House photos/update – where to begin. Our house has not changed in the 10 years we have been living in Asia. Terri and Andy moved in two and half years ago while they remodeled their home. They hit a few problems so it took longer than expected. Terri and Andy moved stuff to storage and stuff into our house.

This is Terri and Andy’s stuff piled in various rooms…

Our 40 foot bin in the back yard has been holding wood Ernie’s company salvaged out of homes from Hamilton Air Force Base. As we were finding contractors for the job, it was time to determine if the wood would be used for the house. If the contracts thought they could work with the old wood, we would use the wood and save a few dollars not buying new wood. If not, we would need to find a new home for all this wood. Lucky for us, our floor contractor said it would be no problem.

Along with the wood, other “stuff/junk” had piled up in the bin. Jim borrowed the neighbors, Jim and Barbara, truck for a dump run. Karla said it looked like the Grinch sled loaded to the top.

As Andy was moving their stuff out, I was packing our stuff. I have determine we have too much stuff. Packing the house was painful. I came back from Nebraska a week before the girls to work on the packing. My goal was to have the house packed before Jim arrived, but that didn’t happened! Nancy and Kathy helped me pack the kitchen in one afternoon – it would have taken me so much longer on my own.

I would pack the boxes and pile them in the parlor for Jim to move to the attic. The goal is to get boxes in the attic and furniture in the bin.

As I was packing the house, Eleri was tried of the mess. So she created her clean space…which lasted about a day.

The trick of the move is that all the furniture needs to go out of the house THEN all the wood in the bin can come in house. Once the wood is out, the furniture can go in the bin.

When we started this project 15 years ago, there were no storage pods. I calculated it took 18 months of rental to cover the cost of buying the 40 foot bin. That was an easy decision as we knew it would be longer than 18 months the first time we put all our furniture in the bin in 1994. The difference is that we put EVERYTHING we own in the bin at that time. This time, we are filling the attic and the bin.

The furniture came out to sit on the lawn. Good thing it doesn’t rain in California in the summer…most times! Jim hired Mimi’s handy man, Samuel, to help him move the furniture out.

The yard look like a furniture sale.

Then, the wood came in. Jim and Samuel moved all the wood into various rooms around the house, including upstairs.

The next day, Jim moved all the furniture into the bin. It was a puzzle getting it all in. I forgot to take a photo of the full bin, but will do it before we unloaded it this summer.

It was odd having the rooms empty. The desk area in Eleri’s room was a dump zone. It was good to clean up that mess…most of it went in boxes to deal with later…always fun!

The last photos of Emersyn’s nursery floor. Emersyn’s room was the ONLY room in the house that had color. We made it special for her arrival!

Even an empty closet, well, almost!

Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 158 user reviews.

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Aunt Kathy took the girls for a fun day to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. We have only been one other time to the Broadwalk when Kate came to visit us in California. They stated the day at Capitola at a famous bakery which the girls reported back with a thumbs up!

Then, the girls had fun playing in the water at Capitola beach.

After fun in the sun, they headed to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Eleri was JUST tall enough to ride the roller coaster!

I love her look on this photo!

They played a round of mini-golf. The mini-golf at the Boardwalk is inside and glowing.

After all the fun, Aunt Kathy bought each of the girls a sweatshirt from the Boardwalk. They love their new sweatshirts which will get plenty of wear in Shanghai. Mostly, they enjoyed a day of fun with their Aunt!

Average Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 172 user reviews.

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Eleri’s birthday was on a Monday this year…in the midst of packing up the house. In the past, we have had the family down for family dinner and cake, but that was not a possibility this year. The family was coming for cake and drinks at 8pm. We gave Eleri a choice for her birthday dinner and she wanted The Cheesecake Factory – a good one! However, life is a bit crazy and time was getting away from us. We had a cake disaster to do a restart. In my packing up the kitchen, I had found these disposable pans to make the cakes – this was a good time to use them since all the baking pans are packed. I was thinking I have been gone from America too long as these pans were more plastic than tin – plastic has sure improved. Well, not that much as the pans I found happen to be the LIDS for tins, no tins. A run to the store for new TINS and more cake mix!

