Only a couple of significant events were expected to occur in 2006. There were no planned weddings, births, baptisms or bar mitzvahs in sight, so the Linders had to make their own news.
The first couple of months of the year went by quietly, with little to report while whiling away the winter days. Roger enjoyed a rare solo night out with a co-worker to see the legendary Al Kooper, Cece enjoyed the first of several monthly Bunco nights and Brad began cooking as his primary task at Dry Creek Station. And despite working with food, Brad was able to drop 30 pounds during the year. In March, Roger decided to visit the Toastmasters group that met in his office building, and joined on March 30. Since then, he presented three speeches, and videotaped several meetings for presentation on the web. During March he wrapped up an 8-month weekly stint as chief musician at the church, and took a couple of months off before returning in June to the normal semi-monthly schedule.
In April, Roger and Cece ventured to Clear Lake for a weekend stay to see one of Cece's favorites, Peter Frampton, at the Konocti Resort. In addition to a great show, they were treated to a couple of after-show passes and got pictures and autographs. Then in May, they returned to Konocti for The New Cars show, the '80s group now re-formed and fronted by Todd Rundgren.
Cece looked forward to the last day of school on June 1, because on June 3 she and Roger departed (with Roger's parents) for an 8-day cruise to Alaska. The cruise on the Dawn Princess left from Seattle and stopped at Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria, British Columbia. Because of the foreign port, passports were suggested, opening the way for perhaps some more international travel in the coming years. But this trip also whetted the appetite for a number of additional excursions closer to home.
In July, Matthew and Katherine took an extended weekend trip to New York State, and Roger and Cece rose at 2 AM to take them the to San Francisco airport. Rather than heading back home, they headed south to spend a beautiful day in Carmel-By-The-Sea. In August they once again joined M&K on a day trip to Lake Tahoe and Carson City, Nevada. And R&C returned to the Bay Area in late July for the 11th annual ToddFest/West in Campbell.
Brad, having to work a five day week to pay for his new truck (purchased in April), vehicle insurance and health premiums (dropped from the family plan when he reached the age of 23) was feeling a bit left out of all this traveling, but was able to join Roger and Cece on a trip to the California State Fair in August.
Also in August, the Lutherans ALIVE! team decided to bring the show to a close after three seasons of weekly programming; a total of 83 shows. During its production, Roger served as Executive Producer and Production Floor Manager, as well as occasional musician. All shows are available on the web, and future projects are still a possibility under the umbrella of Sacramento Lutheran Television.
In September, Roger and Cece enjoyed a concert by Elton John, beginning the evening with dinner and a car accident involving four vehicles. Fortunately, major injuries were avoided and there was relatively minor damage to the car, yet it took three weeks for repair. They also decided to have a waterfall installed by the backyard pool, greatly enhancing the early fall evenings while they listened to its babbling brook. In October, a new stylish sliding glass door was installed and in November, a new room group was purchased to enhance their previously featureless living room.
October saw Roger and Cece's 30th wedding anniversary, and it was marked by a weekend trip to Salinas, California, with a stay in a safari-styled tent cabin at a wild animal preserve. Another trip was booked to celebrate Cece's 50th birthday in November, this time to Las Vegas for four days. And Brad finally got a chance to travel as well. They stayed at the luxurious Bellagio hotel, and took in gondola rides, a show from the Blue Man Group and a tour of Hoover Dam. They walked several miles during their stay, and a great proportion of that was just getting around inside the huge hotel.
December didn't have any travel in store (yet), but their calendar quickly filled in, kicking off the month with a Trans-Siberian Orchestra show at ARCO Arena, and continuing with several Christmas parties and dinners, a hay ride, holiday decorating and looking forward to what 2007 will bring them.
Best wishes to all from Roger, Cece and Brad Linder.