April 23-April 25- it’s all about Avery and prokects

Our wonderful trip to California to spend time with West Coast family is filled with many happy, thankful and blessed memories. 

We camped at SacWest Campground while Shan and Carl were at the hospital waiting for Baby Avery to appear. They were at UC Davis Hospital which is only 3 blocks from Drew and Erin’s home. Made life so convenient. 

I dropped them off  at the hospital Tuesday morning and then we all waited and said manyu prayers for a healthy delivery. 

Wednesday, April 24, at 7:33 am little Avery Vivian Alsup was born. A healthy, beautiful little girl to melt all our hearts. 

Tears of joy and so much thankful prayers were pouring out of my eyes. The long wait was over. Now the fun will begin. 

Getting Avery in the car seat wasn’t very much fun for any of us, especially for Avery. 

Then home to Nevada City we go. 

April 22 - still waiting on baby so hiking

Bill has been working on a few projects here at Drew’s. He put in an outside receptacle on the garage and patching up some basement walls where water seeps in. 

While he’s busily working, Lenny and I walked around the neighborhood for several miles. The flowers are blooming everywhere. This pic of someone’s front yard I saw. Bet they will need to water it in a few days. It isn’t supposed to rain for several months. 

Still waiting on Baby Alsup. Tomorrow is D-Day. Shan’s appointment is at 10 am. The fun will begin then. 

Easter with the west coast family

Since we are in Sacramento, we attended Easter Service at the Table UMC. Beautiful music and service. Hers a pic of the altar. 

Then it was time for the family to get together for the Easter dinner. Erin made Easter bread from her family’s recipe. 

And here’s our dinner all laid out. The weather was perfect so we ate outside. 

Look at their gorgeous flowers. 

Still waiting for Baby Alsup to arrive. 

April 20-21 - Moving to Sacramento & Easter prep

Since Shan is going to deliver at UC Davis Hospital in Sacramento, we moved the RV to SacWest Campground. 

Lenny loves the dog yard. 

But before we left, Shan, dogs and I had a 5 mile hike. 

Drew and Erin cooked us a delicious fresh pasta carbonara meal with handmade noodles. We bought them a pasta maker attachment for their Kitchenaid, so he wanted to show us how he mastered it. 

While Drew was working on the pasta, Erin had eggs ready for us to color. I haven’t colored eggs since Winter and Kya were younger. 

Easter prep done...s’mores making time!

April 15-19 - No baby yet. More hiking and more projects

It rained almost the whole day so there was some lazing around, reading and discussing what was the next project. 

I was able to get a shot of the full moon above our camper. 

Tuesday we were back down at Drew and Erin’s so Bill could install a new outside receptacle so Erin could put up outside lights. 

Bandit and Lenny played and I spent the day basking in the sun!

Wednesday we got some hiking in on the Tribute Trail with Shan’s friends. 

Then Thursday came and Shan wanted to finish tiling their backsplash. 

Yep, that’s Shan 9 months pregnant crawling around on the counter. No words, other than, it’s finally done and really finishes the kitchen. 

Also went to the gym to swim with Shan. She sure is active. Guess she’s trying to get that baby moving!

Friday was another day of hiking to Scots Lake. It’s only about 5 miles from Shan and Carl’s house. What a beautiful lake with emerald colored water. The dogs had fun in the water. 

Tomorrow we move the RV down to Sacramento for Easter with Drew and baby D-day on Tuesday. Cannot wait!

April 8-14 - no baby yet, hiking and projects

This week has been busy with projects at Shan’s... switching out receptacles and washing baby clothes!  

After a great Kodiak cake breakfast, we hiked the Stevens Trail in Colfax. Wildflowers are beginning to bloom and lots of running water. 

This one of my favorite invasive CA trees, the Manzanita. They are beginning to flower. 

Drove down to Drew’s Thursday night to get ready for an electrical project on Friday. When HGTV’s Yard Crashers did Drew’s backyard, they didn’t do the  electrical connection to the outdoor lights very well. So that was Bill’s job. He got it done and Drew and Erin had a party outside that night. They were so appreciative. 

Their backyard was really nice before but now it’s even better with lights that actually work at night. 

Saturday we were back up at Shan and Carl’s so Bill could help Carl put in a new mailbox post. The previous one was a white bucket with a pole stuck in it. Not the most beautiful but you could tell where to turn because no one else had one like it. 

More hiking on the ditch trail behind Shan’s house. The ditch is a way California provide  irrigation to houses. The snow melts off the mountains and runs into these ditches. And it’s also great hiking trails. 

We went to church on Palm Sunday at the UMC in Nevada City where I’ve gone before. They treat me like one of there’s which really makes me feel welcome. Today’s reading of the Passion was very stirring. The keyboard player sang the song from Jesus Christ Superstar, Gethsemene. Very powerful singer.