April 2014

 

April was mostly a somber month.

 

 

Our dear sweet friend Dottie Anderson passed away.  She had many medical problems and challenges in her last few years, but she never gave up and we know she knew everything that was happening - she was aware, but couldn't respond very well.  She loved to be at our gatherings and we loved to have her.  She will leave a real void in all of our lives.....Rest in Peace our dear friend...You are gone but never forgotten!  You will remain in our hearts forever.

 

Later in the month, we all enjoyed a visit from friend Bob Rea.  Pictured are Bob, Lew, MJ, John, Linda, Andy.

 



March 2014

 

 

 

March was a busy month for us  First up was a visit by Son AJ  The weather was perfect Desert Winter!

 

Another wonderful gathering, this time to honor guests Ray & Diane!  Pictured is Andy, Linda, MJ, John, Lew, Dottie, Ray, Diane, Linda, Larry, Nita and Ken.  As usual, a wonderful time of friendship and fellowship.

 

Just "the girls" toasting a Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!!!  NO, not Tequila - good Irish Wiskey!!!

 

Our Happy Saint Patrick's Day Gathering - pictured are Andy & Linda in the back, then Diane, John, MJ, Larry, Ray, Linda, Nita, Ken, Lew and Dottie in the front.  A little early, but a wonderful gathering for sure!

 

Settling down a little, we have a welcome visit by friends Shirley & Willie from Lake Havasu City.

 

Too bad we can't get everyone here at the same time - it would be a wonderful gathering for sure.  Here we have Ron & Flor visiting.  The weather is  getting warm, but not too bad yet!



February 2014

 

February was quiet for us, but we did have the opportunity to host a Happy Hour with our "Idaho" Friends. 



January 2014

 

The beginning of a new year!

 

 

Each January you will likely find us in Indio California for the Western Area FMCA Rally!  This year the theme was Dogpatch USA - the parade was great (as usual) and the whole rally was fun!

 

After Indio, each January you will likely find us in Quartzsite AZ for the big RV Gathering in the Desert.  This year we "wimped out" and spent our time in a full-hookup park - Rice Ranch.  Much nicer being in the desert with full hookups!

 

We are always blessed with some fantastically beautiful sunsets!

 

 

Friends Carole and Jack Morgan came to visit us on our lot.  We had a great time!

 

A fun time for sure - New Odyssey  - a musical group out of the mid-west are a big favorite of ours.  We have seen them perform several times at our Monaco Rallies.  They were playing at one of the RV parks in our area and a group of us went to see them.  3 guys with maybe 30 plus instruments -  Always a wonderful time!

 

Yet again another great gathering at Casa Clarkson - pictured are Wanda, Carole, Ron, Barry, Dottie, Lew, Andy and Linda.

 



December 2013

 

 

Getting back into the swing of things, it is time to get ready for Christmas. 

 

 



 

Austin is ready for a Merry Christmas!  Our outdoor living room is decorated and ready for a celebration.

 

 

We had an early Christmas Gathering because friends Linda and Bob were in town.  Pictured are Dottie, Lew, MJ, John, Nita, Ken, Bob, Linda, Andy and Linda.

 

 

The lights look much better in person, but this picture is not too bad.

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2013

 

 

Every December the town of Somerton has their annual Tamale Festival - this year we went with Lew & Dottie to check it out.

 

 

There are many booths lining the main drag in Somerton.  The lines were much longer when we got there, but after a while the booths start to run out of Tamales, then it is easy to get to them.  It was amazing the variety  of Tamales - from the usual all the way to Cream Cheese, Chili & Cheese,

 Chocolate and many more.

 

 

Doesn't this just make your mouth water?  They were delicious!

 

 

 

The line for Beer!  Always long, but so worth it.  Even though it is December, it is quite warm here in the Desert Southwest.

 

 

Every year a section of the Foothills really goes all out to decorate for Christmas.  Every lot in the block is so bright and colorful - kids love it, but us older kids really enjoy it also.  Really had to get good pictures, but you can get an idea of some of what goes on.  Well worth an evening drive!

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  We spent a quiet evening and celebrated the passing of 2013 alone.   We had a wonderful 2013 and are hoping for a fantastic 2014!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving 2013

 

After our long adventure to the East Coast, we were very happy to relax with many of our good friends and share Thanksgiving!  Pictured are - in the back row from the left is Nita (holding Katie), Ken, Lew, MJ, John, Grace and Robbie (Lew and Dottie's Son and Daughter-in-law). Andy, Linda,  Front row is Dottie (holding Nancy), Flor, Ron, Conner (Lew & Dottie's Grandson) and Austin facing away from the camera.

 



Time to finally get caught up!!!!

It has been a long time since my last post --- hopefully that won't happen again anytime soon.  In the next days I hope to get caught up ..... and then keep our postings a little more current.  I guess Facebook has made it too easy to post our significant events - I will try to keep both up to date in the future.