2015 U.S Open Golf Championship

2015 U.S Open Golf Championship

This is the most exciting thing that has happened to University Place, WA since the Curtis Vikings won the High School Football State Championship. Most of our friends that came to visit have done a lap on the walking path that goes around these Scottish Links on south Puget Sound. Let's hope the USGA loves the challenge of this course and returns.

We were both so happy to spend time with Tim's daughter Melissa! She came to see us many times during our short stay and we had some good times together

We enjoyed parking in front of Barb and Brian's house for a few days. It felt so comfortable to be close neighbors. Thanks to both of you!

I was happy to know Barb's grandsons hadn't forgotten me even though it's been a year. I was able to walk with Jackson to his last day of Kindergarten with Maile, Dylan and Barb

It's time for full hook-ups again so the boys rode in the moho over the Narrows Bridge with us to Gig Harbor RV Park. What fun it is to spend time with these kids! 

Time spent with Bernice Fox is always special. She and my Mom have become friends since Kaela and I moved to the Tacoma area. We enjoyed a burger from Lefty's together. She and I explored the new Whole Foods in U.P.  Stay healthy my friend; we'll be back next year B.Foxy

Aren't these "Easter egg" radishes beautiful?

I also visited Barb & Mark's daughter Natalie and her boys. Hunter remembered me too! He and the twins have grown so much. What a beautiful family.

Kaela's best friend Kendyl and her boyfriend just closed escrow on a house in the North End. Congratulations! I can't wait til next year when I see all the home improvements you've done.

Has anyone heard of this this new plant? Ketchup 'n' Fries: Tomatoes on the top; potatoes in the ground. They are part of the same family and were non-GMO grafted into one plant.

Next stop is Jeanna's parents house to visit some great people I had worked with. 

Spike and Liss had stopped by to visit us in February when we were at the River.

Jeanna, me, Patty, Zenta, Lance and little Dickens

Charles stopped by too. Nice smiles on you two!

Seeing everyone was so important to both of us but the piece de resistance for me is always 

The Camper Girls

We all get along so well and our guys are just the best!

Brian & Barb; Janet & Danny Millie

Renee & Tim, Barb & Mark; Gary & Linda

Thank you to the Millie's for hosting our reunion gathering. 

Barb, Gary, Brian, Barb, Linda, Janet

Cheers to Deb and Marlene

Barb, Janet & Linda are looking pretty in pink under a glowing umbrella

The beautiful Jaclyn

Who (without a question mark) and Travellin' Dick (the Camper Girls mascot)

Our Flavor Flav girl Barb serving up Tim and Brian some Tarantula shots

Marie, Allen, Jackie, Carrie, Dennis

Jeff and Melissa. Her friends all call her Mo but her Dad calls her Melissa so I do too.

 Thanks to Dan & Jeanne who stopped by for a visit our last evening.

And a shout out to Kanani, Steve A, Darren, & Cindy who I thought we were going to see again and realized I didn't take a picture of them. We only stayed in the area 6 days because the rates (and traffic) were scheduled to triple during the US Open. 

Next year we will stay longer because there is so much to do and see. This visit was wonderful; the weather; the people; all the hoopla of the US Open:

I am so happy to be here. I Love The Northwest

I'll say it again and again....

Meanwhile.......

My daughter lives on the other side of the world. Literally. She lived for a couple of years in New Zealand and now resides in Melbourne, Australia. Thank goodness for WhatsApp and Skype. And them coming to visit. My friend Jeanne was fishing off Neah Bay and saw a boat with this name. Amazing. Thanks Jeanne. They even spelled both names correctly.

Kaela works at a cafe downtown and a street photographer approached her asking permission to take a picture for his 100 Strangers Project. She shared this picture and link:

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/gtpete/

And I found this picture in the comments that the assistant had posted

I miss my girl sooo much. I'm happy others share the beauty in her that not only her mother and but now the world can love.

While I'm in Minnesota, Tim is hanging with Steve

This is Caribou Mountain

They found an old dozer while off-roading

After my return from Minnesota, the four of us had one more day together.

