This year I’ve been having a lot of fun with the dirt bike.  I’ve been on quite a few really great rides, plus I got the WR450F this spring.  I’ve wanted to get a steering stabilizer for a long time now, and I decided to ask for one for my birthday.   We encouraged anyone who wanted to to get a present to contribute cash towards the purchase.  The prize for the most creative way to give cash definitely goes to Kathryn’s siblings.  They got a paper treasure chest and packet it full of $1 bills and the max number of quarters you can take to the bank without having to pay a wrapping fee (we have a banker in the family).

December has been uncharacteristically warm this year, and I took advantage of a really nice short sleeve Saturday to install the stabilizer on my bike.  It was a good size job and took a couple hours.  With the stabilizer installed, I really wanted to get out on a ride and try it out.  After a couple of people had to change their plans and couldn’t make it, I was worried the ride wasn’t going to happen.  However, we made a last minute audible and decided that Kathryn would come down with me.  Should’ve thought of that a lot sooner!  Bethany was awesome and came and watched the girls.  We packed the atv and the bike on the trailer.  Together, they took up 100% of the space on the trailer, but they fit and that’s the important thing.   Then we headed down to the dunes.  It was such a nice afternoon down there.  So peaceful and quiet, and we just had a blast.

The steering stabilizer worked great.  I can’t wait to take it out one some more rides, especially those rocky trails up in the mountains.  Thanks to everyone who pitched in for the present.  This was a great birthday all around.

A little timelapse project from this year.  Last year, a perfect combination of weather made the walnut tree leaves all fall in one day.  That would have been awesome to get on the timelapse.  While that didn’t happen this year, we still had fun with this video.

We recently had the chance to go on a Hawker family trip to Lake Powell.  We had the whole Hawker clan there, including our girls.  It was a blast.  Though it was a little chillier than other trips to Powell, we still had a great time and really enjoyed the trip.  Kathryn and I were the pilots of the house boat.  Also, we took the Mavic along.  We got some really great shots.  It really is a pretty place.  Here are some pics of the highlights of the trip.

Kathryn and I had the chance to go on a trip to the Pacific Northwest.  I’ve gone there several times for work, but Kathryn’s never had the chance to come along.  So, we planned a special trip with just the two of us.  Thanks to Suzanne, Tim, Kevin, and Bethany for watching the girls for us.  I put together a video of the trip.  Here it is.

K&L Trip through Oregon and Washington. Sights include the Columbia River Gorge, Beacon Rock, Hood River, Mount Hood, Ape Caves, Seattle sights, Coldplay concert, Astoria Column, Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park, and Tillamook.