Whistler Mini-Moon

Because Allen hadn't taken Cathy on a mini-moon in over a year, Santa took things into his own hands and presented Cathy with a ski weekend at Whistler resort in British Columbia for Christmas (site of the 2010 Winter Olympics). Grandma Sedgwick graciously kept an eye on the kids while we were away. We were able to totally relax knowing that they were in her capable hands.

We flew into Vancouver on January 17 and enjoyed the incredible scenery on the shuttle that took us from the airport to the resort. The road to Whistler is known as the "Sea to Sky Highway" and the scenery is simply incredible.

We stayed at the Adara Hotel right in Whistler Village. The Adara is a small hotel with contemporary furnishings and very friendly staff. We were able to walk from the hotel in our ski-boots to the lifts at the base of the mountain.

Unfortunately, we happened to be in Whistler for "College Weekend" so the village stayed hopping (and noisy) until early in the morning. The music from the club/bar near the hotel kept thumping until 2:30 or three in the morning and drunk college students whooped and hollered on the sidewalk below our room even after that.

We joined Cousin Janet Carswell and her husband Geoff Gagan and Janet's son Mats Bosinger, and Janet's mother (my aunt) Gwenyth Horner for Sushi at Sushi Village on Saturday night (January 19). We had a great time getting to know Geoff and Mats and catching up with Janet and Gwen. (Janet's husband Rob Bosinger passed away unexpectedly a few years ago and Janet recently married Geoff.) Mats is already three years old.

4 Beavers for Adara (we could have done without the noise)
4 Beavers for Whistler Resort (if you could combine the scenery at Whistler with Utah snow, it would be an easy 5).
5 Beavers for the incredible scenery.
5 Beavers for Grandma. She's the best.

Janet, Geoff, Mats, and Aunt Gwen with Cathy and Allen at Whistler Village

Whistler Winter Wonderland. Who's underneath all those layers??

At entrance to Symphony Bowl.


Happy Mini-Mooners in the Village

Cathy shows me how to ski.

Welcome New Additions to Ostergar Family -- Chief and Promise

Cathy and her friend Lana Mayfield were fortunate enough to receive two horses from our friend Alana Mayo who can't ride anymore due to back problems. Chief and Promise are both very well trained and perfect for kids and adults alike. Dave and Pam Larsen graciously offered their property as a place for us to keep the horses. Their property is just around the corner from Cathy's mom's home in San Juan Capistrano. Lana also lives just down the street. There is a nice arena in the neighborhood to ride the horses as they get back in shape and ready for some trail rides. Cathy has been riding with Julia and Ruth twice a week after school. Julia is a natural and Ruth is learning fast.

If you want to ride, call Cathy. She'd love to take you and the horses are gentle.
Dad O. Its time to put that brazilian saddle to use!

Lana Julia and Ruth get ready to ride.

Ruth and Anna Sedgwick are riding buddies.

Dad and Ruth try to figure things out.

Cathy gets Chief to work up a sweat.

Ruth's feet don't quite reach the stirrups on Promise.

A romantic moment to end the day. Allen on Chief and Cathy on Promise.

Maiden Voyage

Cathy spoiled me this Christmas with a new mountain bike. For the last several years I have stuck to road riding. I used to mountain bike quite a bit on a Raleigh Tangent that I purchased in 1989 when I worked at Pedersen's Sporting Goods at the University Mall -- the same year Cathy and I got married. It had no suspension. On downhill runs I would nearly get shaken off my bike. About five or six years ago, that bike finally gave up the ghost and was not worth repairing. I never replaced it due to other money priorities, but hoped to be be able to purchase one some day. As that hope has never diminished, and as friends and family (such as Don and Dave Sedgwick) continued to ride and invite me to join them, I was thrilled to finally pick out a new one -- thanks to Cathy's insistence (I love her!!!). So, about a week ago I picked out a full suspension 2007 Specialized Epic with SRAM X-9 components (thanks to Tom Ingersoll for seeing it on sale at Rock 'n Road Cyclery).

This morning, I took her on her maiden voyage up the Aliso Creek and Wood Canyon park (the park was closed for about a week due to rains) down the street from my house. I rode up Meadows trail to Top of the World, slipped around in the mud, tried to get used to the new Crank Brothers cleats, rode across Top of the World to the fire road, down Rockit Trail (I can't believe I ever rode that trail without suspension) and then back up Mathis Trail to the fire road and back down again. Not a bad day for a first time back in a long time. And I am happy to report that I did not crash once, though there were a few close calls on the wet trails. The fire road leading to the Top of the World is on the highest ridge in the upper left hand corner of the picture. It felt good to get some mud on me. 5 Beavers for Cathy's present.

