It's 2009

So, we are are back. Back to the blog. It was a nice long holiday and we really enjoyed the extended time to visit family and friends. I am going to steal a posting idea from Mary and Scott and break our holiday events into separate posts. That way I can get everything in a logical order as to when they happened!

Before going back in time, I want to report some good news that I have accepted a new job! I am the Associate Registrar at Alliant International University. Alliant is a private university based here in CA with campuses in San Diego, Irvine, LA, Fresno, Sacramento, San Fran, and Mexico City. In Fresno, I will be working specifically with graduate students. I'm very excited about this opportunity and feel very fortunate to have found a job in my related field at this time with the way our economy/job market has been affected.

More to come.....

What a wonderful time of the year!

Hello everyone, this is Coleman and I am finally posting a blog! I hear it is an addiction, but I'm not scared. The bowl schedule was just announced, and it's great to see that Fresno State and three of my former teams (Miami, Ole Miss, and Kentucky) have made it to the postseason (Harvard also won the Ivy League, but the hardcore academians do not have the opportunity to play in the postseason).

The Miami Hurricanes get to play in the Emerald Bowl against California. Too bad it is on the 27th, or I would probably try to make it since it is in San Francisco. Go Canes!

The mighty Ole Miss Rebels are heading to the Cotton Bowl after a great season. Why couldn't they play like that when I was in Oxford? They will be playing against Texas Tech, which could result in a big time shootout. Hotty Toddy!

Kentucky gets to play in the Liberty Bowl against East Carolina. Big Blue Nation will no doubt take over Beale Street. At 6-6, they do not need to lose to the mid-major Conference USA champions and finish with a losing record. Mary Beth and I could possibly make New Year's in Memphis, but after attending the last two UK bowl games, our streak will end this year. Go Big Blue!

One bowl game we will make, however, is the New Mexico Bowl on December 20. Yes, there is a bowl in New Mexico and Fresno State will be taking on Colorado State. Mary Beth and I are very excited to be traveling with the team and it should transition us into a wonderful holiday break. Hopefully the good guys will win and give us some momentum heading into next season. It would also make my job much easier! Go Dogs!

We will get back from the bowl game the night of the 20th and fly to New Orleans the next day. We do not fly back to Fresno until January 4, so it should be an incredible two weeks. Our goal is to see as many family and friends as possible between Mississippi and Kentucky. We do not get to get back to the South as much as we would like, so we will definitely make up for lost time.

Happy Holidays and we will see you soon!

Christmas Tree Lane

One Fresno neighborhood goes all out every year and decorates their entire street for Christmas and the holidays....I mean the entire street! Intricate house displays, lights streaming every tree and music throughout...It's on Van Ness, the historic area of Fresno with large, beautiful homes (the University's home where the President lives is also in Van Ness).


We walked the almost 2 mile stretch last night and had a wonderful time...you can drive down the street anytime to see the lights, but 2 nights in December they close the street so you can walk and see the displays...it was definitely a great holiday memory we will hold with us here in Fresno! The news last night even said they expect 100,000 people to visit Van Ness over the holiday season!


My camera's battery went dead half-way through but we plan to go back and do it again! The house at the end of the road was definitely Clark Griswald worthy!

here you can see people walking the street and the lights streaming the trees

starting the walk....

Coleman's parents visit

The week before Thanksgiving Coleman's parents came into town for their first visit to see us out in California. We spent the weekend in San Jose for the Friday night football game (we won) then headed to San Francisco for the rest of the weekend.


From San Jose we drove up to Palo Alto to see Stanford's campus, then headed up the coastline for the beautiful drive to San Francisco. We stayed in the Fisherman's Wharf area and got some great views of the bay...It was a great weekend. Sunday we headed back to Fresno. We showed them around our new home and the Fresno area. I hope they had a great time!

David and Cookie with the Golden Gate Bridge view

Christmas decor at the Wharf

Coleman and his parents with Alcatraz in the background

Victor E. Bulldog

During the last home game, our official mascot took some time to come up to the suites and visit with us..he was pretty tired after a long day, but he still was excited to see us and that Fresno State won the game!

after the petting begun, it was all over...

but he stood still long enough for Coleman to get a pic

checking everybody out

mom visiting and Madera Wine Trail

This weekend my mom was in town and we had a great time! This was her first visit to see us since we have moved to California and her first time in California too! Saturday we drove up to Madera, CA, about 20 minutes from Fresno, and toured some of the wineries. They had a special weekend open house at the wineries so we got to sample many of their wines and enjoy some local food, art, and music...It was a great weekend (besides the fact that Fresno State lost to Nevada Friday night). We were so glad to have my mom in town and look forward to having Ben and my dad visit soon too! Coleman's parents will be visiting in 2 weeks and we can't wait to show them around our new home too!

Some pics from the wine trail...

Arts and Crafts....What?!?

I just had to share this...so I am not really known as a "crafty" person, but, I actually like going to stores like Michael's and Hobby Lobby....I got one of those 40% off coupons that Michaels distributes each week and decided that I wanted a holiday wreath for the door. So, I went to Michaels and looked around, saw some that I kinda liked, and got an idea....Why don't I just make my own and it can look exactly like I want it too! LOL, but it I think it turned out great and I am proud of myself for being crafty! The good thing is that I can always change out the decor on the wreath to match the next holiday being crafty and economical at the same time....watch out Christmas!

Here is the masterpiece....Hey, It's a good start!