Snapshot #72: Empty Apartment

August 17, 2010.  San Jose, California.  We are getting really good at this moving thing.  Sayonara to San Jose...for now.

Exploring California: Snapshot #71: Carmel-By-The-Sea

August 16, 2010.  Carmel, California.  Our last trip before we return to Utah, Dave and I explored Point Lobos Natural Reserve and then had dinner in Carmel-By-The-Sea...a quaint and charming little place!

Snapshot #70: Despicable Me

August 14, 2010.  San Jose, California.  This movie, actually, was quite entertaining.  Now why is it that Dave and I are consistently stumbling onto movies about adoption?!  On the mind, I guess.  Today, in fact, we received a call from our social worker and we are approved to start the home inspections--as soon as we are settled into our Utah apartment that is. 

Snapshot #69: The Finished Top, for Baby Girl Quilt #3

August 13, 2010.  San Jose, California.  I am pleased to report that I have completed my summer goal of creating the tops for 3 baby quilts for my hope chest.

Snapshot #68: Pear Gorgonzola Pizza

August 13, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Today is Dave's last day at work.  In celebration, last night he took me out to eat at California Pizza Kitchen.  Apparently, the Pear Gorgonzola Pizza is still on the menu in California...hip hip hooray!

Snapshot #67: Feeling Somewhat Lost

August 11, 2010.  San Jose, California.  My brother, T.J., has taken over as chauffeur for Mom...allowing me to return to San Jose and my husband.  Dave is at work...I am sitting in our empty apartment with the cat.  I already miss my family.   Here's to hoping I find my rhythm here again quickly because we only get seven more days until we move back to Utah together.   

Keri Snapshot #66: Wendell, Idaho

August 10, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  This picturesque barn is one of my reminders of home; I grew up a few fields away, and it has always been within view of our front window.  Today I drive back to my husband in San Jose.  Mom is healing a little more each day--she tires easily, struggles with driving and lifting heavy objects, she's emotional and sensitive to what's going on around her, but she is starting to return to some of her normal duties...although still needing lots of support from her family.  I am headed over to wash her hair now.

Keri Snapshot #65: Painting the Breezeway

August 9, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  Dad has decided that he wants to paint the breezeway green; so today T.J. and I started with the primer.  Why do I always end up with paint in my hair?  

Keri Snapshot #64: A Cow

August 7, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  Friday Dad picked up JiYeong from the airport.  She is from South Korea and will be living in my parents home as a foreign exchange student for the next 9 months.  Saturday I asked her what is the first thing she wants to see in our town.  JiYeong said, "A Cow."  Needless to say, we didn't have to go far.

Dave Snapshot #63: Action Shot

August 6, 2010.  Dave: San Jose, California.  In honor of Lindsey's birthday, I thought I would do a cat shot. I wish I could also say it was an action shot. But getting a picture like this is not hard since it's Zazu's favorite sleeping position.

Keri Snapshot #62: Mom & Dad's Garden

August 6, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  All around them things grow.  Ever since I can remember, Mom and Dad have kept a garden.  My ambition to do the same is one reason I am itching to buy a home.

Dave Snapshot #61: An Hour with Kris Snow

Kristine A. Snow

President, Cisco Capital

Kristine (Kris) A. Snow is President of Cisco Capital and leads the company's global captive finance company, which includes lease and loan products, Channel Financing, and Remarketing. Snow balances sales enablement for Cisco with overall lease and loan portfolio risk to drive profitability for Cisco Capital.

August 4, 2010. Dave: Kris Snow's Office, San Jose, California.  I was able to spend an hour with one of Cisco's SVP's in a delightful conversation. She was engaging, thought-provoking and sincere in her interest of one of the company's interns. I got some excellent career advice, book recommendations and some ideas for future Finance Rotations if I get the job. I was ultimately energized, motivated and impressed. Bravo!

Keri Snapshot #60: Flowers for Mother

August 3, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  These flowers sent to Mom are from my sister, Jana, and her family in Wales. 

Dave Snapshot #59 : Nice People from France

August 2, 2010. Dave: San Jose, California and Paris, France.  No I didn't go to France, but Cisco Telepresence lets me to talk to folks way over there. And it's cooler than it looks:  It's real time, no fuzz, perfect audio and video.

Dave Snapshot #58: Yummy Breakfast

July 31, 2010.  Dave: San Jose, California.  To celebrate the end of July, I hereby make one of my favorite-est breakfast foods ever. Eggs. The perfect sandwich.

Dave Snapshot #57: Walking to Work

July 30, 2010.  Dave: Cisco Way, San Jose, California.  Take a look at the temperature meter at the top right hand of the blog. Chances are, weather here is better than wherever you happen to be. Yup. It's simplee perfecto.

Keri Snapshot #59: Settlers of Catan

August 1, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  I won the game tonight.  Fun Times.

Keri Snapshot #58: My Dad, aka Chuck Norris' Hero

July 31, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  Some people wear Superman pajamas to bed...Superman wears Chuck Norris pajamas...but Chuck Norris wears Roger King pajamas.

Keri Snapshot #57: Trauma

July 31, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  We've spent the last few days in the hospital...again.  Thursday night we took Mom to the Emergency Room due to a high fever and an inability to wake up from a deep sleep.  No Fun.  But thankful for the amazing and skilled ER team.

Dave Snapshot #56: Drive-Up Oil Change

July 29th, 2010.  Dave: San Jose, California.  Building 13 and 14 parking lots, 

Oil Change from this guy who shows up at work -  $39.95

Do it yourself oil change around $10

KNOWING how do do it yourself : priceless! 