Now, we had time for Happy Hound for a birthday dinner with a promise we would take Eleri to The Cheesecake Factory the next night. Happy Hound is a burger join in town that has always been there…even when Jim was growing up. The Hound had a fire about 6 months ago, they rebuilt it exactly the same. The place is small and ALWAYS crowded. We had a miscommunication with Andy as he drove to The Cheesecake Factory as we didn’t give him enough notice on the change of plans.

After enjoying our burgers and fries, it was time to go home for cake and ice cream. The kitchen was ready for a family party.

Since this is a family celebration, we always celebrate Emersyn’s birthday with the family, also. The girls each decorated their own cakes. One had a white cake and one had a chocolate cake. I had to use a box cake mix for the fist time, but the girls understood the packing messing!

Each girl blew out her 8 or 13 candles! Time for cake and ice cream!

Then, it was time for presents!

Mimi gave the girls Emerysn’s favorite gift – money. She is at the age that she like to buy what she wants so she had a big smile with her roll of cash – $50!

Aunt Terri gave Eleri the big present. She had already given her a necklace, but the girls do get spoiled by their Aunts when we are home. Aunt Nancy takes them to Hickelbee’s book store for their birthday gift. Emersyn always has a list of books she wants and Nancy always buys her three books. Aunt Kathy took the girls to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk for a special day of fun. The girls picked out sweatshirts from the Boardwalk. The sweatshirts will get plenty of wear with the Shanghai winter!

The girls with Mimi and Papa.

The next night, we did a girls night out at The Cheesecake Factory. It was nice as we didn’t have to rush our dinner and Eleri was able to enjoy her cheesecake birthday dessert.

Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 151 user reviews.

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The Easy Bake Oven…I loved this toy as a kid. In fact, Eleri plays with our Easy Bake oven in Nebraska. Eleri loves this toy, also. I buy her brownie mixes to bake in her oven.

One night when Mimi, Papa and Kathy were at dinner, she baked everyone their own brownie…one at a time with light bulb power. It did take a bit of time to bake one for everyone. Each brownie was decorated with blueberries and flowers. Aunt Terri washes the ONE pan between bakes!

The train…the train was a Goodwill find from Mimi. It arrived in our house when Emersyn was a baby. The train has been a favorite for many years. Our house is perfect to ride around with the various circles connecting the rooms together.

At the end of the summer, the train was given to Dylan since Eleri is getting a little heavy for the train. Dylan is getting the train as a Christmas present!

Average Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 263 user reviews.

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The girls had fun making the soda fountain experiment in the backyard. Emersyn’s class did a science experiment with this last year. The class determined diet coke works better than regular coke and regular mentos works better than flavor mentos.

First, the girls drilled holes in the mentos. We always joke that Eleri is a mini-jim in looks and personality. To keep the saying true, she picked up the cordless drill and was a natural with the tool. She was able to drill better than Emerysn!

Then, they put the mentos on a string and dropped it in the diet coke bottle.

The fountain fizzing!

Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 195 user reviews.

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Every summer we take photos with Grandpa’s truck. Eleri was having fun posing for the photos!

Soon, to soon, Emersyn is going to be ready to take the truck for a spin around town!

Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 263 user reviews.

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Fort Robinson is one of our favorite places to visit. We all love the cafe for buffalo burgers, except Eleri who really doesn’t eat red meat. We went to Fort Robinson twice this summer. The first time was the day after my reunion to see the musical, Suessical. Two of my classmates, Shelly and Marj, were there with their families.

Shelly went horseback riding with her girls and Marj went to the same musical as us. Eleri is in the photo with the cast and Marj’s two girls in the front row. As always, the musicals was very good.

