Holiday Message...

Kid in a candy store

Luca the Spawn of Vader...

I asked the Spawn of Vader to give me a funny face and this is what I got... Careful what you ask for, because you just might get it...

Luca the Spawn of Vader

Fish and Chips

Caught last night on 30 pound test line, and 50 pound steel leader. It measured 7 feet, and about 125 pounds. Took me 1 hour and 45 min. to land on the beach next to the pier.

After a few photos (35 people on pier) it was pulled to deep water and released unharmed (in better shape than me!

Folks on the dock wanted it killed and eaten tonight, but Teresa said “FREE WILLIE”. Great night. We leave for Orange Beach Monday

Later Ya All

Scott

I can now say Nieces…

Keira Amélie Bruen – Born September 22, 2008 @ 4:27AM. She weighed 6 lbs 13 oz. and was 19 in. long. She came into this world three weeks early.

Keira is as cute as a bug’s ear… I have never seen a bug’s ear, but I understand they are extremely cute.

Congratulations to Scott and Angela…

Happy Anniversary

Thank you for sharing our wonderful day with us.

Love you all,

Kirk and Kathlene

Cannery Row

Here is a photo I took of Kathlene and I walking back from the Monterey Bay Aquarium last weekend. It's actually a mistake, I liked the result... Good Miss huh!

Where's my passport?

This made me smile. If you have time click here and here.
Cheers,
K-----

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Don't Look Down

Kirk and Big Lu at The Fissures in Yosemite. Not a place for kiddos unless they are on a leash. Click on the picture for a better view.

Barque Eagle...

Once again my office window presents a unbelievable view. The USCGC Eagle is parked outside my office window at the moment here is a snapshot of the 295 ft. Barque class sailing vessel, ordered and commisioned by Adolf Hitler, built for Nazi Germany and used by the Third Reich as a training vessel.

1,2,3,4...

Feist will be featured on the August 11 39th Season Premier of Sesame Street. Colin should eat well to this...

Watch the video here:

Yummy

My new favorite place in San Francisco.
http://www.thecandystoresf.com/
Way better than mini-donuts.

Happy 4th...

"Pig" Would like to wish everyone a "Safe & Sane" Happy Independence day.

This photo was taken at the Alameda County Fair on Monday. Kathlene and I had a great time talking with the students in the 4-H Live Stock area.

The students were of all ages and very eager to share their knowledge with us. Some of these kids were barely 80 pounds dripping wet and their "Pets" were six to nine months old and out weighed them by several hundreds of pounds. They we're all busy cleaning, feeding and practicing for the show and auction. It was told to Kathlene by a very energetic young man (that reminded her of Luis), that a pig went for several thousands of dollars in last years auction. Whoa, that's an expensive piece of bacon.

I hope all is well with everyone, have a great holiday.

Closet Showgirls

Vegas Baby...

Happy Birthday Mom

I hope you and the girls have a good time in Vegas.

Remember that all important piece of advice...

What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas...

Except for Kathlene, I want all the sordid details.

Just try to keep her out of the Bars and Strip clubs...

Buenos Dias...

Good Morning,


Here I am at work waiting for the opening bell to ring. I looked out the bay window as the sun was rising, and this is what I saw @ 5:59AM.

FINI, FINETO,FERDIG,完成,終了... DONE!

Just some news to help keep everyone informed. As I mentioned before Kathlene has been working extra hard this year teaching full time and taking classes at night to get a Special Education Credential. If you would like to catch up and read the previous post here is the link, click here.

On Thursday Kathlene had finished her last class for the Special Education Credential. She received a 100% on her final and a 100% in the class. The student teaching portion of this term was a joke. 

The person that came to observe Kathlene in the “student teaching” class was in her class room for four sessions. Each session was ½ hour long and the instructor doubled those sessions up to make them an hour a piece. All in all, the observer/instructor spent two hours observing Kathlene’s student teaching, which took place in Kathlene’s own 3rd grade SDC class.

