Time in CA with Aaron, Russell and Lori in Nashville, Dinner with grandkids :) Father's Day, white water rafting for Erin's bday

I'm here at our son Russell's house in Antelope, Ca. Aaron had ACL surgery not quite 3 weeks ago. Russell and Lori are in Nashville, TN with friends John and Andrea to celebrate Andrea's 50th Birthday. Russell asked me if I wouldn't mind coming over while they're gone as Aaron is pretty immobile right now. Of course I said sure! 

Yesterday's dinner crew, Kenna, Aaron, Seth, Mason and Chloe 💗

They left Saturday morning very early, and I got here around 1200. In time to make lunch. After a bit I ran over to my sister Linda's house to see Owen and Cassidy. No pictures though :(. Talked with Dusty and Chelsea too. They were ordering pizza so I tagged on to their order and brought one home for Aaron and me. YUM! 

I think they're enjoying! Russell, Lori, Andrea and John! 💖

Sunday morning, just about 1030 Ken got here. It was up in the air whether he'd come, but glad he did. We had champagne Sunday and enjoyed their back patio as the afternoon was nice. A simple meal of Winco chicken and salads for dinner. 

Monday he headed back home after stopping at Lowe's  in Carson City to pick up some more wood for the expansion.  He is getting side tracked too as John has a project too that Ken is helping with. 

Sunday I invited Seth and Mason if they wanted to come by I'd fix them dinner on Monday.  As a nice surprise Chloe and Kenna came too. 💗Spent the morning making enchiladas, coleslaw and rice. Ice cream sundaes for dessert if they  wanted them. Totally enjoyed the visit! 

Today, I ran to Walmart for a few groceries (again lol) got back and Aaron was up so he had a late French Toast breakfast. It's been egg sandwiches the last couple, so nice he wanted a change. 

I'll be here until Thursday morning. Russell and Lori will be home Thursday too. Always enjoy any time I get with grandsons! :) 

Last week Adam came to visit from Tuesday until Friday morning when he left for work from our house. We definitely enjoyed that visit too! He went camping Sunday evening after work, then hiking Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday evening about 1700 he was at our place. 💙

Beautiful sunset in Yerington 

Adam at the beginning of the expansion 

One picture from his hike. Looks so much better on 
his I Phone. 

Erin's 26th Birthday was June 2nd and she spent that in Florida visiting a friend. Adam booked a white water rafting adventure for June 4th for the both of them. They lucked out and they were the only ones booked that day, so it was more like a private adventure with their guide. There was a raft behind them for trainee guides. Some great pictures were gotten. 

They will be doing it again! They loved it! 

Eric had a nice Father's Day with his boys, Seth and Mason

That's a pond near Eric's house. 

Father's Day Champagne Sunday in Antelope, CA 

Just doing that half to start, roof is on now the leveling of
the ground for pavers. 

Won't take long and the wood will darken from the sun.

Pictures are in the wrong order but this was beginning

Well, time to get this posted and start on dinner. Tonight's meal is ham, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. Aaron's request. Seth will be stopping by too. 💖

Have a great night! 

Champagne Sunday, Ken's cataract surgery, A new project, Congratulations Seth and Mason on new careers!

It's the 5th of June already! I swear this year is going by way too quickly. 

Last Sunday the 1st of June found us inside for Champagne Sunday. It was just too hot to brave the outdoor kitchen. We did enjoy the stock tank later in the day though. 

Exactly what we're doing! 

We decided on bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches for our brunch.  That was something we hadn't had in forever and definitely enjoyed! 

BLT's 

Our view from the stock tank! 

Our Christmas gift from Eric and Christina. Works quickly
and kept up with ice! It matches my kitchen too 😊

Tuesday morning we left here for Reno and the opthamologist's surgery center in Reno. Ken was having his cataract surgery. He had his left eye done years ago in Sacramento while we were still working, so only one eye for him. 

His appointment time was 1330. Once they called him back it seems like it took no time and we were ready to leave at just about 1500. I picked him up and we headed straight for Betsy's diner in Carson City. He hadn't had anything to eat or drink since before midnight. I had water, but I didn't eat either. 

Had our delicious meals and then headed for the Days Inn where we like to stay. He had a follow up appointment on Wednesday morning so we decided why drive home just to turn around in the am. 