Fort Robinson is the half way point to get Terri after she spends time in Rapid City with Andy and his dad, Ray. The girls wanted to do the horseback riding as it has been a couple years since we last rode horses. Now, that Eleri is older, we were able to go on the long ride. For our second trip to Fort Robinson, we left the house early to be able to arrive for the first ride of the day. It can be hot by mid-afternoon in Nebraska. The long ride is very nice as you go back in the bluff.

After we left the stables, we rode through the meadows…

Then, into the trees and the bluffs…

And, back through the meadows to the stables…

This is not the stables we rode from as these stables are for the short ride. The stables are very impressive looking with the old wood and brick. The girls and I had to drive to the other end of the park to reach the long ride stables.

We took Grandma and Grandpa on the stage coach ride which lasts about 10 minutes.

We had lunch at the cafe.

Terri and Andy were running late, as always. So we left the old car in the parking lot for Terri to drive home when she arrived. This work great for everyone as we didn’t have to sit around for 3 hours waiting for them and they didn’t have to rush.

Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 based on 164 user reviews.

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30-year reunion – not sure how it has been 30 years already since I graduated from High School! Growing up in a small town, our reunions are always fun. Everyone knows everyone!

Friday night started off with a mixer at the Mitchell Golf course. It was fun catching up classmates we haven’t seen for the past 10 years.

On saturday afternoon, the high school was open for a tour. I thought the girls would enjoy seeing my high school. The high school is an old building with all the character still intact. The big, old front doors were replaced with new, modern doors since my days at the school.

We were visiting too long with friends and the girls were ready to tour the building!

Brenda with classmates Phil, Troy and Leo

The first stop on our tour was the library. The girls were surprised how small the library was for a high school.

Graduating class had painted murals around the school. Emersyn posed in front of the year she was born. We didn’t see 2004 on our tour of the school.

The girls finished the tour by fitting into the lockers.

Saturday night’s function was a bbq at the Bolzer Farm just outside of town.

Marcy & Brenda

Maureen, Brenda, Beth, Marj, Lisa, Marcy & Brenda

Sunset on the farm!

It was a fun evening talking with old friends, laughing about old time and hearing about new times. I look forward to the next reunion in 10 years!

Average Rating: 5 out of 5 based on 262 user reviews.

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When we arrived home to California, Eleri told me she had a wiggle tooth. Hum, she didn’t tell me in Shanghai. When, Jim and Emersyn arrived home from their dive trip, I had Jim print out a letter from the Tooth Fairy to send home with Emerysn. I was trying to stay one step ahead! When Emersyn arrived in California, I asked her about the letter, but she had no idea where Jim had put it in her suitcase. That was the last we talked about it.

On our last night in Breckenridge, Eleri lost her tooth eating a Whoopsie cookie (a cookies with brownie chunks and chocolate chips) at our favorite ice cream shop, Clint’s Bakery. I had no idea where the letter was Jim sent home. I sent him a quick email when we got back to the room hoping he was still up in Shanghai. He replied the letter was in the pink suitcase Emersyn brought home. Now, I have a 50% chance of having the letter since we have two pink suitcases – one is here in Breckenridge and the other is in Nebraska at Grandma/pa’s house. I open the pink suitcase to find I am VERY lucky – the letter was with us. I put $10, the most ever given by the Tooth Fairy, in the envelope. This Tooth Fairy was unprepared and it was the smallest money anyone had on them.

Eleri woke to find the letter which really makes her believe the Tooth Fairy must be real.

Dear Eleri,

My dearest Eleri, I was so happy to visit you again tonight. I knew that tooth was coming soon as my wings were tingling. I will take your tooth back to Fairy Land with me. Thank you.

Again, I have enclosed a special gold coin for you for losing your tooth. I have also enclosed money for you to spend.

I look forward to my next visit and letter when your next tooth falls out.

