Summer Kick-off

 To kick off summer Steph and I started our day with a trip to Savers.  50% off everything.  Our goal was to search for dresses that could be re-fashioned in to Princess dresses.  No luck there but we did manage to find a few treasures including a stack of children's books...that weren't included in the 50% off. 

 But they never are.

Then we headed up Mt. Charleston for our first hike of the year and Ethnie's very first hiking experience.

She did great.  Slept all the way up. 
Chattered and cooed all the way back.

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 Perfect day for hiking.

Oh you're thinking...where are the men folk?

Jake was studying for the CFA.  

Karl was hanging out at Guitar Center and Harbor Freight.

After a brief soaking of the feet in the pool,

 due to a lack of time to get all the way in,

 we took Jake out for his Graduation dinner.   

Thai food  

(We enjoy our traditional Grilled Hamburgers on Sunday) 

at PinKaow. 

 Love that place...everything was so good.

Jake finishing off the last of the sweet and sour pork.  

Note the three plates stacked up.  

He finished off several of the dishes.  

 We were all stuffed 

but managed to find our way to a nearby Yogurtland 

to satisfy our sweet cravings.

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 Ethnie was really interested in what was in those cups.

Well the spoons were good.

 It was a wonderful Memorial Day...hope yours was perfect too.

Saturday with Grampa & Gramma

Jammin' with Grampa

One is never too young to start learning and loving Bluegrass.

Working on some skills with Gramma.

Look Ethnie...do this.  "Blehhhh"

Ohhh....

Such a smartie

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It's so nice to have nice to have Grandparents close  by

so they can help teach and influence the children.

Great Gramma Palmer

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This is how I felt when I had to take my mom to the airport this morning.

I miss will her.

We had a good time together...just  being together.

We didn't do a lot this visit...we just moved slower.

She always brings articles to share with me.

It's hard to see how much she has aged in the past year

...but I'm sure she had the same thoughts about me.

 

We went walking most mornings

...some mornings we even  made it a mile!  

 But now I felt a little more confident/steady

 if I held on to her arm.

Occasionally she gets a little disoriented or confused.  

 But I'm use to it...I do it all the time.

She was very prompt about writing in her journal.  

 If she wasn't she'd have to ask me what we did/when

...and I couldn't remember.

It takes her longer to do her floor exercise 

because she usually falls asleep doing them.

This picture is from last years visit...when she was 88.

She likes me to cut her hair when we get together.

 

We enjoyed a couple visits with my brother, Lorin.

She really enjoy "Lil' Snookums"

...her name for Ethnie.

 With her quick wit and her sunglasses she reminds me of "Maxine"

without the crabby.

  .

At 89 years...she is still amazing.

Our first dip of the season

 ...first swim of a life time.

After a busy day shopping at our favorite stores we decide it was a perfect time to enjoy our first swim of the season.   But poor Ethnie was pretty tuckered out.  We tried to get some photos of her cute new swimsuit but her eyes were pretty droopy.

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We didn't realize how tuckered she was until she fell totally asleep in the pool.

Of course the water was a nice warm 95°.  If someone would have held my head up I could have fallen comfortably asleep also.

 It doesn't get much better than this.  Beautiful day,  warm pool, and  someone to serenade us.

Ohhhh....yeah!  

This is the good life.

Mother's Day

 ...is really today.  Because in a few hours we are going to pick up my amazing mother at the airport for a ten day visit.   She is the  Matriarch  of  the Palmer family.  Truly a major influence in our lives.  She is so admired, respected and loved in our family. 

 

 She has always been, my friend and my role-model.

  And at 89 years old...she is still amazing.

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She packed her walking sticks.  We'll be doing a lot of that.

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There will be sewing and alterations projects.

We like to refresh her wardrobe while she is here.

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 She still keeps up a regular exercise routine.

Mom with my brother Lorin

 I hope I can grow up and be just like her.

Happy Mothers Day

 ...to the very special Mothers

 of  these cute kids.

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Hope you have a wonderful day filled with lots of gooey kisses and handmade cards.
We love you and appreciate  your long days and  short nights,  your patience and  your immeasurable love for these precious little people.

Jake's Big Day

 Where's Waldo...I mean Jake.

 Now can you spot him?

His big moment...

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 It was UNLV's first year to graduate students of Entertainment Engineering.

This  was one of the most interesting  and entertaining graduations yet. 

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And for our after graduation Celebrations...

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 Toblers spare no expense for these special events.

Chad would be proud.

Due to a scheduled Bluegrass gig in Pahrump we had to do a quick lunch....

The real celebration dinner/event is scheduled.

Congratulations Jakob!