Surprise Party

One of the celebrations for Lilia's 50th birthday, included an amazing effort by Mike Cottle to surprise her with a party at Maison Riz.  With great success he pulled it off and we had an amazing time.

The night before the party.  The best part of this was since the following night was the surprise party, everyone in town couldn't talk to Lilia.  We all got together without her and even her local friends cancelled on her to hang out with us.  Poor Lilia, home alone.

After years of wanting to do it, we hauled our bikes down to LA with us and enjoyed riding them up and down the beach.  Here we are at the Redondo Beach Pier checking out the location of the surprise party.

Meeting up with Kelly and Andy for breakfast before the party

One of the cool touches Mike had setup for the party was a photo booth.  They had all sorts of wigs and jewelry and stuff so you could party like a rock star.  While initially I didn't think too much of the idea, it was more fun than I expected.  I really liked how every set of photos came with two, one strip you can keep and one that went into an album for Lilia and you could write in your comments.

Brad and Mike rocking out in photo booth

Look!! Chloe is smiling!!

Photo Booth fun!

Shots!! From left to right, Kelly, Me, Rich, Sylvia, Lilia, Bob, Criselda, Robin, Mary, Luz

Mike, Me, Andy, Kelly

The morning after - Mike, Me, Paul, Mary, Andy, Kelly, Lilia, Mike C.

Berryfest

On May 12th, we went to our first Berryfest, which used to be the Strawberry festival in Roseville.

Nate dancing.  The bald dude was wrapping up his juggling, jokes & magic show.

More dancing

Nate and Wyatt watching a K9 demonstration

Brian (Wyatts dad), did part of the demonstration

It was Scout Day at the Berry Fest, so all the troops in the area had displays up, including this rope bridge.  Nate walking the bridge

Wyatt walking the bridge.  This bride was built for the display by boy scouts.  We talked to one of the leaders who mentioned that in Boy Scouts, the scouts are expected to do all the work setting up the camp site, cooking, cleaning up etc.

Nate and Thompson family watching the bald dude perform a second time.  His assistant was a master at the hula hoop and at the end of this show, instead of dancing the kids got to practice the hula hoop.

Nate

World's Colliding

We all landed within an hour of each other. We all met up at the shuttle only to find out that the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll Marathon was going. This means all the streets were closed and traffic a nightmare. Took us a couple hours to get to Frank and Rhonda's but we made it!

Waiting for Shuttle. From right to left - Sylvia, Martha, Shayne, Chloe, Lilia, Nate, Mike, Me, Mike C.

The minute we walked in, it was party time. Tequila, beer, vodka, wine all came out!! Then suddenly we noticed Rhonda was missing. Turns out she was not feeling well and was unable to hang with us. She ended up sleeping the rest of the day. She was bummed she missed the party but glad she is no longer sick.


Later some friends from high school showed up and I have not seen them in over thirty years!! But the minute we were together it seemed like no time had passed. Walked down memory lane and must admit it was fun. Interesting to bring my past into my current life. Worlds colliding!!

High School buddies but no Rhonda Howick Torres. Elliott Mall, Me, Rhonda Grey Reasor, Brett Reasor.

Looking forward to seeing what's in stored for the rest of the trip!!

Scout Night With the Rivercats

Saturday June 16 was Scout night at the River Cats game. It was also 108 degrees that day. HOT!!! Mike's dad, Rich, was suppose to go but when he saw how hot it was going to be he canceled. So we took Ethan instead. The boys wore their uniform and marched around the field with the other scouts before the game. Then it was an all you can eat BBQ and then to our seats to watch the game. The boys were quite the troopers since the game went for 4 hours! I guess they really wanted to see the fireworks.

Mike, Nate and Ethan wearing a LA Dodgers hat. I grew up in LA, so I have no problem with the hat but living in Northern Cal, most are Giants fans! Giants fans do frown on Dodgers.

Before the game, scouts were able to ask some of the players questions. Nate and Ethan did not know what to ask.

Mike looking ever so good at the game!

Getting ready to march around the field.

Marching

Marching

Mascot "Dinger" riding a unicycle

Marching

Marching

River Cats Field

Marching and sweating!!

Tower bridge at sunset.

When I Grow Up

On May 2nd, the first grade class at Blue Oaks put on a play called "When I Grow Up".

These shows are SO much fun for the parents and grandparents.  Thanks again to the teachers for all the work that goes into putting one of these on.

Here's a copy of the program

Alyssa felt really comfortable as the "Star" of this play.

Nate took time out from the play to smile for the camera.

As a baker, Nate's performance rose to the occasion and we finally understand all the singing he was doing around the house the weeks before the play.

Jimmy was a plumber

Carlos was a cowboy 

And Nate sang along all the skits.  Favorite was him going back and forth with the Aoooohhh, sort of like a coyote supporting the cowboys.

While Number Two in line, Casey stole the end of the show with his Domo Arigato Mr Robotto dance  shown in the video clip below.

And here's Nate and the crew performing I Want to be a Baker

There's more videos on my YouTube channel if you want to check them out.  My YouTube ID is mgreenhp, so search and discover all the videos from the show.

Tic Toc Tic Toc...

Tomorrow at this time we should be all on an airplane headed to Seattle! So many things to do to get ready. Mail and newspapers have been put on vacation hold. My dog Lilo is now at my dad's. House needs to be clean and pick up before we leave (despise coming home to a messy house after vacation). Last minute laundry needs to be done and need to finish packing. I know I will probably forget something.

Looks like we are in for some typical Seattle weather - Rain, rain and monsoon? Highs will be in the low 60's and lows in the low 50's. Guess we are packing umbrella's. Thinking my hair is going to be nightmare there since it does not do well in humidity!

Hope Rhonda and Frank are ready to have 9 guests at her house. We are bringing the party and we have a tendency to be LOUD!! And we like to drink!! Ooof, this is going to be fun!!

Cinco De Mayo

For Cinco De Mayo, we started off with Nate's Baseball game, then the village came back to our house for a little party.

I made smoked carnitas, here they are marinating .

I also made bacon wrapped stuffed Jalapenos.  The stuffing had Gouda cheese, sausage and cream cheese along with numerous spices.

The results were yummy, although several folks commented that they looked like little mice.

We had a ton of kids over.  In fact so many it started to make us a little nervous as we were having a hard time tracking all of them,  If we have that many kids again, we'll need a lifeguard.  Otherwise 10 kids seems to be about our max.

I had a surprise for the kids, although we told no adults in advance either.  Before the baseball game, I went and bought a Pinata and filled it with candy and toys.  It was a huge hit (no pun intended,)

Here are the kids lined up to take a shot at Darth Vader.  This Pinata was a little different, instead of handing kids bats to swing and get hurt, or ruin my patio, this kid-friendly pinata had strings and each kid would get a chance to pull a string and if they were lucky, they'd get the string that opened the Pinata.

Brian helped me corral the kids and hold the Pinata.  Afterwards the kids ran around  like Lord of the Flies with the Vader head until it fully disintegrated.