Home is where you park it! A great Thanksgiving and shopping with my sisters

 We got here to Cal Expo RV Park on Wednesday afternoon around 1400. The park is pretty empty considering how crowded it's been in the past. WE had a late lunch and then Ken did his thing unhooking and hooking up.  

We brought our Patriot Wreath to enjoy while we're traveling..In honor of my

Daddy! 💙

Cal Expo RV Park

The rest of the day was basically spent inside watching a couple of movies. The best was The Santa Chronicles 2 with Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn. A must watch if you have Net Flix.  

Thursday morning we had planned on being at Russell's right around noon. Ken left to visit our friend Casey in Rio Linda, a yearly tradition for them :) I stayed at the Mansion and finished up the appetizers.  Deviled eggs, sausage balls and rolled wraps. 

We got to Russell and Lori's house near 1230.  Had a wonderful visit with them both, Aaron made an appearance about 1300 and stayed in the living room with us. 

Lori working hard...😊

Lori got busy putting things together making mashed potatoes, stuffing and a fresh green bean cheesy casserole. Rolls and pies to finish it off. She refused to let me help so I chatted with her while she did all the work. It was her first time doing a Thanksgiving dinner because they usually visited where ever we were. We hosted for many years at our house in Colfax, then my sister has done it for the rest of the time. 

The highlight of the afternoon, Russell had Jacob call so we could FaceTime him from Italy! It was awesome and he looks so good! You can tell he's been working out!

Russell smoked a turkey and a ham. Both were excellent. Once it was finished around 1730 or so we sat down to eat an incredible meal. It was really nice just to sit and enjoy each other's company and catching up 💙

Russell carving up the turkey..

Someone's plate (I forget who lol)

Dad and Russell enjoying a drink and conversation 💙

Allissa stopped by to visit for a bit 💗

Aaron 💙 Gotta love that smile!

I thought this was so cute..Lori catching a little nap..Well deserved!! 

Ken talking with his mom..looks comfy doesn't he?!

We stayed a while longer and nearing 2000 we left to head back to the trailer. Thanks so much for having us 💖💖😍

My alarm was set for 0330 but around 0200 I was wide awake. I laid there awhile and then got up, coffee started.  We were out the door about 0415. Ken took me to my sister's house so we could do some Black Friday shopping. A tradition that started back when we were kids. Wendy, Tasha, Linda, Chelsea and I headed for Walmart out in Roseville.  Pleasantly surprised, even with the 25 percent limit we went immediately in. Very few people and no waiting in line. 

From there we headed for Galleria Mall in Roseville. We walked down to the Disney Store just as it was opening at 0700.  We got in there and out pretty easily. Then towards Penney's and no problem. As I was looking over the railing I could see a bunch of people waiting in line for a Lululamon Store..wow! Never would I wait just to spend my $$. Either it was easy in and easy out or lines.  No thank you!

All those people are in line for one store.. against the wall they were waiting 

to get inside another store.

Seth brought 4 Marines home with him for Thanksgiving 💜💙 Looks like you need a feast to feed them with and they had one! 

Yum!

Seth 💙

We left there and decided to see about finding a restaurant to have breakfast (also tradition).  I found out there was one near Fair Oaks that was open and had tents set up outside with heaters. Ok. 

As it turns out we didn't make it there today as we passed a restaurant that Ken and I had been to several years ago. It has actually been there a long time. I could see they had a tent up, but no people inside. I parked and walked inside. There were people at the bar area and people at tables. "Are you open?" She said, "We're not supposed to be, but yes" Ok I gave her a thumbs up and said "We've got 5".  Nice place, great food! I won't name it now, as there are people who would turn her in, apparently that happened before.  

On the way out I talked with her and she said the place had been open since 19**. The last shut down almost did them in, now with 25 percent capacity and no inside dining, this would be the last straw for them..they would have to shut down forever. This is what the Governors are doing to small business. What a shame. Right before this restaurant I saw one other that appeared to have people inside. Good for them! Won't name that one either.

After breakfast we headed to Chelsea's to drop her off and a quick visit with Dusty, Jesse (they were going for a hike), and of course, Owen and Little Cassidy 💙💗

From there back to Linda's. I unloaded my treasures into Wendy's car and she drove me home to the Mansion.  

