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! 

A Wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

 

Our Mother's Day lunch on Saturday. 
John, Aaron, Ken, Eric, Russell, Mason, Amber, 
Christina, Seth, Me, Lori 💖💖 So glad to
have us all together. Missed the ones that weren't
able to be there! So blessed with this family of ours! 💙

Friday morning, May 9th we left home and headed over the hill to drop off the bench Eric bought in Arkansas for Christina. No one was home but we left it on the side of the house. Then we headed to Carmichael, CA and Ken's mom's house. We knew we wouldn't be there for Mother's Day and wanted to see her. We got there somewhere around 1130. 

Ken with his mom (almost 97 1/2). Beautiful isn't she?! 💗

Jesse went over on Mother's Day to drink Margaritas with
Grandma. She only had one, Jesse a few more LOL. 💙

We had a really nice visit and we all left around 1400. She went  to her hair appointment and us to see our friend KC. After a quick stop by his work, we all met out at his house in Rio Linda. We visited with his wife, Sierra before he got home. 

We had a nice visit, not too long as he still had work for himself to get done. A very busy family for sure! 

Russell had texted and said they were going to be home and cooking smash burgers for dinner. Yay! Thought we might miss them until later in the evening. 

Smash Burgers!!

We had a very enjoyable evening and great food too! John and Andrea stopped by after I had already gone to bed. Too much wine and food! 😁

Saturday morning we took our time getting ready and before you knew it, time to head for Old Town Pizza in Auburn, CA. They open at 1100 and we were right on time. So happy that everyone turned out that could. 💙💗 We had a lovely couple of hours there, with great food, drink and company. 💖💖

Before you knew it, time to head home as we still had a 3 hour drive or so. 

Of course once we got home, time to head next door for a couple of adult beverages. 🍻🍷

A beautiful old cart John and Karen filled with flowers! 

Sunday was Mother's Day and Champagne Sunday. Bryan called first about 0830 and then Eric and Russell later in the day. I did want pizza and smash burgers. Since we just had them over the last few days, changed it up to quesadillas and Papa Burger for brunch and dinner.  Both were excellent! Enjoyed in the outdoor kitchen, of course. 

We've had crazy winds for days now! Cooler temps too.  

Papa burgers on a low carb bun. No guilt LOL. 1/2 pound
burger that I can only eat half. Other half enjoyed on another
day! 

We did go next door later in the day to see how Karen's day had been. 

Monday was spent at home just getting things done. 

Yesterday Ken had a dermatologist appointment in Carson City. It went well, she removed two moles from his head and sent them to pathology. Froze a few spots on his arm and hands. Working in the sun all your life, tends to take a toll. He'll got back in 6 months. 

After that a stop at Walmart (groceries) and Lowe's for a few things.

 WE've decided to change out the bar top in the outdoor kitchen. Everyone who wrote on it on our 50th Anniversary has faded and because of the sun the wood has gotten splintery. So, the stop at Lowe's. 

Then we headed to Reno and a Total Wine pickup.  Then it's linner time so we decided to stop at Miguel's for some excellent Mexican food. YUM! Then home and Happy Hour. Boy these days go so quickly! 

Beautiful succulents from Russell and Lori. If only I can
keep them alive! 🙏🤞

Hanging on our front porch! 💕

Tomorrow morning we're heading back over the hill for a quick 

trip. We'll drop off the 2nd shower head for KC and then we're 

going by to visit Lori and Christina's Uncle Tom, one of the nicest

men you'll ever meet. 💙

It'll be a quick trip, with us spending the night in Carson City. Friday we'll

go by Lowe's and finish getting what we need for the bar top. Then the weekend once again! 

Have a great night. 

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!