Just a Quickie

Don't ask me why, because I don't know...here's a few recent events.

 We had our annual gingerbread house gathering at the K-Wells home.

 This was a new one for us - we had a mouse race at neighbors home.  This turned out to be a blast.  The race is between hollowed out walnut shells with a marble underneath.  Oh, and they're decorated.   Laynee was the overall winner.

 Christmas Eve on the hill as usual.  Somethings just don't change...and we're glad.

 There was a small change this year concerning our Christmas Eve activities.  With Grandma Sullivan now living at the Meadows, we gathered there for some songs and games.  The hi lites of the night were Colleen's "Boy named Sue" and Laynee's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  Oh, and Lauri hosted a very nice Christmas Eve dinner at her place before going over to Grandma's.

  This year the boys each received a hand made sheath knife (compliments of one of my good patients).

 With Mom now living in Pine Valley year round, taking the kids up there to play in the snow is a much more attractive prospect.  We've been up there more this winter than the last four years combined (at least in the winter).

 

 This is Seth with his Bow-Drill kit - one of his Christmas presents.

 Laynee going to Junior Prom...just reminding them who's in charge.

 We took a small hike up to Scout lookout on Angel's a couple weeks ago.  We wanted to do Observation, but it was pure ice.  This was a first for Jack.  The kids enjoyed sliding down Walter's Wiggles on their butts. 

 Happy birthday to me.  40 years young. 

 Drew and some of the Priests and Teachers from the ward after Baptisms for the Dead.

 Yes, for my birthday, I also went to Disneyland with Shana...no kids.  We had a blast, but did miss the kids.  The hi lite for me was dinner at the Blue Bayou.  As far as rides go - loved the Star Wars updates on "Hyperspace Mountain" and could do Tower of Terror over and over.

Back By Popular Demand

 I have about a half-dozen faithful followers who keep tabs on the Wells family via this blog, and I've been taking a little heat from about three of them...so I thought I'd give a little summary of the first 10 weeks of 2015.  For the record, we made it to Pinevalley and played in the snow.

 I likely have Seasonal Affective Disorder and have always wanted to make it a regular occurrence to find a sunny warm place for just a week or so in January or February to escape the winter blues.  A friend offered us some sky-miles, so we jumped on it.

 We felt like we were living pretty large because the sky miles they booked for us included a few legs of first class flights...that was a first for us.  The above pic is in the first class lounge in LA on our layover to Kauai.

 Found a swimming hole (tubing excursion)

 Biked Kapa'a

 Ziplined

 Hula Pie'd...twice

 Watched whales both on land and sea (we were on land and sea - the whales stayed at sea)   

 Back on the home front, Seth wrapped up his basketball season (and quite possibly career)

 and picked up with baseball...

 and hockey.

 I participated in the neighborhood triathlon (Black Hole Tri)

 We celebrated Seth's birthday at Village Inn for breakfast.

 Hung out with the Mcarthur's in the hot tub

 The kids were not happy that Shana and I went to Kauai without them...not happy that we go anywhere without them, but it keeps us sane...and were threatening mutiny if we didn't have a little family fun over Spring Break.  So we headed down to Knott's Berry Farm and SeaWorld for a few days of fun.  The crowds were minimal and the kids rode the coasters til their hearts were content (or their faces were green).

 Pardon the interruption, The Troy, Laynee, and I ran the (cup less) Dogtown Half Marathon

 Meanwhile, back at the Farm...

 Jack's Lunch

 Good times

 We didn't feel like asking anyone to take a pic for us, so we took turns.

 Mission beach in San Diego - just like I remember it...overcast and only the desert rats who never see the ocean willing to come out and play on a 60 degree day.

 I remember coming in from these same cold waters as a boy and my Dad standing on the beach snapping photos of me...here we are full circle.

 Back home - the kids had extra chores this Saturday and were rewarded (bribed) with a trip to Yogurtland.

And finally, a lot of baseball, some soccer, and now track.  In between it all, I work, Shana runs the home, the kids go to school, there's challenges to be faced, fires to be put out, lives to live.  We have a good time and try to find balance...the balance part can be a challenge, but we try.   Overall I think we're happy and grateful.  

Merry Christmas

 One thing about the Wells' - we don't deviate much when it comes to tradition.  This is obviously Christmas Eve.

 Jeremy's a good sport to come along.

 The Sethmeister atop his kingdom.

 The Narrows weren't looking so narrow with these little tykes.  I took my one token squeeze through.

 Jack was showing me how to climb down this hole, because he has it all figured out.

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 Fast-forward to Christmas morning.  Jack is showing off his sheath knife.  This was a hand-made gift from a patient of mine especially made for Jack.  Jack loves showing it off to any visitors at the house.  This will be a bit long, but I want to include the letter that he included with this knife: 

"This should be a good first knife for a young lad, and it has the best materials for everyday use.

The blade I made from CPM 154, what I believe to be the best stainless steel blade material out there, and the same the USA's nuclear submarines are made from.  I sent it to Paul Bos at Buck Knives for his cryogenic heat treatment and double temper to a 60 Rockwell - well beyond what normal blades are.  The handles are Canadian Birdseye Maple that I've vacuum stabilized with a polymer to make them more durable.  The sheath I made from vegetable tanned cowhide and kangaroo skin with a sewn-in welt to protect the stitching from being cut during use.

I left it sharp so be very careful until he gets comfortable with it.  I'm a firm believer that getting cut with a sharp blade is less likely and it heals better than a cut from a dull one.

I hope you both enjoy this little cutter.

My Best, L.D.

 I also married into a family that doesn't deviate from tradition...breakfast at Nikki's on Christmas morning.

 Five minutes after we got home from breakfast, an intense street hockey game ensued...and a photobomb by Wes Davis.

 And that night - homemade Cafe Rio at our place. 

 And a nightcap of Christmas games...get it? A night CAP!

Hats off to Kason.