Mein Auto wurde gestohlen aber ich habe es jetzt wieder zurück.

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My car was stolen but I have it back now.

I hoffe, dass ich vor meinem Geburtstag am 16. Mai in Deutschland bin.

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I hope to be in Germany for my birthday, May 16th.

Okay, so I met with my Conversational German class this week and Alina had mentioned that when she was learning French, she wrote a journal every day in French to help learn the language.  I’m not sure if I’ll be able to keep up with a daily post, and I’m thinking for a while they’re only going to be a sentence or two, but here goes…

Heute ich suche für eine Hunde-Park in Hannover.  Ich hatte die Idee beim Xander gehen.

I’m thinking Domi will probably have to correct my posts, but here’s what I tried to write:

Today I searched for a dog park in Hannover (Germany).  I had the idea while walking Xander.

Twila was really happy that we came home from our camping trip. She usually doesn’t get up on the couch with us. So we took a picture to prove it. LOL

One of these two has a furry belly. Guess which one…

Kevin and Kristina invited us up to their “cabin” in the mountains for Memorial Day Weekend. Originally we all thought the weather would be pretty nice, but as it turned out, half of the weekend it rained and temperatures remained in the 40’s and 50’s throughout. Still, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the weekend, despite the weather. I was also really surprised at how much I enjoyed handling and shooting a gun! LOL As did Domi. Thanks to Kristina and Kevin for hosting a wonderful weekend!

Kevin showing me how to handle a sniper rifle.

Domi giving a little 9mm pistol a go.

Shovels come in handy when you need to bury dog poo in the woods.

Up on a mountain range shooting guns. The All-American Family!

Domi’s ready for a little rifle action as well.

Kristina showing off her goods.

A visit to Lost Creek Reservoir

Going across the dam for Lost Creek Reservoir

Kevin’s HOT in this pic!

Katie Bug eating a marshmallow

Kevin’s “cabin”. Yup, that’s a shipping container.

Patricia & Warren

Nothing like enjoying a campfire in the rain

Looks like others caught onto the umbrella trick.

Our lovely weekend hosts: Kevin & Kristina

So yeah, I just had a birthday. I turned a milestone age. No, I didn’t go out and buy a Corvette. I don’t think that happens until 45, right?

I’ve always wanted to see the musical “Wicked” since it first opened in San Francisco and now I finally got a chance to go see it in Hollywood at the Pantages Theatre. That was my birthday present to myself, and I have to say it was a pretty darn good one! The next day we drove out to Palm Springs to relax for a few days and my friend, Melissa, came out from Phoenix with her little boy, Jesse, and her fiance, Dean.

Domi and his favorite “star” on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame

Domi outside our resort with the San Jacinto mountains in the background

Two hot little numbers. ;-)  [Domi and our rental car, a Pontiac Solstice]

Domi and me up on top of Mt. San Jacinto

Snow in May! Yup, there was some left up on Mt. San Jacinto

Standing on rocks makes me look taller.

To celebrate Mother’s Day this year we all headed to Hidden Lakes Park in Martinez for a BBQ.  The weather was perfect — not too hot and not too cold.

Domi & Xander [Hidden Lakes Park - Martinez, CA]

First Spring BBQ of ‘08 [Hidden Lakes Park - Martinez, CA]

Kaitlin, Dustin & Kevin [Hidden Lakes Park - Martinez, CA]

Kaitlin, Dustin, Domi with Kevin & Warren in the background [Hidden Lakes Park - Martinez, CA]

Kaitlin, Patricia & Kristina [Hidden Lakes Park - Martinez, CA]

Kaitlin [Hidden Lakes Park - Martinez, CA]

Kristina, Kaitlin & Patricia playing “soccer” [Hidden Lakes Park - Martinez, CA]

A riveting game of Croquet [Hidden Lakes Park - Martinez, CA]

Mom finally made it out to California for a visit, it had been years since her last visit. This time we really wanted to get her out here in the Spring while the hills were still green before they turn their California “Golden” Brown color. Of course a trip to Napa Valley was planned, her favorite place on earth. I really wanted her to see the new Castillo di Amorosa that opened in Calistoga, a winery that was built to resemble a castle that took 14 years to build. Of course we also had to visit Sterling Vineyards as well.

Domi and Mom at the Castillo di Amorosa winery in Calistoga

Domi and Mom at the Castillo di Amorosa winery in Calistoga

Domi and Xak at the Castillo di Amorosa winery in Calistoga

Mom and Domi at the Sterling Vineyards winery in Calistoga

Mom and Xak at the Sterling Vineyards winery in Calistoga

Today was a beautiful sunny day, so we took Xander to Walnut Creek and met up with my Aunt Patricia at the Shell Ridge Open Space. We had a high of 74°F (21° C) and a blue sky. After our walk we went through the drive-through and got some lunch and ate out at Walnut Creek’s Civic Center Park.

Xander and Buster

California’s Poppy Flower

Domi

A great day spent in San Francisco to celebrate Daniel’s birthday. Plus I got to give a personalized tour of the City to Volker who is visiting from Germany.