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So much has been going on since the last time I blogged, that I haven\’t had time to do much of anything but work and work around the house. We haven\’t even been out on the boat since we returned from Shasta on 6/15! There\’s lots to talk about so here it goes. 

The House
Tate’s parents arrived on July 11th to help us with the garage extension. Unfortunuately, the work we were supposed to have done before they arrived didn’t get done since Tate ended up having to work more than anticipated from the time we got back from Shasta up until they arrived. So as soon as they arrived, the digging began. We have since run into some issues and the inspector is now requiring us to have the entire garage engineered. Luckily, I work with an engineer who is helping us out. So for now, the garage has no walls, no roof the forms are ready for concrete but we are on hold. In the meantime, Tate and Richard have been working on the new roof peak over the front patio and should have that done this week. Below are pictures from the beginning to just yesterday. 

http://www.flickr.com/gp/66999112@N00/07xsG1    

Channel Islands
In the middle of all of the house construction, we had our annual dive trip to the Channel Islands. We did a little bit of diving and Richard & Jan got a much needed break. The trip was 4 days leaving from Santa Barbara and heading south to Catalina Island off the coast of L.A. We spent two days in the southern islands then traveled back north for more diving. With 36 people on the boat, it was a bit crowded this year, but it was still fun. We got to see dolphins of the bow of the boat, then again off in the distance once we were anchored. The captain offered to take a bunch of us out in the Zodiac to see if we could find them and play. We finally found one and he raced along with us and played in the wake. I was able to get right up front and get video of the entire thing. It was a great experience! Later in the trip, we dove at a spot that didn\’t have a ton of life to see… until the sea lions came out to play! And play they did! They swam around the divers, chasing the bubbles and at times coming face to face. Tate and I were able to get a couple of snap shots of the sea lions and I was able to get some underwater videot of them playing with us. Again, what an AMAZING experience! Right now, I am still working on putting all of the underwater the video together into one. Once I get that completed, I will send you all a link to it. 

In the meantime, I was able to take lots of pictures this year since have learned how to NOT flood my underwater housing. Tate had his new camera set up that he got for his birthday and spent some time playing with it. A lot of his pictures didn\’t turn out so what you will see in the following album are moslty my pictures with a few of Tate\’s mixed in. 

http://www.flickr.com/gp/66999112@N00/P646fx 

ROXIE
Roxie is growing like a WEED!! We came back from the Channel Islands trip and noticed she had grown a couple inches AT LEAST! She had gained 3 pounds in a week and last we checked was 37lbs. I forgot to weigh her last week but I\’m guessing she is over 40 now. She started puppy class last Monday and will continue for 5 more weeks. She is doing well with her training. She will return to conformation class tomorrow. Night times are a challenge when she gets a burst of energy and even a walk around the block won\’t calm her. She has learned to counter surf (pics of this with the Disco Party photos) and she continues to want to chew on people instead of her toys. We are lucky that so far, she hasn\’t chewed or destroyed anything of value. She is also finally able to go walk in parks and on the green belt. She is enjoying all the new sights and smells. She has even been down to the river a couple of times. She is still a little unsure about the water, but we are working on it. I hope that one of these days she will learn to love it! Here is the updated slide show for Roxie. As always the latest pics are in the beginning:

 Disco Party

Last Friday, we had a Disco party in our backyard. The idea came to us several months ago when we were driving down the road grooving to some disco tunes. We decided that as part of my birthday celebration, we would throw a Disco party. So, amidst all of the construction going on, we took a break and partied the night away.

 We had our friend Rick from the Entertainment Team come out on his night off and spin the tunes and teach us the Hustle. THANK YOU RICK!!!We made 200 Jell-o shots of all kinds of flavors, which were sucked down in less than 2 hours. The costumes were great and the company, as always was welcomed. Personally, I think that of all the Viehmann parties we���ve thrown, this was the most fun. We danced until we couldn���t dance anymore��� although we had to turn off the music to get Corinne the Energizer Bunny off the dance floor!

 If you missed this year���s Disco party, don���t worry next year we hope to have an 80���s party! This time it will be from all of the 80���s, so dig out your Izod shirts, your parachute pants, your crimping iron, your hair spray and plan for an AWESOME time! In the meantime, here are photos from Friday���s party:

http://www.flickr.com/gp/66999112@N00/W9K087 

  Upcoming News

So what’s coming? Well, more work on the house. Richard & Jan are going to have to leave soon, before the house is finished so it will be just Tate and I trying to work. If anyone has a few hours to donate here and there, we would really appreciate it. Keep a look out for e-mails from Tate for days when lots of help is needed (raising walls). Of course food and beverages are always provided.

 We hope to be able to get enough done that we will be able to attend the dive clubs annual Labor Day weekend camping event where we are planning to participate in the Pirates of the Caribbean themed weekend and the cooking contests.

 We will continue to take Roxie to class and work with her in preparation for her upcoming International conformation competition in September.