Visiting the California Kids

I have been hoarding our tax return so

we could make a trip to see our California

kids as soon as an opportunity presented itself...

and blessed Utah Pioneer Day made it possible!

I had Monday, July 25 off and with never working

Fridays...I jumped at the chance....4 days off!!

(In fact, I even took one more day and took

Thursday too!) Five glorious days to spend

with the kids I see the least....

That's right....he REALLY is this cute!

Brig has grown by leaps and bounds

since I last saw him.

Good news...he still liked us!

Paige, Brig, Asher and I made our way to

the Windsor Farmer's Market while

the men were golfing.

They live in a delightful place!

One day we drove out to Guerneville where

the Williams kids vacationed in the 60's.

We found Howard's old place and

did a little walk down memory lane!

Then we wandered down to the Russian River

at Johnson's Beach where we all

enjoyed a wonderful afternoon on the water.

This place is like stepping back in time...

it has a board walk, a beach, canoe rentals,

inner tubes, umbrella rentals, paddle boats,

a snack shack where you can buy

hamburgers for $2 and ice cream for $1.

Some one forgot to tell them they are in California

and they are supposed to raise their prices!!!

Poor Miranda was recovering from a TERRIBLE

allergic reaction to Benedryl that just about

sent her to the hospital. It took her several

days to get back to her usual self!

It was a terrific time and we could have done it

all over again the next day!

Nate and Paige had a business dinner/overnighter

in the city so we got to keep Brig overnight.

Bryce and Lisa hosted us for a BBQ

at their new home. Brig and Champ were

our entertainment!!

Great food, great company, great evening!

Windsor has a town green and they were

doing Shakespeare on the Green so we

met up there one night. Brig joined us until

Mike and Nate finished golf and then he went home

to bed with Daddy....

Bryce and Lisa came fully prepared with

table, chairs and refreshment!

It was a three man show and absolutely delightful!

Fun, fun evening....

As always, it comes to an end WAY, WAY too fast!

We met up for lunch at this wonderful french cafe

before we had to catch our flight home.

Miranda in her Annie Hall look...

wish like everything that I lived closer to this girl!

We tried to fit Brig in Mike's suitcase and

he was a willing participant.

But Paige said NO...

Here he is chillin' on the way to the airport in

my sunglasses and Grandpa's headset.

He is one delightful and charming little man.

Who told these kids it was okay to move away????

Until next time...

LOVE YOU, MY CALIFORNIA KIDS!!

XOXOXOXO

Brad's Movie Night....BRILLIANT!!

Brad has been saying for some time now

that he wanted to have "Movie Night" for

family home evening at our house.

We were okay with the idea, so

Brooke brought down her back-drop

and Brad put together his HD projector

and sound system. All the littles brought

out blankets and pillows and Nannie

provided lots of treats.

We all agree....this was the BEST family

home evening idea we have had in ages!!

The kids had a blast and we all thoroughly

enjoyed it. We watch "Despicable Me"

and the littles laughed and laughed and

laughed some more.

They were free to roam and eat and

cuddle and play and watch at will.

The fire pit was going on the other side of the yard

and s'more making was going on as well.

This was a GREAT event. We wanted to

do it again the next night.

Brilliant...really!!

Thanks Brad and Brooke for all the

effort of putting this together.

When can we do it again???

XOXO

Tucker and the All-Stars

Last week Tucker was playing in the

All-Star Tournament in Cedar City.

His team had been kicking bums and

taking names, winning most of their games

by the 10 point rule (ten runs ahead and you win!).

He even made it into the St. George paper for his

first press clipping!!

They were undefeated and playing in the finals...

so we loaded up Grandma Billie and decided

to make a day trip of it.

This is his team ... 11 and 12 year olds so he is one of

the younger ones. Bob is the assistant coach.

Truth be known, Tucker doesn't play as much as

he would like or should (if you ask us!).

He was available to pitch the WHOLE tournament

and was never called upon...criminal, really!

In between innings he was able to visit

with his fan club. (Connie and Lyle and

Amy and her crew were all there too. )

As it turned out, Tucker's team had a bad day.

They lost and then had to play the same team

immediately after since it was double elimination.

Wouldn't you know when your WHOLE fan club

comes, your team stinks it up?

Regardless, he played well and I would have

traveled twice as far to see him.

Grandma Billie was about done in....but

she loves baseball where ever it is played.

I think Tucker took the losses better than

Bob. Oh well, wait until next year when he

is a 12 year old!!! They will clean their plows!

And you better believe I will be there to see it...

Love you, Tucker!

XOXO

60 ROCKS!!!

FINALLY.....

I am getting around to posting about

my Sweetie's fabulous

60th Birthday party!

The girls and I put our heads

together and decided to throw a

surprise birthday bash for

Mike. Well, the surprise thing didn't

work out that great, but the

birthday bash party was a HUGE

success! I couldn't have done

it without the girls. Even Paige

contributed with great decorating ideas

from Cali and Robyn came up from

St. George to help pull it all off.

It was all done in a "deco" theme and

Brooke put together these awesome

posters of Mike through the years.

This was the guest book table where

people left personal messages for

Mike that I compiled into a

book for him to keep.

All our favorite little people were

there....Gil and Poppy...

And all of Mike's favorite friends

from all walks of his life.

Sully made it...and Poppy (again).

It was so fun just to visit and enjoy some

much over-due chat time.

We decorated with old albums hung from the trees

and used as centerpieces.

And all of Mike's favorite "oldies" were

playing int he background....

And Sully was there....and Ezzie too!

Brooke set up a "photo op"

for everyone to have their picture

taken with Mike's "rockin' image".

You have come a long way, baby...

So glad I have been there for most of it!

You wear 60 really well.

XOXOXO