The stockings were hung from the Bowflex with care...

This picture captures not only our cute little Christmas tree and nativity scene but also Dave's display of our stockings from his Blowflex machine!

Thanksgiving in the Bay Area

Dave and I spent Thanksgiving with Rich and Jan Wells near Santa Rosa, CA. Then we drove down to Marin County, where I attended seminary, so I could show Dave some new places. We also enjoying seeing some seminary friends, Dan and Toni Shumaker (and their dog, Clyde) and Jayme Horning.

View of the Golden Gate Bridge from Tiburon.

Stinson Beach

The Pacific Ocean from Point Reyes (above and below)

More Pictures from Mom's visit

Stillwater Mountains and Wildlife Refuge (for birds). Taken 30 minutes from our house. The water may surprise you, but it really is a desert!

Seabee Dave: Taken outside Dave's building on base. "Can Do" is the Seabee's motto.

Yosemite Trip with Mom Sanders

Mom Sanders came for a visit this month and she joined us on our trip to Yosemite. It was a trip for Dave to take pictures for his classes and also for fun. We left Reno on Friday, Oct. 10 with snow falling from the sky like rain. The snow caused the passes throught the Sierra Mountains to be closed so we could not reach Yosemite that evening. We had to find a hotel on the Nevada side and make our way into Yosemite the long way around. We finally arrived Saturday at noon to the Wawona Hotel. Traces of snow could be seen in Yosemite but nothing like in Reno. I was shocked to see snow so early in October.

Mom took a picture of Dave in action. The picture above was the view.

Mom and I visited the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia's. This is the California Tunnel Tree. (and yes, it was cold!)

We stayed in the Wawona Hotel which was inside the park. It was built in the 1800's so our room was just a bedroom, no bathroom! We had to walk outside onto the wrap around porch to the community bathroom. The hotel was very old but maintained very well. I felt like I was in a different time period. Everything was antique and fit the era.

What a catch!

Dave caught some fish this weekend while on our church's men's retreat. He was proud of his walleye fish, picture here. He fried it up for us to eat for lunch....yummy!

Reno Hot Air Ballon Race Pictures

Dawn Patrol: 5 balloons lined up side by side filling their balloons with air and then they (minus 1) launched into the air for a spectacular show . . . set to music! (Check out the video below.)

Dave - doing what he does best!

We might have tired looking eyes because we arrived at 4:15am for the early show!

We were surrounded by 100 balloons on the ground, filling their balloons with air.....

then, they launched into the Reno air for an amazing show! (Check out the video below.)

Reno Hot Air Ballon Race Video #2

100 balloons launched into the Reno sky.

Reno Hot Air Balloon Race Video #1

This was called the Dawn Patrol.....it occurred when the sun was just rising on the horizon. Five balloons set up in a line and lifted into the air one after another (except the 5th had problems and did not lift). It was spectacular!

Yosemite

Dave and I spent Labor Day weekend in Yosemite enjoying the great outdoors and amazing views. This photo includes famous Half Dome to our right. We liked our little tent cabin....4 walls, a roof and a bed (but I forgot to take a picture of it)!

Best of Show

Dave entered a local photo contest and placed with both his photos. The above photo won Best of Show. The one below received Grand Champion in the category. In celebration of the town's 100 year birthday, the theme was old versus new. Dave had to find an old photo at the local museum and take a modern day photo compared to it. He was very surprised at his placings and overjoyed at the prize money....$400!!!

A Day in the Mountains

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. We saw Richard III...next to the water and mountains and under the stars!

Squaw Valley with view of Lake Tahoe

Wedding Celebration in Cali

Rich and Jan Wells hosted a wedding party for us at their home in Sonoma County, CA. Jan decorated a mini wedding cake for us. I enjoyed seeing friends from my seminary days.

Dave the breakmaker!

Dave was the first to use our Kitchen Aid mixer to make cinnamon raisen bread.

Happily Married!!

Ready to Exit!

Just before exiting into bubbles!

Happily Married!!

I hope this picture is large enough to see our smiling faces!

Don't Forget to RSVP

Don't forget to e-mail or call Leanne to RSVP for the wedding. I need to know the # of adults and children under 12.

Updated Wedding Events

Check out our wedding website (see address below) for an updated event....a family breakfast brunch on Saturday at 10:00 am. Hope to see you there!

Update wedding information

The invitations were mailed, and we are one step closer to getting married. Please see the website below for updated wedding information. If you have questions, feel free to e-mail or call me. Leanne

Wedding Website: Additional Note

For specific wedding information (lodging etc.), check out our wedding website: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/pws.asp?id=DaveandLeanne3551295. You may need to turn off the popup blocker or click on "Launch the Personal Wedding Site."

Wedding Website

For wedding information, check out: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/pws.asp?id=DaveandLeanne3551295.