Pictures just don't do the waterfalls justice at Lower and Upper Mesa Falls

We drove from southeastern Idaho norrh to Montana and back

We are on our way to Tacoma, WA to visit friends and family. The drive through a bit of Montana was beautiful. Our stop was in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

We rode our bikes along the lake on the Centennial Trail

Tim and I took a day trip into Canada to see our friend Craig. When he returned home to Grand Forks BC after snowbird season, Craig was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  We had a good visit with him at the hospital.He passed the following morning. RIP my friend. You will be missed..

Happy Birthday Mamacita!

Our parents were born and raised in Minnesota. They are hard working, lovely, fun people. After WWII they married and eventually moved to Chicago, then Tucson and finally to raise their brood in beautiful San Diego, California. My father passed two years ago at the tender age of 89. Our mom recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Can you even imagine? Neither could she, but here she is in her home town to celebrate with her beloved siblings, nieces, nephews, children and grandchildren. Denise and I arrived first. We took the Metro to downtown to down a couple of brews.

The mighty Mississippi

We went to visit Aunt Irene. She's working on 94 years on the planet.

Good hair runs in their family.

Our brother Dave flew in for the event and we met for lunch with Peggy.

Love you Peggy.

We also stopped to see Mom's younger brother Jerome and his wife Donna. 

This is the family farmhouse where Mom was born and lived with most of her 11 siblings. In the day we would drive from San Diego to MN semi-annually and our parents would "farm" us out to various homes with cousins our age. I came here to stay with Uncle Leon whose birthday was same as mine, Auntie Ione and my cousins David, Danny, Steve, Henry, Lynn, LouAnn, Renee, Dale. Oh my gosh I hope I didn't forget to name any of you.

We pulled onto the property and no one seemed bothered by us looking around the barn and at the animals. Not Dale's seven children. Or their friends, or anyone working that day on the farm. Apparently unknown vehicles arriving is a common occurrence.

Dale was out cutting hay. It smelled wonderful.

Then we drove to the Weber's farm. Neil saw us drive up and came over to talk. He was cutting hay that day too. I also stayed on this farm with Uncle Romie, Auntie Irene, Ray, Judy, Linda, Neil, Bonnie, Maureen, and Joe. My Aunt recently took up painting and I saw her painting of this same farmhouse. What talent she has!

This was the other home before the farmhouse was built. 

There is so much beauty in this picture.The barn.The tiles on the silo. 

My two sisters Christine and Denise

Not all happy cows are in California

Cattle corn

Auntie Marlene invited us over for a visit before Mom's birthday party. 

Elmer the Barn Cat turned House Cat

The seesters and Mom. I heard a lot of comments that I look like my Mom. I would have hated that when I was younger, but I couldn't be prouder now. 

Auntie Marlene house looks like it's in a park. So beautiful.

More memories flood in

Many a family portrait was taken on Grandma's back porch. My cousin Jeannine lives here now and was kind enough to share the updates that have been done over the years. 

It has been more than 35 years since I was in Minnesota. I always told my daughter that if by chance I saw one of my cousins walking down the street I probably wouldn't recognize them. I was thrilled that when I saw their faces I did in fact remember most all of them. I couldn't remember all the names, but I did a pretty good job.

We have a lot of first cousins. About 45 people showed up (and there is even more family!) Our mother is well loved and has always been close with her family. We had many visitors over the years in San Diego from our relatives.

The last time I was in Albertville was for my Grandma's 90th's birthday.

Now it's my mom's 90th

 

Mom and her younger brothers Jerome and Gene

Of course no adventure of mine would be complete without a picture of feet

The Weber's kids Neil, Bonnie, Linda, Judy with Mom

Thank you Auntie Marleen in being the driving force getting us all together.

Denise with Dave's son Ian. We saw Arrik too, And Kyle.

It's time for a Whole Foods fix!

Fortunately we were able to see some of the Oswald side of the clan. 

We had lunch with Mary and Jill

No trip to Minneapolis would be complete without a trip to MOA

There are four roller coasters inside Mall of America.

We ate some gelato and did a little shopping

The "O" Babes!

We love you so much Mom!