Day at the lake

We had just got our skis tuned up and decided to take them out to Lahonton lake while there is still enough water, to see how well they ran. Lexie and her dog took the larger ski out and had a great run

Tim was too scared to ride with me -- He says I'm too crazy on them, I've never fallen off or flipped them even when the waves are a couple feet high-- No since of adventure Tim

OUR ANNIVERSARY

Another adventure for the Shoopman family





Every year for our anniversary Tim and I take a weekend trip away and buy a coffee cup. This year we decided we wanted to go to Heavenly to do some hiking, photography and go down the zip line. Well this weekend sure did not turn out as we had planned. We lost our front breaks going over the hill, my camera lense was messed up and Heavenly will not be open until Memorial weekend. Luckly anywhere we are together things are good.

I booked this bed and breakfast online. When we got there it was nothing like I thought. I had not planned to stay at a little strip motel, which is what I saw at first glance. It ended up being absolutely wonderful. Our room was so nicely decorated in a rustic theme, ( each of the rooms is decorated differently). We had a fireplace, got breakfast in the morning, had a hydro massage each day, and private time in the hot tub with bottomless wine all part of the package. They treated us like we were the only ones there.

The first day we had to take care of the truck for obvious reasons. While it was being repaired we went to breakfast and took a hike through a meadow towards Lake Tahoe. Got a good photo of a very big coyote in the meadow. After we drove up to Heavenly, big disappointment to find it was closed-we were really looking forward to that zip line! Ended up taking the resorts bikes down to the lake and walking along the beach. It was beautiful out.

Well when things dont go as planned gotta improvise and all turned out well--yes we did get our coffee cup.

OHIO TO SEE GRANDMA

The end of February my mom and I flew to Ohio to see my grandma. It was cold. I'm an active person so sitting around in the house was difficult, and walking by her home was not recommended. Stationary bike it was, I did talk mom and grandma to walking at the mall one day. I also spent time with my aunt she had found my dads baby book and school books during her move. We spent the day going through those and other photos she had --That was fun. The best place we went was to the Amish country, The life style is so different from what we are used to. They travel by horse and buggy and dont use electricity in their homes.--I was a little unhappy because the small farms and stores are more commerial since the last time I had visited there. I didn't go there to see and get things made in China, I like the handmade furniture and quilts.

Hot chocolate

HOT CHOCOLATE
A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups — porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite. He then told them all to help themselves to the hot chocolate.When they each had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said:"Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.""The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.""What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup... but you consciously went for the BEST cups." "And then you began eyeing each other's cups.""Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups.They are just tools to hold and contain life." "The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have.Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate."The happiest people don't need the best of everything.They just make the best of everything that they have.Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.And enjoy your hot chocolate!!~Author Unknown

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! TO ONE AND ALL

GREETINGS!

I am unused unspotted without blemish and I stretch before you for three hundred and sixty-five days. I am 2009 and I will present each day to you in its turn. Each day will be a new page in your Book of Life. It is, however, for you to choose what is written on each page.
Remember, it remains for you to make of me what you will! If you write with firm, steady strokes my pages will be a joy to look upon when the year 2010 arrives.
Each day will be a fresh new time in which you may make good choices that will enrich your life. It's time ahead for sweet and welcome new beginnings.
Be brave, strong and as determined as possible to fill each day with lots of Love, Kindness, Hope, Adventure, Awareness, Appreciation, Responsibility, Striving, and Forgiveness of Self and Others. Trust yourself and be forgiving and patient when events or people disappoint you -- for health's sake.
I am New Year 2009 and I am filled with possibilities and promise. Write your pages well and make me your best year ever.
New Year 2009

Tradition has it that every 365 days, you try to kick bad habits and start your life anew. We have a clean slate to write the next chapter of our lives. A chance to get it right. Let this year be better than all the others. So what will yours be?

In 2008 we worked out together, tightened our belts a bit, learned some new things, traveled to see family and generally got busy with life.

2009 promises to be busy also. My goals for the most part remain unchanged:

1) I want to show Gods love more and show it every day

2) Continue to reach and maintain my health goals

3) Increase our wealth and decrease our debt

4) Grow by learning something new

5) Keep my focus on what is truly important.

Glory to God in the highest heaven

who unto man His son has given

While Angles sing with tender mirth

A glad New Year to all on earth.

--Martin Luther

I pray you all the best in this up coming year!

TIM

I decided I love my husband lots. Yesterday when I'm loosing it, about to drop kick my lap top for the last time. Tim drags me kicking and screaming to Best Buy and lets me pick out a new toy. Yup just another reason why I love him Lots!

Las Vegas

Ok I understand Reno having snow but when I scheduled a class down in Las Vegas I was hoping for better weather. We flew in on December 16 when Vegas had their storm. I was hoping to spend time on the strip after classes, and have a little jacuzzi time in the mornings. The weather didn't make it impossible just a little more challenging. Any way still had a good time and yes we did pass our classes

Early Turkey Day

We had family out for an early Thanksgiving. Tom here was the prized guest at 33 pounds. ( It takes 7 hours to cook something that size) My mom and her husband came from Washington my grandma from Ohio. The kids thought it was great to "camp out" for the week. On Veterans day we did the whole Thanksgiving thing, since kids had no school, from turkey to pumpkin pie. On Wednesday my mom, grandma, and I went to Virginia City. Our first stop was to an old time studio for a photo. Grandma and I were dressed as saloon girls, my mom as the proper lady. ( Did I mention that grandma is 92???) It was cute. After that we spent the day showing grandma the town. I'd love to post the old time photo here but I think that there are copyright laws against it. Later in the week we went to see Sand Mountain and Grimes Point.

Idaho

Tim and I spent 4 days in Idaho visiting with his family and friends. It is a long drive from home to Carey ID especially since all the landscape was brown. 2 days were spent in Carey with his sister Kaye and her husband. Tim being the person he is spent one day putting in a water system to make it easier for them. The last few



days we spent in the mountains with his friends from highschool --Kim, Ty, and Cindy. We had a great time just hanging out. I found that my husband is funny when he is drunk ( this is the first time since we have been married) He is very mellow and extremly funny! On the way out of town we stopped by where he used to live, his back yard was Snake River what a playground.

Last Vacation of Summer

Isn't this a pretty sun rise?? This is a view from our room. Tim and I like to sit on the deck and have a cup of coffee while it goes up, the kids want to sleep. David Walleys hot springs is not that far from home, but it is worlds away from the house. We like it because it is close to Lake Tahoe. Every year we spend a week here where we hike, fish, play on rafts at the lake, ride bikes, play pool, and take walks to Genoa. Of course we spend time in the hot mineral baths and out by the pools too.