Seth's luncheon and swearing in! We're meeting blog followers on Friday!

Sunday morning we left the house at just a little after 0500.  We were headed to California to have a going away lunch at Garcia's in Carmichael for grandson, Seth.  We like to make sure we have plenty of time just in case of a flat tire or accident etc.  Lunch was scheduled for 1100 and we got to Garcia's in Carmichael with almost 2 hours to spare :) A little more time than we like, but that's better than too late! 

We drove around a bit and parked and people watched until it was almost time to meet up with everyone! 

Our favorite server Chris wasn't working :(  We weren't impressed with the server we had but the food was good!  We had a good crowd, even though it started out as just a few people.  

A nice group for Seth's going away luncheon

Seth on the left, Jacob will be the next
one in January to leave for Navy
boot camp

Cousin love

Natalie, Seth and Mason

Elizabeth, Seth, Michael, Natalie

After lunch Seth's parents and Holly headed over to the recruiters office. The recruiter would be taking Seth and the other recruits over to the Doubletree Hotel for the night.  Eric could pick him up once he was signed in with a 2000 curfew. In the morning Seth would be taken to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) and a little later we would watch him get sworn in to the USMC!  Then off to boot camp for 13 weeks!

Seth at the recruiters office with two others
who are shipping the same day

Seth and Holly

Ken dropped me at my sister Linda's house for a few hours while he ran out to KC's house to either drop the trailer, or fill it with firewood if KC wasn't too busy.  I had a great visit with my sisters Linda and Wendy.  Linda's two grandkids, Owen and Cassidy were there along with their parents Dusty and Chelsea.  Brother in law Bobby was home too. A nice visit with all of them.  About 1600 Bobby and Linda went to an early dinner and I was at the house by myself.  Ken came about 1/2 hour later and he and KC filled the trailer.  

We headed for the motel in Auburn, CA and had an uneventful night. We brought leftovers from home so that and a little wine and beer, we were good! The bed and a/c were comfy but I was still awake at 0300 and couldn't get back to sleep. 

I had set the alarm for 0500 but it wasn't needed.  Got the coffee and computing going and then it was time to get ready.  We wanted to be in downtown Sacramento and weren't sure how bad the traffic was going to be. It's been a lot of years since we've had to drive in the commute traffic :) 

We got to MEPS at about 0820 and we were supposed to be there at 0900. Yay plenty of time to spare, except when it came to parking!  There was plenty of parking available, pay parking.  Well, my husband decided he's not giving the City of Sacramento any money. OH BOY..he doesn't like their politics and the homeless population is out of control.  Eric had told us there was plenty of street parking when he was there last. Sure there was about 6 miles away. Just kidding but it was quite a ways away where Ken decided to pull over.  It's 80+ degrees at this point and we get out of the truck and start walking! I've got heels on that I haven't worn in almost 10 years they're too big, but I didn't have time to get new ones once I found this out.  After a bit, my heels are killing me, blisters from the rubbing.  So I stop, take them off and walk barefoot for miles (j/K) trying to get to MEPS.  At a run/walk pace I am now glistening! My hair has stuck to my head, my makeup feels yucky!  Am I mad?!!!! YEP!  Then we get to a street and he looks at my phone for google maps, ok this way.  After a block nope going the wrong way!! We turn around and finally find it.  Of course we come up to our family members and they can tell I'm mad! When we tell the story of course they're laughing.  And yeah I can now. Kinda...Just ruined any pic I had with Seth. I'm not posting. My hair is short now, and it looked horrible.  I figured I only had to walk a few feet, not miles. Uhhhh.  Eric did take pity on us (me) and took us back to the truck which really wasn't that far away at all, except for the circles and turns we took which added to it. I told Eric to take me back to the truck and let Ken walk, but he wouldn't do it :) Anyway gotta have a story right!??! 

We went inside and had to go through a screening.  Just like airport screening.  Seth met us and took us to our seats to wait to be called into the room for the swearing in.  It amazes me how many boys were there to be sworn into the different military branches. It definitely says alot for some of the youth of America. Seth is still 17 and has been in the delayed entry program since November.  He said he's ready to go and get it done! It was nice having a few minutes to visit with him, of course if Christina and I looked at each other there were tears. 

Finally we were called into the room with 8 boys total and their families.  Nice to see so many people turn out for each group that's joining.  Before you know it it's over but watching them take the oath to defend their country just brought tears to everyone's eyes. Very moving and emotional.  After about 5 minutes..off they went to finish what they needed to do in order to get to the airport and on to MCRD (Marine Corps Recruiting Depot) in San Diego for boot camp. We left him there a teen age boy and when we see him in 13 weeks he'll have earned the title Marine! For now he's considered a Recruit.  

Almost ready for swearing in

Seth and a few more of the Recruits

Getting ready to swear in 

Seth and his proud family!
Eric, Seth, Mason and Christina

Seth and Mason

Seth and Holly

Seth and me 

Seth and Papa Bobby

Seth and Holly

We all said our good byes and then we headed over to KC's to pick up the trailer of wood and head towards home.  As we're driving the freeway we made the decision to head for Edelweiss Restaurant in Auburn, a place we used to eat at when we lived in Colfax, CA.  Ken suggested calling Eric to see if they wanted to meet us.  Yes they did.  We found a place to park the truck and trailer and we only beat them by a few minutes. We had a great lunch and conversation. It was a really nice way to end this incredible day with Eric, Chris and Mason. :) 

Eric bought Ken a six pack of
Gold Digger IPA from Auburn
Alehouse.  What better glass to
celebrate Seth than Tun Tavern
where the Marines were founded?!

We said our goodbyes again and then we headed home. I had a little nap on the way which was nice..haha. We got home about 1800. We unloaded what we had to and then grabbed a glass of wine and a beer and outside on the porch swing we went. 

This picture makes me tear up every time I see it.
 True love between brothers.  Seth and Mason
have been very close these last few years.
Mason outgrew the "annoying younger
brother stage" and became a friend :)
I think it's going to be hardest on Mason
with him gone.

I did get Chris's ok to post it here. 

Christina called about 1845 to tell us Seth had called from the USO at the airport in San Diego and they made it safe and sound. It was a quick call, but a welcome call for sure!  

Tuesday morning I had the alarm set for 0500 but at 0415 I was awake and so was Ken.  I said, "You want me to start the coffee now?" He said "no"..so we comprised and I started it about 0445.  He was able to fall back to sleep, I wasn't.  It's supposed to be 102 today so I wanted to get the porch swing painted asap. We had our coffees, computing etc and the day got started. I put the first coat on the swing and then made breakfast for us.  2nd coat went on much quicker.  Ken moved the truck and trailer of wood to where they need to be.  Then he worked on the little patio extension and of course is one brick short..lol.  It looks great and gives us a little more sitting area for when we need it. 

The porch swing before..

Can't tell much difference in the light but it's an off white now
Has a warped board near the back, but it still looks better :) 

Applesauce, raisin muffins for the hubby

I've been corresponding recently with a couple of our blog followers and they are going to be in Minden this weekend, so we've got a date to meet in person on Friday! We're looking forward to meeting you Doug and Michelle!