Greg and Jillair welcome you to a slice of their world.

Love to All.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Return of Brian, Erin/Mike/Andrew, Etc.



Erin, Mike and Andrew came all the way from Chicago to celebrate Greg's Birthday (and enjoy their Spring Break!) Erin took the time redecorate Nathan's room, with alot of help from Nathan!



Mike is finishing up his second year in the MBA program at the Univ. of Chicago. Andrew will get his MBA in about 2034!



Greg and Jillair babysat one night when Erin and Mike went out with friends. Andrew got his first piano lesson!



Happy Birthday Greg!



Erin leading a family game, at the Twins Birthday party! Jake (Scott and Chari) is front and center. He and Andrew met for the first time!





Brian came home for his Spring Break. We went to the Wildlife Refuge at Modjeska Canyon. Brian helped us identify numerous bird species, including the Acorn Woodpecker, Banded Pigeon, California Thrasher, Oak Titmouse, and multiple others!



Hi Jillair!
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Sunday, February 15, 2009

Tired and Happy



Another great day in the mountains.
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Is there a Lift around here?



Backcountry Trail -- No lift ticket, no problem! Let me rest a bit before we hit the trail again!
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Back Country Snowboarding -- Chapter Two



The previous week's expedition was a hit (see below), so Nathan, Greg and Ryan decided to repeat it the following weekend, again after a new snowfall. Jeff came along this time. Here he is breaking trail, in his cross-country skis. We are very close to the headwaters of the Santa Ana River, which goes from here to Newport/Huntington Beach. Following Jeff are Ryan, Nathan and Greg, carrying snowboards. Fresh snow -- powder. Did we see anyone else on the trail? No!
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Valentine's Day


Jillair -- Will you be my Valentine?

Jillair has a collection of valentines, some (one) dating from before we were married.
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Go Nathan!!

The Abominable Snowman in Action . . . .
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Backcountry Snowboarding, Chapter One




Nathan, cousin Ryan and Greg hit the trail behind Mt. San Gorgonio, in the San Bernardino National Forest, over the weekend of Feb. 7. Fresh snow had fallen the night before. We found some great snowboarding runs. Nathan rode like the abominable snowman with great board-grabbing technique. Ryan took a tough fall like a man. Greg witnessed it. He heard a scraping sound and then saw Ryan hit the trail, followed by "oh my backside!!" Greg's theory of the accident is that his board scraped the snow off a rock, and then his rear end found the rock . . . That didn't stop Ryan from charging on the mountain for our following week's expedition --Chapter Two.
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July 5th LA Tour

July 5th LA Tour
Jillair and Greg did a tourist tour of downtown LA sites on July 5th. Here is the LA City Hall. Just behind it is the Royball Federal Courthouse where Jeff and Greg took on the largest paint company in the world last year. I swear that this courthouse is used for the introductory scenes in the old Get Smart reruns. Maxwell Smart parks his Sunbeam convertible on the street right in front of the courthouse, off to the side of the West entrance.

Filming a Street Scene -- Old Hotel

Filming a Street Scene -- Old Hotel
So Jillair and I are walking along the street looking for the Bradbury building, and we came upon this scene being filmed in an old hotel building. If you look closely behind the motorcycle cop scaring off the autograph hounds, you can see the actor standing in the frame of a blown-out window. He had long stringy hair, and held a shotgun, which he repeatedly "racked" in a menacing manner. Jillair blew him a kiss, so I had to get her out of there. It's boring being married to a lawyer instead of a long-haired movie star.

Griffeth Park Observatory

Griffeth Park Observatory
After visiting the Bradbury Building (which we found out was used in a scene for Mel Gibson's Blade Runner) we took off for Griffeth Park. This is the Griffeth Park Observatory. I'm channeling James Dean, star of Rebel Without a Cause. A climactic scene was filmed here. A bust of James Dean graces the overlook on the West side of the Observatory. How do I look? I wanted to look menacing, with an "I don't give a "d__n" attitude", but Jillair wouldn't let me roll up my sleeves. (Didn't Jim Backus, who played James Dean's father, wear an apron in that movie?)

Senorita on Olvera Street, Los Angeles

Senorita on Olvera Street, Los Angeles
Ole' Jillair!

