A couple of Sundays and Happy 24th Birthday Allissa!!

Hard to  believe it hasn't been that long that we've been home from Arkansas. Seems like a long time and only about 2 weeks. How time flies, especially this year.  

So we've mainly been home and not much to write about honestly. 

Sunday, the 29th we spent most of the day in the outdoor
kitchen for Champagne Sunday. It was cold, rainy and 
we were toasty warm. 

First time making smash burgers. They were delicious. Got
the recipe from Chef Russell. 😋

What I want for my Mother's Day Dinner. So I'll be
cooking. Easy Peasy.  

We love our wood stove! 

Jacob and Allissa celebrating her 24th Birthday on 
May 2nd. Such an adorable couple 💗

Looks like they had a great day from start to finish! 

Earlier this month Allissa sent this picture of them out with friends! Think
San Diego is agreeing with them 💘

Last Saturday we met John and Karen at the fairgrounds in town. There was a carnival for a few days. No, didn't go to ride the rides, but Karen was wanting a corn dog. OK, haven't had one for probably 40 years. Uh probably won't have one for another 40 years either. $9.00 (uhh) not impressive at all and way too sweet dough for me. Then a funnel cake, nope didn't happen. I've got funnel cake mix at home, I'll try. Amazing how many people were there, and it wasn't cheap! 

John and Karen headed for Gardnerville for the next few days and we watched our furry grandchildren. 

Last Sunday we enjoyed our coffee in the outdoor kitchen. Another rainy, cold day. It was lovely! Yes, I know Kountry is spelled wrong, but it's fixed now. Well, kind of....😁😂

Tomorrow we're headed to CA for one night. We'll be dropping off the bench Eric bought in Arkansas for Christina. Then on to a quick visit with Ken's mom.  Hoping Saturday we can meet with Eric, Christina and Russ and Lori along with whoever else is available for an early lunch at Old Town Pizza in Auburn. Then we'll head home. 

Grandson Adam is in the LA area for training this week. He and Erin got moved into their new home in Amador City last week. Busy life for those two right now. 

Just got home from Happy Hour next door. Time for dinner and bed, as an early morning tomorrow. Have a great day!

Leaving Arkansas, Happy Birthday Adam, Congratulations Aaron!

Well, here we go for the 2nd time. I had my blog almost done Wednesday  night and it completely disappeared! Cannot be found anywhere! 

We left Goddard, KS on Easter morning. Decided to have a shorter day and headed for Garden City, KS as our destination. We wanted to treat ourselves to a Mexican Linner there. 

Found a great restaurant that was closing at 3:00 to celebrate Easter. They got us in and the food and drink came quickly. So YUMMY and so MUCH! 

No chardonnay, but white zin worked. A huge pour!
Ken could have had a 32 ounce beer but opted for the smaller.

Food was delicious, but way too much! YUM!

Got our motel and enjoyed the evening. 

Monday we headed for Salida, CO as our destination. Such a beautiful drive across the western part of KS and then into CO along the Arkansas River. One of my most favorite parts of this trip. 

Gotta love the mountains in Colorado! 

We stayed at the cutest motel, The American Classic Inn. Very eclectic and well done. Each room is a little differently done with its own personality. It will definitely be our go to place when we do this route again. I went into the grab and go breakfast room in the am. Filled with yogurt, huge muffins, all kinds of treats along with coffee and juices. Better than most continental breakfasts at motels. 

On the 21st our oldest grandson Adam, turned 26! Talked with him for

a bit as he was in a training class this week. 

Happy 26th Adam! 💖

Tuesday our goal was Salina, Utah. Another beautiful drive in the mountains. Hardly any traffic, unlike I 40 and all those semis! I love coming into Utah. The scenery is unbelievable  once you leave Green River, UT. 

This cool picture was in the bedroom. 

Blue Mesa Lake outside Gunnison, CO 

After you leave Green River, Utah 

Wednesday's goal was Ely, NV. We stopped at Cave Lake State Park just outside Ely. We love this park. Ken and I have been several times and the grandsons too. The lake has been drained for the last couple of years for dam improvements. Filled to the brim now and so beautiful. 

Decided to have a beer and glass of champagne and enjoy the beauty

We left there and went to LaFiesta Mexican Restaurant. We had never been so wanted to try it. We won't go back, the food is loaded with salt. :( It was plentiful though. It was part of our dinner last night. 

The last time the grandsons came with us Adam, Jacob and
Seth hiked the trail that led up to those mountains 

Colorado and Utah have some beautiful mountains, but
so does our own Nevada 💖

We stayed at the Motel 6 in Ely. Newly remodeled and excellent parking for the cargo trailer. 

Thursday morning we got up and headed to the Ramada where they had a restaurant, thought we'd try them for breakfast. We won't go back. Breakfast was ok, but $14.00 for a ham and cheese omelet, strange home fries, and toast. Just too much. It took forever to get the food, and there were only about three tables with 2 people at the table. The young lady who served us was very good though. 

