Memorial Day with some Gunsons

Judy, Arline and I drove to the Gunson's in Pleasanton for a Memorial Day barbecue.

Brent and Ashley were visiting from Las Vegas with their two girls, Vera and Isabella.

Clark and Joanne prepared a wonderful meal of barbecued meats, salads, corn and all the fixings.

Erik and Mary arrived just in time for dinner, and we enjoyed a great feast.

After dinner, Erik got interested in the basketball playoffs, but his team was losing.

Brent and Ashley watched also, but you can see that Brent is worried.













A little later Erik and Brent played a serious game of whiffil ball in the back yard. It was a close game decided by a single run--not sure who won.




The girls were having a good time at grandpa and grandma's, playing with Aunt Mary.

Rounds Family Fun

This is a collage of some fun times we had at the family reunion in 2008. Maybe it is time to start planning for our second reunion in 2010. Some family members have suggested a January/February date at a beach location--maybe San Diego.

Pioneer Cottonwood

This is one of my favorite photos. The location is in the Carson Valley of Eastern Nevada near the town of Genoa. Genoa was settled by Mormon Pioneers in the 1850s. It was also a pony express station for a short time.

This cottonwood, just east of Genoa, was probably planted by one of the early Mormon settlers. This area now is dotted with cattle ranches and new home developments as depicted in these additional photos.

Mark's family on Mothers' Day 2009

Judy and I recently returned from a great visit with Mark and family in Shell Beach. We were there for Mothers’ Day and had fun honoring Judy and Amanda. Mark is doing great with his rehab after knee surgery three weeks ago. He rolls down to the beach in his wheel chair.

Sure, he is anxious to get back up in that Amtrak cab, and that should come around July 25.

Here are a couple of photos to give you a flavor of our visit. If all goes well Mark will bring Jess and Luisa to Granite Bay for a visit when school lets out in June.

Mark and I are planning a rail trip on Amtrak from Roseville to Truckee and return. Another alternative may be from Roseville to Salt Lake City or Winnemucca and return.

Mark will need to cozy up to his brothers at the Oakland crew base. Maybe they will let him ride up front if it’s allowed.

My New Blog

This is my first entry. I am working on the format and colors--trying to get everything just right. Judy is on her "sister-fun" road trip. She and Jan stayed at the Apple Farm in San Luis Obispo last night, and will probably be tracking to Orange County malls today. They are taking three days to drive from Granite Bay to El Cajon--fun, fun!

As for Teddy and me, we will be working in the garden, washing the car and fiddling with cameras and the computer.