Thursday, December 23, 2010
2010 Holiday Letter
Wow, hard to believe another year gone by. This one was a bit more “quiet” than usual, with multiple family events rather than any big international travel. We’re all still healthy and gainfully employed so we feel blessed for that.
Ann has a new boss at work (7th in 10 years) so she’s busy getting him up to speed on how Product Support works at FICO. She enjoyed her trip to Bangalore this fall and still goes to the UK at least once a year for work (and loves to go to the theatre while in London).
In his 6 Sigma Master Black Belt role, Jim worked on a major project to help Solar improve product durability on its top selling product and is transitioning the execution of the design modifications back to full scale production. He was able golf more this year – he plays every Saturday as part of the men’s league at Stoneridge.
Jamie continues to do well in school and has a busy extracurricular schedule with dance 4 days per week, along with piano, gymnastics, Girl Scouts and art classes when we can fit them in. She does 2 or 3 Girl Scout encampments every year now, which she loves – the girls do nature hikes, have bonfires, make crafts, earn badges. We take advantage of these weekends for golfing, wine tasting, eating out more, etc. Jamie is in the 5th grade and we’re looking at middle school options for her for next year, hopefully somewhere with a good academic as well as arts program (check out some of her art work on our picture page).
Cookie (Cocker Spaniel), Candy (Pomeranian) and Cupcake (hamster) are all doing well. The dogs are totally spoiled and rule the house (I’m sure that comes as no surprise!).
We took a number of small trips this year. We skied in Utah again, Jamie is quite comfortable on the blue slopes now. We attended our niece Tracy’s graduation from Yale in May and combined it with a short visit to New York City. We’re heading back there this New Year’s – we’re invited to the party at the NYC FICO office on New Year’s Eve to watch the ball drop at Times Square. In June, we visited our friends Sue, Sammy and Loren in Arizona, did a little golfing and visited the Grand Canyon. Then in August we headed to Texas (yes, Texas in August, hot hot hot) for Courtney’s wedding (Ann’s stepbrother Steve’s daughter). It was great to see family and play tourist in the Texas Hill Country, including tubing on the Guadalupe River. In September, Jim and Ann headed to Las Vegas for our friend Steve Wickens’ 40th birthday celebration. We saw Love (a new Cirque show, it was fabulous), ate at Tao, gambled and had a fun limousine outing as part of the birthday celebration. Jim took a quick trip up to Washington and Montana in September – the semi-annual boys’ trip to the USC/Washington State football game in Pullman. In November, Jim and Ann attended our favorite event of the year – the San Diego Bay Food and Wine Festival. Unfortunately, this year’s crazy weather and rain hit that weekend, so it was not the typical chamber of commerce event that it usually is. Then Ann caught up with her SABRE friends at Susan Weigel’s Vegas birthday celebration in December. Let’s just say that a birthday party at the Hofbräuhaus generates a lot of Kodak moments!
We’d love to hear from everyone and you’re all invited to visit (we still have two guest rooms).
Ann has a new boss at work (7th in 10 years) so she’s busy getting him up to speed on how Product Support works at FICO. She enjoyed her trip to Bangalore this fall and still goes to the UK at least once a year for work (and loves to go to the theatre while in London).
In his 6 Sigma Master Black Belt role, Jim worked on a major project to help Solar improve product durability on its top selling product and is transitioning the execution of the design modifications back to full scale production. He was able golf more this year – he plays every Saturday as part of the men’s league at Stoneridge.
Jamie continues to do well in school and has a busy extracurricular schedule with dance 4 days per week, along with piano, gymnastics, Girl Scouts and art classes when we can fit them in. She does 2 or 3 Girl Scout encampments every year now, which she loves – the girls do nature hikes, have bonfires, make crafts, earn badges. We take advantage of these weekends for golfing, wine tasting, eating out more, etc. Jamie is in the 5th grade and we’re looking at middle school options for her for next year, hopefully somewhere with a good academic as well as arts program (check out some of her art work on our picture page).
