Bowling, Crafting, Slackling and Grandparents

 

The girls and I spent time this a.m. playing with some ideas for the retirement reception. We settled on the mason jars (left or center) rather than the vase (right). We added to PWOC's patriotic collection.

 

Check it out - a full van again 

Dakota, Izaak Bre
Jamin, Krista, Arielle
Jared, Lariss Nolan
Alex, Stacia

 

 We headed to the base for some COOL activities.  Bre and I ran retirement errands and did a quick run through the commissary.  The rest of the gang headed to the bowling ally for a couple of games.

Krista (Gherkin # 2)

Alex (Gherkin #8)

 They divided into three teams - The Superheroes, The Disney Princesses and The Gray Team. The "Disney Princesses" won one game.

Arielle (Gherkin #6) , Krista, Stacia (Gherkin #9)

Jamin (Gherkin #4) and Jared (Gherkin #5)

Nolan (Gherkin #7)

Izaak

Dakota

Um - a fish story?

  "The Gray team" won the second game

Dakota (grandson), Izaak (son in law), Alex (Gherkin #8), Michael (Boyfriend #1)

 Dinner gave Michael an opportunity to use his "mega grill" one last time. We have chosen to send it to Izaak, rather than store it. LOL

 

We decided to spend walk to a local park.

 

Have you ever heard of  slacklining? Krista come up with the greatest activities....that's probably what makes her so good working with the Park and recreation dept in the summer. LOL It's harder than it looks. This may be a purchase for the RV....

Laressa (Jared's girlfriend), Nolan (Gherkin #7) and Krista (Gherkin #2)

Stacia has loved getting to know Larissa these past two weeks

Michael suggested a new location...

Much safer - obviously too low

 Minutes before Alex badly sprained/jammed his finger.  

 

We headed home to meet Gma and Gpa T at their Estimated Time of Arrival.....one more Gherkin to arrive and we'll be ready for the retirement festivities. 

Of Aggies and Ducks

Such fun times. Jamin (Gherkin #4) and Krista (Gherkin #2) both arrived by 10 p.m. 

Gig em Aggies! Go DUCKS...SO great to have these two here.

Krista worked and then drove 7 - 8 hours to be here. Jamin? Well, he left College Station very early to be in San Antonio and catch a 7 a.m. flight.  We weren't 100% sure which flight he was coming in on - so we googled with the time and guessed. We waited and watched at the terminal.

I stalked all men with shaved heads.  Then we got a text. I'm in the baggage area, carousel one. We raced down the escalator...Michael still has his running on escalator skills from Tokyo! He wasn't there. We were at the wrong terminal. ::snort:: We told him to hop a bus to the economy parking and we'd meet him there.....except the busses were incredibly full and we had to wait much longer than expected. So long that eventually, Jamin stepped off the bus from his terminal and met us as we waited for a bus to the parking lot. LOL

Izaak and I made a trip for groceries earlier in the day. I got a kick out of the way people left me alone while accompanied by a clean-bearded-totally-covered-tattooed-gentlemen. I may have to convert Michael if we stay in CA.  I knew it would be late when we returned from the airport, and hoped to avoid a restaurant dinner for 14. Izaak kept the chicken from burning up and fixed a yummy salad while we were gone.  It was wonderful to smell dinner when we walked in the door.

The family started a game of "mafia" while we waited for Krista to arrive. No wedding proposals were made during this game of Mafia. I worked on photos and enjoyed the buzz....and....um...I created a mafia role for myself which allowed me to continue working on photos - THE MEDIA. I strove to insert general chaos. I'm sure I'll be voted off the island if I ever try that again! I knew I'd fall asleep if I closed my eyes and played for real. LOL



Love the exchange between Jared and Larissa!

Krista arrived and soon we called it a night - about 11:30 p.m.  In other events of the day:

Michael had a surprise doctor visit. They seem to really find times for you when you tell them you are going to whichever center can get you in quickest. ::snort:: He does have sleep apnea and they'll be doing another study to set the CPAP on Sunday night.

Michael reports he got a lot done on the "checklist."

And I simply love having a "chalkboard" in the home....I use the one in the kitchen for notes and grocery lists....the one in the bathroom?

Love the closing comment - Speak Engleesh

Games and Battles

We discussed hiking today - but in the end - the first day of vacation should be about resting. Some of us ran to order a retirement cake and pick up birthday gifts for Stacia.  Michael went to the office. The rest of us hung out.....

Various games were played - I didn't get a picture of the traditional cut-throat Monopoly game. I still don't see the appeal of that game. LOL 

Epic Nerf Battle

When Michael arrived home we enjoyed dinner, some patio talk, more games and a long phone call with Cy (Gherkin #3).

I continue to work on getting photos documented and in albums. I'm now up to Jamin's birth (Gherkin #4 - 24 yo).  Michael reminded me Mom G is still working on photos at 87 and possibly I don't need them all done before we move into the trailer. We shall see.

Stacia's response to all the  photos is amusing. "WHY do you have all these?"

"Well....they were born before digital cameras were invented. There was no internet, so we had no blog. This was how we took photos and told stories. NOW....I blog and print which is why all YOUR photos are in printed books or on the computer. "

"Hmmph."

The Gherkins are Coming



Another wave of family arrived tonight for Friday's celebration . I tried twice to get a photo - really I did. It's fairly obvious which two are blood Gherkins. LOL

Dakota, Arielle, BreAnne, Izaak

Dakota, Arielle, BreZaak

BTW, we discovered Arielle was not hired to stock shelves at Fred Meyers. That position, which she was applying for, was filled. However, they said her "bubbly personality" would be perfect for a cashier....

Farewell Sunday

It's a big day for us. Michael preached his last sermon as an Air Force chaplain.

 

We were happy to have Cole and Elise back. Clara is back too, but the only photo I got of her is  unflattering. I'll try again on Friday.

 

What a blessing it was to be here for Quentin's dedication. Desiree and her family have been champs as they faced surgery, chemo and pregnancy all at the same time.

 

Love this family.

 

The kids all got pillow cases signed by all the kids in the RE programs. Very fun.

 

I'm explaining who Jared (Gherkin #5) is...

 

 Michael is opening our gift from the service. "Off the Beaten Path." It's a perfect gift for us...and many wrote notes in it. Perfect. I can't wait to crack it open and get exploring.

 

How I love these ladies!

Nikki, Margaret and Maria

Desiree and Quentin

 I am glad Ashely made it home so we could say goodbye before we leave.

Me, Ashely and her kids

 We took a quick windshield tour of the base, stopped by the commissary and the WW2  POW Cell block.

Jared (Gherkin #5) and Larissa

Rodeo Beach

Michael had a surprise for us. We had hoped to visit Stinson beach.....but by the time we were done at Muir Woods we weren't sure there would be time for the beach.  We were not parked up at Muir Woods and it would take more time than we were planning to get there. We opted to head to Fort Baker so we could picnic by the Golden Gate Bridge and see the iconic bridge.

When we left Fort Baker, we assumed we were headed home. Michael took us to Rodeo Beach instead. I love the Pacific Ocean. It makes me feel closer to Asia.

Larissa also loves the ocean and had never been to the Pacific Ocean.

 

This is evidently how male Gherkins do the beach! LOL

 

Notice how excited Stacia is - jumping!

 

But not jumping HERE. LOL

 

Don't judge me. I was sharing the experience with a family member who I thought may have been here before.

 

Cute happening which caught Michael's eye

 

Sand is a fact of beach exploring

I look forward to visiting the Atlantic Ocean sometime in the future. Viva la retirement. This is the last Saturday Michael will be Active Duty.