Wednesday morning we enjoyed hard boiled eggs and toast I brought from  home in the motel room. His appointment was 1130.  Took the scenic route to Reno from Carson. 

Everything was good with his appointment so he'll go back in a month. We left there to pick up an order from Total Wine. After that we headed to Minden, stopped at Tractor Supply to buy some more weed killer.  

Karen got me this towel. So true of our Total Wine stops! 
hahaha. 

The weeds are horrible this year (so are my allergies). We've sprayed 4 times and probably need another one. We paid $55.99 for 2 1/2 gallons of concentrate. During COVID years it was $119.00 for the exact same kind! 

After that we hit Raley's for his prescriptions and then to Sharkey's for their famous fish tacos for him. LOL. A nice drive home and then Happy Hour next door. 

Today we're home, he's got the car hauler on the concrete to get the side boards off and get it ready to head for Home Depot / Lowes  tomorrow. 

I've been saying since we built the outdoor kitchen that I wished we'd have made it about 4 foot bigger, so I could leave a table set up other than just when there's company. Well, we can't add on sideways, but we can come out about 5 more feet. So, because he loves me, he's doing a new project that I'm sure he's not crazy about doing. It won't be easy as our land is not flat, the kitchen inside is,  but that took some work, lots of work. He's perfectly happy with the way the kitchen is now. I am too...but...😊. We'll (he'll) start with a 5x10 area and see about adding the rest after this is done. Maybe, maybe not. Always a project as a happy homeowner. 😊 S

tarting Monday grandsons Seth and Mason will be joining the ranks of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union entering their apprenticeship! Very proud grandparents here! Congratulations Seth and Mason! 😍👏👏

Have a great evening! Happy Hour here in Nevada in a bit. 🍺🍷

A wonderful weekend full of surprises and family!

Friday the 23rd I texted grandson Aaron to tell him Happy Graduation as he has completed 2 years at Sierra College. In the Fall he'll be going to Santa Barbara for the last two years he'll need for his career in finance. At the end of our texting he said "See you tomorrow". I knew Seth and Mason planned on coming but that was a nice surprise! 💗

Diane and Jesse got here on Friday right around lunch time. Glad they came as Jesse had a tough week. We enjoyed getting caught up and in the evening had a nice fire going and more conversation. 

Saturday morning I made breakfast in our indoor kitchen, figuring when people got here I'd be cooking outside. Seth had texted me about 0630 saying he was on his way. Seth and Aaron all got here within 1/2 hour or so with Aaron arriving first. It's about 3 1/2 or 4 hours from where they all live in CA. Mason had to work so he didn't get here until evening. 

I was in the kitchen finishing up some enchiladas for dinner and see this white small car pulling into the driveway. I could see it was a Nissan. Oh my goodness! It's Eric our son! We had no idea he was coming, sounded like he didn't know it either until earlier in the day. He could only stay one night but sure made our day! 

So once I finished up getting dinner ready, outside we went to the kitchen and were having Happy Hour together. All of a sudden I hear "Hey Grandma, it's Happy Hour can we do Happy Hour?" What???!!!! I look and it's Jacob and Allissa!!! It's our Sailor who came all the way from San Diego to surprise us!!!! Tears?? No none, right!  

The first picture, Jacob did a toast to the good company of family. 💙

Russell had gifted this bottle of Pendleton Whisky Military Edition to Jacob.
That's what was used for the toast 💖

                                               

WOW! Such a great surprise!! We caught up and enjoyed Happy Hour all weekend! Russell and Lori had been down there visiting and Jacob and Allissa made the decision to come up. He had texted his cousins asking what they were doing for Memorial Weekend. So, they've all known for a couple of weeks they were coming and no one spilled the beans! 

Jesse enjoying the fire 💙

Diane 💕

Eric and Seth💙

Jacob! 💙

Aaron, Allissa, Jacob💙

Seth 💙

Eric left on Sunday after breakfast. He had to work on Monday. Breakfast was made in the outdoor kitchen. I had my champagne Sunday pretty much by myself, after all if I'm cooking needed a little kick. 😂 We had a late Saturday night too! haha. 

Diane and Jesse left then too, as Jesse had a wedding to attend. 

