Baseball and fireworks for all!

Friday Tom and I went into Chico to get ourselves some dinner and see a baseball game. We parked near the baseball park and walked through Chico State campus to get something to eat.

The campus has some wonderful wetlands and such.

And some amazing buildings. I really enjoyed walking through the campus. I haven't been there since I was in HS. Granted that Chico State is known as THE party school: the only time I was ever there was for an orchestra event and trust me, we didn't party. Darn it.

Okay, the moment I saw this poster I knew I was going to enjoy my lunch. A burger and fries!

We went to Madison Bear Garden: it's owned by the same folks who own Fannie Annes in Old Town Sacramento, and I used to love to go there.

Oakland Raiders bar. Interesting concept.

Buggys and such all over the place.

Crazy!

And they make it easy to let folks know when they've had enough.

After eating we walked around downtown, finding a small bookstore to hang out in, and a fountain. And wouldn't you know it, right as Tom went to take my picture the fountain stopped.

Dumb ole fountain.

Back through the campus to the ballfield.

Party time?

Are these not awe inspiring?

Like I said, an amazing place.

The game was between the Chico Outlaws and the Vancouver Capitals. A unit from Beale AFB presented the flag. Well done.

Tom bought an Outlaw hat.

I'd like you to meet Avery. One of the guys sitting by us began asking Avery for a ball. He was funny, was doing it very nicely and very funny, and Avery kept putting him off. Cracked everyone around us up.

The game sold out, so they set up some space on the first base line and added tickets. It was the biggest crowd they've ever had. At 6 dollars a ticket you can't beat it. The crowd by us was nice and friendly and we all had a good time, even the guys from Vancouver in the bullpen right in front of us.

What a great night for baseball. The pictures don't do the evening justice.

Avery is still playing hard to get.

"Avery! Avery my friend! Throw me a ball! Come on buddy!" Our new friend even got others to plead his case for him.

The Outlaw mascot came by to say hello. How nice is that?

Quite the crowd attending.

But we had the bullpen. It was fun to watch them warm up right before us.

Since Avery was still playing 'hard to get' a group of very cute girls sitting by us began to chant, "Avery, Avery, Avery". Others joined in (yes, your's truly did) and Avery threw our new friend a ball. Everyone cheered, thanked Avery, and our new friend gave the ball to a very happy little fellow sitting by us. Fun times.

After the game there was a wonderful fire works display.

Happy Birthday America. I love you, and I wish you many more happy days.

California Dreaming

I had a wonderful visit with my mom and dad and brother Tom. We basically hung out and I taught my dad a bit about making meals. He needs to do most of the cooking now: that should be interesting....

Most mornings I got up and took a walk around the park.

Nice view over the horizon.

Lots and lots and lots of birds.

Jack rabbits as well.

I thought about going in the pool, but it didn't happen.

But I did do my walking.

I've not seen the RV section of the park as full as it is right now. Or maybe I never noticed before.

I have a great picture of Cari as a toddler hugging this little guy. Wonder where that picture is?

Dad taught me how to pick out a watermelon. Okay, so his method is to take the first one you see, but I have to tell you this was a wonderful watermelon!

Yes, this man taught me everything I know about watermelon. And hats that have hair on them. He taught me all about those as well.

Notes from Cal

Hello all! All is going well here in the land of sunshine. Mom had a doctor appointment today and the doctor said the procedure they did in the hospital to help with the issue with her lungs did a good job, but the tumours are still there. She's going to make an appointment to see if she can get in a study: she was in the process of getting that in place when the issue with her lungs got in the way. So some good news, and now she gets to get back to fighting the cancer again.

I found some pictures in dad's files....this is Mark from our previous visit, sitting in the very same chair I am sitting in at this very same minute. Ha!

This is me from our previous visit, hanging out.

My sister Linda and my nephew Scott from their last visit, about a month ago I believe.

I took a walk first thing this morning and it was so nice out. I saw a couple of jack rabbits and lots of birds. Nice way to start the day, and a good time to get some walking in before the heat hits. I lived down here for years: I remember how hot it gets. And now that I live in Oregon I take the heat harder. I'm a softie now.

