The weather has kept our activities at a pretty low level these days. It's been raining a ton but thankfully today we were able to get outside a bit so Heidi, Elise, and I headed down to Hayden Lake and fed the ducks. Can't wait for summer!!

House Progress

It looks like we are finally going to be submitting for our building permits with Kootenai County tomorrow. I spoke with our Engineer today at Lake City Engineering and he had just completed the site disturbance package which is required to be submitted for properties situated on steep slopes such as ours. The purpose of the package is to plan for drainage and erosion controls during construction and requires engineering. It seems like it's taken some time to finally get to this point and we are hopefull for a quick turnaround at the county. Once permits are issued, we'll get scheduling figured out for breaking ground. If all goes well, we are looking at the middle of April to get things going. That's the latest and greatest.

Bathtime Fun

Hayden and Logan spent the evening with us tonight and we had lots of fun watching movies, eating go-gurts, and having bath time. Here's a great shot of the kids in the bath having a good time.

Rocky Ford Creek

Rocky Ford Creek was another great trip this year. It has been about a 5 year annual trip with usually more drinking than fishing but a great way to break the winter ice and get the rods moving for the spring. We caught a few fish. These rainbows are tough. Chris had the right bug. It's some white contraption that he came up with that the trout just suck up off the bottom. Anyway, the picture here exemplifies about how serious we are about the fishing. I love this trip.

Goofy Girl

Elise was dressing up in Mom's stuff last night. She's pretty funny in Mom's hat!

Congratulations Heidi!

Wonderwoman has struck again! Heidi had her business review yesterday with her manager and recieved an unexpected pay raise and promotion to Executive Representative! Way to go!

Headed to Rocky Ford

Next weekend a bunch of us are headed to Rocky Ford Creek in central Washington. Joe put up a site with a bunch of links and good info for the trip. Check it out.

http://www.joecode.com/outside/147/rocky-ford-creek-and-ponds

The site contains info on the creek, accomodations, flies, directions, etc. We have been going here every spring for about the last 5 years and have had a great time every year.

Year of the Pig

Last night we celebrated the Chinese New Year with my parents Patty and Rob. This year is the Year of the Pig. The party was a wine tasting and pork roast event and was well attended. Rob sent me some stats on the party.

"We sent out approximately 48 invitations for this party, according to my after party analysis we had 23 of those invitations were sent to people who for whatever reason could not attend. 25 invitations resulted in the 50 individuals that did attend. That is playing the margins pretty closely to 50% return on the invitations. Just imagine if all individuals would have been able to attend. The tally could have been more like 85 or so at the party. That may have been a challenge, given the silverware, and other limitations. But at the same time that is the importance of people actually responding to an RSVP."

All in all, it was a lot of fun and a good time mingling with a pretty diverse crowd of folks. Lots of fun with family and friends! Lucia took a bunch of pictures so when we get those I'll throw some up.

Here is the wine list

Year of the Pig Party March 3^rd 2007 Wine List 45 Wine Guests

1. Beringer – Founders’ Estate Pinot Noir $10.99 2005 California

2. Mirassou Pinot Noir $10.29 2005 California

3. Barton & Guestier Pinot Noir $10.79 France

4. Red Bicylette Pinot Noir $ 9.99 2005 France

5. Faiveley Pinot Noir $17.49 2003 France

6. Parducci Merlot $ 8.79 2004 California

7. Whitestone Reserve Merlot $18.00 2001 Lake Roos., Wa.

8. Duck Pond Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon $ 9.99 2002 Washington St.

9. Franciscan Oakville Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $25.99 2003 California

10.. Genesis Hogue Cabernet Sauvignon $14.00 2005 Washington

11. Rosemount Estate Diamond Cabernet Merlot $11.99 2004 Australia

12. Le Grand Noir Cabernet – Shiraz $ 9.00 2004 France

13. Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet – Shiraz $25.00 2003 Australia

14. Le Rime – Banfi Chard /Pinot Grigio $ 8.99 2005 Italy

15. Thierry & Guy Fat Bastard Shiraz $10.00 2004 France

16. Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc $13.79 2006 New Zealand

17. Terrazas de los andes Malbec $ 8.50 2005 Argentina

18. Di Maio Norante Sangiovese $10.00 2005 Molise, Italy

19. Latah Creek Huckleberry d’Latah $10.00 Spokane, Wa

20. Alquezar Moristel $11.00 2004 Spain

21. Waterbrook Red Table Wine $12.00 2004 Washington

22. Lady in Red Keistrel 4th Red Table Wine $15.95 2004 Washington

23. Menage a Trois Red Table Wine $12.00 2005 California

24. Pillar Box Red Red Table Wine $10.00 2005 Australia

25. Snoqualmie Reisling $12.00 2005 Washington

Total (25) Total: ($306.00) Average cost per bottle ($12.24)

Travels

February has been a busy month for travel with our family. We were able to head south to Zihuatenejo, Mexico for a week at the beginning of the month. We went with Becky, Keith, Todd, and Jeanne and had a very good time lounging, slurpin brewski's, fishing, celebrating the girl's 30th birthdays, and eating chiliquiles. The temp was in the 90's range and it was good to thaw out. The day we went fishing, Keith caught about a 130 lb. sailfish, Todd caught a 15 lb. dorado, and I caught a 25 lb dorado. After we returned Heidi was off to Atlanta, GA for a work meeting where she recieved the VP Premier award which just happened to come with a trip to San Diego among other goodies! Way to go Heidi! Looks like more sun and fun at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego towards the middle of May. When Heidi returned, I was of to Washington D.C. for a work conference for 4 days. I was able to cruise around town for a few hours each day and was able to see quite a bit. I visited the Museum of the American Indian, The Natural History Museum, the National Art Gallery, and The National Geographic Society Headquarters. It was good to come home though! We missed our little girl pretty bad with all the travels!

Big Head Todd and the Monsters

We went to see Big Head Todd and the Monsters last night at the Big Easy in Spokane. Heather and Jason got themselves and Heidi and I tickets for Christmas. They put on a great show as usual. I recommend going to see them if you ever get a chance. Heidi and Heather jumped in the band meet and greet line after the show and Heidi was able to get my hat autographed by the band!

New House

We are building a new home and I thought it might be nice to document the progress online so that other interested family/friends can keep tabs on our progress. We have nearly everything prepared at this point to submit for county building permits. We're hopeful that we will be breaking ground within the month! Keep checking back for updates.