Annual Mt. Shasta Climb

Jon climbed Mt. Shasta again this year, unfortunately without me. I really wanted to be there with him, but it just didn't work out.So here they are, the only brave firefighters able to go. From left to right: Jimmy, Terry, Jon and Jeremy. They are at the base of the trail called Bunny Flat @ 6,880 ft. with towering Mt. Shasta in the background.This picture is taken at Horse Camp @ 7,880 ft. They decided to camp over night here because they were told that the wind and weather was so bad at 50/50 Flat that the tent poles were snapping because of the wind. 50/50 Flat is where we camped over night last year.They were able to find a nice flat place to camp for the night in between trees to help block out the wind. They went to bed around 8:00pm to ensure a semi-good nights rest before the big climb. Let me mention they had worked the 48 hours prior to this climb. So, once again, Jon was running on no sleep.They got an early start before the sun came up at 3:00am. This picture below was taken at 7:00am at Helen Lake @ 10,400 ft. Now, how cold does that look?The picture below is a pit stop at 8:00am. As you can see, they are still in the shadows and the sun has not yet peeked over the mountian.The picture below is at 9:25am. Good thing they rented helmets because the snow had already started to melt, which means there is a chance a rock slide could happen.This was also taken at 9:25am. Look at how steep of grade that is.Below is a picture taken at 10:05am at Red Banks @ 12,400 ft. This is where Jon got altitude sickness and had to turn back. He was nauseated and vomiting with a massive headache.Up here Jon said that the tubes of their Camelbacks were starting to freeze. Jon said that it was 18 degrees fahrenheit with 30-60 mph winds up there. As you can see...no vegetation. The three other guys pressed onward in there climb to the summit leaving Jon behind. Jon started his decent in defeat once again.Pictured above is Jon back at Helen Lake @ 10,400 ft. Below is the beautiful view. It couldn't get more breath taking.Finally, life on the mountain, the beginnings of vegetation.The others were also defeated by Mt. Shasta. They were within a couple hundred yards of the summit, but the 80 mph winds were too much. They feared being blown off the cliff. Below is Jeremy, happy to be warm...er and back at Horse Camp..."Ditto", says Jimmy.Thank goodness they all made it back in one piece. They asked each other if they would do it again next year. The response was unanimous, "The key is to forget how miserably cold, tired and fatigued your body felt on that mountain. Once you forget, then there is always hope for a next year."

Maximus Daniel

We'd like to welcome the newest member to the Skubal family, Maximus Daniel. He came out around 1:00am on June 11th weighing in at 8 lbs 3 oz and 20 inches long. Jessica pushed and pushed for 1.5 hours after a long laboring period. Thanks to Oma the L&D RN who helped Jessica, and Dan get through it. They said she was the best RN not on staff there and not to mention a great coach.Here they are, the proud parents of little baby Max!There is no mistaking who this adorable little boy's daddy is...definitely a Skubal.For some reason in our family, our "Little" genes do not dominate. We carry them for 9 whole months and do we get any credit? Of course not.Here he is winning the Heisman Award!Look at those eyes! Isn't he just the cutest little thing. I forget how tiny they are when they come out.Love those feet. It's amazing those feet just walked with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ...just a couple of hours ago. This is the closest to heaven we will be for a while.

First Time Out!!

So, I promised pictures of our first time out..especially of the "SUMO-TUBE". Don't crack up too hard! These two were very brave, the rest of us chickened out.This is Chris. He is the one with the SUMA-TUBE. He received it as a graduation present from Nursing School. By the way, congrats!Nice muscles, lover!Here he goes!There faces hardly made it out of the water. They both said they received a nice gentle flushing of the nares...actually now that I remember, they siad it wasn't so gentle.Brody, where's your life jacket? I guess he's too cute to wear a life jacket. "Breakin' the law, breakin' the law..."My little flag girl.Thankyou Kari for keeping an eye on the kids while I took a turn! It was such a great day!!! Thanks to all for coming!

