OUR NINTH BI-ANNUAL GIRLS' WEEKEND

This girls' weekend was in Placerville. We did have a wonderful time. I drove south on Thursday morning. I picked up Mary Waguespack Burch at the Sacramento Airport in time to have lunch with Carol at BJ's in Folsom. Then we drove to Carol's beautiful home in Placerville. Carol made a delicious soup for dinner. We visited with James before going to bed.

Friday morning before Mary Woolley Schaub and Roseann Woolley joined us we had breakfast at Sweetie Pie's. Yum!! Once the other girls arrived we drove to Apple Hill for the Fall festivities. What fun! Many orchards and farms have booths, apples, pies, crafts, cidar etc, etc, etc. Such good times! We had an early dinner at Red Bud Wine Bar and then returned to our B&B, The Glen Morey. We sat around visited, drank wine and played Apples to Apples.

On Saturday we walked Old Town Placerville most of the day. We shopped and just enjoyed the entire day. We once again had an early dinner, this time at Tortilla Flats. Back at the B&B we visited away another whole evening. But then, isn't that what it is all about?


Sunday, after church, we returned to Carol's to see Mary and Roseann off. Carol and I took Mary to the airport. We went back to BJ's for a salad. Nest we visited Aunt Betty, Uncle Jack, Aunt Vivian and Uncle Ralph. I love those four very special people more than I could ever say. What ideal role models they are!

I spent Sunday night at Carol's before driving back to Ashland today. Such perfect memories were added to my blessed life!

ANOTHER SUNRIVER TRIP

Thursday we headed for Sunriver. On the way we stopped for a wonderful sight of the Three Sisters Mountains. They are behind me in the photo, but perhaps too difficult to see. This yearly trip is always one of my favorites. We take hikes, play games, watch movies and visit with the other three couples from Ashland that come there. Jan ( the owner of this lovely vacation home) and I do at least one jigsaw puzzle. This year the challenge of only one took us all weekend. We try to attend one new release movie. This year it was MICHAEL CLAYTON. I highly recommend this one. And we eat out at some very special restaurant in Bend. The Blacksmith was our choice this time.

The drive home was so very Fall. The aspens were in full yellows and the leaves were blowing out of the trees and falling like huge yellow snowflakes. I was oohing and ahhing all the way home. Then when we arrived home I couldn't resist taking a photo of the giant birch tree in our backyard. I don't even want Ron to rake yet. It is so colorful and I love it. This one is especially for you, Lisa.

A SHERWOOD VISIT

On Tuesday, the morning after Ronnie's birthday, we drove south to visit friends who also own places in Outdoor Resorts in the dessert, but who live in Oregon. Quite a few live south of Portland in Sherwood or nearby. On Tuesday evening Cindy Hix gave a dinner and invited everyone. I've included a picture of the girls. That would be me, Cindy, Barb, Aerial and Judy. (from right to left)

On Wednesday Cindy, Aerial, and I decided to have lunch and tour the wine county in the area. We stopped by several wineries just for the beauty. We never even tasted the wine. Just checking out the surroundings was breathtaking. Wednesday night Aerial and her husband, Mike took us to the Tualitin Country Club for dinner. That was delicious and so beautiful. What a great visit with these friends!

PORTLAND TRIP RONNIE'S BIRTHDAY

Monday was Ronnie's birthday. Amy made a delicious meal of spaghetti and meatballs. Her mom and dad, Kathy and Mike and her brother and his wife, Aaron and Christina joined us along with Rick and May, of course. We were even lucky enough to have her niece's little boy, Henry attend.

There was a great ice cream cake and Ronnie received many nice gifts. The jacket from Rick and May fit just perfectly. Henry is so cute and was so excited to be a part of Ronnie's gift opening. The evening was so much fun.

PORTLAND TRIP SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

On Saturday Ron, Ronnie, Amy and I went to the OMSI, (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). We went to see the Body World's Exhibit. It was breathtaking. From there we went out to brunch.

That afternoon Ron helped Rick assemble one fantastic stroller for Nilt. (Pictured here.) We're getting ready.

On Sunday May and I went to lunch at Pho Van's, delicious Vietnamese food. Then we went to the movies to see THE JANE AUSTIN BOOK CLUB. We liked it a lot. The men were watching football, of course.

PS. If you have the stomach for it, check out the a sample of the Body Worlds exhibit. See below for address..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pss/233841690/

PORTLAND TRIP---MAY AND RICK'S BABY SHOWER

October 5th we drove north for Rick and May's baby shower for little "N.L.T." For those of you who don't know yet that is there nickname for their baby. It is short for Nico, Luca and Tessie. These are the names under consideration for the wee one. We all pronounce the name, Nilt. You can see why.

This was my first mixed shower (men invited). The games were much fun. The first one was a contest to see who could diaper baby faster. The cabbage patch dolls even had messy diapers. Rick won. The next game was a chugging contest. I believe the fluid was beer. The girls won that. There was a spelling bee. Girls won. Then there was a t-shirt decorating contest. The girls did a bikini and the boys drew a ????. This contest was complete with a runway fashion show. I think the boys won because an actor did there runway bit. Our t-shirt was much cuter. The final game was for Rick and May to compete in Wii tennis. May won that one although Rick really knocked himself out trying. Girls won overall first place.

As a conclusion to the evening May opened gifts. She received many lovely things. The blanket was homemade with a Squiggly character designed right on it. Squiggly is the name of Rick's design company. His partner and neighbor's wife made the blanket and some adorable clothes to match. Connie and Candi's gift arrived moments before the shower. It was a perfect little Bouncer in just the right colors for Rick and May's color scheme. How's that for perfect timing and a perfect gift?

Last of all, aren't my pregnant daughters beautiful?

HAWAIIN CRUISE FOOD

As anyone who knows me knows I have this fascination with beautiful food presentation. So folks, here are some beauties. The desserts are chocolate pie with raspberry sauce and white chocolate/chocolate cheesecake (nonfat). The main dishes are one lovely fish dish and Amy's favorite, salmon eggs benedict. Enjoy! We surely did.

HAWAIIN CRUISE DAY TEN

Our last day was spent in Lahaina. We took a tender to port and Mother, Ron and I walked around town for a short while. Aunt Cosie and Uncle Bob stayed aboard this day. Mother then went back to the ship to rest and Ron and I did some more shopping. Along the way the coastline was as beautiful as always.

It was our last night on the Norwegian Pride of Aloha. So Ron and I went back to our favorite martini bar, The Plantation Club. Then it was our final dinner with Mother, Aunt Cosie and Uncle Bob. It was a precious and memorable vacation.

HAWAIIN CRUISE DAY NINE

On the tenth day we came to Kona on the big island of Hawaii. Ron and I had previously visited our friends, Mary and Paul Burch there seven years ago when they were living in Kailua-Kona. It is such an amazing island. Black volcanic rock everywhere.

We decided to take everybody to the beautiful Hilton Waikoloa Village. This resort is one of the most fabulous resorts anywhere. It occupies acres and acres of oceanfront property. I guess that is why they call it a village. There are restaurants, art galleries, shops, a place to swim with dolphins and even a boat to ride you all over the resort. We enjoyed seeing all these sights. And now I am sharing many of them with you.