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! 

Happy 21st Birthday Chloe! A quieter Halloween, Yearly Dr. visit for me, Sitting at the Subaru Dealer

 I can't believe we've only been home from Arkansas a week. It seems a lot longer. WE got home last Wednesday afternoon and then had happy hour with Karen and the furry grandkids. :) They were all happy to see us. 

I forgot to post a few pics last week so...
Ken, Dana, Sweetpea and Don. Ken getting ready to leave TN.

A sweet pic of Ken saying goodbye to Sweetpea  💕

Ken leaving Don and Dana's beautiful TN property 💙

Bryan and my beautiful sister Wendy! 💗
She's loving living in Arkansas 

Thursday we headed for Total Wine in Reno and then to Walmart for grocery shopping for the weekend. 

Friday evening Mason and Chloe got here and we barbecued some hot links that Karen gifted us :) She came over as well and we had a nice evening catching up with the kids. 

Saturday after breakfast I got started on cooking for the Halloween party next door. I made a huge batch of white chicken chili. Probably too much chicken but it turned out delicious. Karen made a batch of red chili which was delicious as well. I did a million dollar dip and deviled eggs too. 

Later in the afternoon we headed over. John was able to come home so that was nice. A smaller party than normal, but nice as we were able to talk with people rather than being so spread out! 

Mason and Chloe all decked out for Halloween 

Mason played a couple of songs on his guitar. He's 
self taught and awesome! 

Mason showing Papa how it's done! 

John too! 

Mason and Chloe carved a few pumpkins! 

We called it a night about 2300. 

I had a few pics of Chloe and Mason that I took with her camera and she sent to me but they won't download. Same for pics of Ken and me. 

Sunday morning after breakfast the kids headed for home. So happy they came out! :) Later in the afternoon we took a nap LOL. Guess the week and Halloween caught up with us! 

Had a short Happy Hour and then just enjoyed the evening with a nice fire in the outdoor kitchen! :) 

Monday I ran to the lab in town to get my yearly labs done. I went Friday morning but they were closed for Nevada Day. 

Monday was a day of cleaning out stuff that's not used anymore in one bedroom. Ken spent a lot of the day splitting wood and some other things. 

Tuesday I headed for Wellington to see my PA Danny. I had one of the best visits ever. Cholesterol down 28 points that put me in the good category. Sodium level up a few points but they were dangerously low last year. All the other tests were normal, and I even lost 3 pounds YAY. How, I have no idea, because we haven't been good the last month or more. LOL.

This morning Wednesday we are sitting at the Subaru Dealer getting something called the "Auto Butler" put on the car. It's some kind of protectant for the paint. It's supposed to make bugs, grime, sap come off easier. We'll see. 

Ken was told over the phone it'd take about an hour, now it's 2 hours. We would have brought 2 cars if we'd have known that. 

Nevada DMV has implemented an online only appointment system for Yerington. Been trying for two days to get an appointment for our REAL ID as our licenses expire next month. Well, what a joke this online appts is. On the way home we'll stop by and hopefully a person can help us!! You can only make appointments for the next day, but the calendar doesn't light up. UHHHHHH!!! 

Today is a special little lady's birthday! Happy Birthday Chloe! She turns the big 21!! Sounds like she'll be celebrating the rest of the week! Love you sweetie!

One of our most favorite couples! Love you both! 💕

On with waiting for the car. It's a rainy day here in Carson City and cool. 

Have a great day! 

Arkansas catch up! Buccee's and the Big Texan. Joe's chair :)

We left for Arkansas on the 15th of October. We've done this trip so many times I really didn't take any pictures. We stayed in Williams, AZ, Tucumcari, NM and then in Eufaula, OK. We pulled into Bryan and Cheryl's place around 1230 on Saturday. 

Bryan had his first fire of the season while we were
there! 

Cheryl's flowers were so pretty.  A thunder, lightening storm
beat them down one night. 

Hugs all around and visiting and then my sister Wendy came over a few hours later and we had a great dinner together. 

Sunday, we all hung out and just enjoyed ourselves together. 

Tuesday, Ken left for Tennessee for a short visit with his brother Don and his wife Dana. I stayed behind as it was going to be a short visit in Arkansas. 

Wendy, Cheryl and I went shopping at the thrift store and then downtown to check out what they had to offer and then we met Bryan at the Smokehouse for lunch. 

A few days consisted of some thrift shopping and visiting and another lunch out.   Ken got back on Thursday afternoon. 

Raider, ready for bed 

Daisy and the cat...

My oldest baby boy and me 💗

Saturday morning we pulled out about 1030. Our plan is to be back in April 2026. 

We headed for Henryetta, OK that night. A pretty short drive. 

My favorite place at Bryan's ..his front porch..

Had an awesome mexican linner here before we checked into
the motel. 

Sunday we headed for Amarillo, TX and a visit to Buccees. We had dinner at The Big Texan! Kind of a staple for us when we're in the area. Oh so YUMMY! 

We drove through Clarksville on the way from Bryan's to Texas.
As kids Daddy would pic us up from school and get us 
ice cream from the Diamond Drive IN still there over 
60 years later!! 

Stole from FB after Russell and Lori got back from their trip 
to the beach. 💖

Allissa sent me this of one of my very favorite couples 💖 They
were on their way to church. Jacob left on Monday for a month on the big
ship! 💙

Have too when you're in Amarillo! 

Amazing place for a gas station LOL. Like a mini mall! 

Great drinks before great food! 💗

Our original plan was to stay the night in Amarillo, but by the time we were done it was too early to check into a hotel. So off to Tucumcari we went. 

Monday night we were in Gunnison, Colorado. 

Tonight we're in Delta, Utah. Yeah, we're trekking it home. 

Got a party on Saturday, blood work Friday and grocery shopping. Looking forward to next week and slowing down. 😀 Then it's time for Thanksgiving. 😱

Some of my favorite boys 💙Michael, Ken, me, Russell and Mason. 

When our neighbor Joe lived next door this was his chair.He
 and family moved to Alaska over 4 years ago.  
If the grandkids were here and he came to visit, they'd get
 up and sit elsewhere. We were at the Candy Dance, end of 
September so Ken got this sign made. It will forever be 
Joe's chair! 💗 (even if it's a different chair) LOL. 

Anyway a quick catch up but a wonderful time in Arkansas! 

Thanks for checking in... Have a wonderful night!!