Life | Julia & Chris Sanderl

California Trip

Jun 152011

After three years since our last California visit, it was really special for us to spend time with family and friends on their home turf. We started our trip in San Francisco with Matt & Matt’s Julia at their awesome Sausalito home. They were both incredibly hospitable with great meals, city adventures, hiking in Muir Woods and even a cold water surf session. Matt let me borrow his not-so-short shortboard, gloves, booties and wetsuit hood for the 50 degree water and we had a great time sharing waves at his home break. Matt’s Julia kept us on a healthy regimen by cooking up amazing dinners and also taking us along to workout at Crossfit Sausalito. After several fun-filled days in SF, we met up with my brother and headed down to his new house in Clovis, CA. Spending family time with my nieces was really the highlight of our trip. Stay tuned for some higher quality photos from the family photo session we did with Jason, Debbie and the girls. Slip ‘n sliding during Jay’s backyard barbecue, our trip to Shaver Lake, and working out with the whole family in their garage gym are new memories that we’ll share forever. We finished up our trip with a couple relaxing days at my parents house in Oxnard, CA. Before heading home, we also had the chance to sneak out to Malibu for a beautiful hike with our friends Jeff and Brittany. Many thanks to our family and friends for all the amazing accommodations and be sure to check out the slideshow…

Never Too Old to Flip

Life, Video 4 Responses »

May 122011

Thanks to our friend Anna (pictured first in the video) for motivating us to head down to Kauai’s only Gymnastics Academy. With plenty of assistance, lots of pointers, and several moments of hesitation, we all had tons of fun and a heck of a workout! Julia did awesome, especially considering it was her first time in a real gym. Two years have gone by since our last acrobatic attempt in the yard and my backflip definitely still needs work. I guess we’ll just have to go back next week

Fruits of Our Labor

House, Life 1 Response »

May 102011

Kapaa’s Farmer’s Market has provided us with more than just our fresh produce. Our weekly fruit binge has resulted in thousands of papaya seeds blending into our compost bin and gradually spreading around the yard disguised as fertilizer. The little stalks sprout in grass-like clumps and nine months later a few superior papaya trees emerge loaded with fruit. This year’s late spring rain is keeping the grass green, the flowers fragrant and the papayas nicely plumped. Best of all, mango season is just around the corner!

Jeannie’s Surprise Visit

Life, Video, Water 3 Responses »

Feb 252011

We were lucky to get such a nice surprise having our good friend Jeannie call us up with plans for a short detour from her trip to Oahu. The next day she arrived with her boyfriend and they were both ready for some exploration. Like always, we were more than happy to lead the way. The weather cooperated perfectly for our two and a half day beach-hopping marathon and we also lucked out with some great lighting and visibility during a late afternoon snorkel session. It was a great excuse to visit some of our favorite spots that aren’t always part of our normal routine. Sharing them with friends just makes it that much better.

Biking in the Rain

Life, Video 3 Responses »

Feb 202011

This was our first real mountain biking experience on Kauai. Like most things lately, it was done in the rain with our friends from Kauai Crossfit. We usually ride our bikes to and from the beach but haven’t ventured out much further than that. It was great to break from our normal surf routine and finally explore some mountain trails on two wheels. The weather limited us to ride on only a couple manageable trails that could handle the wet and muddy conditions. We started on the Kuilau Trail and then connected with the Moalepe Trail. When it was time to turn around and head back up the mountain, we opted instead for a not-so-short shortcut along the road back to our cars. Check out the video…

Wailua Kayak Adventures

Life, Video, Water 1 Response »

Jan 162011

Over the weekend we were invited to explore the Wailua river on kayak with the world’s best tour guides from Wailua Kayak Adventures. Matt and Tiara took us out along with the Kauai Crossfit crew and we had an awesome time navigating the river and hiking to Secret Falls. Our timing was perfect and we got out just before a tropical storm hit in full force. Check out the video (above) to watch us charging for shore as the rain set in. A huge MAHALO to Matt and Tiara for an awesome weekend adventure.

