A holiday party

We had a great party at the Koval house. Jim and June have an annual holiday party. It is usually a bit before Christmas but that (&(&*^#% Snow did June in this year so it became more of a early New Years Party. It's really nice of Jim and June to put up with all of us. Here are a few of the attendees.

Phyllis, Jim and Margie

Me, Ralph, Jim again and Herb

Bill and Marlene

June's Son Brandon, her brother David, Ron and Sidney

Now does that look like a feast. As Sue could not come, June sent me home with a dogie bag. More like take out from Canlis. We ate it all gone. Thank you June.

And finally the head chef June and her assistant David

Thank you June and Jim for the great hospitality

Christmas and family

We had the big feast on Christmas Eve. This is the tradition. Prime Rib and Lobster. I get the prime rib from the club and Sue gets the lobster tails from Costco. That with spuds and salad and everyone pigs out. And Charlie begs. Jeannie is the official salad dressing maker. It was a great meal and everybody got very full. Jeff and Jeanne spent the night so they didn't have to drive home in the snow. I didn't get a picture of Kelsey, she had a cold and was hiding.

Phillip, Chris, Jeff and Tony

Sue, Brooks, Jeanne and Monica

Christmas day is the next tradition. Brunch at Phillip and Monica. Monica makes a really great breakfast dish. Has Jimmy Dean Sausage, Cheese, Eggs, Bread and some other stuff. I should publish the receipt. It is always GOOD. There was lots of other good stuff as well. Chris and Brooks were there as well. Kelsey was playing with her new Wii. They were doing road racing.

Sue, Kelsey's feet and Monica

Brooks. She and Chris live in Weverville, California.

Charlie got to play with the big dogs. Lue (Erickson dog) and Juneau (Brooks and Chris's Dog) They had a romp in the back yard then Charlie had a bark off in the living room. For this he had about 4 time outs in the utility room. We all got full again. Came home and rested the rest of the day. I fell asleep in the chair about 7:30. We were exhausted just like Charlie.

Toco Tuesday before Christmas

Last night was Taco Tuesday. With all the lousy weather a lot of people showed up at the club. It was quite a festive time, as is usual. We just keep adding tables when someone else shows up. Here a few of the friends.

Karl Stahl and Herb Brightenborn

Peggy Stahl, Philis Breitenborn and Genie Gallier

Kent and Carolyn Nelson with Peggie and Genie

Kent and Carolyn are the lucky ones, they are going back to the sun in Arizona in a few days. Maybe Kent will adopt me and take me along as his caddy. Have fun Snow Birds. I wish I could go too.

John and Linda Ward

Congratulations to John and Linda. It was their anniversary. So I guess its Happy 2nd Anniversary John and Linda.

Joe the pro.

In a tie no less. Good looking guy.

Neighbors Genie and Al Gallier


Al says we have a 9:20 tee time today, but I doubt it very much.

Herb and Phylis Breitenborn


As I said we all had a good time.



Well when we got home thru all the snow and crud what should be on the Television but good Bing Crosby and White Christmas. Maybe a white Christmas is good in the movies in the mountains at a ski lodge but around here I could do with out it. Makes it hard for everyone to get around and visit friends and family.

So it was relax time and the hot tub. I don't think I'm X rated. I relaxed in the tub while as usual Charlie was exhausted.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR FRIEND AND FAMILY

JOE, SUE AND CHARLIE

A little winter entertainment

This is a little video that we took of Charlie in the snow. He loves running around with his nose under the snow. Linda and CW if your watching the blog Charlie wants to e-mail Putter a Christmas Card but we lost your address. I'll bet Putter is a lot warmer.

Winter update....Burrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!

Well the weatherman was right. They predicted a big storm and it came thru. We started the day with a trip to North Seattle. Smart move with the predicted storm. Anyway we had a nice lunch at the Wedgewood Grill. With Mike, Sue's brother, Mikie and Taylor, Mikes kids, Steve and Mad, second family (they are suppose to be on an airplane to San Francisco today for Christmas with family) and Gloria and Rich, Sue's friends from high school. I liked the Wedgewood they had breakfast till 1:45.

