California Trip!

Thanks to my goddess of a mother, Johann and I were able to spend two weeks of frigid Minnesota January in beautiful northern California! She grew tired of waiting for us to have the time and money to make the trip out there, so she bought the tickets for us to come out and called it her birthday present. Imagine that.

Here are some of the pics from the trip. Of course I took hundreds, but these are some of my favorites.

This was taken in the Minneapolis airport when Johann and I were waiting for our connecting flight to Sacramento. This is the infamous bathroom (i.e., Shrine to the Wide Stance) where ex-US Senator, Larry Craig, was caught trying to do something naughty. Yes, I'm a nerd. I know this, and I am at peace.



Johann and his cousin Neva less than a minute after we arrived in San Francisco. The two of them went straight to the toy box and started working together to get the toys out. How cute is that?!



Just an ordinary day in San Francisco. Beautiful, sunny, energetic, and happy. Perfection.



Cynthia (Johann's auntie), Neva, Johann, and his grandma, Deborah.



Neva and Johann sharing a swing. Unfortunately, Johann had an ear-infection, was teething, and refused to sleep for much of the trip. He was, therefore, a beast and there wasn't much more sharing than the swing and sundry toys.

Because nerdiness apparently runs in the family, Cynthia and I also tried to share by nursing each others' babies. Despite our best and multiple efforts, it didn't work out. The kids were having none of that business. Fortunately - or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it - we don't have any photographs of these failed attempts.



Johann's uncle, Pedro, and Neva having quiet sleepy time.



Neva and Johann resting on the drive up to see their great-grandfather, Sigfrid Sandstrom, in Napa Valley.



Johann, Sigfrid, and Neva :)


A couple of videos taken during our visit with Sig :)







Johann with his grandpa, Dean, and his cousin, Neva.

Post-Apocalyptic Future for Our Children?

Do you ever wonder about the fate of your child or children? How he or she will fare in the world on their own? Especially in a post-apocalyptic world, presumably when mom and dad are no longer around to help him or her out. Have we done right by our children? Should we be teaching them more survival skills? Like how to find a med pack or ammunition for their plasma rifle? When the time comes, will they be ready to hack their way through masses of mutant radiation zombies to scrounge for food at the abandoned supermarket?

Well Dan and I do wonder about these things and apparently we aren't the only ones ;)