More May happenings 2016

May 20th is Grandson, Isaac's birthday.  Isaac turned 5 this year.  Now this is just amazing as it seems like just yesterday that he was born.  Ben and Nicki planned a camping weekend for his party at Stoney Creek Campground in Osseo, WI.  This turned out to be an unseasonably cold weekend, so while we did attempt the camping part in our RV and Ben and Nicki's new camper, the party itself ended up being in out of the cold at Foster Cheese Haus.  They serve wood fired pizza with all local Wisconsin ingredients.   They also sell fresh dairy and cheese products made only in Wisconsin.  This was a yummy, fun, warm place for a birthday party.  My only complaint would be that the staff act like they enjoy their job.  At least smile!   Everyone enjoyed the rest of the weekend also.  Stoney Creek is very family oriented.  Perfect trees for climbing, bouncing balloon, skate park, Morey the Moose, kiddie train, playground, and much more.  We even braved the bitter cold one night appreciating Ben's campfire.  Kirk and I woke up Sunday morning to a frozen water hose which quickly thawed out. 

The birthday boy!

The wood fired pizza oven

Ady and her beautiful mommy!

"I really love that balloon"

Bella helping with the presents. She's the best sister. 

Isaac's awesome mommy and daddy 

Grandma Neva and Nicki

Grampy Bear Brian

Race car birthday cake made by a most talented momma!!!

Aunt Kristy loves Isaac

Eva, Josie, Ady, Isaac, and Bella 

Who doesn't love to climb a tree!!

This girl has no fear

Hello Morey the Moose!

This could go on for hours

Thank you Ben for a great fire!

After work on Friday, May 20th, we took off and headed to Iowa for Jordan's graduation weekend.  We stopped for the evening in Gladbrook to visit with Kirks mom.  We stayed in the guest suite at the Independent living apartments where Mavis lives.  This is pretty great as it's FREE.  Aside from that though, it is a very nice room.  They provide towels, shower, microwave, refrigerator, and all other amenities.   We had a nice visit with Mavis.  Kirk even picked up tenderloins from Beaman on Saturday before we left.  Those were so yummy!   Kirk and I drove another 3.5 hours to Shenandoah, Iowa where we were staying at the Expess Inn and Suites.   Jordan's reception was on Saturday evening in Shenandoah at the dance school where she had taken lessons since being a little girl.  As a matter of fact, she will be attending Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa with a dance and grades scholarship.  This girl will be going places.   We had a great time at the reception and was so excited to see how much Jordan has grown and matured. 

Jordan at her cake table 

Mom and daughter.  Practically twins!

Jordan and her boyfriend, Tracy 

Jordan's graduation was the next day, Sunday (5/22) at 3:30.  Kinda late in the afternoon, but was short and nice.  Her mom, stepdad, grandparents, sisters, dad, stepmom, brother, and aunt were all in attendance.  It was a beautiful day.  Kirk and I later left for our ride home.  We got as far as Coralville, Iowa and decided to get a hotel room for the night.  Tomorrow we get to go to Costco ( Excited), and then drive home.   I'm so glad I took Monday off work.  

Don and Phil grew up in Shenandoah.  Why did I not know this before!

Proud grandparents !

Happy graduate!

With dad, Nate and stepmom, Lindsey 

Could they look anymore alike!  

Grandson Mason (Jordan's brother) having fun on the playground before going in to see big sister graduate 

Kirk and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary very quietly at home at Chapparal Campground this year.  Kirk grilled ribeyes and shrimp.  An absolutely yummy supper.  Love you Kirk.  Let's continue this adventure! 🚎💏

View from our site #1 at Chapparal. 

February in Havasu, 2016

February was a very busy month and flew by quickly.  2/4  We invited Janet and Dee over for a little cookout, along with Wally ( Janet's friend).  Kirk made his popular poppers, and grilled brats.  We had a fun time.

Courtesy of Jan and Dee.  Yummy!

