August 2016

What a nice, relaxing month! The weather is gorgeous, our plants are thriving and we are beginning to relax and enjoy our free time more.

We had 2 craft days with the grandkids this month. The first of the month, we made dragons out of TP rolls and then later in the month, we made our own paper.

Karissa had her date with us this month. We spent 3 hours at the Galleria Mall, treating her to a bunjee jump and lunch in the Food Court. The rest of the time was spent shopping. She was given $10 to spend anywhere she wanted. Of course, she knew before we even went just what she wanted but it was fun to look at everything else as a possibility. In the end, she ended up at the Disney Store for an Elsa doll.

We met Danny and Rita at a local restaurant for brunch followed with a game of cards here at our house. Beginner’s luck...they skunked us on our own game of “64”. And we got to watch Princess for a few days while Ryan and Beth headed to Lake Rollins for their annual campout. You can see how our yard is filling in!!

We got serious this month about getting some bikes. I searched every day on Craigslist and we now have a bike rack and two mountain bikes. We spent a day cleaning and returning them and I actually was able to ride the thing without falling off! I think it has been at least 40 years since I last rode one.

Mid-month, we joined the Adamsons at Fallen Leaf Lake for 4 nights of camping. I tried a new website for meals and ended up doing a lot of prep work for mason jar meals. I dehydrated all of the veggies and meat and combined all of the fixings in a mason jar. So at the campsite, all I had to do was add water and heat it up. I also made up salads in a jar that I just had to mix up and put on a bed of greens. I made a batch of cookies and KIND bars and we were all set! It made it much easier for me at the campground and we both liked the recipes enough to make it a do-again. But I will use canned veggies and canned meat next time. Fallen Leaf Lake was gorgeous and we did a long bike ride to the shore of Lake Tahoe with Phil and Lynda with a stop for ice cream. We enjoyed the cooler weather, that wonderful pine scent and watching the little chipmunk critters.

We got home for a day to repack, shower and babysit for back-to-school-night. The grandkids started back on August 15 and both love their new teachers and classes.

The next day, we headed south for Shotokan Karate of America’s 60th anniversary in Santa Barbara. We stayed in an RV park and were able to park in one of the dojo lots during the day. The RV place was literally just a parking space so it was nice to get up in the morning and head straight to the dojo for breakfast. The dojo is on a hill overlooking the Pacific and we would enjoy watching the fog slowly burn off down the hill. On Saturday, Sensei Oshima led a training for the 850 participants, followed by kata demonstrations by each participating country. After lunch, we watched the first part of the godan test, then headed to the van for a nap before heading back to the RV park to get ready for the banquet. Dinner was at the Fess Parker Hilton. It was a tad chilly, but delicious. Sunday morning they had a tournament between countries. After lunch was the second part of the godan test. That evening was a more formal dinner at the Fess Parker. Then we spent all of Monday getting home. We got back about this 4:15...just in time for Rog to change into his gi and head up to Auburn for Monday night practice.

Karissa had a dinner birthday party for family on the 24th. Eric made macaroni and cheese with toppings. I don’t usually eat mac and cheese...my mom used Kraft in-the-box…. but this was delicious!!! And Michelle made some awesome cupcakes for dessert.

While the kids were in school the next day, Eric took the day off and went with Michelle to get the newest addition to the family. His name is Scout and he is absolutely adorable!! We got to meet him that evening at Karissa’s dance class/. We went to wish her a happy birthday and Eric and Max were playing with Scout in the park. He’s part lab, part Australian Shepherd and is about 2 months old. What fun!

Rog and I returned to the Studio Movie and Grill twice this month. We saw Jason Bourne and Pete’s Dragon. We love $5 Tuesdays!!!

Project-wise, Rog continues to work on the playhouse deck. He put in a new rock pathway and fiberglassed the fascia board.