Another catch up..Christmas lights, snow, Quick CA trip, Christmas Parade

 Well, here we are again it's Sunday afternoon.  Spent the morning baking again some muffins for Ken as this week we'll be gone on a few day trips so this was the best day to do it! 

The week flew by with a one day turnaround trip to CA for Ken to do a little project for Bryan and Cheryl.  Actually went quickly and after a few hours we were headed home again.  We took clothes to stay the night if needed but we didn't.  

Got some wrapping done for Christmas and some more online shopping, but I'm getting there. I need one trip to Ross or TJ Maxx to finish up. 

Ken got the outside lights up and I'm loving it! 

I love this, we can see it from our couch and our bedroom! 😊

Bunkhouse and outhouse all lit up! 😍

The front of the house 💙

We did get a nice surprise earlier in the week 

By late afternoon most of it was gone..still some on the hills though...

Cheryl gave this to me for my birthday when we were over there...LOVE IT! 

Each little tiny bead is placed by her...LOTS more patience than I could ever have!
Ken got a really nice knife from them too.  Give Ken a new knife or flashlight he's a happy camper! 😀

I sent a few of our really old (vintage) ornaments to Seth and Holly with the story about each ornament. I also sent a tree skirt I made about 45 years ago.  We used to use it, but since my mom passed I used the one I made her the first year we were married. 50 Christmas's under its belt. I included some new ornaments too, just because. 

Seth called to thank me so we had a nice conversation too. We'll see them at Christmas along with Jacob too. 

These old buildings are located just a few miles from our house. Looks like a small Bodie..

Not this one LOL..

We were curious the story..too bad it's behind a fence with no trespassing signs

Not until I was posting pictures did I see this ...I would have taken a better picture
had I have seen this sign..LOL The town of Bezberg..is preserved in the state of arrested decay in honor of all the Nevada miners, past and present. I looked on the
internet but nothing about it...

At least hope some field trips are allowed there

Yesterday we watched the Navy/Army game and Navy won!! YAY! It was actually a pretty good game. 

Then we headed for town about 1700 for the Festival of Lights Parade. It didn't disappoint, love how many come out for the parade both to watch and participate. The only disappointment was Santa was riding inside a truck at the end so it was hard to see him. Probably would have done better with my cell phone, but here's a few for an idea..just a little small town Christmas! 

We've been home all day today.  Ken's working on firewood and I did some cleaning, baking and wrapping gifts listening to Christmas music all day long 😍

Tomorrow we plan on heading to Fallon, just a little over an hour away  to check out a vintage, antique, collectible store. Never know what I might find LOL. 

Supposed to be a storm coming in so we'll see! I know my Canadian friends and others don't want to hear it, but I'm hoping for snow!! 

Have a great evening! 

A sweet memory of my daddy, Jacob calls from Italy, Happy Birthday Linda, Surprise gift in the mail :)

 I'm starting this on Monday evening but know it won't get done until Tuesday morning.  We're watching "It's a wonderful life" and Ken's on the phone with our oldest son, Bryan 💙

Big news of the weekend is grandson Jacob called me from Italy and we talked for an hour and a half!  Such a great conversation! He will be home for Christmas, but has a very busy schedule! His sweetie, Allissa got them tickets to the Raiders game in Las Vegas the day after Christmas! Then we went next door for Happy Hour. 

Ken got lights up out front Sunday and I did some baking.  Just about out of goodies, but I took care of that!  We had left over enchiladas and coleslaw for dinner that were yummy.  

My sister Linda's birthday was December 4th..Happy Birthday baby sister! 

December 5th 31 years ago we lost my dad unexpectedly..😭 Daddy and I used to eat a bag of peanut clusters easily, especially during the holidays LOL. Yes we did!  Yesterday I made peanut clusters in his memory 💖💖 Of course these are sugar free with Lilly's chips..OMG are they good! 

Taking picture of a picture...Daddy, me on the left, Wendy 

Mom and Daddy at my sisters wedding 

This is how I always remember Daddy💖

Ken's almond flour morning glory muffins...

