My Incredibles

Warmest Halloween on record for us :) 

I LOVE these little men

Getting ready to trick or treat with their friends. Aren't they all so precious. 

Mt. Whitney

Eric and his friend Blaine conquered Mt Whitney on November 2nd.

24 miles, 14.5 grueling hours. They did this why? They did this in celebration of their 45th birthdays, which just happen to be on the same day (Oct 6th)

Blaine flew in to Sacramento on November 1st and they drove 6 hrs. south to Lone Pine, arriving in time to pick up their permit. They slept for a few hours and then arrived at the portal at 4:30 to start the trek.

I probably would have thrown in the towel once I saw this :) ha!

The bad ass 45 year olds :) pretty sure Blaine's wife Karen would concur with me! 

They encountered a little snow

Approximately 11 miles in.

On top of the lower 48 states. Elevation 14,496 ft. 

This picture totally freaks me out! There is no way I would be able to stand on that rock.

The warming hut

After hike reward :) 

Olive Harvest

We are fortunate to have friends that own this beautiful property, which just happens to have an olive grove on it. It isn't a huge grove, but it yielded 360 lbs of olives this harvest, which is being pressed into olive oil. I'm all about new experiences, and this one was so fun and educational for us.

The kids had their own little kid party, that did not include picking olives :) while the adults picked. Call it therapy, tranquility, being with nature...there was something about picking the fruit on these trees that just made every little problem not exist for a few hours. We also met some more amazing people and had great conversation. It truly felt great to UNPLUG. (Even though I did have my phone in my pocket for documentation) :) 

The view from atop of a ladder

I was convinced the olives would be green, but lo and behold, they were black. I have never picked an olive, let alone seen one growing on a tree. These new "California" experiences are so refreshing and fulfilling for me.

Just getting started

The olive bucket was very useful

Olives pick pretty easily. You can "strip" them from the branches. The branches are very flexible and strong. There are some olives that weep, I guess that means they are over-ripe. The added bonus in picking is that the weeping olives make hands very soft. 

It doesn't look full here, but....

Here's what I was looking at.

Eric and Phil sorting the bad olives. 

Another new and fun experience in our memory book. 

I am beginning to wonder if 2013 can be topped. ???

Thirty.Seven.

Rambling reflections on my 37th birthday.....

In all honesty, I never thought:

1. 37 would feel so good

2. I would be more fit at 37 than 27

3. I would be a Californian

4. I would love being a Californian

5. I would have 2 boys

6. I would love my husband more now than the day I married him

7. I would be playing volleyball again

8. I would be considering making brussel sprouts for Thanksgiving

9. I would buy a pair of skinny jeans

10. I would wear a pair of skinny jeans

11. I would be starting my own business (soon)

12. I would win the friend lottery

13. I would celebrate my 37th with new friends eating fondue

14. I would live 950 miles away from my family

15. I would have so much to be thankful for!