On Saturday May 31, 2008, Karla and I attended Kathlene’s credential ceremony. I got to see Kathlene strut across the stage to receive her credential. Of course this was after some miscommunication and incorrect pronunciation of Katharine Linderwhoven. Kathlene assumed they announced her name wrong and proceeded across the stage. After some discussion Kathlene set them straight, afterwards they correctly announced her name.

After the ceremony we joined the rest of the graduates and ate the most expensive piece of cake I have ever tasted. I figured that this slice of cake cost Kathlene and me between $12,000 and $14,000 give or take a $100.00 or so. Oh well you have to spend money to make money.
After all the fanfare Kathlene, Karla and I joined Krista and had a “celibatetory” meal at P.F. Chang’s. If you didn’t get that ask Kathlene…

In retrospect it is worth every penny spent and we would do it again. With this credential Kathlene will always be employable. Even if the Govenator decided to cut the budget and eliminated 50% of school spending, they will always need Special Education teachers.

Please join with me in congratulating Kathlene on a job well done. Kathlene gets a Gold Star this time.

Good Times...

Friday night Luis, Bonnie, Kathlene and I spent a warm and clear evening in the city. We had dinner at The Fish Market on Pier 39.

Bonnie and Luis stuffed themselves on clams. I think L² (Leaky Luis) could have polished off another order of clams. I had the special and Kathlene had something simple.

Saturday we went to The Monterey Bay Aquarium. 86º F in Monterey and clear. If it wasn’t for the fires in the hills to the east, it would have been a picture perfect day. Little Luis got to break in his Monterey Bay Aquarium membership card. In case I haven't mentioned it, all the kids have a membership to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Just lets us know when you are coming up and we will break out the memberships for trial runs.

We had a great time visiting the fishies. However, Leaky Luis tried to feed Kathlene to the Orca. Unfortunately it was Saturday and very crowded. By 4 PM we all were over the crowds and deiced to drive south past Carmel to Point Lobos State Reserve.

We had a great time with Bonnie and L². Kathlene and I were glad that they came up for “Spring Recess”. It went by fast. We will miss them, and look forward to a visit from them again soon. We look forward to having visits from anyone in the family.

The summer is approaching fast, so come see Kathlene and I this summer. If we are still in the Joaquin house we will have plenty of room. If we move, we may have to put you in the closet or bathtub, but we'll let you choose.

I have a message for L² and his Xbox Hockey team…

14 to 8 loser boy…

Let Us In!

Hey Shannon,
We've been blocked from your blog!
Kathlene

Happy Birthday

OK, since everyone is not dying to know... I will tell you anyways. I spent my Birthday with the Oakland A's. Kathlene and I, along her sister Krista and Krista's boyfriend Nick went to the day game at Oakland Coliseum.

It was a nice nice day, warm and clear. To top it off the home team beat the Cleveland Indians 6:1.

Here is a photo I shot early in the game.

kirk's b-day

today, april 5th, is Kirk's b-day. Two days after grandma's and yes, he looks 91 too! Ha! I remember how we thought he might be born on grandma's b_day or on the 4th which was gm and gp's wedding anniversary...or on the 6th, which is my old high school buddy, Karen, birthday. But as usual, he did his own thing and came to earth on April 5.....right in the middle of everyones everythings! Some things remain a constant!

mom/Penny

Ninty-One

Yesterday was Grandma Catharine (Kitty) Howard’s 91st Birthday.

Uncle Mike, Aunt Sharon and cousin Brett went to see the Birthday Girl this morning. Uncle Mike called Dad (Billy) and I, to wish Grandma a Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Grandma

DONUTHOLE-ONE AND DONUTHOLE-TWO!!!

testing

BUTTHEAD ONE..........AND BUTTHEAD TWO.........................................ARGUING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

testing

Hi!

Kathlene is showing me how to work this advanced technology!

Grandma and little Lu

june 2007

the pier market/ fisherman's wharf/SF

Eggstraction…

Kathlene for the last 21 days has been brooding over her 50 something chicken and duck eggs.