Spent some time cleaning up and relaxing. Ken is at Russell's helping with the bathroom remodel. Tomorrow we head for Winnemucca.

Have a great afternoon! Happy Hour Time, Hubby's home! 

Cooking and leaving home a day early..Cal Expo RV Park.

Waking up this morning at Cal Expo RV Park in Sacramento, CA.  We left home yesterday at 0800 and came over I80.  We made a couple of quick stops and arrived at Eric's house around noon.  He was home, just finishing wrapping some presents and Christina was taking a little nap so we didn't see her.  The boys were in Roseville at Fry's picking up some needed wiring for a huge speaker going in Seth's jeep. We waved at them as we were going through the canyon. :)

Love this picture of our nephew, Dusty and his little guy Owen.  They took a 3 mile hike on Saturday..

clicking on pics will enlarge them...

Our niece, Samantha posted these on Facebook of her little ones..just so darn cute! I love Facebook for these reasons and not the drama! 

That face! :) 

Pure, simple joy! 

Had a quick visit and then hooked up the trailer and headed here. On the way here after getting off the freeway we couldn't help but notice all the garbage everywhere and homeless people hanging out. The area of Howe/Hurley/El Camino is terrible! It's ridiculous. What happened to pride of ownership?! We did see one little old lady picking garbage up on her front lawn in front of a duplex. Sad...Since we've moved to Yerington, can honestly say we haven't seen one homeless person there.  Of course our winters are amazingly cold, so maybe that helps :0 

At the rest area on I 80..mixture of rain and snow but there
were lots of kids playing when we drove up..now down
to one...

Anyway, we got here, got checked in quickly and then got ourselves parked and unhooked. I'll get pictures today, as it started sprinkling not too long after we arrrived.  The park is good for what it is.  A place to spend a few nights to be close to family.  Full hook ups, laundry and bathrooms with showers.  Security, but I haven't seen any.  WIFI (I'll use it later and see how it works). $45.00 a night and they have monthly rates (Can't imagine why you'd stay a month here though). 

Because of the expected storm over the sierras we left decided we better leave a day earlier than planned.  That meant the turkey I was making for Christmas day had to be cooked a day early too. Saturday was spent letting the turkey cook and a few dips made.  John and Karen stopped by to say Merry Christmas as they were on their way to Reno for the night. Joe and Stacey visited Friday night for a bit.  He was headed to Oregon for the weekend to visit his older kids. Stacey ended up borrowing our Patriot for the weekend as Joe had taken her car and she couldn't get the truck started. 

Roll ups ready to be cut in smaller pieces Christmas Day.

The goodies that make up the roll ups..

My low carb one..Actually I made two and ate
one for dinner last night..yum

Turkey cooked breast side down..yum! In my momma's pan :)

We just enjoyed a nice afternoon in the trailer watching the RVs come in. :) Had our dinner, some tv and then bedtime. 

I'm going to be dangerously low on wine (oh no) so we're planning on going by Total Wine near here (thank goodness).  haha. We'll do a little running around and then this afternoon I'm making some potatoes for tomorrow. Hopefully today we can get a walk in and take some pics. 

John and Karen brought us local honey and a honey pot..too cute

Hard to believe it's Christmas Eve already!  So looking forward to tomorrow as it appears we will see all three of our boys and families. Best thing about Christmas is getting together with everyone and remembering Christmases past. :) 
What's your favorite Christmas memory? I've got tons as Christmas was always my Daddy's favorite holiday :) 

Here's a favorite Christmas memory of mine. We lived at our house on Stanley Ave in Carmichael. We girls were probably 9, 8 and 6 or maybe a little younger. Wendy and I were getting bikes and Linda got a John Deere Tractor.  It was probably 0300 or so and we got up.  My mom had to hold us in the hallway because Daddy had to finish up a few things as "Santa was in a hurry and just dropped some things and left"  Finally, we were released and found Daddy finishing the putting together of the tractor, with a glass of whiskey by his side. I always remember the whiskey, because he didn't really drink ever but guess he needed it as it was going to be a long day. :) 

Have a wonderful Christmas Eve everyone. Remember to Look UP!! 

Of course, Remember the real reason for the season!