Sad News

Un-Mark your calendars...Lucas' show got canceled...Sad Day!
HOWEVER

Enjoy Lucas' art work...a picture he stitched together of ancient Rome

RARE TWIN MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

Rare mountain gorilla twins have been born in Uganda's Bwindi Forest, home to around half the world's population of the endangered primates, a wildlife official said Wednesday.

The twins were born to a gorilla called Kwintonda early last month, said Lillian Nsubuga, spokeswoman for the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

"It is only the second time in history that we are aware of twins being born in Uganda," Nsubuga told AFP, adding that the twins were healthy.

"The fact that they have survived the harsh rains of November means that they are probably going to be OK."

Mountain gorillas are the cornerstone of Uganda's tourism industry and Nsubuga predicted the twins' arrival will boost tourist numbers.

"The word hadn't really gotten out, so it was a pleasant surprise for some tourists. But now that the information is public, we expect that many tourists will be requesting to see the family."

Bwindi is home to an estimated 340 mountain gorillas, around half the global population, according to the most recent survey conducted between 2006 and 2007.

The twins were sired by Safari, a dominant male, who took over the leadership of his group in April after the death of his predecessor.

Kwitonda is estimated to be between 15 to 20 years old. Female gorillas begin bearing children at between seven to eight years of age and continue up to 30.

Mark YOUR CALENDAR

December 18th is a Special Day…not only is it my Dad’s 100th B-day…I mean…59th, Lucas will also be playing an acoustic show at Seven’s Tea House and Bar, 100 N Arlington, Suite 102 Reno, Nevada 89501.
Show starts at 8pm. It would be great if you could come and support him. You can listen to some of his acoustic tunes at www.myspace.com/lucaswithcoolhands
See ya'll on the 18th, 8pm



I'm sure you'll love his music...They loved him in Vienna

AMAZING

Last thurs we went to San Fran to see Ben Folds, in honor of Lucas' b-day...One word...Amazing! Even better than Weezer live...that's hard to beat!

The First time I have seen the Sun in Washington...not a drop of rain!

The Cute little family we went to visit in Washington...Leah, Michelle, and Chuck-BOB (This is my brother,Derek's family. His is currently serving in Iraq.) Did you know that Lucas’ name has three syllables? According to Leah, it’s Uncle “Li-core-us”!!!! Leah had too much fun with her bubby and seemed to always want him around. This picture represents how I sometimes found them…and all the other times it was Lucas running after her…I’ve never seen a kid with so much energy! Poor Michelle I have three old lady wrinkles around my smile...I love getting old! This is a view from Downtown Seattle...

A completed PROJECT

This past summer was a sad summer…our friend Shawn and I had a tendency to break things…our little scooter, Lucky, was one of our victims. But I (Merridy) claim that we didn’t kill Lucky, we just got the last joy-ride out of the little guy. Due to this death Lucas was left to walk to school...
As the semester started walking was just taking to long so Lucas finally got motivate to restore this bike that has been sitting around for years…and I mean years. It was an old Sears Roebuck cruiser that had been left to rust…so Lucas soaked all the rusted pieces in coke, scrubbed/sanded all the rusted parts with tin-foil and coke, painted it BROWN (of course), bought a new seat, and bought new handle bars so he could ride in comfort…and style. And now he has a completed PROJECT! It’s pretty sweet! Maybe if I’m nice he will fix up my Schwinn cruiser I ride around campus!

October 3rd Tonic Lounge

What a cute bunch of kids!!


We had a fantastic show opening up for 3 fantastic bands, Jackson United (Cris Shiflett from Foo Fighters), Beat Union (UK) and Gabriel Traverso Band (Reno friends). Check out our site for show dates at www.coolhands.net See ya at the show!!!

Next show October 17th with Agent Orange at Tonic Lounge

What does this remind you of?

TAKE A GUESS!!!

APPLE HILL

B-MAN WITH HIS OWN FRESH APPLE JUICE



LUCAS AND B-MAN ON THE JOHN DEER

Mt. Whitney in all our GLORY

WARM FREAKS






HIGHEST PONT IN
THE
CONTINENTAL
US




CAPTAIN ME...TOP OF THE MT

Hi Again

It has been awhile....oops...and school is back in so if I don't update now I never will.


In July I went see by buddy Nicole in the GREAT STATE OF NJ! It was great fun...however the only picture I really took was of the nannies in NYC at the park...to bad to b/c Nicole has the cutest kids EVER!








I also got to see the Hunters and their new addition (I met them when I was a missionary in Logan UT).






In Aug Lucas went to Erie, PA to visit his 8th grade buddy...I don't think he wanted to come home.

And now we are back in school...ohhh joy!

The Lone Star Experience

Merridy has been bugging me now for ages about posting these pictures and saying a few words. I went to Texas in May to see my younger sister Kadi's graduation. It was the first time all my siblings and parents have been under the same roof in a long time. It was great to see everyone and to see my lil' nephew Connor I hadn't seen before. On my way home I even stopped in Dallas and saw some good old friends.