On March 12, 2008 she and her 3rd grade class became proud parents of two baby chicks. Just in time for Easter. First came Root beer, and then came Boots. Root beer is a brown color and Boots has feathers on his feet, fuzzy like Ugg Boots. They should have named Root beer, Sarsaparilla instead.

By the time I showed up at Kathlene’s school, another chick had hatched. Another little brown chick. This one we named Grace. Grace isn’t very sturdy on its feet. Grace was still in the drying phase of the ordeal, and couldn’t be picked up.

We set up a video camera and Kathlene was able to get some video of the hatchings. Before Kathlene left from school yesterday, three more chicks had hatched. I guess when they say 21 days they mean 21 days. I figure when she arrives at school today she will have plenty more peepers. The duck will need to cook for a few more days before it hatches.

They are cute but noisy, peep, peep, peep. Even at only a few hours old they stink.

Here are a few pictures I took yesterday of Root beer and Boots. I am sure Kathlene will post a video of her chicks soon.

Hiding go Seeking...

Panoramic Image of the of the Grizzly Giant.
Photo by: Kirk Howard Copyright© 2008

Here is a game for everyone to play… Hiding go seeking. Kathlene will do the hiding in plain site, and we will go seeking for her.

Look at the picture and correctly identify tiny Kathlene by the Ginormous stick in the ground. The first person to correctly identify her location and or position wins a prize. For a consolation prize the first person to correctly identify my location and or position wins a kick in the shorts.

**prize award is subject to change at a moments notice. No real claim and or should be made to the realization of actually winning a real tangible prize.
***consolation prize will be delivered promptly and swiftly upon completion of the game.

Yosemite N.P.

Panoramic Image of the Yosemite Valley floor.
Photo by: Kirk Howard Copyright© 2008

Even though you got to enjoy Kathlene’s post of my ballerina impersonation, we did do other stuff besides dance around on slick rocks. The sky was clear, the weather was warm as long as you stayed out of the shade. There were several feet of snow in the meadows and on the valley walls. It was a great weekend in Yosemite National Park. We had such a great time we decided to go back this weekend.

We will be staying in this little B&B in Mariposa. As Kathlene described it “It’s like being at grandma’s house”. I am not sure if she is referring to my Grandma Howard or to her Grandmother. It is all the same you feel warm safe and comfortable. If you find yourself going to Yosemite, I would stay at least one night at Poppy Hill Bed & Breakfast in Mariposa, CA of Hwy. CA-140.

As I said before Kathlene and I had a great time in Yosemite. We spent Saturday on the valley floor. On Sunday we went up to Badger Pass ski area. We attempted to go snowshoeing. We got a late start so we only shoed for a few hours.

I think between Kathlene and I we took more photos in two days at Yosemite then we did the 10 days we were in Guatemala. I think our final count was 1500+ Photos. I think I had one or two images turn out OK.

If you would like to purchase the complete K&K trip to Yosemite National Park, we will be selling them for the one-time low price of $29.95 + shipping and handling.

Yosemite Fall (no, I did not forget the "s")

Can you spot the surefooted mountain goat?



I couldn't find him either...

All I saw was Kirk landing on his caboose.

Group Messaging

Sorry, for any confusion that may have come these last few emails. I am trying to set up a group email. This group email will allow everyone that is listed in the Via Alegre blog to receive an email message alert saying a new message has been post to the blog.

Just incase anyone doesn't want to be in the email group, a link to unsubscribe will be in the email too.

Kirk

"F" for lack of Participation

I am a little disappointed in the lack of participation on the Via Alegre blog. Shannon, Kathlene and I seem to be only contributors on the blog. At first everyone thought this was a great idea, but soon after the excitement and enthusiasm disappeared.

I am not sure if it is a lack of interest or lack of technical ability? If it is a technical issue, let me know and I can help with that. Just remember you only have to be 3% smarter then the blog. If it has become an issue of no interest and no one wants to participate please let me know and I will discontinue the Via Alegre blog.

