been properly drugged because the water was bumpy. We did get a chance to see two Humpback whales spouting and sounding in the gulf as well as some Risso Dolphins, Seals and a Black Albatross. It was a great way to finish off a fantastic visit with Emily and Josh.

After our stay in Santa Cruz we headed back north to Alameda for a slice of Americana on the fourth of July. It included your classic small town parade including veterans on the flatbeds, children throwing candy and horses high-stepping in their fancy clothes. My favorite float was labeled P.T.W.I.T.P.L.Y. People That Weren't In The Parade Last Year, poking fun at the feeling we all had by the end of the long parade. At the end of the line, the unsung hero of every parade that includes horses, the street sweeper. I decided to include him since he too is an integral part of the americana parade.

On a more personal note I ask that you keep my aunt in your thoughts and prayers this week. Yesterday after a brave and courageous battle with cancer Bev passed away in her home. Aunt Bev had a great smile and brought laughter and happiness with her where ever she went. We will miss having her at our gatherings, but her memory will live in our hearts forever.