2008 Christmas Newsletter

This year's Christmas newletter was a look back at the 70's with a retro theme (see last year's theme). This was our attempt at the Partridge Family look (the color scheme probably had too much red for a true Piet Mondrian knock-off). Anyway, hop on the bus and c'mon get happy!

Christmas newsletter 2008

Christmas Videos

Here is a list of favorite family Christmas Videos:

• Elf
• The Chipmunks
• Babe
• Rudolf

Others include:

• Muppet Christmas Carol
• Muppet "It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie"
• Polar Express

Snow

With flurries of snow Friday night, and Saturday, we woke up Sunday morning to a good 3+ inches and a stiff North breeze. Freezing temps provided some slick roads but otherwise a winter wonderland.

Snow 12.14.08

CityKids Christmas Program 2008

This year's CityKids Christmas Program featured Rilla and Cian in the massive 4 & 5 year olds chorus and Emma and Colin in the gigantic 1st through 4th grader chorale. Emma tried out and made the dance team and even showcased her round-off back tuck. Here is a clip starting with the end of the big entrance (the camera man was given the wrong entrance info - thanks honey! ).

Freewinds Haul-in

Today the Freewinds was hoisted back in the water after a six-month out-of-the water, major, extensive, project. She is essentially a new boat! For an idea of what was done and to help define 'extensive,' compare the image of the haul-out back in April. The team at CSR has done a super job. Check out more shots on our Photobucket site.

Freewinds 11.7.08

Jack & Woody

Earlier this week Jack was in San Francisco for a training session at the SF Adobe office and was able to hook up with his second cousin – Steve ‘Woody’ LaBounty. Due to the wonders of the internet Woody was able to connect with Jack a couple years ago. Then we were really fortunate last year when Woody and his wife Nancy and daughter Miranda stopped in for a short visit to our house where we met face to face.

Woody runs a really intriguing non-profit in San Francisco called the Western Neighborhoods Project. This is a group dedicated to preserving, yup; you guessed it…the history of the western neighborhoods of San Francisco. This included earning the prestigious Governor’s Award for preserving a number of 1906 Earthquake Refugee shacks. Jack even had the privilege of attending the group’s Monday night Meet-up at the famous Cliff House restaurant. Woody is providing a great service to that community - it is exciting to see history and culture preserved so that anyone in the world can access it.

Goodbeach October 2008

Recently the Brenchley Family spent five days on Whidbey Island at Goodbeach (see also April 07 & July 08 blogs). Here are some links to our adventures captured on pictures and video...
At Goodbeach : Colin in the bay; Caleb and a log.
At Fort Ebey: Playing at Pt. Partridge beach and Battery 248 (aka Used).
At Ebey's Landing: Playing at the beach.
At Fort Casey: Exploring Battery Trevor; Hiking down the bluff to play at the beach.
Video wrap-ups: Rilla & Cian; Colin; Emma; Caleb. See these and more at our Photobucket site.

Fort Casey (with Admiralty Head lighthouse in background) 10.5.08