Happy Birthday Cari

Today is Cari's birthday. a time to celebrate the day I joined the ranks of motherhood.

I thought I would share some of my favorite pictures. I love the picture above: the dress Cari is wearing belonged to my friend Capi's mom, and Capi thought of Cari while going through her mother's clothes. And she was right. The dress is classy and fits her personality. I have the feeling that Capi's mom is a pretty special lady.

Cari and Rachel during the holidays, checking out the sights and sounds of Seattle. These two have had a special relationship for years and it always makes me happy to see them together.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the fact that Cari enjoys cooking our holiday dinners. She does such a nice job, and I like it even more when she hangs out with her brothers while doing so. I like seeing my kids hang out.

I love Cari hanging out with her dad at Relay. This is a great picture.

We always do a group shot during the holidays, with one of them being a silly one. Guess we all know which kind this one is....

Cari and Gus. I love this picture.

Cari and daddy at Christmas.

Checking out the chickens at the pumpkin patch. We've always loved going there in October and I think we always will.

Ending shot: doughnut at the pumpkin patch. You HAVE to have one of those when you go.

Happy Birthday Cari. You bring spirit, excitement, creativity, joy, laughter, and a whole heck of a love of zaniness into our lives. And we love it.

Spinning and car phones

Yesterday was one busy day. I first called my sister Linda to talk about mom and making sure we're on the same page with how to best be there for mom and dad. It was good talking to her and I'll probably call again today. Good thoughts mom coming your way!

I drove on over to Beaverton to go the their Relay's big ole yard sale. It was in a parking lot, great location, and great weather. Kathy and her crew were excited and I bought a necklace (yes, Mary Jo and Mom, I bought a necklace...it's so pretty I can't wait to show you!) and I can't wait to hear how well they did.

I then drove to the Ronald McDonald House to pick up tickets for last nights concert. Whew!

Jennifer and crew came over around 11. We ate lunch and then we took ourselves over to Metzger School to play in the playground. I thought it was funny that with all the wonderful equipment the school has to offer that Luke went right for the fence. Too appealing! Isn't it great that stuff like this still appeals to kids? Good old fashioned fun.

He worked his way slowly and surely further and further.

Caleb and I hung out a bit. Not sure which picture I like better: no shades,

or shades. You decide: I can't. Course I like him either way, so I can't judge.

Well, Miss Cate seems to be going somewhere.

Ah, following big brother's lead.

Ellie arrived so I could watch her while her parents move. She cried just a bit and then the kids got her to come out and play. She and Caleb got along just fine.

Up.

Down.

Luke told us he was stuck. Did we help? Oh no. We took pictures.

Cate is up again. She was busy, busy, busy all afternoon.

As you can see Luke is none the worse for being stuck and the adults who were suppose to be protecting him did not unstuck him so they could take pictures of him being stuck.

Adults stink sometimes, don't they Luke?

Ellie wanted to climb on the stairs, but then she wasn't quite so sure. Cracked me up!

Back at the house Miss Cate wanted to show me something.

Well I do believe we've got a spinner on our hands folks. All right!

She prepares her windup....

The spin is in motion!

And we're just about to land!

She had a lot of fun spinning and spinning and I had fun watching her. I wish life was always about stuff like climbing fences, going up and down a slide, and spinning. That would be good.

Okay, you think you're looking at a cute little girl with a car. You are not.

You are looking at a cute little girl with a 'car phone'. As she's walking away she's saying, 'Hello, hello?" Jennifer and I were cracking up big time.

Mark and Mary's house has lots of fun 'toys'. We have a gazelle and those are fun for big and little kids alike. Caleb gets a workout while Luke and Cate wait for a turn.

Mark was a doll and got the air hockey table ready for play. The boys had a blast!

Caleb couldn't wait to give it a go.

Luke took it pretty seriously. He's doing his best to prevent Caleb from scoring.

I have the feeling though that Caleb was the victor. Just a guess.

Word to the wise: if you're going to take pictures with my camera, you're opening yourself up to having any said pictures posted on my blog. Word.