DAD AND PATTY COME TO ASHLAND

Last Saturday Dad and Patty drove north to visit. We had some Italian food, visited, walked a little, visited. We even went to Starbucks and Howard Prairie Lake today.

The temperatures have been over 100 degrees ever since they arrived. We are hoping it will cool off some tomorrow. It is so wonderful to have our loved ones here.

SUNDAY---DAD'S AND GRAD'S DAY

We went to a special pool party to celebrate Father's Day and Amy's graduation on Sunday at the Pearson's lovely home. One problem was it was too cool to swim. But the food was fabulous and the company even better. I included a picture of Ronnie with Mike, Amy's Dad and one of Dad, Ron, with Lisa and Ronnie. (Rick and May are in New York at an artist's convention. So we missed having them with us.)

Amy's sisters, Alisa and Carrie, were there and her brother, Aaron and Christina and of course her parents. Friends of Amy's came by and Lisa and her friend, Amberly, also showed up. What a fun time!

AMY'S GRADUATION DAY

On Friday, the 15th of June, Amy graduated from Portland State University with a Master's Degree in Public Administration. She also won a special recognition for academic excellence. We are so proud of her.

Her family was also in attendence. The ceremony was very nice. Afterwards we went out for a couple of drinks. The beautiful girl at the bar with Ron and Amy is Amy's brother's fiancee, Christina. After the bar stop the guys rented a limo (my first time ever). We rode around Portland drinking champagne and trying to find a dessert place. Rick and May called and saved the day. They made reservations at Nostrana's and we met them there and had dessert and more champagne. It was a wonderful and fun graduation celebration.

WE TAKE MOTHER TO PORTLAND

About a week ago we took Mother to Portland to fly back to L.A. She spent a couple of days with the Portland gang along with Lisa, Ron and me. She even got a tour of the remodeled house next door to Ron and Amy. When it is done they plan to move into this house and sell the one they live in now.

While there Amy fixed a delicious spaghetti dinner. We just hung out and even took a trip to Starbuck's. Mother flew home on Thursday and we missed her immediately. We are so grateful that she made the long trip though.

MOTHER COMES TO ASHLAND

We are so happy that Mother agreed to come to Ashland. She rode north with Ron. Lisa and I drove up in Lisa's car. We mostly relax around the house with her. The weather has been perfect for sitting on the deck. We did go to Lithia Park and the Street Market one day though. We also made a few trips to Medford to do some shopping.

Next week we will take her to Portland to visit with Ron, Amy, Rick and May. She will fly home from there.

OUR CENTRAL COAST VISIT

Lisa and I left L.A. on May 31st. We spent two days at Patty and Scott's. It gave us a chance to visit with Melissa, Matt, Angela, Mason and of course, Dad. Poor little Angela slipped and bumped her forhead on the counter. You can see her shiner on the photo. Melissa made an amazing dinner Thursday night with mojitos. That girl is an excellent cook. She is always so generous to cook a meal when I come to town. And Lisa and I got to play with the babies.

GRADUATION WEEKEND-MONDAY

Monday was an extra early day for Ron and me. We were up and out of San Diego at 5:30am and headed for L.A. We needed to prepare for the graduation party at 2:00 in the afternoon. We cooked, set up, cooked, and decorated and cooked.

I am overwhelmed and Lisa feels so honored. Forty-five people showed up for her party. It was so wonderful. Loved ones came from all over Southern California and even some from the Central Coast. All that driving in all that traffic on a busy holiday weekend. We feel so blessed. Family is such an amazing gift! Thank you, everyone!

GRADUATION WEEKEND-SUNDAY

Graduation wasn't until 2:00 in the afternoon. So Sunday morning we all moved slowly. We had brunch on the beach at the Cantina Cafe, right on the boardwalk. It was beautiful.

At 2:00 Lisa did graduate. We are all so proud of her, of course. When graduation was over Lisa's friend, Kellan, had a get together to allow the families to meet one another. Then we had drinks and appetizers at a place with an ocean view exactly at sunset. It was perfect. The hostess brought Lisa an unbelievable
complimentry carmel ice cream dessert with warm apple stroudel, sauces and whipped cream. We all had to share that one. It was a wonderful day.

P.S. The last picture of Ron and Amy was taken on our hotel balcony.

GRADUATION WEEKEND-SATURDAY

Rick, Ron and I got up early in L.A. and drove to San Diego to pick Ron and Amy up at the airport. We made it there just in time. We then met Lisa in Ocean Beach where our hotel was located right on the beach. We had lunch at a fish taco restaurant across the street from our hotel.

In the afternoon we had the Baccalaurate Mass at the University of San Diego. Lisa's roommate, Annie and her mother joined us for the Mass and dinner afterwards. We went to Kafe Yen in Pacific Beach. The asian food was amazing.

From there we had a wine tasting party at the Condo where Annie's parents have been kind enough to let the girls live these last two years. It was a great Saturday.