Independence Day -- At Crystal Cove Beach

Independence Day -- At Crystal Cove Beach
Jeff and Robyn helping Greg and Jillair to enjoy the 4th in style. Not shown: Nathan, Rachel'nAustin, Stephen and Ryan. Ryan tried out his new boogie board. Stephen took on a huge wave "like a man" -- standing up. Nathan built a gothic sandcastle. Rachel and Austin whispered sweet nothings into each other's ears in anticipation of ther soon-to come wedding. The Girls (Jillair and Robyn) took a long walk. Jeff and Greg took a snorkeling tour through the offshore kelp forest.

Why is Greg Smiling?

Why is Greg Smiling?
Nathan and Greg have been snorkeling this summer. Next time you see Greg, ask him to tell you about what he saw on his recent underwater exploration of the Savage Seas.

Backpacking with Nathan -- What's for Breakfast?

Backpacking with Nathan -- What's for Breakfast?
Nathan and Dad planned a short backpacking trip in the Angeles National Forest: the now famous Valley Forge, Mount Disappointment, Red Box Loop. Here is a scene from breakfast. I won't tell you what's in the pot. But I planned the trip, so I can't complain. Who knew that there were mosquitos up there this time of year? Nathan didn't even complain once when he found out that Dad brought no repellant in an effort to save precious ounces. We were practically alone on this trip. The trailhead is about one-half hour from LAMegalopolis. Amazing.

Backcountry Beauty

Backcountry Beauty
All alone. Awesome View. Intense sun. Here is a catalogue of some of the wildlife we saw: numerous gray squirrels, deer (right by the trail), red tail hawk (head high, just over Nathan's shoulder), and horny toad (actually a "horned lizard" per Brian our family wildlife biologist)

Looking For the Lost Waterfalls

Looking For the Lost Waterfalls
Our Anniversary outing in Palm Springs. Jillair and I took off into the hills in search of the "Lost Waterfalls." Here is Jillair a couple of miles into the desert, off the trail, heading up the wash, per the instructions of our trusty (?) guidebook. This picture doesn't capture the brilliance of the desert air or the heat, but you get a glimpse of the stark beauty. And the Waterfalls? Still lost. The guidebook? Not so trusty. But a memorable outing.

Hermana Robinson in Action

Hermana Robinson in Action
Left photo: April 08. Companion Her. Morales, Randy (fellowshipper), Omar (investigator) Elder Rodreguez. In the Visitors Center, on tour of Jesus sculptures. Right photo: Dinner with the Dudelos family, single mom, recent convert. Heather's letters are filled with enthusiasm and missionary spirit.

Heather at the Mission Home

Heather at the Mission Home
After Hermana Robinson finished her three weeks Spanish Training at the MTC, and one week Tour Guide Training, she left for the mission home, where she met the Mission President and his wife.

Gray Whale Siting

Gray Whale Siting
Jillair and I went on a whale watching adventure, from the cliffs of Laguna Beach. This is what I was fortunate enough to see, a whale breaching. The whale was actually twisted so that both flippers were visible. It landed with a tremendous splash of whitewater. It was a beautiful golden California morning. A fantastic event in the blink of an eye.

Whale Watchers

Whale Watchers
I spotted the whale straight out from my shoulder. I almost missed it because I couldn't take my eyes off Jillair.

Things are Looking Rosy

Things are Looking Rosy
Mardi Gras -- The first rose coming in on one of Jillair's new rose plants in her garden. Jillair loves her garden, and has been excited to see these blooms on her babies. She make sure that Nathan and I have a chance to see them.

Virgin Snow -- On the Trail Near San Gorgonio, CA

Virgin Snow -- On the Trail Near San Gorgonio, CA
Celebrating the Chance to Explore our Backyard So Cal Wilderness with Nathan, a Snowboard and a Unicycle!

Shredding -- Sort of

Shredding -- Sort of
Powder -- Yeah!

No Snow Tires on That Unicycle

No Snow Tires on That Unicycle
Nathan goes on One Wheel Where only a 4WD Went Before

Sister Robinson

Sister Robinson
Set Apart as a New Missionary. Heather has now finshed her MTC Spanish and Tour Guide Training. We are expecting word of her first assignment.