Redneck Vader

In keeping with the Nerd theme, I now have proof that Darth Vader was from the south.

Behold:




I'm thinking probably the Memphis area.



But then again, maybe Alabama.

If Only Defeating the Borg Was This Easy

So today the boys had another snow day. Only this time there was snow. It sat upon a layer of ice but there was not enough snow to really play in. So that meant the kids mostly just sat around the house, ate chips, watched TV, pushed each other around and basically not much else.

But Derick, being a little more bored than the rest, decided to film himself solving his Rubik's Cube. It used to take me a week to solve one side.

And after last night's dinner table discussion of how many reoccurring humanoid-ish species there are on Star Trek, Star Trek The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, I think we pretty much qualify for the Geek of the Week award.

Redneck Wonderland

Funny as we continue to walk around the woods of our property and that around us, we keep discovering new things.



Like what was this thing? I got a little worried that it was sniper stand. Which in a way, it is. It's a deer sniping thing. A guy with a gun sits in there and waits for a deer to come by and get a drink. Then WHAM. Venison stew for all.

This one looks like it may have been here a while.

But what a pretty view down the creek, isn't it?

Then I turn around and look across the little valley.

What's this I see?? A barrel from our old still.

So THIS was Redneck Wonderland.

Shoot a deer and kept an eye on the Moonshine at the same time.

I bet someone is pretty disappointed that our lot finally sold.

Ice, Ice Baby

This morning at the time the boys should have been heading to the bus, this is what the thermometer read:



The kids had a free day from school, as schools were closed due to extreme weather conditions.

Of course it's impossible to keep boys inside the house during extreme weather because the word extreme is derived from the word boys. I'm sure of it.

So my boys decided to play some ice hockey on the pond.




We even had a hockey stick from California. It's the street hockey version, but it works.




Jonathan used a golf club. He's still a Southern CA boy at heart.



They had to use a piece of ice for the puck.

When they got tired of that some of them decided to go ice collecting.

It's not for the faint of heart. It takes skill...

....and determination...

...but bringing home samples of air bubbles encased in ice is worth it.

Especially if there is hot chocolate to be had at home.

Nothing seems to bother boys much.

They don't seem to notice much of anything, really.

But they do know that Mom may notice.



To a point that is.

Christmas Trick or Treat

Growing up in CA we used to always get an orange in our stocking. Candy Canes and Oranges go quite well together.

So a holiday visit to CA would not be complete without a fresh orange.
Amanda and her cousin Jade decided to make an adventure out of it.


A trick or treat adventure.

First they had to go knock on the door of the Orange tree and hope that there were oranges to be given out.




Is this one fit for a Princess?

Yes, indeed.

But Uncle Jay's work isn't done.

Is it juicy enough?

Apparently so.

Two happy girls with their fresh Christmas oranges.

And Uncle Jay leaves the scene before the rest of the kids caught wind of what was going on.

Road Trip

This holiday we took a road trip.



A long road trip.



Yes, with all the kids in the van. For some nice, quality AND quantity, bonding time.



Through wide open, and sometimes quite unremarkable scenery. This scenery was a bit more remarkable than others.




The kids seemed to handle the trip well. For some reason.



Mostly because they stood to receive the pot of Wii gold at Uncle Jay's house. And the less often we had to stop, the faster they could get there.



Awww, can't be homesick for long when Elvis can be found at Legoland!

But here we are, heading home, across the Golden Gate Bridge of the South. Back to the land where all call letters start with W. And all Carl's Jr's become Hardey's. And there is no Del Taco. Or In & Out Burgers.



And gas can still be bought pretty cheaply!