January/February/March
theMT took an hiatus while the last three months flew by...once again our plans were dramatically halted. This time it was a squiggly little appendix that exploded in Caroline's belly. Along the way we've celebrated a few birthdays, eaten a bunch of good food, listened to some great tunes, took a few trips, and I can't believe we are knocking on the beginning of April - phew!
The Concert
Jon Troast returned for a second living room concert. This one was inside our house and we tallied about 125 guests in our living room/dining room/entry way. The highlight of the evening was getting a live performance of The Andy Song - take a listen! Jon played several of his favorites and introduced us to his new album - Living Room. If you haven't had a chance to hear his new album, give it a listen and then give it a purchase! I guarantee that if you like theMangoTimes, then you will LOVE Jon's music. His music is what theMT is all about. Great stuff as always from our favorite travelling musician!
Furniture removed from the dining/living rooms
Jon packs them in and right up the stairs!
They paid extra for the balcony seats
Birthdays
Thomas the Tank Engine chugged in to celebrate Christian's third birthday. This particular birthday lasted about a week as we had several days to prepare for the party and several days to rehash the details of the party he had. :)
Hayden and Nate turned 17 and 15 last week and we had what felt like a weekend of "constanteenagers" through our home. The cupboards were bare by Sunday night, but we enjoyed having this migrating mass of teens through our place.
Turning Three at In-n-Out
The Olympics
Did you know that most of life stops in the MangoHouse when the Olympics begin? We reconnected satellite television. We adjusted the bedtimes of our children. We became experts on bobsled ergonomics, we learned the Canadian national anthem, and suddenly started throwing around terms like McTwist.
Photo taken on the opening day of the games!
Personally, I would stop whatever I was doing to watch Apolo Ohno skate and suddenly found myself at odds with the entire nation of South Korea during short track competition.
I won a gold medal for crab consumption with my Apolo beard!
San Antonio, TX
I had the opportunity to travel to San Antonio, Texas to see our good friend Nathan Davis graduate from USAF basic military training at Lackland AFB.
Congratulations to Airmen Nathan Davis
It was my first experience watching a military graduation and I was quite impressed with the precision and training provided in the USAF. Nathan graduated with honors which allowed him freedom all weekend to spend time with his family and friends. I enjoyed taking in the sights around San Antonio with him and I am excited to see what God has in store for this young man as he begins his career in the miliatry!
The rest of the time in San Antonio was visiting with the good people at Covenant of Grace Church. Although we have only met them a few times in real life, God has orchestrated a fun connection for our family with the Warren, Russell and Slaughter families. I was treated to some warm fellowship, tasty bbq and joyful worship with their families.
Napa Valley
One of my favorite things about being a dentist is the opportunity to travel for education. This year my implant study-club traveled to Calistoga in the Napa Valley Wine Country. On the way there, we stopped in at Wine Wizards to pay homage to our first place of employment as a young married couple.
The Wiz, Stockton, CA
The rest of the weekend was spent at a newer spa/resort called Solage (recommended if you are looking for a leisure getaway in the Napa Valley). It provided a few days of great retreat and relaxation. We slept in late, we ate well, we read, we walked and we enjoyed the beauty of spring time in the wine country.
Kendra's New Home
Lunch for two at Bouchon in Yountville!
Potty Training, Spring Break, Weight Loss, Home Made Music and a whole bunch of Beer
To wrap things up in this issue of theMT, let me touch on a few small things happening around Mangoland lately.
Houston, We Have Liftoff!: While I was gone in San Antonio, Kendra decided to potty train Christian. We have gone through a few bags of Jelly Bellies and he's doing very well at keeping up his end of the deal. He requires a full bathroom inspection prior to each "sit down" (beginning signs of OCD maybe?), but it is working!
Kids Gone Wild!: We are taking a week off from school and allowing the kids to travel down to Palm Springs and the beaches of Mexico for Spring Break with the rest of the California teenagers and college students...well, not really...but Kendra and I would like to do that.
Biggest Loser: Did I mention that my wife is wasting away to nothing? She is a workout machine and serving up delightful menus at the same time. I am giving up my membership in the SLC (sedentary lifestyle club) and joining her on a goal to drop a few pounds (actually more than a few pounds...come to think of it, I could probably lose enough weight for an entire person) and get our bodies more active. She is already ridiculously thin, but our goal: bikinis and board shorts on the beach in Maui. Well, not really...but I would personally prefer to look more like a surfer and less like a tiki idol or Buddha.
Homemade Music: The boys have been playing a lot of live music lately. Nate is playing the guitar very well (doing his best to mimic Lennon or Cash). We purchased Hayden a djembe drum, so we are waiting to see what he can pound out on that. Along with their buddy JP, we've enjoyed hearing and seeing them play in a few venues.
Tasty Suds: Fish Hook Brewery has now successfully brewed and bottled Red Ale, Pale Ale, Cream Ale, Blueberry Wheat, and a tasty Holiday Ale that provided some Christmas cheer for a few good folks! If you are in the area, please swing by for a sampling! Fish Hook Brewery: One sip and you are hooked!
Lastly, publication of theMangoTimes will be directly affected by the final episodes of the television show LOST. Sorry, but I have to line up my priorities right now. After six years, Jack, Kate, Hurley, Sawyer, and the rest of the Losties are making it off the island...or are they? The boys and I are faithful devotees to the final episodes (don't call between 10-11PM on Tuesday nights). And...save your comments Kendra...you've made your point loud and clear!
Missed you all and I'm glad to be back...
Quietly making noise,
Fletch