Californian Cousins

On October 15th, Shawn's cousin, Judy Carreno along with her husband, Ed, and their child, Alejo, stayed at our house for a week. We had a good time visiting and watched Alejo getting loving kissing from our puppies. Shawn's Dad's side of the family came up to our house for a cookout. It was good to see everybody since it definitely has been quite some time since we've seen everybody! Unfortunately, Melissa's camera was in for repairs and did not get any pictures taken.

Walk to Defeat ALS - October 12, 2008

On Sunday, October 12th, Shawn & Melissa walked to Defeat ALS in Elm Grove. We were there to support Shawn's Mom, Mary, who has ALS or more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Melissa was the team captain for Mary's Guardian Angels, raising over $2,500 and had about 30 walkers on our team. There were over 1,700 walkers for the entire Milwaukee team! How awesome is that?! Thank you for all those who have supported us! For further information, please click here http://web.alsa.org/site/TR/Walks/WisconsinWalk?team_id=76750&pg=team&fr_id=4610

Here are a few pics from that day!

A panoramic shot of the walkers

The Bansemar's sans Melissa

Mary & the Brewer's Racing Sausages

Brewer with Melissa's nieces, Madison & Lexi

Melissa with her parents - Gary & Kathy

Sandy, Kathy & Laurie

Stacey Kierzek & Melissa

Sarah, Matt & Genevieve Maio

Sausage Fest

The Brewers baseball team has had quite the adventure the past two months, as well. For those living in a cave...they made the playoffs for the first time since 1982. Shawn & Matt Maio went to both of the Milwaukee games against the Philadelphia Phillys. Melissa & her brother, Steve, joined them for the 2nd home game -different sections, but same stadium. Unfortunately, that is where their adventure in the playoffs ended. We had a great time tailgating. Matt & Shawn both had double sausaged buns. Between Shawn & Matt they ate eight sausages or hot dogs. Melissa had a good time at the game; however, in the ninth inning her Blackberry was stolen. For those who know Melissa, she was quite addicted to it! Don't worry...it was replaced within the next few hours. A few pics of the sausage fest.

Matt's "non-Kosher" Cheddarbrats

Matt Maio - Father & Sausage Pioneer

A Double Dog. A Vodka Robinade. In the Middle A Gentleman For All Seasons

A Conservative Melissa: only one hot dog

Steve loves his Cheddarbrat

The Brewers' fans rooting on their team

Remember Us???

We know we have been lacking with the whole blogging thing. Figured we'd get back into the groove. To recap the past 2 months, we have successfully unpacked from our two week road trip. Brewer had a trip to the Door County Emergency after loosing his toenail in his Grandparent's wheel chair ramp. Thankfully, it is growing back just fine.

On September 13th, we went to Josh & Lauren's wedding. Josh is Shawn's cousin. They had a beautiful wedding & reception at the Hyatt in downtown Milwaukee. Here are a few pics of the family.

Josh & Lauren Harpke

Lauren & Melissa

"The Tan Man" Uncle Mark & Melissa

Shawn with his cousins, Josh & Matt

Day 14 of Travel 8/28

We are finally on our way home...home sweet home. We stayed at a Quality Inn last night in Winnemucca, NV. Scary. Very, very scary. It is part of a rundown casino, which our borrowed GPS system didn't inform us of. We had to walk through the casino with all our luggage and valuables to get to the hotel check-in desk. We were by far the youngest people and probably the only people who weren't staying there for the casino fun. We hit Utah and saw the miles and miles of salt flats. Melissa took a picture through the moon roof of the Wyoming sunset. We are staying the night in Cheyenne, WY. We still have a long way to get to West Bend, but hopefully we'll get there tomorrow.

Day 13 of Travel 8/27

Our last day in California. After we packed up the campsite, Shawn wanted to climb the "Wedding Rock" in Patrick's Point State Park. You can see him on top of it. Afterwards, we headed further south. Destination...Avenue of Giants in Humboldt State Park, where there are more Redwoods. At the visitor's station, there is a slab of a Redwood that had fallen 15 years ago. It was really neat to see the little plaques that they added indiciating things that have happened in history while the tree was growing, such as the Magna Carta; Columbus discovered America; and the Declaration of Independence. Again, the pictures do not do it any justice. As we headed out of the Avenue of Giants, Melissa just had to have a picture with the Shrine Drive-Thru tree. Her Toyota made it through!