A Wagner Family Christmas

Life, Travel No Responses »

Dec 292010

This year, the highlight of our trip was spending time with our new nephew William! It was incredible to meet such a well-mannered bubbly little baby and see David and April for the first time as mommy and daddy. We really enjoyed this special time with family and had a great Christmas that included our yearly stop at Grandma Rose’s house, 3D movie night, remote control helicopter piloting, billiard bonanza in the basement, and Julia’s amateur diaper change that resulted in a yellow fountain on her head. It was a busy trip that concluded with a specail dinner cabaret show in the heart of Seattle at Teatro ZinZanni, courtesy of our family’s newest parents. Thanks for the warmest hospitality and great new memories… Happy New Year!

Farmer Chris & Sidekick

Animals, Life 1 Response »

Nov 302010

More weeding, whacking, mowing, shoveling, and hauling is required as we enter the rainy season. Good thing we’ve got helpers. Lucky likes to ride the shovel and get first dibs as the fresh tasty bugs are uncovered. There was a lot to be thankful for over our long holiday weekend… homegrown fruits and veggies, the backyard egg factory, healthy plants, lazy cats, etc. We really wish we had the chance to share Thanksgiving with family but Christmas is right around the corner and we can’t wait to cozy up by the fireplace with the Wagners. Until then, we’ll be sure to stay good and dirty working in the yard with our trusty sidekicks.

Monarch Hunters

Animals, Life 2 Responses »

Nov 132010

The chickens are fat, happy, and in search of any wiggling insect in sight. We recently planted milkweed along our path in hopes of attracting more butterflies and it worked! Unfortunately, our chickens love to search for caterpillars and the cats occasionally entertain themselves with butterflies. Thanks to Julia’s supervision, most fatal accidents have been avoided.

I Married a Witch!

Life 3 Responses »

Oct 312010

Julia’s striped stockings and pointy hat have been hanging in our closet for as long as I can remember. On the spookiest day of the year, I wake up to a cackling blur of black and green fluttering around the house. It’s unsettling to recognize the faintest bit of Julia behind her newly sprouted hook-nose, warty chin and scraggly hair. I look forward to her “costume” almost as much as I look forward to hearing about all the poor kids she likes to scare. Happy Halloween!

Water Week Part Deux

Life, Video, Water 2 Responses »

Oct 082010

Our week-long break flew by while Matt & Julia were out for a visit. We covered lots of ground and still managed to surf and jump off stuff everyday. The Julias encouraged our horseplay but luckily there weren’t any serious injuries, except for our “broke mouths” from all the good grinds. The video and pictures say the rest. Can’t wait to hang again this summer in SF!

Cruise Control

Featured, Life 1 Response »

Sep 292010

As summer officially comes to a close, we’re looking forward to cooler weather and a little more rain for the garden. At this point, our work schedule has finally become routine again. We’re both plugging along during the week and trying to slow down time on the weekends, but the light at the end of our tunnel starts this weekend with a full week off! Mateo and his Julia will be out for a visit too, so we’re really looking forward to a lot of beach/vacation/hang time during their stay. Hopefully we’ll get a few more water shots to share soon.

Ultimate Ahi Rolls

Life, Video, Water 5 Responses »

Sep 052010

This was a Labor Day weekend to remember! Julia was lucky enough to snap a rare photo of the furry-chested murman mid breach (pictured above) and we also helped catch a nice size ahi. We headed out of the harbor on our friend’s boat around 7am and by 8:00 our fish was in the cooler. I videotaped the ordeal while Julia steered the boat and our neighbor directed the show. It was the only catch of the day, but we still trolled around following the shearwater birds in hopes of a marlin. To cool off we stopped in the middle of the ocean right around the 1000 fathom line (approx. 6000 ft) for a swim. Check out the video and pictures to see how this 170 pound tuna was skillfully reeled in and made ready for sushi night.

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