Cookie (Cocker Spaniel), Candy (Pomeranian) and Cupcake (hamster) are all doing well. The dogs are totally spoiled and rule the house (I’m sure that comes as no surprise!).
We took a number of small trips this year. We skied in Utah again, Jamie is quite comfortable on the blue slopes now. We attended our niece Tracy’s graduation from Yale in May and combined it with a short visit to New York City. We’re heading back there this New Year’s – we’re invited to the party at the NYC FICO office on New Year’s Eve to watch the ball drop at Times Square. In June, we visited our friends Sue, Sammy and Loren in Arizona, did a little golfing and visited the Grand Canyon. Then in August we headed to Texas (yes, Texas in August, hot hot hot) for Courtney’s wedding (Ann’s stepbrother Steve’s daughter). It was great to see family and play tourist in the Texas Hill Country, including tubing on the Guadalupe River. In September, Jim and Ann headed to Las Vegas for our friend Steve Wickens’ 40th birthday celebration. We saw Love (a new Cirque show, it was fabulous), ate at Tao, gambled and had a fun limousine outing as part of the birthday celebration. Jim took a quick trip up to Washington and Montana in September – the semi-annual boys’ trip to the USC/Washington State football game in Pullman. In November, Jim and Ann attended our favorite event of the year – the San Diego Bay Food and Wine Festival. Unfortunately, this year’s crazy weather and rain hit that weekend, so it was not the typical chamber of commerce event that it usually is. Then Ann caught up with her SABRE friends at Susan Weigel’s Vegas birthday celebration in December. Let’s just say that a birthday party at the Hofbräuhaus generates a lot of Kodak moments!
We’d love to hear from everyone and you’re all invited to visit (we still have two guest rooms).
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Pictures from London
I visited London for work, also met up with some old friends...
Our London office was having a team building, bowling event...
Our London office was having a team building, bowling event...
I had dinner with friends Sharon, Annie, Jon and Kevin...
London often has confusing signs (but I guess the Londoners follow the instructions anyway)...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Geaux Saints!
Ann travelled to New Orleans for the Saints vs. Vikings game - it was a nail biter, but with a GREAT outcome! Superbowl, baby! Here are a few pictures and stories from the trip...
Game day, the French Quarter was hopping! I had lunch with San Diego friend John and his son Tommy, then we headed to a hotel bar to watch the Colts/Jets game. On the way, we made a quick stop to listen to some street performers...
Game day, the French Quarter was hopping! I had lunch with San Diego friend John and his son Tommy, then we headed to a hotel bar to watch the Colts/Jets game. On the way, we made a quick stop to listen to some street performers...
Chris, Susan and Ann at the pre-game tailgate!
I love the New Orleans flair and style at tailgating - step on up and have some boiled shrimp!
And who knew that Shreck was a Saints fan?!?
Same bus (Shreck was driving) - notice the beer tap on the side of the bus!
Now, the higher end tailgaters had the built in flat panel TVs, retractable awnings, etc. These guys are professionals!
The energy and drinks were flowing - check out the video I posted on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksa6KvowpHg
In the dome, I visited the Saints Hall of Fame - great memories!
Ann with former Saint Brad Edelman - at the Saints HOF...
Then during pre-game, I snuck down to the end zone seating area to check out the action on the field. Saw the Vikings warm-up, the Siantsations (dance team) performance, then the Saints team announced and running onto the field - fireworks, etc.
Terry, Howie, Jimmy and the boys broadcasting the Fox pre-game from the sidelines...
Watched the first few series from there, mingling with the crowd spilling into the aisles. However, it's hard to get a perspective on the game action from the end zone...
Made my way up to my "nose bleed" seats on the Terrace level for the 2nd quarter... Yes, it's steep up there!
I was in row 20 - but you can get higher still! Here is the view of the half time performance from the top - row 43!
After half time, headed down to the Saints sideline seats (field level) to get a different perspective - met some interesting people and took more pictures...
Then after a nail biting finish (snatching victory from the jaws of defeat) - much celebration ensued on the field. The NFC Championship trophy was presented to owner Benson, then Coach Payton said a few words, he recognized and brought up Drew Brees to the stage, etc.
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