Love,
the Tooth Fairy

Eleri with her new smile…

And a new hole for her straw…

I think Eleri is attempting to set the record for losing her teeth in the most places. She lost her first tooth in South Africa eating a prickly pear. She has lost teeth in Shanghai, California, Nebraska, Egypt and Australia. Now, she can add Colorado to the list!

Average Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 192 user reviews.

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We decided on a family vacation in Breckenridge this summer…because I was able to find availability with my timeshare. I haven’t been to Breckenridge since college days of skiing. I have never been there in the summer. The family vacation included the Lyon ladies, Aunt Terri and Grandma & Grandpa.

Saturday, July 6: Road Trip!

Grandpa likes to leave for these family road trips at 5am to beat the traffic. Ok, we bought this when we were kids, but now Terri and I know there is NO traffic in Nebraska. We now leave around 9am-10am for road trips. Grandpa bought a new car a couple years ago. He kept the old car for when are home for the summer…the only time there is a need for two cars. Terri, Grandma and the girls claimed the new car. Grandpa and I took the old car. The first stop on our road trip is lunch in Ft Collins at Beau Jo’s Pizza, of course.

We pulled into Breckenridge around 5pm. As we drove through the downtown, we realized we were going to have some fun shopping. Breckenridge has a very cute downtown. After a few miss turns, we found the Marriott Mountain Lodge. We had a 1 bedroom with 2 bathrooms that sleeps 6 with pullout sofas. We set Grandma and Grandpa in the side area off the living area with their own bathroom. No one wants to sleep in the same room as Grandpa as he snores too loud. Terri, the girls and I took the large bedroom. We brought the blow up mattress from home to put in the room. There was another sofa that pulled into a bed, but that would be too close to Grandpa’s snoring!

We were all hungry when we walked into town. Grandpa did NOT want to spend an hour looking for a restaurant so he picked the first one he liked – Kenosha Steakhouse. Grandpa and I shared the ribs – the best ribs I have ever had! We will need to come back again while we are here.

Sunday, July 7: Downtown exploring…shopping!

We spent the day walking the downtown and playing. We left Grandpa at Starbuck’s while we shopped through the stores. Eleri had fun playing on the playground and the jumpy slide.

At lunch time, we found ourselves back at Kenosha for burgers on the deck. They had excellent buffalo burgers. Since the Marriott is a resort with a kids club, the girls wanted to spend the afternoon making etch glass. They had fun making designs our their vases.

Monday, July 8: More Downtown Fun

Yesterday, we looked at the shops…today, we wanted to BUY in the shops. Breckenridge has many local arts and craft shops. Emersyn found earnings and I found a shop with sweaters on sale! On sale means I can buy more!! I actually need some new sweaters as I can’t remember the last time I bought a sweater. I wear my Shanghai fleece all winter!

Also, the girls wanted to play in the river.

Well, Eleri wanted to play in the river…

We also decided Grandma needed a new hat. She had a “Grandma” hat! There was a hat store for shopping. Emersyn helped Grandma to find the perfect hat and Eleri tried on all the hats! No photo of Grandma’s new hat!!

Art display in town…

Tuesday, July 9: Fishing Or Unfishing Day

Eleri went to the morning paper art project, but Emersyn is a teen and sleeping is more important. Eleri had fun making her paper flower!

While Eleri was busy with her craft, we made lunches for our fishing adventure. Grandpa brought all of his fishing gear for a day of fishing. We packed up the cars for day at the lake. I had read in trip advisor that Fairplay had good fishing. Fairplay was the next town over with a 20 minute drive. We drove to Fairplay and found the fishing store in town. Grandpa brought a fishing licenses and worms. The girls do not need a license based on their ages. We asked for directions to the lake – go to the next light turn right and then left on road 121…sounds simply. We found the signed for 121 and took the left…onto a dirt road. Hum, she didn’t say anything about a dirt road, but we are going to a lake. We were driving on the road for about 15 minutes when I pulled over to tell Terri to let Emersyn drive…nothing like a dirt road with no cars for experience. Grandpa finally decided the next farm house we would stop to ask…sure enough we were on the “shortcut” road, but going the right direction…another 30 minutes to the lake.

