Mom's First Bus Ride

Mom has now started attending a Day Care program twice a week, Tuesdays and Fridays. It begins at 9:15 am and ends at 2:30 pm. Their activities are varied daily and consist of Bible studies, arts and crafts, singing old songs, dancing, story telling, informational visits from the community, sharing personal stories with each other and they all have lunch together. The people who attend run the entire range of disabilities. She complains about having to attend, but always has a good time.

Friday was her first day to ride the Spokane Community bus. Since the Day Care is about a 40 min. drive to get her there it can eat up a lot of gas. This bus service is door-to-door and only cost $3.00 round trip.

One catch to her riding the bus is that I have to have her ready for pickup between 7-7:30 am. And then she didn't get home until almost 4:20. A long day for her -- but she did OK. And I truly enjoy and need the break.

Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma's 84th Birthday

Mom's birthday was celebrated at a restaurant that served the food of her choice. Believe it or not, when I asked her what her all-time favorite food was (thinking that she would never be able to give me an answer -- or at least not right away) without the slightest hesitation or pause she said "spaghetti" or "pasta." Wow -- no problem. We all went to The Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown Spokane.
Look closely -- there's a dish of ice cream with a candle in front of mom

We were definitely off tune -- but we all sang "Happy Birthday"
Of course we all ate too much.
Smile!!!!
Wonderful dinner and great birthday.

Marc and Sara's New House

Lots of shade out front
These bushes by the street are huge
Their first backyard barbeque on their big deck. We had delicious hamburgers and hot dogs on Marc's new Father's Day grill after the guys finished loading and unloading all Steve's "stuff." The back yard is great big -- and Boss the dog loves this.

Steve's Move to Spokane

Steve decided to move to Spokane and give it a try out in the Great Northwest. Arn flew to Atlanta on June 14 to help load and drive. Steve had almost all of it packed and gathered. They got the truck on Sunday, June 15 and loaded all day Monday. The road trip (hauling Steve's car behind) began on Tues. They arrived here (road weary) on June 20th, Friday afternoon.

The truck -- big enough?


Yes, it's crammed full of "junk."


We got a new mattress.


Marc, Sara and family came to help unload and then load the storage shed

Not empty for long

Will it all fit? Yep, with room to spare.
Now Steve's off each day filling out apps, sending off resumes, and interviewing. A week at mom and dad's is enough so he has great incentive to find a good job.

Gary and Linda to the Great Northweat

Diane's brother, Gary and wife Linda came to visit the great NW the end of May, early June. This was their first visit to the Seattle and Spokane area. We had a greaaaaaaaaaat time!!

Back porch kick-back. Diane, mom and Sara. One of the only days that was nice their whole trip.
Gary and Linda getting ready for the big "rib-fest."
Oh my gosh, Rylee. How good is that watermelon?
Cody thinks it's just as good.
Wagon-slide at Riverfront park. Riverfront park is where the World's Fair took place in 1970-something -- either 74 or 76. I never can remember. It was sooooooooooooo cold that day it was hard to stand still even for a picture.

When was the last time you rode a merry-go-round? This carousel will celebrate 100 next year and is well maintained in excellent condition by the city of Spokane.
Unfortunately, you can't really see Spokane Falls in the background, but they were roaring. No one wanted to take the sky-ride. Too cold and blowing. The baskets were rocking from side-to-side. Would have been kinda scary. So we went to Olive Garden and ate our weight in salad and good hot soup and yummy bread sticks.
Our visit to Lake Couer d'Alene, ID was another lovely, blustery day. Too cold to walk around the boardway -- so next best thing????? Bloody Mary's at the resort looking over the marina.
What a motley crew!!!! Arnie, Diane, mom, Gary and Linda. Party time -- Gary's birthday.
Ok, ok. What we do best? -- EAT! We grilled huge almost 2" thick rib eyes, 2" thick filets, 2 lbs. colossal shrimp and all the trmmins. We do know how to have a feast.

Another Birthday

Woke up and Arnie had put this sign out on the back fence. The sign was originally from my 50th. Wow how time flies.

We had a fantastic dinner at Cyrus O'Learys downtown Spokane with Marc and Sara.

Moving Day

Rylee tooooooooo cute to work. But a great addition to the trailer.

"Boss" the big guy helper

Oh boy, new picnic table for the deck

Glad to have the piles gone from the garage.

Hey -- anyone remember the Beverly Hillbillies??????

Sara, Rylee, mom, Bryson, Marc and Arnie

Oops. Should have had mom gone for this. She was pretty upset. What were we thinking???

Ready to go. Only seven more loads at the apt.!!!!! Fun, fun, fun.