Hit the road and we rolled into our driveway about 14:15. Love to go, but always good to be home too! Of course we headed next door to see John and Karen along with the furry kids who were happy to see us! 

Heard some good news yesterday. Our youngest grandson, Aaron got accepted to University of California at Santa Barbara. He'll begin his new adventure in the fall. He graduates from community college later this month! Congratulations Aaron! Very proud of you! 💙💙 

It really was a great trip. Glad to get Wendy moved to her new home and hoping she enjoys her new adventure. It was great having Eric, Diane and Jesse all together in Arkansas and of course spending time with Bryan and Cheryl too. We'll be back there in October.  So many blessings, way to many to count!

Have a good night! 

 

Welcome to Arkansas Wendy, Happy 50th Eric! Heading home now!

 

Welcome to Arkansas Wendy! Jesse, Diane, Wendy and Ken

Happy 50th to our middle son Eric!! Looks like he had a wonderful birthday at Moonraker in Auburn today! Lots of his old friends turned out! 

This was an awesome turn out! Wish we could have been there too! 

It's definitely been awhile. Seems we go from boring every day stuff to a whirlwind of get'er done! 

March 28th I headed over to CA to help my sister, Wendy get ready for her move to Arkansas. Had a dumpster delivered that day. I met Diane at Wendy's as Wendy was still working. Kind of got an idea of what needed to be done and met back at the house 0800 on Saturday  Pretty much that happened for a week. Ken came over with the cargo trailer and we started loading stuff and totes for the trip. 

Friday night Russell and Lori took me out to their favorite place, The One Spot and we had some drinks and pizza. We stayed at their place until I went home the following Thursday, I think. Had some awesome tri tip, and smash burgers too. 

Sunday the 30th Linda, Chelsea and I hosted a good bye party for Wendy. It was a great turnout and party. Lots of friends she hasn't seen in forever showed up. Very special. 

Owen and my sister Linda (his grandma)

This moment got me..Wendy surprised that her friend Jeanie
came to the party. Jeanie lived up the street from us as kids.
Her mom and she gave me my wedding shower in 72. So
special as I can't remember the last time they saw each other
💖 or us too! Talked with her like it was yesterday! 

Miss Cassidy, Erin and Dusty in background.

Such a windy day! Linda, Wendy, Cassidy, me and Diane. It was a 
terribly windy day as your can tell by most of our hair!! LOL. 

Wendy and brother in law Bobby. (Linda's hubby)

Our cargo trailer loaded and ready for Arkansas

Libby, Nicki, Wendy and Steve 💙

Monday the 7th we left from our place and Wendy, Diane and Jesse left from her place to head for Kingman, AZ for the night. Wendy was taking, 5 dogs, 2 cats and bunny with her so needed a Motel 6 for the trip. 

We met them there and not a big difference in time. I made some potato salad and Ken cooked chicken on the pit boss for a few nights for everyone.  Had our dinner and everyone said good night. 

Long days but we pulled into Arkansas on the 10th as planned. We got to her house early afternoon. She had never seen it in person as she bought it online, with Bryan and Cheryl looking at it in person. it's a cute house and great size for her and the animals. 

Once Eric got there he went to work on her lighting in the 
kitchen. It wasn't working. We got some new lights and he
covered the old. It turned out awesome. We all like the tin
roof, gives it an industrial look they were obviously going for,
but this looks so much better and gives off more light. Good
 thing he likes to keep busy. LOL. 

Ken explaining to Wendy how her new drill works. Might take
more instruction. 😂

We enjoyed a good week with Bryan and Cheryl. Wendy's house is less than 10 minutes away from B and C. Our son Eric arrived by plane on the 10th too. Diane and Jesse were there, so we all had a great time. Eric left on the 16th, flying home. 

Eric and Ken at Bryan and Cheryl's 

Ken, Cheryl and Wendy

Champagne Sunday in Arkansas. Bloody Mary's and my 
champagne. 

Eric found this bench to take home to Christina. Nice 
souvenir don't ya think?! 

Bryan and Cheryl's home. 

We dropped Diane at the rental car place in Searcy. So we
went shopping. Wendy found these pics and Bryan came over 
and hung them for her. 

One of her pups, Scamp. He's a sweetie. 

Mason's bull horns he made for Wendy. 

I loved this sign and thought it was perfect for Wendy! 

Bryan fixing a few posts in the deck fencing 💙

We left on the 18th and spent the night in Joplin, MO. This morning we got up and left about 1000. About 30 minutes later Ken asked if our pills were in the back seat? Nope. Turns out he left them in the closet of the motel. So we turned around. About 1200 we were back on the road, after getting gas and ice too. 

We didn't make it where we wanted but spending tonight in Goddard, KS just west of Wichita. We will see what tomorrow brings. Not in a huge hurry, like coming to Arkansas. 

Have a great night. WE had rain all day and now a little more.