Another Short Starring Larry

Larry and Amanda are getting married on October 7. Congratulations! But as the clock ticks down to the big day, will Larry be able to find a suitable honeymoon place for his new bride in time? The search continues...

Hanging out with Larry

It was fun this past week to have my good friend Larry out here in California. We ate alot of good food, played, and had some good times of evaluating our lives are dreaming about the future. Here is a video I made of a hike we took to Castle Rock State Park. Enjoy!

Whizzing Reindeer

I Hate Puppies ... Disgusting!

That is probably just about the most politically incorrect thing one can say... But doesn't this look like the perfect caption for this picture?



Before Traci starts getting flooded with hate mails, I better tell the rest of the story:

Snow Dogs ...

During our port of call in Skagway, we went on the musher's camp and sled dog excursion.









The van took us out to Dyea where the camp is and the sled dogs train for the iditarod by dragging tourists around on wheeled sled. (We opted for this one instead of the helicopter/glacier sled dog ride, partially because of the $300 per person price difference and partially because we really just wanted to play with some cute puppies.)























It's the first time I've ever done anything like it. It was pretty exhilirating and made me yearn to experience the real thing. (On a sled on the snow) The ride ended all too quickly though, I think it was only about 10-15 minutes.
















These dogs were atheletes, they were all so lean and very eager to run. Our romantic bubble from Snow Dogs and 8 Below were dashed as we learned that most of the competitive sled dogs are "Alaskan Huskies" which are mostly mixed breeds, bred for stamina and speed. (Unlike their Hollywood counterparts with their airbrushed faces and well-groomed furs.)


















After the ride, we had a chance to meet an ER doctor from Seattle who came here to live out his dream of sled dog racing. He told us about his first race this past year in the Iditarod. Here is my cousin trying on the parka that a racer would wear to keep warm. One fun little fact I discovered was that most of the stuff they wore were very warm, but not water proof. I felt a little dumb when he told me that the reason why they weren't water proof is because it is so cold, the snow and ice would not melt on the clothing. Here is my cousin Firmin in a parka:























And then came the funnest part of the afternoon. Playing with Puppies:

Celebrating the Big 6-O!

This is my old man. (Never really thought of him as old per se... He is always full of energy and always keeping busy doing something.)

We celebrated his 60th by taking a cruise together to Alaska last week. (Technically by western calenders, he will only be 59 this year, but it is a Chinese tradition to help propel/ensure a person into a new decade of his or her life by rounding up on the 9th year.*)
















Happy 60th Dad! We are so thankful for your love and providing for us all these years. I admire your work ethnic, your frugality, and your desire to provide the best for your family.

We love you very much!

*By this same ancient Chinese age counting technique, I am 30 this year, how scary is that?

Chocolate Heaven ... Alaska?

Here is a pic of Jervis and Traci as they've died and gone to Chocolate heaven! Who knew it was in Anchorage, Alaska?























They are last seen here taking a bite out of a 10lb chocolate bar, behind them, is a stack of chocolate bars weighing 500lbs all together. And directly behind that is supposedly the world's largest chocolate fountain.























Where is all this chocolate goodies, you ask? It's at the Alaska Wild Berry Product Store.