Welcome Cousin Hannah

Dave (Cathy's brother) and Jessica Sedgwick welcomed a new little one to their home just after Christmas. With her birth, Hannah Virginia Sedgwick has unknowingly joined the swirling mosh pit known as the "Crazy Bunch of Cousins."

For more photos, see: http://web.mac.com/dsedgwick/Sedgwick/Blog/Entries/2007/12/30_Hannah_Virginia_Sedgwick.html

Whale Watching Off Dana Point

The Ostergar girls took a whale watching trip over the Christmas break with Jane's friend Katherine Favor. They were thrilled to see a pod of fin whales up close, close enough to hear them breathing through their blowholes.

They went with a boat from Dana Whart Sportfishing and had no complaints with the excursion. The boat had a heated indoor cabin for the passengers, a snack bar and plenty of deck space to go outside and see the whales. The cost was about $29 per adult and $19 for kids.

http://www.danawharfsportfishing.com/


Ruth, Andrew Favor, Katherine Favor, Jane and Julia

New Years Eve Inferno

We gathered at Doheny state beach to enjoy a bonfire and crab legs (Ostergars got leftover crown roast) with Cathy's family. Jake and Sarah from Boston and Jenny and Mark from Sacramento, who were here for the holidays, were able to join us as well. The highlight of the evening was the burning of the Ostergar christmas tree in the fire pit. We're just glad the cops didn't show up! Thanks to Debbie Stapley for the picture. 5 Beavers for the 20 second bon fire.



Check out the awesome video of the fire at http://jakeandsarah.blogspot.com/ under the heading "End of Christmas Ritual."

Marshmallow Guns from REI -- The Battle for Christmas

Peace on earth was the last thing on everyone's mind in the Ostergar home on Christmas morning. Santa stuffed each stocking with a Marshmallow Gun. Mayhem soon ensued. Though no clear victor emerged from the melee, Cathy certainly enjoyed picking the spent ammunication from the carpet. 4 Beavers for the Marshmallow Guns. Get yours at REI: http://www.rei.com/product/739132


Good thing Adam has on extra head protection.


Ruthienator!



Allen IV gets "poned."

Crown Roast ala Cathy

The Sunday before Christmas, we enjoyed a pre-christmas dinner with Gwen and Robb Falck, Maria Elena Rodriguez and her son Daniel. Cathy made a pork crown roast, complete with paper tips for the top of roast. Popovers and grilled veggies made by Gwen were a perfect complement to the roast. Cathy's trifle finished off our very English dinner.

Cathy gets some help with the roast.

Adam is overcome by the food... or is it the braces?

Adam gets Braces!

Adam underwent this adolescent right of passage with very unfortunate timing... 6 days before Christmas. Of course, that didn't stop Adam from eating toffee. He just switched from chewing to sucking.


Before...


After...

Ostergars Wow Audiences Across Orange County with their Muscial and Theatrical Talents

Jane and Julia Make Segerstrom Hall Debut!
On December 12, 2007, Jane and Julia as well as Mary Falck performed a Christmas concert with the Orange County Mormon Choral Organization (OCMCO) at the world renowned Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, California. Segerstrom Hall is one of the most prestigious classical music concert venues in the West and certainly in Orange County. The sell-out audience heard fabulous music from the Orange County Mormon Choir (adults), the Orange County Mormon Concert Choir (High School age -- including Jane) and the Orange County Mormon Youth Choir (10-14 -- including Julia and Mary) all together with the Orange County Mormon Orchestra (I'm sensing a theme here). This was the first concert performed by the organization and it was excellent for a first performance. We look forward to great things in the future. Mo Tab, watch out!

http://www.ocmco.org/


Jane and Julia enjoy the adulation of their adoring fans, including Great Grandma Bird and Grandma Sedgwick.

Ruth Plays Who in "Grinch"
Ruthie's second grade class performed "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on December 19, 2007, with Ruth playing the roles of Who 1 and Who 2. 5 beavers to the cowboy hat wearing whos.



Adam Stands Out in School Band.
Adam plays the trombone in his middle school Concert Band and Jazz band. Here he is at his Christmas Concert. Is there anything this boy can't do?


Sedgwick Family Talent Show Dominated by Ostergars
The Sedgwick family gathered for Christmas as Grandmas Sedgwick's home. After receiving Grandma's amazing gifts, we went down the street to the Stapley home for dinner.


While we let the enchiladas and tamales digest, all of the cousins treated us to a talent show. Ruth played "Up On the Housetop".


Julia played "You Are My Sunshine" on the guitar. Adam played "Ballade" and Jane played "Las Petit Negre" on the piano. Allen IV showed off his sketchbook. Allen III then displayed his best talent by planting a huge kiss on Cathy for all to see (except you).