Marjorie, Utahna, Mona and I traveled to Sacramento Friday and met Mona's friend Sandy to tour the new Sacramento Temple. After a delicious lunch at my favorite restaurant, Brookfields, (I ate the salmon) we had a delightful tour. It is very beautiful, a little larger than the Reno Temple and smaller than the San Diego. 
Can you believe that this is what I will be doing this next week? I am replacing my daughter-in-law Camber on a luxurious cruise in the Mediterranean. This is the Silver Wind, an Italian cruise ship built in 1995. Now what to pack..oh yes, the trip was earned by my son James and they won't allow infants thus Camber is letting me take her place as she can't leave Baby Kelsi. We fly to Venice Wednesday!
Just for the record I do have some flowers that haven't been eaten--this petunia sits too far back on the deck and along with the geraniums is about the only color that hasn't disappeared.
I hardly noticed this deer taking refuge behind my woodshed. He kept an eye on me but didn't move. Probably waiting till dinnertime so he can eat again--I think their rations must be getting low because more and more of the lower plants are now being eaten also--oh well, I'll think about what to do about that next summer.
I have room for about a dozen great-grandchildren and then we will have to start on the other side of the driveway. This time I put a solid river rock where the propane man always steps--hopefully none will break this time.
Marjorie and I went to the other side of the 36 and gathered river rocks from a very dry riverbed. In about 1/2 hour I have this much of my patio--of course, I still need the sand on the bottom, etc. etc. but I will just gather a few every day or so till I have enough!!!
Here is the Family Pix with Linda in it and Gary and Jimmy taking pictures. We had two Matts missing, Kristi's Mike and Craig besides the picture takers. Not often we can get all of my three siblings together with their crew...
Friday came so soon and everyone had to go home. Pulsipher's pulling their boat all the way to El Cajon. Hardys driving to Sacramento and flying to San Diego, then back to Rancho Santa Fe. And I drove Meagan to Redding where she was to meet Matt and his friends--the friends had all come for a High School Reunion in Eureka. Unfortunately they had a flat and were late but Meagan and I used the time getting pedicures and shopping at Macys. Oh, yes, and we also took my car for a quick lube and had a wonderful lunch at the Tecate Grill. And how could I forget getting a few chocolates from Sees. It was a good day and a great week.
You play on the beach and dock and you eat a lot of the time--
You play with the newest baby, Kelsi, 4 months old
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You do wakeboarding from Gary's new boat--at least Gary, Tanner, Amy, Kelly, Sarah, and Meagan did it--here they are unloading, boat is on the right.
You visit--
Linda and Gary in Mom's dining room...
And you shop, fish, go to Frostie's, play games...
Tanner won a lot at Chinese checkers--
Jimmy liked the Lincoln Logs--
Fruit Basket was a hit but Murder was too confusing for some...
You play with your cousins--
Tanner and Jimmy, Sarah and Lea
You watch and grow older--
You spend time in the kitchen fixing meals for everyone--
Linda, the chief chef.
You play on Grandma's hammock--the new one, the squirrels chewed up the other one...
Sarah, Lea and Jimmy
Six years ago the grandchildren did handprint decorative stones for the side of my front walk.
Some of them cracked plus two more grandchildren were born so James and Linda supervised mixing the cement and creating the new stones. Messy but nice--here are the results. I didn't show baby Kelsi's. Her hand did not show well so both feet in but then one foot was smooshed so Daddy put his handprint in with her foot--cute.
A little out of focus but family gathers together--missing is Craig in Brazil, Matt V in Truckee, Meagan's Matt is hiking, Kristi's Mike is working and Linda is taking the picture.
Michael picked up Meagan in Redding and she came to visit while Matt went hiking with his friends.
More eating and gathering as the Valkos join us for supper and Meagan has come from Eureka.
Son James from Rancho Santa Fe and Daughter Maria from Susanville holds James' newest baby Kelsi.
Kristi is looking good--just two and a half months to go!
Amy from El Cajon and Melissa from Susanville--Cute, cute...
