Nothing to do but relax today

Today it was so nice not to have any plans. Just a family breakfast at Rodeo Cafe, relaxing at the house, Derek off to the fights and happily In and Out for dinner with Kristin and the kids.


Thought we should show everyone how dirty our car has gotten so far. She had an oil change in Nevada and will get a bath soon. Derek is very proud of the dirt.


Out for breakfast. Diego hides behind his drink with Kristin and Andy poses with Uncle.


Diego has a big plate of pancakes.


Derek shows Diego how to hypnotize a chicken.


Diego poses with Uncle as he is leaving for the fights. The birds did well. They said they were very close to being in the money......


Kristin and I were playing on the computer and Diego brought us one of his chickens. We were trying to teach it to play Farmville on Facebook. It was not to excited about it.


We of course took the chance to head out and get dinner at mine and Kristin's favorite place!!


Diego fell asleep in the drive thru line. There are always tons of cars in line.


Back at the house we all sit down to enjoy our burgers, fries and a shakes. Yep I had to have a double double animal style with animal fries. Not sure if I will ever get tired of In and Out.


Looking forward to the big family get together tomorrow. Yummy food.

Heading to Mira Loma

So we are off to visit Derek's sister Kristin in Mira Loma near LA. The weather was great and it made for a very pretty drive. We had a short visit with Iris but will head back there after visiting Kristen and family. We are looking forward to relaxing with family and getting to see some friends.



The road as we first set off.



We stopped at the stream that Derek used to fish when he was younger.



I caught a tumbleweed!!!!!



New State!!!!! Yep we mad it into California.



Up in Mammoth. The roads were clear but the snow was deep on the sides. Thinking we might stop overnight on the way back.



Coming down the hill toward Bishop.



Thought about going but it was an hour away. Maybe this summer.



Finally got to the Calderas house. Great to see Kristin, Andy and Diego. Little Andy tried to stay awake but did not make it. Diego stayed awake for a few minutes but then fell asleep. We followed right after.
Tomorrow fun with the family.

A great day to get a computer.

Today is devoted to getting my mother-in-law her first computer. We drove in to Carson City to price them at a couple of places. We found a great deal all inclusive package at Best Buy. The weather was great and the scenery was beautiful and wild. Below are 2 pictures of the wild mustangs that you can see from the highway. It is amazing to see them running free.

We stopped at Trader Joes to look around. Derek gave Iris a lesson on what salmon not to buy.

This is my favorite place to go for lunch. I look forward to it every time we come down here. I wish they would open one in Washington.....but that will never happen :(

There is nothing like a double double and animal fries!!! YUMMMMMMMM

Iris got her new computer. She will be all set up tonight.

OK so a tourist trip to Nevada would not be complete with out a drive through the brothels. In the middle of the day they were packed.

Good to know Ellie is working :)

How kind of them to have additional parking to accomodate the clients with larger vehicles.

We stopped in to see our friend Leandra and her son Jake. She is also our property manager. She is the best. Not only as a manager and friend but she makes super good fudge.

Tomorrow we head off to California to see Derek's sister and family. In the morning I will show Iris some basics of the computer also. We are coming back here for a longer visit after we leave So Cal.

Head to Nevada

Well we left our family in Sun Valley. It was a great visit. Thanks again you guys. Yes Louise we did listen to the Carpenters as soon as we got in the car. Now we are off to Silver Springs to visit Derek's mom. We are so excited. We are helping her get her 1st computer. Now she can email the family.



We made it to Nevada!!!!! Not to much weather to worry about. The drive was nice.




We have seem so much wildlife on this trip. In honor of Derek's Dad I snapped this wildlife shot of "slow elk"


Derek thought this was a perfect summer home for us! He got all excited because it was metal stud and lath and plaster. Probably would not be to bad in the summer but winter???? Brrrrr.

Stopped to stretch our legs and read about the California Trail.

Yes, Derek found fireworks. He was like a kid in a candy store. We managed to come out with only a few to light when we get down to his sister's in CA.

How can you not love a town called Winnamucca!

Of course this was a mandatory stop. Cute little town and we had to stop a smooch under the sign.

We finally made it into town. This sign is just 5 minutes from Iris'. It is going to be so nice to see her......and of course eat her yummy cooking. Tomorrow it is off to get a new computer for her.

Iris and Ozzie come out to greet us!

Just in case you would like to know we stopped searching for radio stations today. Below is our music CD listening for the day:

The Carpenters - can't go wrong with this one

Warren Xevon - odd but very cool

Black Flag - all we needed was a mohawk and a mosh pit

Barry Manilow - need I say more?

80's party mix - love the 80's alternative mix......thanks Starbucks

Somehow it all seemed to flow

Fun filled day with friends and family

Had a great nights sleep. Then off into town to meet up a friend I have not seen in almost 17 years. Great to see Becky. Then we went over to see her Mom. I spent so much time back in the summers at their house.



After coffee Derek and I drove up Frenchman's gulch to look around. This is the road Louise lives on just farther up into the Sawtooth national forest. Here I am taking a nice walk in the woods.


After the walk we heades into town to see Fletcher in his school program. It was all about Australia. He was great!!


Back at the house we had some time before Charlie's hockey practice so Fletcher challenged Derek to a chess game. Fletcher won. Then Russell and Fletcher decided wrestling sounded like fun. Here they are attacking each other. Not sure who won.



Then it was off to watch Charlie at hockey practice. I got tired just watching. He was so good.


Trent got home from his business trip to Boise just in time to have a family picture.
These guys are the cutest family. So happy and I am so glad they welcomed us into their home.


Tomorrow we get up early and head off to Silver Springs Nevada to see Derek's Mom.

Relaxing day in Sun Valley

Time to play tourist. Spending the day driving around town.



It snowed the night before.



Enjoying some cocoa and coffee and updating the blog at Sun Valley village.



Mt Baldy. Next year we will ski.



Derek enjoys watching the kids ice skate at the lodge.



I am glad for the quick break to warm up by the fire in the lodge.




The entrance to the Sun Valley Lodge. Cool snow sculpture.



Derek plays legos with Charlie and Russell.



Derek helps with the dishes after a great meal with the family.



Russell blows out the candles. Time for bed.

Excited to visit with my friend Becky tomorrow. Possibly snowshoeing and kids activities.