Day 12 of Travel 8/26

Melissa was able to enjoy her first day in California. We explored the Northern Redwoods and surrounding parks. We stumbled across Fern Canyon in Gold Bluffs State Park. On the way there we had to pass through 3 streams with my lil' Toyota. Melissa was a little terrified on the first one. Didn't know if the little Smurfette could make it. We walked the short trail to Fern Canyon, which was gorgeous. We later learned that part of Jurassic Park was filmed there. We both said we'd have to go back to watch the movie to find out what scenes. On the way back to the car, Shawn almost stepped on a snake and then we saw a herd of elk. We're glad we took the time for it. We also visited the Lady Bird Johnson Grove where we saw some amazing Redwood trees. They were so huge. Unfortunately, the pictures do not do it any justice. We ended the day with another gorgeous sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

Day 11 of Travel 8/25

We woke up to sunshine! Yeah!! We drove down the rest of the Oregon coast, where we climbed down to the ocean. We saw our first surfer of the trip. Once we arrived at our campsite in Patrick's Point State Park - near Red Woods National & State Parks. Our campsite is overlooking the Pacific Ocean, which is very relaxing to hear the waves as we sleep. We were able to view the sunset overlooking a bluff to the ocean. What a difference a day makes! Overall, we've had awesome camping weather!

Day 10 of Travel 8/24

Well, we had our first horrible day of travel!!! The morning started off great as Melissa was up at 6am and we packed up the campsite and were gone by 7:30am. A first for us to be on the road by. The ferry ride back towards the main land was very rough. We were able to see the water, the mountains and then the sky with each wave. The captain at one point told the motorcyclists to go hang out by their bikes for safe keeping. Once we were on the road it began to rain and rain and rain. We drove down the Oregon Coast Highway with few opportunities to see the Pacific Ocean because of the fog & rain. Through one of the State Parks, we believe a branch fell onto the windshield causing the driver's side windshield wiper to break off. Keep in mind we're on a cliff side road, traffic behind us, it's raining & we have no way to pull over to the side of the road. For the next 5 miles Shawn leaned to the passenger's side to see out the windshield as he was driving. We were finally able to pull over and put the passenger's wiper onto the driver's side - while still in the rain. After another hour we found an auto supplies store that was open at 5pm on a Sunday. He sold us the new wiper blade; however, we found that it was the wrong size--but it worked. Kinda. Thankfully, we had decided prior to leaving Washington to stay in a hotel that night. Upon our arrival, it was still raining. Here is a picture from the ferry.

Day 9 of Travel 8/23

We started off today with a 40 minute ferry ride to Olympic National Park. We drove around the park a bit and found a few shops on the way back, including a favorite of Melissa's...a winery. We ferried on back to the campsite. Note for those travelling to Whidbey Island, WA, reservations are required for the Port Townsend/Keystone ferry. Unknowingly to us, we arrived at the ferry station without them. It was suggested that we obtain one for the ride back only to find out they were booked until 10:15pm that night. Thank goodness for stand by!

Day 8 of Travel 8/22

We began our day at the Pike's Public Market in downtown Seattle, which is definitely one of Melissa's favorites. There are tons of fresh flowers, produce, flying fish markets and arts & crafts. It is always very entertaining. We had a short drive and ferry ride to our next camping site at South Whidbey State Park. After we set up camp, we played a little cards and explored the park. Shawn grilled himself a nice piece of salmon...yummy, one of his favorites.

(1 & 2) Produce & flowers from the Pikes Public Market; (3) A view of the Space Needle; (4) Shawn & Melissa on the ferry en route to Whidbey Island, WA.

Day 7 of travel 8/21

This morning we went to a quaint french bistro. (Bistro? What's a bistro???) Shawn had the most delicious Salmon Eggs Benedict with guacamole. He has ranked it as the best breakfast ever!!! After we strolled around Whistler, BC some more, we headed back for the States. The drive was gorgeous and very nerve wrecking for Melissa. There were a few moments that a pillow covered her face as there were very steep cliffs with very few guardrails. No worries... Shawn was driving. I guess this is why they call it the Sky to Sea Highway and ranked as one of the most scenic drives in North America. After a quick stop at the Duty Free shop, we were checked by a Robin Yount look-a-like Border Patrol Officer to get back into the States. We stayed in Everett, WA where we ate dinner at Shawn O'Donnell's Irish Pub & Grill. Shawn had the best Blue Cheese Burger ever. All around....Good Eats.

(1) The view from our room; (2) A view of the "Stroll" in town; (3) Whistler Mountain; and (4)Whistler Mountain converted into the Mountain Bike track.

Views of Shannon Falls Provinical Park, British Columbia