A catch up finally!

Well, it's been awhile! The computer thing for pictures took awhile to resolve. Hopefully it's fixed. Not really very many pictures since Christmas. Honestly, we've been home most of the time. 

Had 4 cords of lodge pine delivered this morning for our 
outside fires and outdoor kitchen :) 

 Ken's has had a few doctor appointments this month. All are certainly much better than a few years ago. His glaucoma is acting up in his left eye, pressure at 28. He's got new eye drops to try and an appointment in a month. 

He has a dermatology appointment tomorrow morning at 0815 to remove some skin cancer from his nose. An EKG at the end of the month to see where his heart function is at now. I'm sure dermatology will want a follow up probably in February. 

We try to incorporate as much stuff as we can when we're in Carson City or Reno as one is 70 miles away and one is 90 miles. The joys of country living! 

We did make it to Virginia City for pizza one day with Karen and her sister Heidi. Awesome pizza, but forgot to take a picture. LOL. 

It's been cold, mornings in the teens and afternoons in the low 40's. We had a dusting of snow about 10 days ago. that's it, no moisture at all! 

Had a nice but small New Year's next door. 

Izzie (Karen's mom) Karen and her sister Heidi 💖

That's about it. Can't believe it's the 20th of January already. Going way too fast! 

We still have our "Champagne Sundays" and enjoy the outdoor kitchen with the fire going all day! 

This was actually on the 11th, but was so good we did it 
again this last Sunday! Jalapeño burgers, cheese was added
after this. YUM! 

Of course, Mimosas! YUM! 

YUM! Ken's plate 

Got this sweet picture on the 11th. Jacob and Allissa on their way to church 💙
I love getting these surprise pictures! Makes this grandma's heart Happy! 💖

                         Rosie's Mexican Restaurant in Smith Valley raised money to 

                  have this 80 foot tall American flag installed along with the

                  smaller flags of the branches of the military and a Nevada 

                  flag! Very impressive! 

                                A  few Christmas pictures

John and Andrea 💙

Andrea and Lori 💗

Christmas morning at Russell and Lori's. 
Allissa, Jacob and Aaron 💙

Brother's and cousin. Aaron, Seth and Jacob.
Mason had already left and Adam was in Chico 

What a handsome group of guys! Eric, Seth, Jesse, Jacob, Ken Aaron and Russell 

    The lovely ladies..Lori, Diane, Christina, Holly, Matilda and Allissa 💗

Have a wonderful evening! 

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!  

There will be one more next Thanksgiving!!

 We are going to be great grandparents of a little girl come May of 2026!! We've known since November 10th but couldn't say anything until Thanksgiving when Seth and Holly made it known! One of the hardest secrets ever to keep under wraps!! 💖💖

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at my sister Linda's (Ninny) house! Everyone showed up who could. Jacob and Allis were hosting her parents in San Diego but still a wonderful day! 

We headed over on Wednesday and that afternoon we went to The One Spot and met up with Dee and Katie who live in Florida. Russell and Lori, John and Andrea continued after that but we headed back to their house to visit with Aaron who was home from college. 

We stayed up until Russell and Lori got home, had a few drinks and headed for bed. 

Thursday morning we got up, got ready and headed for Linda's house. Ken headed over to KC's house as his tradition. We got ready for everyone at Linda's. So blessed to have this family of ours....

Missing Jacob! Adam, Aaron, Mason and Seth 💙 Our grandsons! 

The boys and their dads, except Bryan is in Arkansas for Adam. Adam, Russell
Aaron (Jacob is missing), Mason, Eric and Seth (the dad to be 💖

All the boys, Adam, Jesse, Owen, Dusty, Bobby, Aaron, Russell, Mason, Seth 
and Eric 💙

The whole damn crew, as my sister posted on Facebook! 💙Well, except for Ken
who had went to visit his mom. People were leaving so we had to get a picture. 

Headed to Russell's later in the afternoon. He and Lori prepared another Thanksgiving meal. John, Andrea, their son, daughter and boyfriend came along with Michael and Mel. Nice gathering! 

Friday morning I met Linda, Chelsea and her mom Erin at Walmart at 0600 for Black Friday. Target and Galleria mall after that. I met Ken and family at Old Town Pizza in Auburn at 1100 for a gathering before we headed home. 

So happy everyone turned out for that too! 💗

We got home and headed next door for Happy Hour with John and Karen. A great, if not busy few days! 

Saturday evening it was time to decorate the Christmas tree. Of course had our traditional egg nog and brandy. Ohhh so good. I was able to find some low fat 😅 egg nog at Target. Guess we'll need another trip before Christmas! 

Time to decorate the tree! 

Our quirky Nevada tree, where every ornament has a story. 💗

This tree skirt is celebrating 54 Christmas's. I made this the year
we got married and gave to my mom and dad for Christmas. Now 
it's back to me 💖

Champagne Sunday! 

Dusty's family did the Run to Save the Hungry on Thanksgiving
monrning. Bobby, Dusty, Chelsea, Cassidy and Owen 💙

Had a wonderful day today in the outdoor kitchen. Cauliflower pizza for lunch and a fire going all day. So blessed to be living this life we have. 

Have a wonderful evening!