When we finally arrived at the lake, the wind was blowing very hard. The girls would have no fun fishing in the wind. For them, the fun part is casting the line and not catching the fish. We had our picnic in the car (forgot to take photos) and drove home. The girls wanted to do the afternoon craft at the Resort.

We did stop for a photo at the Continental Divide. The girls were being real silly with Aunt Terri and Grandma!

We arrived back to the resort in time for the girls to spend the afternoon painting. Emersyn was very careful to paint her cupcake…then, Eleri splatted paint on her pink! Emersyn was NOT very thrilled with her little sister, but some more paint covered the damage!

Wednesday, July 10: Centennial

Today’s adventure was driving to Centennial about an hour from Breckenridge. Grandma and Grandpa like to gambling when they have a chance. Centennial is an old town that is a gambling town. We left Grandma & Grandpa at the slot machines to walk around the town. We toured some old buildings and visited the tour office. A very nice and very talkative women kept us busy.

Grandma was wining with her slot machine so she was buying dinner tonight. We drove to Idaho Springs to a Beau Jo’s pizza which was on the way back to Breckenridge. Terri was happy to get Beau Jo’s pizza, again.

Thursday, July 11: Breckenridge Fun park

Our last full day in Breckenridge. We had talked about going home today because my class reunion is tomorrow. But, we are having too much fun…we just need to leave early enough tomorrow to get home for the mixer at the Gold Course.

Today’s adventure is Peak 8 Breckenridge Fun Park. We drove to the end of town to park and take the free gondola to the top. The ride up is just the beginning of the fun.

It is not cheap at $80 for an adult and $45 for a child under 7. We had decided maybe the girls would go without Terri and I as they can ride together. We purchased 2 adult tickets for the girls.

The first stop was the trampoline as the line would be longer later in the day. The girls did this in Bali and loved it.

Emersyn flipping in the air

Eleri flying high

At the first ride, we discovered Eleri couldn’t go without an adult…she paid adult prices, but she wasn’t tall enough. We went back to the ticket office to buy Terri and I a ticket. We were able to buy Eleri a child price ticket since she couldn’t go without an adult.

Emersyn was tall and old enough to go alone!

We did about 3 runs on the Gold Runner coast when it began to rain. We did one run in the rain and it was FAST! Since it was raining, all the rides were shut down. We decided to take the Gondola back to town for a quick lunch. We had pizza that wasn’t a favorite for anyone. We should have waited the rain out and had burgers at Peak 8.

When we arrived back to Peak 8, the sun was shining! We did the alpine slide a couple times…

Back to the trampoline…

Aunt Terri doing flips

Back to the alpine slide…

The, the chair lift to the top for a stomp in the snow…

Back to the Gold Coast runner for the last runs of the day…

It was a fun day. Grandpa and Grandma sat and watched us and the people all day – they are really good sports about it!

We needed to leave the peak by 5:30pm to take the fast way down, the Gondola, or we would have to take the bus. Emersyn loves her steaks so tonight for dinner we are eating at Steak & Ribs. Emersyn had a delicious steak, but Grandpa and I vote for Kenosha for best ribs in town. We did enjoy the deck on a lovely summer night.

EVERY night since day one, we have stand in the long line to get ice cream at Clint’s Bakery. Delicious and worth the wait. Tonight, Eleri wanted a whoopsie cookie. A cookie with brownie chunks and chocolate chips. One bite and she lost her tooth. She was excited about losing her tooth and to see what the tooth fairy would bring her in Colorado.

Friday, July 12: Road trip home!

We packed the cars with the goal to leave by 9am. We wanted to stop in Ft Collins for Beau Jo’s pizza and we had to be back for my class reunion.

Eleri enjoy the deck at Beau Jo’s with her new smile…

It was a fun trip to Colorado and we would all enjoy coming back.

Average Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 150 user reviews.

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