The Rancho Bernardo Fires

Every house around this house burnt down. This house was totally untouched by the fire. See the picture below.

This was a very humbling experience to see these homes. We take so much for granted. It is crazy how fast it can all be taken away. I had the honor of meeting one of the families that lost their home during the fire. They go to church with Cindy and Eric. The church family hosted a "pounding" party. Everyone was encouraged to bring a pound of something to stock the kitchen. I thought that was a neat idea. Cindy has also started a website for the families who lost a home in the fires. It is www.rebuildrb.com. The donations collected go strait to the families.

San Diego Wild Animal Park

The natives were restless

Uncle Ben and Sloanie Balonie

Eric, Cindy, Jenn, Dean, and Sloan

The petting zoo

The fires came so close to the animals. This is the right side of the animal park.

Eric, Ben, and Aris

This was a balloon that you could go up in for $20. From the balloon you could see the whole animal park and parts of San Diego. $20 was toooooo much if you ask me.

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

Which came first, the Sloanie or the egg?

We all took a spin on the carousel, it was so much fun.

Zoe was scared the first time around. After the second time we couldn't get her off of the ride.

Eric goofing off

This was an awesome day.

To Grandmas house we go

Grandpa, Sloan, and Aris

The gang's all here! Sitting down for a game of cards.

Great-Grandma, Cindy's mom. She is a darling lady.

More cheese please.

Are we ready to eat yet?

Dean, Joe, and Ben

Ben and Cristin

Joe and Zoe

Dean and Eric

Sloan and Eric

Uncle Greg and Dean

Zoe climbed in here all by herself, she really enjoyed playing in here

Cindy and Aris

Jenn and Sloan

We had such a blast. Card games and lots of delicious food. It was a most wonderful Thanksgiving.

San Diego or bust!

This little jerky stand is in the middle of no where, but man they have the best jerky I have ever tasted.

You thought I was joking, nothing in either direction for miles and miles.

This was one of the rest stops along the way, they had a little farm behind the gas station.

Old house in Bridgeport.

Sloan petting one of the goats at the rest stop.

Zoe wasn't so sure.

At the first stop outside of Mammoth, we stopped and ate lunch. While I fed Aris Dean played with the girls.

The mountains looked even prettier in person.

Tiny town we drove through. They had a K-mart and a JCPenny's. It was the tiny town of Bishop.
Hotel in Bridgeport.

My little sardines! All packed up for the long trip.


Carson City
What Dean wishes he was really doing!


Well it was a lovely trip. here are our pictures from the trip down. They are a little out of order. For some reason the camera put them out of order when I loaded them into the computer. I will be putting more on the blog a little later.