Family Reunion

This past weekend we all got together...the first time in awhile. The babies were so cute that I had to show them off! Uncle Lukie is everyone's (well almost eveyone's) favorite. In fact when Leah had to say goodbye to "MY Lucas," Brendin's Reply was, "finally he's all mine!"

Family Photo


Order: L-R: Charley, Leah, Brendin, Iain, Iazzack, (twins being held, L-R) Alya, and Ethan.


Lucas with his hot babe on the scoot


Me and My Brothers

coolhands

Lucas' story made front page of the RGJ...also if you would like to purchase one of their CD it's $5...support local Music. yeah!

Lucas

Hey check out Lucas in the RGJ on friday (in the Neighborhood section...)

Adventure Race

What a crazy thing to do...but it was so much fun!
It was a six hour adventure race that included running, mt. biking, and kayaking. The best way I can explain what an adventure race is…it’s like a scavenger hunt with a topographic map. Shawn is by far the Navigator of the bunch…but I’m learning a lot! We started down town Reno then biked and ran all over Peavine mountain…my favorite part is when Shawn said, “it will be quicker to carry our bikes on our back up up up and over these hills”…I wish we had a picture of that…unfortunately there are no pictures of that part of the race.
Lucas is the best because he stood around and watched the whole thing!


Lucas screen printed our Team Jersey’s “Bio-Fuel Kills Orangutans.” What a cute little baby!



Race Meeting...Rules


Shawn figuring out the map…I’m helping so much.


Preping for the start


Running up river to the Kayaks


Kayaking...yeah...or is it a big yellow duck


Out of river to the bikes


Transition...yes we have nice Butts!


Me starting on the bike

Finish....5:36 minutes later...boy was I tired...But I still think a Marathon is the worst thing I have done!

Point Reyes

Yeah backpacking in Point Reyes is beautiful, relaxing, and Fun!
Lucas, Shawn, and I camped on the coast (CA) for two days...good times!
Sun Set from camp

The troop all packed up ready to go


I was just a little bit cold...any type of layer helped


Nap Time on the beach


Lucas-what a pain in the bottom


My Buddy


Camp fire on beach


fire on the beach


This camping spot was made known to me by my wonderful brother DEREK!

Summer Fun

The semester ended around the middle of May and we have been enjoying our summer break…until June 9th when summer school starts.
Lucas played another show in Tahoe last night…and booked another show for august in Sacramento, Ca,…and has another one tonight at Davidson’s Distillery (the Local Harley bike club in town…so Reno people you should GO!)
My friend, Shawn Tuckett, and I have been training for our first adventure race on June 15th. We are going to first do a 6-12 hour race that will qualify us to participate in the 24 hour adventure race in August. On Memorial day Shawn and I went hiking/Running to practice our navigation skills for the race…I never knew a map could tell you so much. We parked his jeep off some dirt road, picked a point to trek to (Carson Hot-Springs), and went running through the hills! Ohh what fun. (I will hopefully post pictures…but they are on Shawn’s camera.)
Today, however, I did something I have never done before…to make a long story short…I got a new Mountain bike yesterday and this morning at FedEx Shawn says, “There is a mountain bike race up Peavine today. We should do that instead of a 150 mile bike ride….” I didn’t want to do it…BUT Today I raced in my first mountain bike race! What scary crap, well down hill at least, but I'm still alive.




Ban Bio-Fuel...it kills Orangutans (That's what my jersey says...thanks to Lucas.)



The start of the race, pretty low key.



Shawn looking super RAD!

MOMMY'S DAY

WE want to wish you all a Happy Mother's Day! We hope you have enjoyed your day...that should be celebrated DAILY! YOu have all taught us so much,you inspire us, and most importantly you have taught us what NOT to DO! :)


Uncle Lukie and Brendin Washin' the car!



Silly Brendin...always pulling faces like his pops!

WE Love your comments

I changed the setting so anyone can add their comments...so please do! But do identifiy yourself so we know who it is!

I would like to introduce you to my new friend, Abigail! We are in Love!

Isn't she pretty!

have a wonderful day!

coolhands on the radio

Saturday April 12th at 9:30 pacific standard time Lucas's band will be featured on KRZQ 100.9 a local Reno radio station. If by chance your not priviledged enough to live in Reno you can tune in online at www.krzqfm.com and near the right hand corner of the page click on the "Listen Live Here" area to catch up on all the adventures of coolhands.
The evening will include playing some tracks from their newly recorded record "Beautiful songs for ugly children" plus some music that has helped mold their very common sound! Tune in and kick back with coolhands Saturday night at 9:30. Cheers

ohh Brave ones!

Lucas and I had the bright idea to take our two three year old nephew’s rock climbing at REI. We have wanted to do this forever…and it just so happened a few weekends ago we got that chance. Brendin and Iain did pretty good for their first time. It was fun to watch.

I don't Know what I think about this...


Okay...I'll do it...



Stop! I feel safe here!



Wow that's high



Lets go..I'm ready




Okay I'm done