She said YES! Carmichael for Grandma's Birthday, Russell's for Football Sunday, Christmas with family.

Adam and Erin headed for Olympic National Park the day after Christmas. On the 28th we got a call in the afternoon that they are engaged! 💗 We are so happy for them as we've loved Erin since the first time we met her! 

We've known he had the ring for a few months but knew he wanted it to happen in a special place and it was! Another hard secret to keep LOL. 

I have some great pictures, but my computer isn't cooperating or I don't know how to fix it so there will be hardly any pictures in this blog! 😢  Hopefully I can figure something out. AOL I use for email is all messed up and that's where I sent the pictures. I tried calling but couldn't understand a word the rep said! UHHHH!! 

The 18th of December we headed over to CA for Ken's mom's 98th birthday. We had a great afternoon with her, Dave and Diane (Ken's brother and sister). 

We headed to Carson City for the night and then headed home Friday morning. 

Sunday morning the 21st we headed to Russell and Lori's in Antelope, CA as he was hosting a Football party. We don't really care about football but it was a party!  We also got to see Jacob and Allissa who were in town for the holidays! Aaron's home too! 

We spent the night and then headed back home on Monday. 

Wednesday was Christmas Eve so we headed back over. Yep, over to CA three times in one week! Worth every mile! 

We were actually able to spend a couple of hours with our 102 year old friend Joanie. She's doing well, still living by herself. She even had beer and wine for us, so I had a couple of glasses with her.  💙

Christmas day Russell and Lori hosted Christmas so it was a wonderful day to spend time with family. We did get over to Carmichael to spend a little time with Grandma. 

The 26th we met with whoever could, at Old Town Pizza in Auburn. There were 9 of us and a nice way to end the holiday. 

We headed back home but there was no way over highway 50. I told Ken next year we need to plan a mini vacay after Christmas so it'll be easier getting back over. So about 5+ hours later we were back at Russell's for the night. We had a nice visit and a few adult beverages. 

Saturday we left at 0600 and Highway 50 was in much better shape, still a slow down at chain control, but not bad. We stopped in Minden to have breakfast at Carson Valley Inn and then headed home. 

That's the end to a busy holiday season. 

It's been really cold the last few days with temps in the teens in the am to 40 in the afternoon. 

We'll be next door tomorrow for New Years Eve so I made some collard greens for the first time in my life! LOL We'll see how they turn out. Ken's making his black eyed peas and ham and then I'll do cornbread.

 This symbolizes prosperity for the coming year. Black eyed peas, represent coins, Collard greens, paper money and cornbread, gold! Who knew?! LOL. 

I made Lori's sausage, Rotel and Velveeta dip too. Yummy and so simple!

It was wonderful spending so much time with family but it's also nice to be winding down. These months go way too quickly nowadays. We'll see what the New Year brings. 

Have a wonderful New Years!  

The Best Birthday weekend of my life!

 

Mason's sweetie, Chloe drew the tree and then had everyone
put their hand prints on the " Tree of Life" All I  need now 
are names to go with the prints 💖💖

Adam came to visit us on Wednesday the 10th after he got off work. Thursday we had running around to do so he just enjoyed his time going to the gym etc. Friday afternoon we welcomed Erin for the weekend. I had been making some enchiladas, coleslaw and rice for our dinner. 

Friday evening we're sitting sitting in the outdoor kitchen enjoying a nice fire. I heard a vehicle drive in and then hear four doors open and close. Hmmm we're not expecting anyone. Next thing you know there's Russell, saying "HI Mom!" What the heck?!!! Lori, John and Andrea following right behind! (pictures are out of order) 

Lori, Chloe, Mason and Adam mid yawn 💗

Seth and Holly (the couple that's making us Great Grandparents)💕

Andrea 💜

Russell 💙

Russell, John and Andrea enjoying Karen's delicious meal 💗

Christina and Chloe 💗

Lori comes in and says we brought food! They brought breakfast stuff and snacks of all kinds! Haha. They know food would be my first concern haha. 

A few minutes later another truck comes in and it's Seth an Holly! Oh my. Then Mason and Chloe! Oh WOW. Later on comes Eric and Christina! They had a tire they had to replace in Reno (which ended up being 4 on their Subaru AWD). 

Karen had come over too in-between all the arrivals. Then she tells me she made dinner (4 roasts with potatoes and carrots and rolls) for everyone.

Turns out this was all planned on the Columbus Day weekend they were out! A surprise party for my 70th Birthday. Of course Ken was in on it too. 

Well, it was a way too late a night or morning at 0300 we went to bed. 

Saturday morning, my Birthday I made breakfast sandwiches for everyone. Russell and Lori brought everything. I cooked with the help of Erin and Chloe. A little champagne too to celebrate! I was sitting outside visiting and all of sudden I hear voices and it's Diane and Jesse!! WE've got a full house! YAY. Everyone who could be here was here! 😊😊 Just WOW! 

Holly did this Saturday morning 💞

A bloody mary to start the day for Ken and John..had I known
they were coming, I would have been better supplied. 

It was a beautiful day for almost mid December. WE were able to sit in the sunshine and in the outdoor kitchen. The Army/Navy game was on so we watched that too. Navy won! YAY! 

So, the plan was that at 1530 or so we'd go next door for a drink and then head for the Christmas parade in town at 1700. Well was I ever fooled! We parked and our friends Joel and Randi who live in CA had pulled in just in front of us and John came home at the same time! Well that was interesting. 

Walked up to the fire pit area and Karen had all kinds of snacks set up for everyone. Our neighbors Mike and Eloise were there too. Nice. She had decorated her whole back area to the point it looked like the North Pole, oh so beautiful! She said she did it for me 💗 She knows how I love Christmas! She and Ken kept me away from there  this last week so she could get it decorated. 

She whispered in my ear "This is your Birthday party. It's been planned since October". I guess we're not going to the parade! LOL. Oh my heart! She and our kids and Ken planned everything. 

My sash says "Awesome since 1955" 

Eric, Christina and the photo bomber LOL. 💖

About 1800 I see a food truck coming in, I lost it. I know how expensive those are and I just couldn't believe they did all of this for me. Emotions running high I guess. I know later Russell would say he couldn't believe anyone crying over a food truck! hahah. There were several happy tears throughout the weekend! 

The best Mexican food in Yerington and beyond, I believe. We enjoyed a fire, friends and family for the rest of the night. Another late one 0200 I believe. 

 

Sunday, Eric and Christina were the first to leave even before breakfast. After breakfast Seth and Holly along with Mason and Chloe left to head back to California.  Jobs on Monday. 

Guess the 2 1/2 day party got to be a little much for a few LOL. 

Adam 💙

Russell and Chloe (too cute) 💖

Mason 💙

Russell, Lori, John and Andrea left in the afternoon which was nice that they could stay that long.  We were able to enjoy a few mimosas 💖🥂 Again we were able to sit in the sunshine. 😁 

They made a stop at Revision Brewing in Sparks on the way home 💙

Adam left Monday morning about 0345 to head to work in CA. Jesse and Diane left near 0800 as he had to work around noon. 

I still can't believe all these people did this for my 70th Birthday. It's so special and I find myself tearing up just thinking about it. The BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!! 

I got presents too, which no one should have done after throwing this party. 

Thrilled with every single one! 

2 nice camping chairs from Eric and Christina 

This adorable gnome mixing bowl from Seth and Holly  Used it for
chocolate
chip pancakes Sunday morning. 💗

Time to get this posted and wrap a few presents. Have a wonderful day!

I sure am!