Pretty much laid back day, just the way it should be when you have company! We all did go over and visit with Mugsy and Lila. John and Karen were camping for the weekend so we (Ken) were dog sitting. Once it cooled off we had another nice fire and some adult beverages with everyone back at our house. 

I knew the kids would want to leave early as it's a good 8 to 9 hour drive and they were stopping to get some lunch in Big Pine. I made breakfast outdoors and then they loaded up and left. Seth and Mason followed soon after. Actually, everyone was gone a little after 0900. 

Ken decided it was a good day to have Champagne Monday, since he didn't partake on Sunday. Who am I to argue? We enjoyed the day, mostly in the outdoor kitchen. I did get it cleaned up, so I did do something. LOL. 

John and Karen were home so in the afternoon went over there to catch up  on their trip to Virginia City. 

Today was a good day, warm and warmer this week. Ken cleaned and got the stock tank ready for summer. He planted a couple of plants we got at Lowe's last week. 

Russell and Lori had a wedding to attend on Sunday of their good friend Steve and his lady "Sunshine". Russell was actually the "officiant" so he married them. The wedding was held in the Santa Rosa area. 

💙

Russell in pants! He's always in shorts year round! 💙

Russell and Lori all dressed up for the wedding 💗

On the way home they stopped to visit my Dad and Mom
Popo and Ma  the kids called them 💙😢. 

Eric and Christina sent this for Mother's Day. I have to say Grandma's garden was certainly full this last weekend. Minus one grandson. How blessed are we to have this beautiful family of ours, including our Allissa. I still tear up thinking of how they all kept a secret, and were here all together to enjoy the weekend.  Jesse and Diane too. My heart is just overflowing with LOVE! 

Well, time to get this posted, Happy Hour on the horizon!🍷🍺

Armed Forces Day in Hawthorne, NV, Working at home, Russell and Lori visit kids in San Diego, A sweet surprise in the mail

 Last Saturday morning we left here around 0800 and headed for Hawthorne, NV about 50 miles from here. We were headed to the Armed Forces Day celebration they hold every year.  

The grandstand for judging. 

Yes, it was a little windy

It was about 0900 when we got there, so we walked around a bit and then headed inside of El Capitan a casino and restaurant. We headed to the bar for a morning adult beverage. 

After that we headed back outside and walked the street. We ended  up at the VFW where we usually like to visit on this day. Headed down the street about 1100 to wait for the parade to start. We're usually at the other end of town, but decided to do something different this year. 

At 1130 they presented the meaning of the flag, done by boy scouts and the Elks of Hawthorne. Very interesting, but I think we'll skip it next year. 

The parade began at 1200. Very patriotic town. I didn't take many pictures, since we've been several years now. 

This monster is in it every year. Save Walker Lake

We loved this one! 💖

We enjoyed our time and after the parade we went into El Capitan to have linner before coming home. A very good day. 

Great pours and prices! Food was really yummy too! 

Sunday, of course was Champagne Sunday that was spent in the outdoor kitchen. It was cool so we had a fire going. We made delicious pizza and enjoyed that for brunch. Marinated pork, corn on the cob and cauliflower rice for dinner. 

Oh so yummy! 

In between we took a can am ride up into the BLM. Cool, but nice. 

Monday we were home all day. Some deep cleaning being done inside and Ken worked on the new bar top in the outdoor kitchen. :) 

Got this beautiful bag in the mail from Eric and Christina for
Mother's Day. It got stuck in LA for a bit...

The bar top we're replacing with tile. 

The bar is only 6 foot long, but this will be so much
easier to clean. Great job Ken! 💖

Tuesday and Wednesday, home again which is nice. Ken got the concrete board and tile down on the bar top. I started on cleaning the house windows inside and out. Today was on the ladder, but luckily they're not too high. 

Ken got the tile grouted and it looks awesome! Now, to come up with a new project for the hubby. 😃

Russell and Lori left on Friday to spend a few days in San Diego visiting Jacob and Allis. Few pictures here! 

The proud parents, Russell and Lori 💗

Russell, Jacob, Allissa and Lori 

Russell, Jacob and Lori 

Allissa and Lori 

I am sure they had an amazing time, probably not long enough! 

Tomorrow we're heading out to get a new ceiling fan for the living room and groceries.  We've got a couple of grandsons coming to visit on the weekend! 😀 

Happy Hour! 🍺🍷 Have a great night!