On Way to Alderbrook

This was taken while on ferry from Seattle to Bremerton, WA. Gorgeous!

Aug 2009 - Vegas Visit

We had a rough ride to Vegas (car broke down outside of Baker and had to be towed in to Vegas and ultimately rent a car), but the visit with granddaughters, Danika, Kendra and Jenny and with Duain and Michelle was awesome! The girls have grown so much ... and they showed off their singing talents to us ... I'd love to share the video, but grandpa Gary has asked me not to post it because of his singing ... or lack there of ... Ok ... but the girls did great!

More Fun on the 4th of July 2009

We played a great game of pool volleyball. My handsome men, Franco and Gary enjoyed time in the pool together ... and the rest of the family did too ... Liz and her daughter, Rochelle and children, Savannah, Charlotte and Trevor. When all was said and done, Franco was tired and couldn't even keep his eyes open for the wonderful sounds of Junior and his ukulele. It was a great day with Jenn and Junior, Jim & Liz, Rochelle, Leilani, Franco, Trevor, Charlotte, Savannah, and good friends Joe & John. When the sun went down, Gary, Junior, Jenn and I got the glow-sticks out and made ourselves some jewelry! We had FUN ... that's all that matters!

God bless my family and terrific friends ... let's get together again real soon!

Hawaiian Style 4th of July Celebration

Junior plays a mean ukulele ... and "thank You" for playing it for us on 4th of July. Wow.

2009 Del Mar Fair Turkey Stampede

Gary was the brave one ... reached in the stall of the largest cow I'd ever seen in my life! That's my man!

This was probably the most hysterical thing I'd ever seen at the fair! If you ever get a chance to see it ... SEE IT!

Reno 2009 WSRCA

Shooting Gang ... My first shot .... Gary and Kim

Gary ... and The Bailey's ... Kim & Bill

Kay & Chuck and Gary & I ... and Pete and Jennifer

Kim and Bill .... Mom & Gary .... Mom and Me ...

Gary invited me nearly a year ago to go with him and sit beside him at the executive luncheon as "his lady" ... and I did. Before the trip, we did go and spend two days in Fallon with my mom and Gary got to meet her for the first time.

With the Conference behind everyone, we finally got to let go and have fun ... it was great to hang out with Chuck & Kay ... Kim & Bill ... Pete & Jennifer ... also Michelle & Christian (not photographed ... they were busy with Tahoe wedding plans for September 2009).

What a hoot the whole trip was ... see you all at Alderbrook in September ... God Bless.

Surprise - Your Birthday is in Catalina This Year!

It all started with Gary giving me absolutely horrible "hints" for weeks ... and led up to Friday, May 29 Gary picking me up at 9 am for a "trip". I was told what to pack ... and to be ready at 9 am. I had no idea where we were going til we pulled into the Catalina Express center to board a boat to Catalina!

Gary's long time friends, Chuck & Pam Martin, met our board holding up a Happy Birthday Laurie sign and got the other folks on the pier to sing to me as we walked off the boat. I cried, of course!

Friday, we had a terrific time, walking around Avalon, visiting with his friends and their daughter and granddaughter there from Texas. And then going up to the Country Club for a nice romantic birthday dinner.

Saturday was a day of more touring of the island by foot and the generous use of Pam & Chuck's golf cart. We returned to our gorgeous Bed & Breakfast suite around 4 pm to get ready to meet Chuck & Pam for dinner at five, but little did I know but Gary had postponed dinner and arranged for us to have a private couples massage in our room. Wow ... that was awesome!

Sunday, was relaxing, breakfast at the bed and breakfast ... The old Turner Inn ... and watching the "Flying Fish Parade" in town with Gary's friends, my new friends, Pam & Chuck, and their daughter and granddaughter. As much as I hated to see the weekend end, I knew it would. But ... Gary is full of surprises ... and such a wonderful man ... each day is just the beginning to more surprises and joy in my life with him.

Bubbles Bubbles Yummy Bubbles - May 17 2009

Franco is now 18 months old ... he expresses himself and brings joy to all that he's around. He is a light in that part of my life that I thought would never shine again ... my only sadness is when I think how much Tom would've loved to be in little Franco's life! Tom ... look down knowing that this little guy will know you ... and watch over him as his guardian angel always! This little guy loves his bubbles!

I love you Franco ... Grammie

Carnival Cruise - Delta Reunion 2009

Laurie & Gary, Vicki & Joe Ruiz and Marilyn & Irene - Table #310

Ensenada, Mexico -Tour through Town

Delta Reunion 2009 Gang

Laurie & Gary - Carnival Splendor

We had such a wonderful time. Dancing nightly and even winning the "QUEEN OF THE SOCK HOP" at the Carnival 50's Night Dance ... and I have the trophy to prove it. Vicki got her trophy from the Quiz Show. She beat out a 3rd grader! Go Vicki.

We had such a super time! As always! And we'll be traveling to Reno, Nevada in June and Alderbrook, Washington in September. Then we're off to a bed and breakfast in December ... for a nice quiet weekend before the holiday festivities begin!

Look out Napa ... Jan 2009

It was the WSRCA ... and Gary is on the executive board, and the meeting was in Napa ... at the Silverado Resort ... and he asked me to go with him ... me! My first time in Napa ... and to stay at such a gorgeous place! During the stay Gary introduced me to his fellow board members, and friends. During the day when Gary was in board meetings, I hung out with several of the other ladies who were there with their board member spouses ... Kay, Kim and Michelle ... all terrific women! Kim and I hiked some trails ... Kay and I went to the Castello di Amorosa in St. Helena. Wow ... wonderful place ... gorgeous. Gary played hookie from his board responsibilities one day during our week long trip to tour Sonoma with me ... he took in the HGTV Dream Home, did a chocolate tasting and also went to an olive oil tasting store! We also went to St. Helena to the Sutter Home winery because we heard they had a tasting of their alcohol free wines ... Fre. We ended up buying two bottles of alcohol free wine ... some truffles from the chocolate tasting and also three different olive oils and a delicious balsamic vinegar. We went through some of the most beautiful areas on our way to and from Napa.

.

Castello di amorosa in St. Helena

New friends ... Pete, Greg, Michelle & Christian, Kim & Bill and Kay & Chuck ...

And then there was our wild and wonderful night out for a steak dinner and karioke!

Roofers are wild and crazy and I can't wait to hang with them again ... our next gathering is June in Reno ... See you all soon ...