I linked a tool to the blog that gives me information about web traffic on the blog. The last time I saw any traffic coming from the southland was Jan 3, 2008. 70 United States, San Juan Capistrano, California.

The counter at the bottom of the page has a link to the information I referred to above if you would like to take a look. Again, if you don’t think we should continue let me know. I can discontinue this at any time.

Kirk

One more...

One more picture...this is Meg's last baby, Hans.  He is the best, sweetest, happiest baby you have ever met!  I miss him SO much (of course I miss all of the kids, but babies just make me melt!).  But here's a typical shot of him.  

Pictures of the Utah people

Hello California family.  I thought I'd post a few random pictures of the Utah family since you probably haven't seen them in a long time!  

Here's Meg's middle kids (numbers 3 and 4) Elli and Tait.  They are so cute!  Both of them are in gymnastics right now and Tait has even been moved up to an older class because he's so good.  
Here's Brett with Christopher and Sidney.  Isn't it amazing how grown up they are?  Chris is 16 and just got his own car, and Sidney is 13 and a cheerleader.  They live in Texas now with their mom and Stepdad and stepbrother.  
Here's Mike Jr. and Tracy.  They're doing really really well!  They were able to be in Utah for about a month.  Mike oversaw some Trax project and was able to be here throughout the whole holiday season which was awesome because we never get to see them, he's always so busy. They are now back in Phoenix doing the same thing and they are both just awesome!  Mike's on like three baseball teams and he plays mid-field because that way he can cover the WHOLE field!  Who is surprised that he carries the whole team?  

And here's me and Ogg.  This was back in October.  There's this great pumpkin patch where we went to get our hand-picked pumpkins for Halloween.  We carved them together for the first time in our marriage and the first time ever for Ogg!  He did really really well!  Anyway, just thought I'd show some pictures.  Hope everyone is having a great new year!  I'd love to read updates!

½, Half, Median…

Good Morning, just a little information to toot my wife’s horn, since I know she will not do it herself.

Kathlene last night completed her first term and two of four classes required to get her “Special Education” degree. As I expected she got a 100% (A) in both classes. In the class last night, she received better then 100% because of the special efforts from Lil Luis and his patience of enduring a never ending barrage of test questions, perched in front of a video camera.

It has been a long and tiresome 10 weeks for Kathlene. Teaching 3rd grade full time, going to school twice a week in Walnut Creek for four hours a night. Not to mention the copious amount of homework she is always working on.

This next term she will only be taking one class. Kathlene should be completed with everything about the time school lets out for summer recess in June. Just in time for us to go play for the summer.

She works very hard. I am very proud of her. For doing such a great job, I gave her a Smiley Face.

Happy New Year!

Hey everyone! Just thought I'd post a quick note to say that Ogg and I made the horribly long trip across the United States and are settling down here in Atlanta (actually our city is called Suwanee...but when you pronounce it, leave the "u" out). We live in a great complex and have quickly come to realize that growing up really just means spending a lot of money we don't have on furniture and not mooching off of mom for good meals. :) Although, she is coming out here on Thursday to stay for a few days. She just couldn't keep away from me! Our Christmas was great ... nice to spend time with my family, since we were with Ogg's family in England last year. I'm hunting around for a job right now, not having any idea what to do (my major - Marriage and Family Therapy requires a Master's Degree to do anything with it), but I feel like it's quite difficult to find a job, even with a degree from BYU! Oh well, I suppose I'll just keep unpacking while Ogg goes to work. Anyway, I hope you all are doing well...I don't even know if anyone reads these things but Kirk and Kathlene! Have a great year! Hopefully we'll be able to see you guys this year when we're out in Cali (probably in August)! Love you all,
Shannon

Aloha to the Ohana

Aloha from the land of sunshine, at least that's what the tour book said. It has been rainy and windy during our stay in Kaua'i. At least it has been warm. The sun was supposed to make an appearance on Monday. It didn't.