Rare snowfall on the mountains outside of our RV park in Havasu on 2/1

2/6. Kirk and I golfed in Mohave Valley at the Huukan Golf Course.  It was an especially windy day.  A little side note here, it's almost always windy in this area. But this day was more windy than usual. It was exhausting.  We did get placed with a single player.  This guy, CL, lived on the 14th tee box of the course.  He is a Native American and retired from the Department of the Interior.  CL explained the myths of Spirit Mountain that could be seen from the course.  He explained how the Mohave tribe is said to originate from the spirits in the mountains.  This mountain is on Christmas tree road just outside of Laughlin.  We were also told the mountains contain petroglyphs.  We will definitely drive up there next time we are in the area.  

Some needed FaceTime with Isaac and Bella.  Silly kids!

We were so excited when Rudy, Bev, and Angela came to visit us.  Rudy and Bev arrived on 2/8 and were staying for a week.  They were able to rent a site in our park just a few sites down from us.  Angela came on Thursday and left Sunday morning. She stayed with Rudy and Bev.  Needless to say we had a great time/week.   The first part of the week, we enjoyed happy hours, cookouts, and enjoyed each other's company.  We totally loved Rudy's twiced baked potato casserole.  When Angela arrived on Thursday, we drove down to London Bridge, walked around to the shops,  had drinks at The Heat, then walked over to the Javelina Cantina for more drinks and dinner.  We had a view of the London Bridge from both places and it was a beautiful night to sit outside.  

Enjoying the shops at London Bridge. Angela and Bev 

Rudy and Bev enjoying the view from Javelina Cantina. 

I took Friday (2/12) off work to spend the rest of the weekend with my family.  Neither of them had ever golfed Emerald Canyon, so we made reservations to do so that Friday.  I followed along on the golf cart and didn't play as the course only allowed a foursome.   We had a great time. Afterwards we stopped at the Sundance Bar in Parker for a drink and appetizers on the deck, and watched the boats.  Later, after returning home, we just hung out at the park and enjoyed each other's company. I believe Angela went to bed early that night.  

Rudy and Bev   They look like pros!

Angela enjoying the scenery

This is a fun par 3. 

Bev in awe!

What a view Angela 

Rudy hitting from the blues cause you can't beat this view. 

Enjoying drinks at Sundance after a round of golf   

The next day 2/13, we drove to the Desert Bar, but not before stopping along the way for some target shooting.  You can pretty much shoot your guns anywhere in the desert as long as you're at least 1/4 mile from the road and/or any house, etc.  

 Don't mess with Bev!

 Little Angela Oakly!!

 Some of the crowd at the Desert Bar

 Great time at the Desert Bar.  1/4 lb hamburgers and garlic fries were awesome.

Angela, Bev, Rudy by the historic church at the Desert Bar.

Women's bathroom At Desert Bar.  You never lose site of the scenery.

After returning to town, we spent the evening across from Sarah Park to watch the pyrotechnic fireworks.  This is an annual event held on President's Day weekend.  Called the Western Winter Blast, and is presented by the Western Pyrotechnic Association, and Lake Havasu City.  It is one of the largest firework displays in the country, and is geared to those who like to develop and create pyrotechnic items.  We were fortunate to find a prime parking spot, but not without others trying to block our view.  However, they didn't realize Angela was with us, and they soon disappeared.  

As beautiful as this looks, this picture does not do it justice.

 More pyrotechnic fireworks.

Tons more like this one and more even better!

Angela left after coffee on Sunday morning and returned to Mesa.  Today was my birthday.  I'm formally IN my 60's (61).  It's kinda weird.   So, I try not to think about it and enjoy each day as always.  Rudy, Bev, Kirk, and I drove to Oatman, AZ about an hour away.  We've been there before, but not Bev.  We ate lunch at the Oatman Hotel,  and played with the burros.  On the way home, we stopped at the Topock Bar at the junction of Route 66 and I40.  It was a pretty windy day (surprise), so we just looked around and returned home.  Kirk grilled fajitas, and we all just hung out, drank wine, and enjoyed the beautiful Arizona sunset.  Rudy and Bev left the next day and I went back to work.  I sure do enjoy our family visits.  The only things missing were Jim and Elena.

Fun day in Oatman with the burros

Topock Bar on Route 66.  You can swim while you eat and drink.

 Cute butt Bev.

Beautiful end to an awesome day!

Surprise cake from Rudy and Bev.  Thank you.