Thanksgiving, friends, decorating, Christmas shopping

All decorated 💗 The tree skirt I made 50 years  ago
for my mom and dad 💖

Egg nog and brandy 

 Last Wednesday we got everything loaded up and were out the door around 0900 or so.  We headed over the hill via Highway 50 to Fair Oaks and my sister Linda's house where we unloaded the ice chests.  Then we headed towards the motel in Rocklin, CA.  We were settled in our room around 1500. 

Thursday morning, after eating hard boiled eggs and toast I brought from home we headed back to Linda's where Ken dropped me off and he headed out to KC's house for a little visiting. His yearly tradition. 

K.C and Sierra's daughter Rylee Mae and grandson Jed 💙💗 

Between Linda and I we proceeded to take over the kitchen and dining area, heating up foods etc. Her kitchen always looks so nice when we walk in and POOF it's full of food and no counter space LOL. 

People started arriving around 1100 and continued on. It was a really nice afternoon, visiting with family and friends. Eating way too much food! We were gifted with early birthday presents from our kids! A surprise to say the least 💗

Russell and Melissa 

Melissa and me, I've wanted to meet her for awhile 💙

Russell, Lori, John and Andrea

Jesse and Aaron💙

Adam and his mom Cheryl 💙

Adam

My sister, Wendy 💗

Tasha and Jesse

Diane

Wendy's husband Shawn 

Princess Cassidy 

Christina and Eric 💙

Thought I got pictures of most people..but I'm missing alot :( 

Around 1600 we headed over to Ken's mom's house for a visit (I didn't get a picture :(  We visited a while and then headed for the motel. 

It was dark and we're both not crazy about driving after dark. Russell was having his friends over and smoking a turkey. He had invited us to come over and spend the night. On the way to the motel Ken asked if we wanted to surprise him by showing up. I said sure, he got off the freeway but I mentioned I needed to get my jammies. Well, somehow after getting off, we actually weren't sure where we were. The motel is right off the freeway but we had to find the right road..uhhh. Laughable really as we spent most of life in the area. Night time sure makes a difference! 

Friday morning we took our time getting ready and heading out. We decided to stop at Edelweiss Restaurant in Auburn. One of our most favorite places to eat when we're in town. It was packed with people! As we were finishing our brunch Paul and Lisa Hatten walked into the restaurant. Hugs all around and a little chit chat. Lisa was friends with our boys growing up! Always one of my favorite girls! Her hubby is a sweetie too! 💙

Nice drive home, up I80 which isn't our favorite because of big rigs. We were home in the afternoon and got unloaded. John had a fire going, so over we went. They had tons of left overs so we enjoyed that with her family.  

Saturday we watched a little college football together and then got ready that afternoon to decorate the tree. 😊 That involves egg nog and brandy along with the Christmas movie "The Night They Saved Christmas". Tradition you know! 

Karen sent this picture of Mugsy and Lila. John had just lit
the fire so the pups were waiting for us to come through the gate
We didn't, because it was tree decorating night 😪

Sunday was a day for online shopping and doing some cleaning. Ken was outside putting lights in a tree so Karen is able to enjoy them from her house. He put up the new tree we bought for outside and then to my surprise he put lights on the outdoor kitchen! He made this girl happy! 😂💖

Later in the day we headed next door for Happy Hour and to see the pups! 

Today we headed to Reno for a Total Wine pick up. Carson City and Lowe's for a pick up. Then to Betsy's for linner. A great day! The winds were up so we stopped by Karen's store to check on her Christmas decorations on the roof..well, not anymore. We let them know, so they headed over with a ladder to get them down. 

Ken got a special early birthday call from our friends Al and Irene in Florida! They'll be in Amsterdam on his birthday so decided to sing to him early! 💙 I talked with son Bryan for awhile 💙

Once more, Thank you Ken for quitting smoking 34 years ago on November 22nd! He quit and figured he'd be spending the $$ no matter what. He puts $100.00 a month into a special account and on Thanksgiving he gives it to me to spend on NOTHING BUT CHRISTMAS! 34 years ago we didn't have a lot of $$, but I had to spend it on Christmas!💙🎅

Stole this from FB..because it's a cute pic of Russell and Lori 💕

We're home, it's 36 feels like 30 going for 18 overnight. Brrr..but we're nice and toasty inside with a nice fire going. 

Have a great night! 

