2008, A look back

Well, it looks like I hit my resolution of out blogging 2007. With 163 entries, I even out blogged 2006! Currently, I also seem to be on track to out blog 2008. ROCK ON!

I did end 2008 heavier than I started it...but then I am pregnant. At a current weight of 188 , I guess the important thing is to end 2009 considerably lighter than how I started it.

I would say a few highlights from last year would include:

• Burns Night: Nothing better then having your baby rocking out in a bar!
• Pouring the Slab: The stalled shed project takes off again!
• The Road Ahead: New year, new job!
• What's Wrong With This Picture?: This maybe more of a lowlight but one can't forget the car accident Parker and I had last year that total the Saturn.
• Happy Birthday, Paarrrrker!: Parker turns 3!
• New Car: With the totaled car comes the new car.
• Death Valley Birthdaze: Parker's first camping trip and he loved it!
• Project Garden: Parker's garden was a total success -- providing pounds of delicious tomatoes, herbs (some of which are still hanging in there even after our recent bout of snow!), and even a couple of pumpkins!
• Welcome Dean: Dean joins the Trillo household. I can't believe how small he used to be!
• Go Baby, Go!: Official confirmation that Parker would soon have a little sibling!
• Baby's First Scan: Our first look at Piper!
• It's Time!: Parker ditches the diapers
• Morro Bay: Great family get-away to Morro Bay. Hopefully, it will become an annual tradition.
• Palin and Clinton on SNL: This isn't Trillo related but you've gotta love Tina Fey as Sarah Palin.
• Halloween 2008: How could Halloween NOT be a highlight, especially with Parker dressed as Woody.
• Yes We Can!: I was obsessed with the entire campaign but the most important thing is that the right man -- Barack Obama -- was elected as President.
• Snow Days: Everyone (at least hear in Acton) will be talking about the show of 2008 for years. It was totally awesome! Glad to have been stuck at home rather than stuck unable to get home (like Chris...but that worked to his advantage as he was able to NOT miss any work)
• Sledding: And of course, Tahoe is always a highlight.

Death Valley Birthdaze - Sunday

The next day we head out for the Valley floor. On the way, Chris keep seeing this red flower and we eventually had to stop to he could check it out up close. From what I can tell, it's called the Ocotillo, a.k.a. Chris' obsession. At Stovepipe Wells we hit sea level. Soon after that we hit the desert's sand dunes.



We soon discovered that sand was too hot for the puppies feet. So Robin and Chris took them back to the cars as the rest of us explored the miles and miles of sand. Aimee laid on the ground to take a picture of Nick. But my shot of her looks like she's taking a picture of a 10 inch person. Go figure.


After the dunes, we checked out the Harmony Borax Works. Am I the only person who remember Borax...that powdery soap dispensed out of public restrooms? Well, Aimee, Matt, and Erin weren't aware of it so either I'm way old or I spend too much time in public restrooms. Neither seem to be good options.


Last stop was the Valley's lowest point...Badwater. It's the hottest point in the valley and yet there's water just inches below our feet. Seeing that we were standing on a salt flat, though, you can easily see how Badwater got it's name.

Death Valley Birthdaze - Saturday

This year, Aimee wanted to go camping for her birthday. So bright and early, we packed the cars and headed out to the desert. Yes, we were camping in Death Valley. (You know, Aimee. Turning 29 is not the end of the world.)


A couple items of note regarding Death Valley. Don't buy gas at Panamint Springs. It's way more expensive than other stations in the Valley. And, when it come to camp restrooms, I've got to express my love for the pit toilets at the Wildrose campsite. I can't believe how clean they were. They're definitely better than any gas station toilet. (Yes, Brittney. This maybe one public bathroom where you can go barefoot! Wait. Yeah, that's never a good idea.)


Camp life was all about music -- until the rangers shut us down for the night. I guess the drums could be heard a quarter mile away. With the dogs also having to remain on leash, it made camp life a tad restrictive. (Sorry Frankie, no more fetch)


Nonetheless, the dogs -- Frankie and Raven -- seemed to enjoy themselves, even if they got pretty dusty laying on the camp floor. As the evening moved on, the fire started and the libations poured.


Raven seemed a tad tense (based on the dandruff that accumulated on her back). However, overall, all was well as we played board games and ate food. (Steaks! Yum!)

Afterward, we hung out around the camp fire. Quietly (so as not to alert the rangers), Matt and Erin serenaded the birthday girl. And we ended the evening with roasted marshmallows and ghost stories. (Of course.)