We began our vacation on February 1 in Anchorage where Gary had follow-up appointments for his October shoulder surgery. He checked out fine and we had some time to spend with old friends from Kako, Thane and Chasity. They just happened to be in town on their way home to Aniak after a trip to Mexico.
The Boettchers flew up from Soldotna to spend a day with us. Mike flew back to Anchorage to take Gary to Kenai where he spent the weekend with the Boetchers and Vince Spadey while Margo attended a Womens retreat near Willow.
Brenda Johnson, Becky Noll and Vera Penz from Kako attended the retreat which was hosted by the ladies from Arctic Barnabas. It was a sweet reunion for Margo as well as being spiritually uplifting and rewarding for her.
The first stop on our journey was Reno Nevada where we spent several days with our youngest son Adam and his wife Chelsea. They were gracious enough to arrange three days off from their busy jobs to spend with us and we enjoyed every minute. We love our new Grand Puppy, Ace!
Next stop, Los Banos, California where we visited Margo's sister Shannon. This is Shannon, Margo and their mutual friend, Mary who invited us all to her home for dinner.
Katie and her Dad, John doing what they have done since Katy was a baby, reading stories before bed time. Christopher is enjoying the story as much as Katie!
We visited Margo's youngest sister, Trula in Red Bluff. They both cherished the special "Sister Time."
We happened to be there on Valentines Day and had a double date with Trula and KC at a lovely restaurant on the Sacramento River.
We visited our dear friends, sisters Fran and Hazel in Redding and enjoyed reminiscing with them about the Old Days in Weaverville.
Two other dear friends, Bernie McChristian and Ron Martin from our Weaverville days joined us for pizza at Hazel and Fran's home.
Salem Oregon was our next stop where we visited with Margo's brother Harold and his wife Joany. We were blessed to see three of their girls and their two grandchildren. This is Grandma Joany with Jenni and Randy's little girl, Madelyn Joan.
Grandpa Harold and Riley rough housing in the living room. After four sisters and four daughters, he finally has a boy to wrestle with!
Jenni and Joany in the kitchen of Jenni and Randy's new home in Aumsville, Oregon.
Harold and Joany's youngest daughter, Kelly, who loves her "Auntie M" and the feeling is mutual!
Our niece Brandy and her nephew Riley on a walk at Riverfront Park in Salem.
While at the Riverfront park we had a very quick visit with special friends from Friday Harbor, Dave and Helen Ellingson who now live in Dallas Oregon.
On our way up the Columbia River Gorge we stopped briefly at a Fred Meyer in The Dalles Oregon and ran into Donna Smith, an old friend from Friday Harbor who has moved to the The Dalles. What an unexpected treat that was!