If you knew my dad he was always happy, never had a bad word to say about anyone, proud to be a Veteran, always smiling and loved his 3 girls and my mom to the moon and back.  Then when grandsons started popping up, he was the proudest grandpa (Popo) ever!! These Daddy's girls still miss him like it was yesterday. 

Monday, Ken worked on more lights outside. I did a little shopping online and made cabbage lasagne for dinner! YUM!

Got the sweetest early birthday present from Christina and family in the mail. I LOVE them! 

Left is I love my sailor and right is Marine MOM because I always am..
Once a Marine always a Marine 💙

Ken's got an early dentist appointment this morning (Tuesday) and then I'll meet him in town for breakfast 😋 Not sure what the rest of the day holds, but going way too quickly! Have a great one! 

Happy 70th Ken! Walker River State Park camping, home again :)

 I asked Ken what he wanted to do for his birthday earlier this week. Talked about a few things such as going to Tonopah to stay in the Clown Motel (on our bucket list) but we also know some of the family would like to do that too.  We decided to head for Walker River State Park and take the Can AM out for a few days.  The afternoons have been spectacular, so we figured we could bundle up and be just fine with the wind chill. 

Loaded up for fun!

View from the campsite

We headed out on Wednesday getting to the campground nearing 1300. It's only about 30 minutes from our house. We each got our chores done and were having lunch around 1330. There were only 4 other campers in our campground. Nice. Of course mornings are about 24 degrees, might be keeping some away. LOL. 

We ended up just staying at camp on Wednesday enjoying the sunshine and once the sun started to set we had a really nice fire. 

They have huge campsites and hookups for 2 vehicles at each site..

They've got some restoration projects going on at the park..

Start of a fire Wednesday night 

Ken got calls from everyone. Friends and family alike. Best gifts he could have gotten.  💙 He got lots of wishes on FB too, even though he doesn't FB, they were on my page. 

Later in the evening he barbecued some awesome cheeseburgers that he had with homemade potato salad and I had coleslaw. YUMMY! We probably enjoyed the evening too much but you only turn 70 once right?! 

Thursday morning we got up around 0730 or so. It's 24 degrees outside so no hurry to get out.  Warmed quickly and after showers and breakfast around 1000 we sat outside and enjoyed the warmth.  Well, it's the day after his birthday so we drank some brunch time champagne.  Heck with the orange juice. LOL. 

                                             Champagne anyone??

About 1300 we took off in the CanAM.  Ken headed for a tower that we pass on the way into the park. Beautiful view from up there! Then we headed out on one of the roads we haven't been on before and about 22 miles later it was time to head back. Sun was lowering and it was getting cold, instead of cool. 

Saw this swing target made out of cans and a chair..pretty cool. 

One of our destinations today..

Love the view!

So many roads to explore..

Mason Valley, NV

Time for another fire and some adult beverages.  Brandy and eggnog were on the list. Glad that's only a couple of times in December drink. LOL. Yummy! Ken barbecued some chicken for dinner and the same sides as last night. 

This morning it was time to get ready to go home.  We didn't get up until nearing 0800.  Coffee, breakfast, showers etc and we left around 1245 or so. Nice slow morning. 

Once we got home, unloaded Nellie, cleaned the sand out of her and we're ready to go again. Nice couple of days away from home. If we stayed home Ken would have to have found something to do, this way he could do nothing and not feel guilty.  LOL. 

Grandson Adam called this morning. He had a week long academy so now he's qualified to fight wild land fires if he chooses too. Sounded very strenuous and physical! He got a paycheck too for taking the academy! Very proud of him! 

Earlier this week we got our Christmas tree up! Nothing makes me happier than our Christmas tree.  It's quirky and every ornament on it means something special. Got the rest of the inside of the house decorated too. Next up, outside Christmas lights (Ken)...

Traditional Brandy and Egg Nog when decorating the tree...

               Our star at the top..Eric made this in Kindergarten..He's 46 now 💙

We've got a nice fire going in the house, so think this is where we'll stay tonight. Just about happy Hour time for me.  Have a great evening.