Day out for Rhonda and Gabe...

So, Steph called me asked me to ride into town to help get their car. So I did. Once Gabe and I drop Steph off at work, I asked Gabe to stop with me at Sam's Club..I asked if he could pick of a few things...LOL....... Two chairs, two ottomans, and a full size couch. Held together by plastic wrap ONLY!

Kirks Wet down...I'll add captions later..

Gabes joins the 211 Club.

First Day Of School...

After a long summer of travels..The kids hit the bus again....

Gunnar and Brittany say goodbye...Britt is off to the 'Big" school with her OTHER brother. Gunnar will be ruling the roost for two long years!
Say Cheese!
Gunnar is ready for the 4th grade!
At Gunnars feet, you'll see Mommy Cat walking her baby to the bus stop.
Good Looking Dra..Wow...He is growing up so fast!
Mr. Football at his school....This is his last year before High School. Our baby boy.

Who's looking from where...The life of a Marine Family!

I was telling the kids how LUCKY we are to have friends and family from so many cities, towns and states!

In the comments below, add your City, State and Family/Friend. My kids are going to keep a watch on this one. Its for them. Thank you!

The Deck....At Last

So I asked Kirk for a deck....A large DECK. After last nights Party I had for Kirk, it may not be big enough! Kirk did such a great job on this deck. Me, well I carried lumber around the house to the back. Kirk and I did have some help! Thank you so much to Derek and Gabe both for taking wood back and forth, & lending a hand. Steph for the clean up crew and board moving too! Rocky's Nail gun...well...that says it all...

The Plan....Its coming together..

Kirk out in the heat, it was about 95+ that day. I was going yard work, shocker! He was just moving along.

On this past Wed...it was DONE.....The new deckturned out so nice. We still have the top to put on, perhaps in the fall when its a bit COOLER. I just love the space!
This is my little space, the La Bistro "Girls Talk Area"

So pretty... All that left it the pool, spa and upper deck....Moving right along!

Working on it...No RAIN is killing all my Hosta.. I just love them. Rain Rain, where are you..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA

Happy Birthday and Retirement Day to my Dad!

My baby boy became a TEEN today....Pics to follow

Kirk and I little boy has become a teen today. Dra is now 13 years old. Where has the time gone? Just days ago it feels like I was at Travis AFB with my sister, mom and Sandie begging to get him out of me. With my mom in the room, my sister trying to film it and the rules that only 2 people in the room, but as the time past, Sandie was in the heat of things and out came not so little Christian Drake 9'14 lbs 22 inches tall! That boy was 12 lbs by the time we left that hospital. His daddy met him the very next day. Kirk was in El Toro,Ca at a school. Dra as I call him as everyone knows was named after my longest and dearest friend Stephanie Harden in Red Bluff, Ca son Mitchel Drake. He is 15. Today marks the end I guess of the days where he wants to be with us from what I hear, LOL...

Some good stories about Dra, well when he was little he use to say to Papa, "You Can't Know" and Papa still says that after at least 12 years.

While I was at Aunt Trina's house waiting for Britt to be born Dra and little Justin pulled EVERY book off the shelve they had on the wall.

He loved a cat named Pork Chop when he was 3 that he held by its neck.

He's always been a hugger and worries about everyone.

He's still shy and not into the "chicks" yet

He's Our little son, our first born, both Kirk side and my side grandchild. He's very special. He's our Birthday Boy and we love you!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Doug

Photo to follow soon!

Join us at Kirks Promotion Party

KIRKS

WETDOWN/BBQ

Sat. Aug 25th

4pm till ??

Kirk and Rhonda's House

GREAT MEAT to be cooked up at 6pm

RSVP A MUST PLEASE

So I may shop for everyone!

Try to remember

via this blog, email, call, whatever, however by 8/20

Call for directions if you've not been over before!

We'll Have:

Yummy Yummy Meat, Bread, Beer, Beer, Beer,Iced Tea Juice Boxes

And some extras, you know me!

If you'd like and its NOT a must please bring a side dish, sweet treat or appetizer.

If you must have a special drink..BYOB then.

Please Bring your family! That means your wife/husband and kids!We should have our pool out, so bring your suits!

Come have fun, enjoy Kirk's very special day with his friends, family and fellow Marines!See you soon...

We picked this weekend because school starts Monday for most and we hoped everyone would be back in town!

Consider this your invite.

Happy Birthday Kirk and Sandie!

Aug 5th was Sandies 39th Birthday, AKA Nana Aug 5th was my husbands 36th birthday! Happy Birthday Buttercup!

I have many more pictures to share. Look at the badge to the side. Click on it and see more!
I was in MN over the weekend, so I am a bit late on the birthdays!

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My baby girl....why is she this way today? Could she be yelling for her Grandma Rhonda? Thanks for the picture,
I love this baby!

Some pictures!!!

Gunnar and his baby Sheep, together again....But The Sheep is back in NC now! Look how beautiful our little Girl is. Brittany growing to be a so special!
Oh Dra....what can I say...he was walking and talking...

Brittany looked around for Dra and found him sleeping in the white room. He is a growing week!
Flowers across the street from The Swenson's in MN
These are just a small taste of the pictures from my short trip to MN over the weekend. I flew in for the Swenson's 150Th Family Reunion. With upwards of 300 people it was packed! More details and pictures to follow!

Kirk's Big Gunny Day

Today was Kirk's Big day, he made Gunny. Gunny Swenson...was called out by his young Marine, and it floored him... I'll Blog more..Gotta run Kirk to Airport to go see kids and parents in MN..

Capt Snyder and Gunny Swenson

Friends from DAY ONE in MN at the airport leaving for boot camp in CA 14+ years ago. Derek as I know him, put on Kirks new rank, and so did I.