Okay, April had Michael traveling like a madman. I went to a fun fund raising event for a local high school with my friend Kelley. We met at Zumba years ago and still attend that class. But now we get together for fun events like game nights.
Then there was Easter. The Grandparents came over for brunch and the girls aren't too old for egg hunting in the back yard. They like their candy.
Someone turned 51 this year and the best kids in the world sent a beautiful, surprise bouquet. Gorgeous flowers. Best kids ever. I do love flowers.
Suddenly it was May. Valerie had her end of the year concerts. Here is a snap of her playing cello in the last concert for her in the advanced orchestra. She also had piano recitals. So much music!
Valerie also wrapped up her senior year at the last FFA Banquet. This is a photo of her officer team before she, as chapter president, passed the baton to the next round.
Spring means prom. Here is Valerie with her friend, Sarah V. (she has multiple friends named Sarah, as does Amira) getting ready to head out for dinner and dancing.
This being her senior year, it was also her last Silver Dollar Fair. Here is Valerie with her friend Madelyn getting her sheep ready to show.
Suddenly graduation was upon us. Here are some grad snaps of Valerie.
Here is Valerie with her friends (left to right): Yang, Isa, Valerie, Hannah, Ruthie. Valerie has gone to school with Hannah and Ruthie since 3rd grade.
Valerie, Raelyn, Ruthie.
Once in a while we hear from Rex. He managed to escape the grind of school and work in Long Beach with the help of Dylan who arranged a weekend on Catalina Island. I hear they had a blast. Dylan is always so good about taking photos and sending them to me.
Spring is also time for kayaking. I went out with my friend Grace on the Forebay for a gorgeous paddle and picnic.
As soon as June hit, Valerie was off to Mendocino with friends for some R&R and photo opportunities.
From left to right we have Jaycee, Sarah K., Sarah V. & Valerie.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, it was boysenberry time!
I am like a bear going through the yard, eating as many berries as I save. I've got the freezer loaded and ready for a pie or cobbler or something.
On a different note, sometimes international politics do creep into life at Tifftown. With the trade war affecting business and my job being with an importer, I had to ditch the blue hair in case I needed to look for a job. Phase 1 was to fade the colors. This is Phase 2 where we cover the colors. Phase 3 will be slowly getting it to a more natural hue with natural highlights. It will be a process. It took 10 years for me to get all those colors in. I think Grace wanted to cry and throw up a little bit as she coated them in shades of brown.
Michael has the summer off until August. He and Todd have a morning routine of breakfast, crossword puzzles and reading the paper. It's their happy, quiet time.
Berries aren't the only thing popping at the ranch. We also had a bumper crop of nectarines, peaches, pluots and figs. Don't even get me started on blackberries and mulberries. Well, actually, yes, please get me started! I love all that stuff.
It's been difficult to get photos of Amira. As soon as school was out, she took off for Girl Scout Camp. This was followed by holding a job at Boy Scout Camp as a camp counselor. So, she has been gone since school got out this year. I did get her to send me a photo of herself and some friends. She has been loving the camp. No wifi or internet up there. Just star gazing, hikes in the woods and actual conversations and card games. She's been coming home Saturdays for a short laundry furlough, then back up to the woods.
When July came around, Amira came back to Chico to get her braces off. So I was able to get before and after photos.
Meanwhile at home we also have a bumper crop of zinnias. I had to pull some out of the garden as they were shading my eggplants. More bouquets of joy from the yard.
While home, Amira and Valerie went thrift shopping. Amira found these glasses at Goodwill and thought this comparison photo of herself to one of me in 7th grade was hysterical. It really is. That girl has an awesome sense of humor. Yes, we all had a laugh (at my expense).
We did have a family road trip down to SoCal to visit Rex. Here we are upon arrival to the Long Beach Pier before reuniting with Rex.
Amira & Valerie checking out the beach.
Finally! All five of us reunited.
We had dinner together next to the pier. These kids are all grown up. We really enjoyed our time together.
The next day we headed down to San Clemente to visit our friends. The first Ridgecrest earthquake rattled a few things that morning, but no big deal. Here are the beach babes.
Here are Kelley & Bogie. Michael went to college with Bogie at UCSC. He's a math teacher down at Laguna Beach. It's been a tradition to squeeze in a visit with their family every July.
Valerie, Rex & Michael getting some vitamin D. Amira is taking a sand nap behind them.
After a big day of fun in the sun, it was time for the big family dinner.
On July 5th Valerie wanted to do something "touristy". So, Rex took us to Hollywood where we walked the walk of fame. We drove back through Beverly Hills to see how the "other half" lives.
Once back in Long Beach, we hung out at Rex's house for a bit. This is the house where he lives with all the international students who attend CSU Long Beach. They have a great front porch with plenty of seating for people watching. Or, you know, checking your phone.
And now, I'll be taking Valerie up to Oregon this week to get the key to her new apartment. She will probably move at the end of next month. She will be starting classes at LBCC in September. Rex should be coming back home temporarily in September when he finishes his program. Amira will have the next several weeks to get her on-line Drivers Ed all set. As soon as school starts (mid-August) she will be taking the written exam to get her permit. Michael also returns to work mid-August. Well, we still have about a month left of summer break. Wahooo!
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