Home is where you park it! A great Thanksgiving and shopping with my sisters

 We got here to Cal Expo RV Park on Wednesday afternoon around 1400. The park is pretty empty considering how crowded it's been in the past. WE had a late lunch and then Ken did his thing unhooking and hooking up.  

We brought our Patriot Wreath to enjoy while we're traveling..In honor of my

Daddy! 💙

Cal Expo RV Park

The rest of the day was basically spent inside watching a couple of movies. The best was The Santa Chronicles 2 with Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn. A must watch if you have Net Flix.  

Thursday morning we had planned on being at Russell's right around noon. Ken left to visit our friend Casey in Rio Linda, a yearly tradition for them :) I stayed at the Mansion and finished up the appetizers.  Deviled eggs, sausage balls and rolled wraps. 

We got to Russell and Lori's house near 1230.  Had a wonderful visit with them both, Aaron made an appearance about 1300 and stayed in the living room with us. 

Lori working hard...😊

Lori got busy putting things together making mashed potatoes, stuffing and a fresh green bean cheesy casserole. Rolls and pies to finish it off. She refused to let me help so I chatted with her while she did all the work. It was her first time doing a Thanksgiving dinner because they usually visited where ever we were. We hosted for many years at our house in Colfax, then my sister has done it for the rest of the time. 

The highlight of the afternoon, Russell had Jacob call so we could FaceTime him from Italy! It was awesome and he looks so good! You can tell he's been working out!

Russell smoked a turkey and a ham. Both were excellent. Once it was finished around 1730 or so we sat down to eat an incredible meal. It was really nice just to sit and enjoy each other's company and catching up 💙

Russell carving up the turkey..

Someone's plate (I forget who lol)

Dad and Russell enjoying a drink and conversation 💙

Allissa stopped by to visit for a bit 💗

Aaron 💙 Gotta love that smile!

I thought this was so cute..Lori catching a little nap..Well deserved!! 

Ken talking with his mom..looks comfy doesn't he?!

We stayed a while longer and nearing 2000 we left to head back to the trailer. Thanks so much for having us 💖💖😍

My alarm was set for 0330 but around 0200 I was wide awake. I laid there awhile and then got up, coffee started.  We were out the door about 0415. Ken took me to my sister's house so we could do some Black Friday shopping. A tradition that started back when we were kids. Wendy, Tasha, Linda, Chelsea and I headed for Walmart out in Roseville.  Pleasantly surprised, even with the 25 percent limit we went immediately in. Very few people and no waiting in line. 

From there we headed for Galleria Mall in Roseville. We walked down to the Disney Store just as it was opening at 0700.  We got in there and out pretty easily. Then towards Penney's and no problem. As I was looking over the railing I could see a bunch of people waiting in line for a Lululamon Store..wow! Never would I wait just to spend my $$. Either it was easy in and easy out or lines.  No thank you!

All those people are in line for one store.. against the wall they were waiting 

to get inside another store.

Seth brought 4 Marines home with him for Thanksgiving 💜💙 Looks like you need a feast to feed them with and they had one! 

Yum!

Seth 💙

We left there and decided to see about finding a restaurant to have breakfast (also tradition).  I found out there was one near Fair Oaks that was open and had tents set up outside with heaters. Ok. 

As it turns out we didn't make it there today as we passed a restaurant that Ken and I had been to several years ago. It has actually been there a long time. I could see they had a tent up, but no people inside. I parked and walked inside. There were people at the bar area and people at tables. "Are you open?" She said, "We're not supposed to be, but yes" Ok I gave her a thumbs up and said "We've got 5".  Nice place, great food! I won't name it now, as there are people who would turn her in, apparently that happened before.  

On the way out I talked with her and she said the place had been open since 19**. The last shut down almost did them in, now with 25 percent capacity and no inside dining, this would be the last straw for them..they would have to shut down forever. This is what the Governors are doing to small business. What a shame. Right before this restaurant I saw one other that appeared to have people inside. Good for them! Won't name that one either.

After breakfast we headed to Chelsea's to drop her off and a quick visit with Dusty, Jesse (they were going for a hike), and of course, Owen and Little Cassidy 💙💗

From there back to Linda's. I unloaded my treasures into Wendy's car and she drove me home to the Mansion.  

Spent some time cleaning up and relaxing. Ken is at Russell's helping with the bathroom remodel. Tomorrow we head for Winnemucca.

Have a great afternoon! Happy Hour Time, Hubby's home!