Oh Christmas Tree 2010

Tis the Season!! Yep, the GoodHales are off to find their 5th Christmas tree together!! This year we made our way back to Mike's Country Store! It has been a few years since he has had TALL trees. Better yet, they were THIN too!

Here is Caitlyn making sure Brad ties her on tight!








With Cait driving the GoodHale mobile, I was able to photograph Brad driving the Jeep with the tree! gives you a good idea how big the tree is!



One of those secrets you need to know about having a REAL tree is you need to re-cut the bottom to break the seal so it will drink lots of water!







Brad is always happy to get his power tools out!!







Then there is the hole in the bottom that needs to be drilled to sit in the stand better!








As you can see we are pros at this now!!







Caitlyn and Brad maneuvering the tree to be able to bring it in the house!






It is heaver then it looks!!








Brad on top of a 10 foot ladder! Gives you an idea of how tall the tree is. Putting on the star and lights at the top!











Cait working on the decor!!







Brad enjoying looking at all the ornaments we have gathered in the last 5 years!











It takes 3 ladders to make sure we hit all the spots on the tree!
















Cait and I waiting for Brad to come back to do our "YAY THE TREE IS DECORATED PHOTO"







Do you think Brad and Cait are sick of my photo taking yet??








Got to love the self timer photos!!







It really is one of our best trees!




















Lexie and Lola love laying under the tree! They don't do anything wrong, but they just want to be under the tree.

You can see the top of the tree from the upstairs! Come see our beautiful tree!!

Our last day!!

Our last day in Cali! What to do, What to do? We dropped Mary off at the Airport and rented a bright yellow Punch Buggy. Our plan was to drive US 1 (the Pacific Coast Highway) south to San Diego.









The Pacific Ocean and my California Girl!!








Not a muscle bound beach bum, but handsome just the same, don't you think?







Kite surfing.













Just across the bay from San Diego we found a National Park. We love to visit historic places. This used to be a military base and lookout station for a Japanese attack during WWII.



We found a military cemetery nestled in the hills overlooking the bay.













It is amazing the precision in which the headstones are laid out.












Headed back north, we stopped for some photos of the only blue sky we saw today.











Beaches for back yards, very cool.














We are a Californian couple, don't you think?













Seems like sunset with the storm clouds. Pretty just the same.











What a day! What a trip! Loved zipping around the California coast in this little baby. I might have to buy one of these for home.








If it comes with this accessory I'm sold.

The California Coast

Tooling around the coastline near Newport and Long Beach we found Inspiration Point. Looking north from there.








Waiting on some inspiration.








See it pays to wait. Along comes a beauty and I got inspired. (wink wink, nudge nudge)












Three Amigos! Mary Mary, Donna, and some handsome guy.

Donna's Old Turf

Over the years I have heard many stories about Donna and her time living in California. And as luck would have it we would be just around the corner from where she lived. Here is her house. Looks pretty much like the pictures she showed me from the 70's
Striking a pose in the hood. We found out the family living there is the same ones who bought the house from her parents when they moved in 1977.







The school playground, exactly like the pictures Donna has shown me, tether ball courts and all. You should have seen her face when we drove up, she had just come home.

CALEA

CALEA - Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies. My department is getting ready to start the accreditation process which will be a three year journey. Only one other agency in Vermont is accredited.
Opening night was held at ESPN Zone in downtown Disney

Chief Bossi, myself, and Captain Tucker.








Look at that form, I could have been a professional candle pin bowler!













And maybe an Olympic downhill skier!!













I spent several days attending seminars on the process, and various extra training such as project management, incident response to suicide bombers, and training generation Z.



Of course while I was here in the hotel Donna was off in the sunshine seeing the sights and visiting Disneyland.









Garden Grove Police Department was our host agency. They have been accredited for over 18 years. A goal I hope my department can achieve.






Group shot on the last day. We have lots of insight about our upcoming endeavor.