Boating

We have added a new member to our team and it's our BOAT!!! We made a grueling 3 hour drive to Hollister to just take a peak. We likey...so we takey!!
Thanks mom for the emergency stop at your house. I can always count on you when I come unprepared! We loved Brody in the girl outfit, who cares, it was clean! Jon and I got in a good laugh. :-)

We went out wakeboarding this past week and had such a great time! Rylee was a little timid at first especially when Jon punched it without warning. But now she thinks the boat belongs to her, "Rylee's Boat". She loves to talk about the technique of being towed by the boat, "Hang on! Go fast!". Chris (a friend from the ER) brought a special piece of equipment called a "Sumo-tube"! Jon and Chris had to test it out! After about 1-2 runs each they were spent from a crick in the neck and a nose...and mouth fulls of water!Tell me that's not the funniest thing you've seen in a long time! It looks even funnier on. I have some pics but they aren't downloaded yet. Kari...bless her forarms, attempted the wakeboard without luck. She should have listened to Coach Darrell! But, she did end up getting up the second day without a problem...on someone elses boat! Jon wakeboarded as well and he did great as usual...how could he not with those muscular biceps of his! Hubba Hubba! I was able to get out behind the boat as well. My run was cut short because of a face plant! My bell sure got rung that day, boy was I dizzy! Oh yes, and little Brody loved it too!

Leah & Rebekah's Birthday!

Baba from Washington was able to come down for the weekend and spend some time with the great-grandkids! She first stayed with us and Rylee doesn't really know her very well, but as soon as Baba painted her finger nails and toe nails they were best friends. Thanks Baba for some of the patch jobs on my clothes!!! Sorry about the machine! The next day we all went to Leah and Rebekah's birthday party. They turned a whopping 2 years old this month!!! Boy is it going by so fast. I can remember when they were first born, the premie's so tiny in the hospital. Now they are running, jumping and talking! Here is Rebekah and Rylee eating their icecream cones.Can you say MESSY, oh and STICKY...but oh so YUMMY!!!!This is the back of Emily's head, the twin's little sister. She is like a porcelain doll, so adorable and smiley. She was born the day after Christmas this past year.At the party they had bounce houses and a pool because it was a whopping 102 degrees! Gross! Too hot for me!Oh and I can't forget Brody. What a trooper! He loves the water too!

Mother's Day!

Thanks to my great friend Aly (check out her blog - Alyson Kay Photography, it's linked under my "Favortie Links") for taking these shots for Mother's Day. I love them all and they turned out great!! I made an adorable craft for both my mom and Jon's mom. They turned out great and I added in a picture of the grandchildren. Yet my saying said "Home is where your grandma is".The four of us attended a Mother's Day brunch at a the Blue Agave in Pleasanton. We met up with Jon's family crew. Linda is so sweet to organize this in honor of us moms.
Jon was very sweet with a beatiful boquet of roses for me, flowers for my mom, his mom and his sister. What a thoughtful guy!Couldn't live without him, even though he runs on no sleep all too often.I hope you all had a great Mother's Day as well.

Smiley Boy!!!

Here we are out in the front playing!!!I just can't resist posting pics of such a happy guy!!! We love you Brody!

Rylee & Addie

We had the privilege of watching Addie (Aly's) daughter for the afternoon while she was at work. Rylee loved to have some company and was sharing all of her toys with her...amazing concept for this age.Since it was getting so hot, we blew up the pool and the two of them went down the slide and played with all the toys!! They loved it and we all had a great time!Even Brody had a great time!

Rylee and Brody

This was our little photo shoot in front of our house. Jon does a great job though he is never satisfied.

Thanks BABA!

These are two paintings done by my mom's mom (Baba). She has such creative hands. She can play the piano, play Bridge, Tennis, turn the pages of great classics and paint. Here she has taken it upon herself to leave a little something of herself to her great-grandkids. The first was a sweet ballerina painting for Rylee's extrememly pink girly room. I love it!The second is an old school Harley motorcycle in honor of our tough guy Brody. Great job! Jon custom made frames for both. These two are just perfect!!! Thanks again Baba!