Keri Snapshot #56: Care Giver

July 29, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  "Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct [a] ship...that I may carry thy people across these waters."  1 Nephi 17:8-9.

Keri Snapshot #55: Room 324

July 28, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  We brought Mom home from Room 324 today.  Now she is sleeping in her own comfortable bed.

Dave Snapshot #55: Frozen Love

July 28, 2010.  Dave: Cube #1893-41, San Jose, CA.  This is a great example of RHFLFMWSIDS. Don't know what RHFLFMWSIDS is? well, duh! It's Rock, Hard, frozen love from my wife so I don't starve.

Dave Snapshot #54: Love Notes in a Cubicle

July 27, 2010. Dave: San Jose, CA. Bright Pink Love note from my wife on Boring Green Wall

Keri Snapshot #54: Mom's Surgery

July 27, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  My mom is one of the most courageous women that I know.  Today she undergoes surgery for the third time in her life, due to cancer.  But you would never know it.  She has never missed a beat with her primary concern always for those around her.  I love you Mom.

Keri Snapshot #53: My Mom, My Hero

July 26, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  My mom is thee most amazing women in my life.  She has a faith that moves life's mountains, a courage that keeps her smiling, a work ethic that keeps her going when everyone else is spent, and a love that keeps her giving in all capacities of life.  

Dave Snapshot #52: Mix and Mingle

July 25, 2010.  Dave: Santa Clara, California.  This is what a California LDS Linger Longer, Mix and Meet, Greet and Grin, looks like...WHEN THERE'S NO FOOD!!

Dave Snapshot #51: Empty Closets

July 24, 2010.  Dave: San Jose, California.  Suddenly Dave has all the closet space he needs. =(

Keri Snapshot #52: My Sister and I

July 25, 2010.  Keri: Wendell, Idaho.  Enjoying a Sunday afternoon with my sister.  She loves taking funny pictures!     

Keri Snapshot #51: Somewhere, Nevada

July 24, 2010.  Somewhere, Nevada.  I found this rest area very agreeable...there is a profound quiet that accompanies solitude...that was until a crow chose to output some digested berries onto my head...yes, the only person for miles.

Snapshot #50: Morning Jog

July 23, 2010.  San Jose, California.  

Snapshot #49: Please Comment: Need Recipe for Really Good Banana Bread

July 22, 2010.  San Jose, California.  These bananas are at the perfect stage for banana bread...but I have yet to find a great recipe...does anyone out there have one? 

Snapshot #48: Stocking the Kitchen

July 22, 2010.  San Jose, California.  I am going to Idaho for 10 days...and taking the car with me.  As a result, my primary focus the last couple of days has been stocking the kitchen with home-made goodies for Dave.  Lots of baking:  sandwich bread, banana bread, granola, lasagna, roast w/potatoes...you know...the good stuff. 

Snapshot #47: War Games

July 21, 2010.  My brother Sherman, a Navy Seaman, is living aboard the USS George Washington. In recent months he has not been permitted to tell us where he is voyaging; somewhere in the big blue.  Monday I read in the New York Times that early this morning his carrier was to arrive in South Korea.  This morning we received correspondence from him via email that he just pulled into Busan.  He says, "It looked really awesome pulling in seeing all the mountains right on the waters edge with buildings all over them.  Never in my life would I have imagined I'd ever visit South Korea."  I am proud of you Sherman!

Snapshot #46: Steinberg Architects

July 20, 2010.  San Jose, California.  If Dave gets a full-time offer from Cisco, in 12 months we will likely be moving to San Jose indefinitely.  I am starting to scope out the area for future employers.  Today I visited the offices of Steinberg Architects.

Snapshot #45: Poolside

J

July 19, 2010.  San Jose, California.  I am avoiding the work of the house by escaping to the pool for several hours.

Exploring California: Snapshot #44: Balconies Cave

July 17, 2010.  Pinnacles National Monument, California.  2.5 miles.  2.5 hours.  102.5 degrees.  The boulders are not quite as heavy as they look.

Snapshot #43: Job Hunt

July 16, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Starting the job hunt in Utah...again.  Today we gave our 30-day notice to the apartment complex.  Can you believe it...only 30 days left!  darn.

Snapshot #42: Caspers Hot Dogs

July 15, 2010.  Hayward, California.  Calling all hot dog aficionados...today an old college roomie introduced me to Caspers. "They" say it's the best dog in the bay area.  And what's the best part?  I can Mail Order for that next camping trip...my preferred locale for roasting a hog dog.  And what's even cooler than that?  This hot dog joint has been around since long before I was born.  

Snapshot #41: Before & After

July 14, 2010.  San Jose, California.  A couple nights ago I was chatting with my sister and she realized for the first time that Dave and I did not bring a TV with us to San Jose for the summer.  I assured her that I rarely get bored, and keep myself busy with sundry projects.  After this post however, she may beg to differ.

Snapshot #40: Ironed Shirts

July 13, 2010.  San Jose, California.  This happens so infrequently that I need pictures to prove it.  A special thanks to my movies, for keeping me distracted.

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #39: Homemade Granola

July 12, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Homemade Granola--the number one, greatest method for rotating through all those cans of rolled oats in my food storage.  I'm experimenting, searching for that super-star recipe...still, it's best right when it comes out of the oven, served with chilled milk. 

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #38: Dave's Breadmaker, Super Model #KJW1207

 

 July 11, 2010.  San Jose, California.  This breadmaker comes with a lifetime guarantee, infinite variety, and multiple moods, I mean, modes and settings.  Today's bread creation is a combination of 50% home-ground whole wheat flour, 25% white flour, and 25% home-ground oat flour.  Satisfaction Guaranteed.