A Big Welcome in Merced!

 Old friends, Kate and Ed Osborne, and a wonderful, out-of-this-world meal that Kate cooked.  Oh yum, it was soooooooooooooo good.  Steak grilled on the Barbie to perfection, baked potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, string beans, fresh fruit salad, green salad, jello salad w/marshmallows.  Pumpkin pie and whipped cream or ice-cream for dessert.  Ed & Kate used to come to our home for meeting in Seattle.

 Ed & Kate's daughter, Cheryl Behm and her two girls.  Cheryl's husband Steve was home with their little boy who was sick. :(  So we missed seeing both of them.

 Russ Osborne here at his folks' home.  We enjoyed our time with Russ and Ingrid.  They were just going to be in their home for another week.  Having a new home built which they hope to be in in the spring of 2012...planning to be in one of their rentals in the interim (since their current home has sold).  They, along with Cheryl and her girls all went over to Ed and Kate's for supper.  Had a special time and visits together.

 Ingrid Osborne with her three girls, Melissa (youngest), Sheree (middle) & Natasha (oldest).

Russ is an appliance repair man and they have rental houses as well.  This is their home below that they just sold and planned to be out of within the week after we were there.

The new home they plan to be in by Spring of 2012.  About 6 miles from where they are now in Merced.  The picture below is the back side of the home.  This home will have a pool as well.

This waterway is back behind the home and on their property.

A fresh fig cut in half so you can see the inside of it.

figs drying on screens beside the home being built for Russ and Ingrid Osborne.  We tasted one.  They are pretty good dried.  Think of a fig newton without the cookie part...just the filling. :)

The home next door to the new home Russ & Ingrid are having built.  He already has it rented out to some people and will keep it rented to them.

The "barn" on the property also is being rented out or a portion of it has an apartment in it being rented out as well behind Russ and Ingrids new home that is being built.

Catch-Up Time!!!

 My Sweet Niece, Nicole (Ziniker), and great niece and nephew, Chloe and 'lijah (Strassburg)

 We walked to school with Chloe (just a few blocks away...how convenient is that?)  I had Chloe turn around so you could see the back of her backpack...her name is embroidered on her backpack, it's so cute.  The kids get to play on the bars at school if they get there early enough before the bell rings.

Little Elijah with his sweet mama, Shana (my niece)...he got to play too for a few minutes and watch his big sister go to school, kindergarten for half days. 

Newport, Oregon...a BEAUTIFUL place to be!

 The ocean just across the road from The Whaler Motel where we spent three days at Newport, Oregon.  The mornings were socked-in and foggy, but after a half-day, it burned-off and turned out lovely!!!  We had some nice times where we walked and explored the areas of Newport.

 This walkway has been all redone.  Tom remembers walking down to the beach here in Newport when his grandparents lived there, but there was NO nice walkway like this, just sandy, grassy trails that led to the beach!  This was all right across from our Motel, so we felt really fortunate to have just "winged-it" and got this spot to stay AFTER we got to the coast.  We had to find a "pet-friendly" place that would allow us to keep Jack.  Just $10.00 extra a night.  They supply the doggie bags, plus an extra sheet for the bed for him.  Plus, the WHOLE motel is non-smoking, lucky us!!! :)

Taken outside of our room by our patio.

 Yaquaina Head Lighthouse taken from our room, out on the patio.  It's still foggy by the lighthouse!

 Wooden picture in our room of a seagull!

 We walked around Newport and found Tom's grandparents (Baker's) old home.  Tom has many memories spent at this home when he was a young boy.   This sculpture below was just across the street at a park and it reminded me of Anna and Derek when they were kids...of Anna reading a story to Derek....awwwwww Sweet!!!!! :)

 Theses were neat looking places on the main street going to Nye Beach!  A funky eclectic collection of homes and cottages for rent or sale.  Lots of whimsy and fun places to see there!

Couple days with Sis, Ann.

So nice to be in Vancouver with my sister Ann.  Great to catch up with her.  We enjoyed our time with her.  She had our two brothers over, Ken, also Malcolm and family, and her son, Jeff and family.  I forgot to get pictures....ooops! :(   Always enjoy spending time with my family.  We are working our way South!  Heading to the Oregon Coast.  Excited!

Debbie & Dennis in Onalaska

Our cousin, Debbie and her husband Dennis live in Onalaska and we got to go for a night and meeting with them and a stay in their log home and meet their five horses and three dogs.  We hadn't met Dennis before then so it was special to have an evening and night there and get better acquainted.  Debbie is holding her little dog, Brutus!  What a little sweetie he is!

Metropolitan Grill - Seattle, WA

 Harvey, Linda, Pam and Tom in our booth at Metropolitan Grill, Seattle, WA

 Linda had a berry sorbet for dessert.

 Tom and I shared Creme' Brulee

The server is pouring "from the sky" caramel onto bananas foster dessert on the table across from us.  Those familar with Metropolitan Grill, well, nothing more needs to be said...it is one of those restaurants you only go to on very special occasions or once-in-a-life-time or on a birthday or an anniversary!  We haven't been there literally for years and years.  It was really special, and we really did enjoy it.  It is known as a top steak house in Seattle, however, I got fish...go figure...I love fish!

Suzi's Beautiful Yard!!!

 Pam & Suzi...(Ben & Suz are remodeling their kitchen...thus the plastic hanging and the paint sampling on the wall in the living room).  Jenny had a week's vacation home from work and Heidi is home and getting ready to start work.  Getting ready to head out to Bible study!

 Suzi always has her yard as cute as can be!  Love, love, love it!

More Visits With Some Special People...

 My sister, Alice and Dave @ Red Robin at South Center in Seattle, Washington.

 My Uncle Dale is 89 already!  Nice to get out to their place in Kent and visit with he and Auntie Lil.  They have been in their home for 50 years!  It is now 100 years old!!!  (Below).

 I thought this rose was so pretty in front of Auntie Lil's place!  Looks like a "PEACE" Rose.

 Our good friends Randy and Evie had us over one evening for fresh Halibut and sweet potato fries.  Oh Yum!!! 

Daniel came over to Seattle for a couple of days on his days off work.  Holding Sally.  :) :)