After lunch/breakfast as we paid the bill I saw snow falling. So we hit the road fast. Drive home went from fair to bad and worst. By the time we got home the streets were all getting white. We made it just fine. Would not have wanted to be and hour later. We called Steve and Mad on the way home and gave them a Sea Tac report. They were going to go there last night and stay at the Holiday in across the street. I hope they made and I hope they get out today. UPDATE They called and are at the airport and are suppose to get out on time.

Once home we settled in and had Carl and Peggy over drinks and a visit as we watched the snow come down. It was still snowing when we went to bed. Before bed we hit the hot tub. It was fun watching the snow while soaking in 104 degree water. Here are a couple pictures from last night and today.

This is the 7th fairway from our porch and the other picture is Chris's tree across the street. You would not be playing golf today Steve if your were here. Enjoy that warm Arizona. I want to go back.

I guess today will be a day of laying around and relaxing. We will watch the Seahawk football game I'm sure. I'm going to make Navy Bean Soup. We will do things like Charlie who as usual is exhausted.

Send me back to Arizona

This is getting terrible. It was so nice and warm down south. This blog today is for anyone who might read this that is not snow bound. This snow all started a couple days ago. But today it got worst. We had to get out this morning which was fun, but we made it. It was the same yesterday when I had to go to the dentist. The real snow hit here after we got back today. The bare spot is where Al shoveled his drive. Its under three inches of snow now.

The only one who is enjoying this is Charlie. Sue took him out back to run in the snow. He took off and had a ball. We didn't let him run too long as we didn't want his poor little paws to get cold. We baited him back in the house with a treat. He is a sucker for a treat.

Christmas Party

Last night was the annual Gallier Christmas party. Genie and Al invite a bunch of neighbors over for a fun night. They had great pu pus and drinks as well. There was a good turn out. We all thank them for a wonderful night. A few pictures of the party.

During the party the snow came. It was really coming down. The white spots around Ralph aren't UFOs. That's the snow. We were all glad that we didn't have a long drive home. Stahls and us only had to make it up the steps.

Genie and Al's daughters were there. Barb had their new baby daughter Avery. She is a real cutie. I think she liked herself in the mirror


While were gone Charlie did his job and guarded the house. He likes the new tree and even had fun in the snow.

Rain and now maybe Snow

I want to go back down South. Seems just like yesterday we were sitting in the desert with our friend in nice 80 degree sun. Now we are home in the rain. We left Cannon Beach yesterday for the trip home. It had started raining in the night. The night before I had Charlie sitting up. He is doing very well with this begging move.

The drive north was just damp. We stopped at a rest stop and had a picnic. In other words lunch. By saying picnic stop, Charlie didn't get excited. Say rest stop and he is ready.

We got home about 2:00 pm. It took about 2 hours to get unloaded. Now I have to wash Snuffy today before putting him back in storage. If you look back to the beginning of this trip you will see a similar picture with the trees covered with nice pretty leaves. Looks a lot like winter around here now.

Reflections...We had a lot of fun in the last 6 weeks. Charlie became a real motor homer. He has come a long was since we got him. 6 months ago he would get sick just getting the car. No we say bye bye car and he can't wait until the door is open. He is so well behaved that he is welcome in everyones home. Baileys get disappointed if we don't bring him.

We visited a lot of friends, played a little golf, swam in a few pools and soaked in a bunch of hot tubs. The motor home had no major problems. We traveled 3329 miles. The fuel we started with was filled last August at $4.30/gallon (ouch). The lowest we paid was 2.29/gallon. Big difference. Mostly the stuff was around 2.75.

Dream for next year is two races. One in Fontuna, California and then Phoenix and PIR. I say dream because business is going to have to get better. So time and Obamma will tel.

I have had a lot of fun doing the blog. I will try and put something up once in a while. I'll end this one with Avo and Codo and Guacamole. I think Guacamole is gone. Everyone have a Merry Christmas. Joe, Sue and Charlie

Travel: Cannon Beach 51538...Home 51720...Today 182.....Total trip 3239