Bakersfield Business Conference

I still can't figure out how Alicia can post 50 pictures in one blog. I could only upload the previous four. These are some more from my phone.

The Skinners and we attended the Republican love-fest we call the Bakersfield Business Conference. I was so impressed with the talks given by Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. When you live in The Socialist Republic of California, it is hard to find someone who has real answers to the mess we have in our federal and state government.
I will also fascinated by the talks given by Laura Bush, Dick Cheney, Rudy Giuliani and Karl Rove about the activities on 9/11/01. Sarah Palin spoke - not impressed.


A blurry picture of the podium from inside a tent for 10,000 people.


The BHS Choir - the highlight of the day for Sue.

Phone Pics

I am sure that you have packed your camera to make sure that you had some nice photo memories of your trip. I do it all the time. The only issue is that my camera never escapes from the luggage. These are some pics that I took with my phone of the St. George Marathon and then a couple just for Brian Skinner.


The key to getting Ava to smile is covering her face in something very sugary.


Sarah is obviously impressed. Way to go Landon in your first marathon.



The multi-marathoner Scott waves to the adoring crowd at mile 23.


These two are for Brian...you must be so proud. We all think that they look just as good on Davin as they do on Tawna.

Fair Favorites

These are some of my favorite non-fair pictures from the fair.


I always enjoy spending time with Sue. Lila is kinda cute too.


Lila is really enjoying standing in front of the swamp cooler that is cooling off one of the buildings.


I love this shot that shows the cultural diversity of Bakersfield. You have Dewey Kootstra's dairy barn in the front and the Muslim mosque across the street.

The Great Kern County Fair

What could be better than attending the Kern County Fair on a hot Autumn evening!


We watched them spray down the pigs. Pigs are cute, but they do have special odor.


We saw the chicks, which DOES NOT mean girls.


Lila likes the bunnies. Even Laura looks content. (The bunnies are in an air conditioned room)


The Skinners fed their kids pizza, nachos and corn dogs - with cotton candy to follow. The old folks had Boy Scout potatoes. Everyone was content. Sue and Blake were there too but Blake had somewhere else to go while the picture was being taken. Davin said, "Just use a tree, I do."

PIKO

I thought it was time to give everyone an update on Piko the Wonderdog. She has had a medical issue recently, her dewclaw was injured. We were afraid that it would have to be removed, but it looks like it is healing on its own. I know, everyone is relieved. So here is a little pictorial on Piko.


This is her first puppy shot. She was born on April 15th (or so). I think it was 2006.


Her awkward stage. Anyone criticizing her looks needs to be aware that I have pictures of everyone in their awkward stage.


Groomed but none too proud of it.



Kickin' back for a little nap with Sue.

Sequoia #2

After lunch, we drove to Crescent Meadow and hiked to Tharps Log and then around Crescent Meadow. After the hike, we drove to Grants Grove and around the Crystal Springs campground - people everywhere. It was 7 pm by that time so we drove home - ice cream and Fritos for dinner. The best Saturday activity that I can remember.


The happy wanderers - almost to Tharps Log.


Proof that at least Sue made it.


This is the location in Crescent Meadow where I believe the Sequoia picture that hangs in our living room was taken. I have been going to Sequoia for about 44 years and this is the most beautiful that I remember the meadow.


Sue liked the gnarls.

Sequoia #1

Some of my favorite memories are trips to Sequoia, both as a teenager and as a parent. When the kids were young, we would almost always arrive late at night and try to settle down 11 people without disturbing the neighbors. I was always so uptight that Sue and I would have at least one argument to start the trip, but once we settled in, the cares just melt away. Getting there was also an experience hauling a tent trailer or van that had been crammed to the gills with camping gear and food. At least twice, we had a flat on the trailer.
Life if easier now. Sue and I just took a Saturday and drove to Sequoia by ourselves.


This is the Wuksachi Lodge where we ate a delicious lunch. We stayed here a couple of years ago when Sue took me there for my birthday. She is not frowning in this picture. The sun was in her eyes.


A beautiful woman in front of a beautiful meadow.



You can read.



I am always amazed by the shear size of the sequoia.

Individual Photos #3

Alicia & Scott after completing the Pioneer Day 10k. They ran the race so they could save us some good seats in the street for the parade.


Steve putting the sleeper hold on Brandon.


I just do not have any individual pictures of the leaning sisters. So, here is Teresa and Laura trying to get in the way of the picture of Sue and Brandon.


Brian, the true art connoisseur that he is, introducing his children to original paintings by Arnold Friberg in the Conference Center.

Individual Photos #2

This is Jessica on our post-photograph hike. Please notice that she was not one of the screamers.


I didn't have a good photo of Landon but this one makes him look like he is plying his trade.


The photographer never gets in any pictures, since she is always ahead or behind everyone. I cut and cropped just to get this one picture of Sarah, even though it doesn't do her justice.


Bryce, his mom and glorious scenery.

Individual Photos #1

I am not the family photographer but I am going to share the photos I took of each family member.


This is when Evan looks cute. ahhhhhhhhh


The non-goofy face version of Tawna & Krista. I like it.


The grateful parents/grandparents enjoying the fireworks extravaganza put on by the son-in-laws to celebrate Pioneer Day.



Gma and her "Roger & Sue grandkids" in front of the home where she was born.

The Grandkids - all 14 of them

On the last day of the trip, the girls decided to have a cousins photo, in age order. Brandon decided that his nap was more important than the photo, hence the gap.




I call this one, "Who ever pays attention to the adults, raise both hands above your head." Notice that Brielle put a little flair to this simple command.




Brandon must have had too much fun on the hike.

Allred Family Fun House #3

While in Star Valley, we hiked to the intermittent spring, but it was not intermittening. It was a beautiful hike nonetheless.


I liked this picture of the photographer, Sarah and Landon and Aiden beginning the trail.


The spring with a huge snow slide in the middle. Some decided to hike above it. I was nervous that the thing would cave in and we would lose someone. I am just getting old.


The leaning sisters trying to get out of the picture of Sue and Brandon. It didn't work, mostly because I was trying to take a picture of all of them.


A great picture of Bryce and his mom.

Allred Family Fun House #2

"Hey kids, we're going to the cemetary," sounds like an introduction to a not-so-fun activity. However, I really enjoyed visiting the graves of my ancestors with my posterity.


Gma gives some of the local family lore.


This picture is of my dad's grave and all of the descendants of LA and Ann Allred. Gma was there to represent herself. There is only one intervenor...Sue. She confessed on the way home that she probably shouldn't have been in that picture, but I told her that she could make it up to me.
I also noted that someone needs to smack the kid that was blocking the family name.


The in-laws or the out-laws, whichever tag that you think most appropriate.

Allred Family Fun House #1

Whenever I take pictures, I always go back and eliminate the least attractive duplicate. I tried to do that with these pictures of Ava and Anne. Sorry, but I could not bring myself to delete any of them