East Contra Costa Historical Society

Race and Elizabeth hosted a DVMA trip to the East Contra Costa Historical Society's opening day. they took Grandpa Don along. Race had a great time and made a few new friends. The museum is rather free form, but it does feature an incredible collection of relics and curios from East County's rural past.

Race's birthday party

Oh my, I just realized that I didn't put up any pictures of Race's birthday party. Can you believe he's already 7? I certainly can't.

Race had a Star Wars themed party this year. He's a huge Star Wars fan now. Uncle Jason loaned him all the movies and he's been watching them over and over in his spare time. He chose to have his birthday party at QZAR. It's in downtown Concord and consists of an arcade and a huge, dimly lit, obstacle filled laser tag battle area. Everyone puts on a laser target vest and gets a laser. The workers divide you into teams and then the mayhem begins. Imagine the previously described battle area teaming with 6 and 7 year olds with a few adults mixed in. Race's Cubmaster and I teamed up in the first round and took over the center of the room. I ended up with high score. The second round, Race and I teamed up and managed to make it to the other team's headquarters to rack up some big points. Let me tell you, 15 minutes of battle and we had worked up a sweat. After the second 15 minute session the kids had worked up a hearty appetite for pizza and cake. We retired to the party area to tell tall tales of our combat skills and experiences, eat, drink and Race got to open presents.

No foolin', it's April Fool's Day

First the joke. Race decided to play an April Fool's Day prank on us. He took all of the bags of cereal out of their boxes and put them back in the wrong box. I went to poor a bowl of Cheerios this morning, but... I ended up having Chocolate flavored Chex Mix instead. Race nearly fell over laughing at his own joke.

Elizabeth and I managed to both make it to Race's School Chapel this morning and we're really glad we did. After 3 quarters of hard work Race finally made Honor Roll. He made it all 4 quarters in Kindergarten, but he's been struggling in 1st grade. Join us in congratulating him on his success. He's really proud of himself.

Black Diamond Mines

Elizabeth had been watching ads for the opening of a new mine shaft at Black Diamond Mines and we were able to find time to attend. The newly opened sand mine was worked by the Hazel Atlas Glass Company from the 20's until the mid 40's and the sand was used for glassmaking. We have a couple of old Hazel Atlas canning jars in our antique collection. Race was a little nervous at first but he quickly got over it and had a great time in the shaft. The mine was opened for self guided tours on this special occasion. Normally only guided tours are available and only by appointment. After visiting the mines we walked around and looked into the other mines even though they weren't open and took a mile long journey up the mountain to visit Rose Hill Cemetery. Most of the graves date form the 1870's when the coal mines were going strong. Many of the miners were born in South Wales. It was enlightening, sometimes we forget how easy modern life is, to see how many of the graves included unnamed infant children, toddlers, kids and teenagers.

Chapel 3/4/09

Race's First Grade class performed at Wednesday Chapel this week. Elizabeth was able to attend and got a few pictures. The kids were just adorable.

3/1/09 Wondercon

Race went to Wondercon, the worlds second largest comic book convention, with his Auntie Amy and Uncle Jason. Elizabeth and Dean stayed home with Aurora. Race had a great time and got to meet Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia, she gave him a cookie), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Ray Parks (Darth Maul) and, too cool, Adam West (the original Batman). He received training on light saber use and had a great time shopping for Star Wars action figures. Just this week, Race finished watching all 6 episodes of Star Wars. He's a huge fan.

2/28/09 Towe Auto Museum and State Railroad Museum

We had a great turnout of 28 members of the Diablo Valley Mustang Association and Sacramento Mustang Club to tour the Towe Auto Museum in Sacramento. They let us order pizza in and have lunsh in their replica Diner, Vic's Ice Cream Shop. The docents gave us tours through the collection and then let us wander on our own. After the visit to Towe a number of us made our way to Old Town and the State Railraod Museum. We had a great time wandering through the great engine and railcar displays.

2/20/09 Blue and Gold Dinner

Our pack is too small to justify a Blue and Gold Dinner of our own, so Pack 444 was kind enough to invite us to theirs. Our entire Pack attended and had a wonderful time.

2/16/09 Jelly Belly Factory

It was a big day for Race and Aurora. They got to go to the Jelly Belly Factory for a tour and some candy shopping fun. Race ate a SKUNK Jelly Belly. He broke out in a rash later and blamed it on the skunk bean.

Field Trip

Today Race and his class got to go on a Field Trip to Build A Bear Workshop in Walnut Creek. I got to take Race, Jayden and Dominic in the truck. The kids had a great time picking, stuffing and dressing their new furry friends. -Dean

It's Finished

Race's Pinewood Derby car is finished. Here are some pictures.

Pack Meeting

Thursday night at our Pack meeting Race got his Tiger badge. We're very proud of him. See more about our Cubs by clicking on the Pack 316 link ot the right.

Pinewood Derby

Yes, it's Pinewood Derby season. Here are a couple of pictures of Dean and Race working on Race's entry for the Blackhawk 500. They prepped by watching the movie "Down and Derby" a couple of times. So far Dean hasn't taken over construction completely.

Recruiting

Here are Dean, Elizabeth and Race manning the Cub Scout recruiting booth at a recent school open house.

Playing in the Leaves

Ah, winter in California, the leaves have finally turned and are falling off the trees. Here's Race enjoying some winter sports.

1/14/09

Race invited us to his school Chapel this morning. Dean was able to attend with his friend Dave Trieschman. Race's 1st grade class ran the Chapel and provided the music. Race actually sang this time and didn't yawn once. He was also honored to lead the entire school in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States. Dave and Dean celebrated with Huevos Rancheros at the Buttercup Pantry after Chapel.

1/13/09

Lowes Home Improvement partnered with Dremel Tools this year to help sponsor Pinewood Derby's. We went to the Lowes in Livermore for a seminar on how to build a Pinewood Derby car. Race is now the proud owner of his own Dremel Tool and a BSA Pinewood Derby car kit packaged with all of the acessories needed to build his own car. We'll try to keep everyone updated on the build progress.

1/12/09

Tonight we attended a Boy Scout campfire. A local high-adventure troop invited us. The Scouts entertained us with songs, skits and jokes all staged between two campfires in the parking lot of the Methodist Church (where Elizabeth and Dean got married). This was Race's first Scout campfire and he even roused himself to sing along a few times. He really liked the yelling parts of the songs. The highlight of the evening, for Race, was dessert prepared in dutch ovens. They had apple, peach, berry and chocolate chip cobbler to choose from.

1/10/09

Elizabeth and Dean spent the entire day at LEAD training. This was a full 8 hours of training on Cub Scout topics like: Health & Safety, Dealing with Problem Boys, Pine Wood Derby's, Job specific training, etc. Race got to spend Friday night and all day Saturday at Auntie Amy's and Uncle Jason's house. He reported that he had fun playing Wii and that he played with cousin Aurora.

Niles Canyon Train of Lights

We had a great time this year on the Niles Canyon Railroad with the Negherbon (Elizabeth's boss) family. The railroad museum decorates the train with Christmas lights and Santa spends the trip visiting witht he ids on the train.