Almost ready

We started out the month of April by going to a Seder in Surprise, AZ. Friends from church, Casey and Diane joined us along with Vince and Dawn. We always enjoy our Seder evenings and the food was good too!

Diane, Rabbi Zimmerman, Casey

Casey, Larry and Vince at the Seder

Vince, Rabbi Zimmerman, & Dawn

One morning I was awaken to see two hot air balloons overhead. One of these days I would like to take a ride in one so that is one my bucket list.

One of the two balloons that woke me up

Larry put up the posts for our gate and later in the month got them painted ready to finish when we return in the fall.

Larry leveling the gate post

Gate post leveled and painted

We needed another pipe for the wash and our neighbor, Randy, helped Larry drop it in and then after many loads of dirt and gravel we have another entrance to the place where we don't have to go through the wash with the motorhome and drag the backend. We had an appointment with Cummins in Avondale to give our generator its 1000 hour check up so we tried out the new drive and it works well. On the way back from Cummins we stopped at a tire place and had our Crossfires installed on our duallys, again getting everything ready for our upcoming trip.

Additional pipe in the wash

Neighbor, Randy in the Bobcat and Larry working on the new driveway

New driveway finished

April 18 Larry had knee surgery and on the 19^th I had my second dental appointment at Midwestern. On the 20^th I had a chiro appointment and first I drove to Avondale Camping World to purchase a carbon monoxide alarm as our died. We also kept having false smoke alarms so have ordered new ones after returning our 9 month old smoke alarms to Costco. Costco is so good about returns!

We have played Mexican Train every Friday night with Dawn and Vince (and sometimes Bethany) since January and will miss playing weekly but will have something to look forward to on our return this fall.

On the 28^th we went to Red Robin to celebrate Vince's birthday (a little early since we are leaving). Colby and Krista as well as Bethany joined us and we went to Dawn and Vince's afterwards for cake and ice cream. We didn't break up until nearly midnight.

Dawn & Krista at Red Robin

Ellen & Larry at Red Robin

Vince, Colby & Krista ready for cake and ice cream

Vince opening his birthday presents

Tomorrow Larry will have his stitches removed and we will be ready to go.

Counting Down

This is the month for doctors and dentists as our count down to leaving starts. I went to my doctor's office for the first time since they were bought out by a big corporation. My, how things have changed! Larry had a VA appt. with an outside orthopedic doctor who is wonderful and we both like him very much. Since time is short he was very helpful in getting the necessary appointments so Larry can get his knee surgery done before we leave the first of May, even getting him an appt. on Sunday afternoon for his MRI. What a great time to visit the VA as nobody is there so we parked right in front of the door and were in and out in no time at all (after we once found where we were to go since the paper gave the wrong information!). I had an appointment with the nearby dental college for my teeth and I have never had such a thorough examination. I go back next month for my cleaning and repair on one tooth. So far I am very pleased with what has been done and at a very reasonable price.

On the 18^th we met at Red Robin to celebrate Colby's birthday and afterward returned to Dawn and Vince's to view Colby and Krista's pictures of their cruise in February and have cake and ice cream. It was a fun night and their cruise ship looked a lot like the one in the movie Titanic.

Colby and Dawn at Red Robin

Us at Red Robin

Colby's birthday cake

Krista and Colby at Dawn and Vince's

Larry is just about finished with the HydroLift as he now has the lights hooked up and working. We need to 'test' it before we leave in May so will probably go to Cummins in Avondale for the 1000 hour generator service, going the night before since they have RV hook-ups of 50 amp service and we are not early risers. That way we also avoid the morning rush hour traffic.

Our wonderful neighbor, Randy, came down Friday morning the 24^th at 7 AM and did a lot of work with his Bobcat. Then at 1:30 PM the Bobcat and Kubota tractor Larry rented were delivered and with Larry driving the Bobcat excavator and Vince driving the Kubota tractor they put in a french drain plus lots of other work around the place. Dawn and I shoveled and moved rock and by Sunday night all four of us were 'dog tired'. Both of the 'boys' were doing very well handling their respective machines by the end of the weekend. Monday afternoon both were picked up although we had them ready to go late Sunday night in case they came early Monday morning and we weren't up.

Larry on the Bobcat 

Vince on the Kubota tractor, with the french drain
to the right

beginning of the new access driveway

Larry had another VA appointment on Monday morning the 27^th and because he was so tired and hurting from the weekend we ended up going in the car. The 30^th Larry had his pre-opt appt. at the main VA and we rode the bike since it was such a nice day and Larry was wanting to ride since we didn't get to on Monday. Turns out we should have taken the car because they had crutches for him. One of the fellows suggested I put them down my back and use them for a flagpole but instead they are being wonderful and holding them for Larry until surgery day when I will pick them up while he is in surgery.

Each Friday night we have been playing Mexican Train with Dawn and Vince. It has been a lot of fun and we will miss our weekly games once we leave.

Pretty blooming cactus in the front yard

Rainy Days

Most of the month has been spent with Larry working on the HydroLift for the back of the MH. The first time he put it on he found it was not solid enough for his liking so took it off and redid the welding. He had to buy another welding helmet because his old one was not working properly and his eyes are too important to damage. He put the pump to work the Lift in a box on the outside and had to have someone else weld it as he does not do aluminum welding. We were hoping to give it a trial run to the Good Sam Super Show at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale Feb 23-26 but it did not get finished in time with all the set-backs he experienced.

Larry working on the pump box

The box is done and now Larry has to weld more braces to it.

February 10 we went to Deer Valley airport to tour a B17 and it was really interesting. It was loaded with (fake) bombs and ammo so we could see how it looked during the war. We also walked thru it, very narrow passageways.

Us under the B 17 bomber at Deer Valley Airport

B 17 bomber at Deer Valley Airport

Dawn and Vince are having a fence put around the backyard and it was started Feb. 16. We had several rain storms so finishing it was delayed until Feb 27 when we had more rain. The gate man came out yesterday to give a quote on gates and the half fence so I can see out.

The fence beside our MH also showing the rain left on our pad

On Friday nights we have been playing Mexican Train with Dawn and Vince and sometimes Bethany too. Both Dawn and Vince seem to be the 'big' winners. It is a fun time for all of us.

We met our friends, Art and Sherry, who we met in July at Seaside, OR at the Good Sam Super Show and enjoyed seeing them again. While at the show we purchased a new TV antenna and attended a seminar about lithium batteries for RV's. We also enjoyed a BarBQ cook-off at the show and had our picture taken with Pres. Trump. The show ended with some nice 50's and 60's entertainment and a really nice fireworks display.

With our friends Art and Sherry and Pres Trump at the Bar B Q

Our new TV antenna, not as good looking as the old one but it works!

Now we need to concentrate on getting everything ready for our May departure. We have our reservations until June 8 already confirmed.

Pressing On

At the beginning of the month we took a bike ride to Cycle Gear and Harbor Freight for a few items and enjoyed the ride. We stopped at our old park and I picked some grapefruit from one of the neighbor's tree. Always nice to have fresh grapefruit each morning! We also took a ride to Camping World to get Dawn's birthday present, Mexican Train game and eight tile holders plus a satchel to hold it all. On the 7^th we met at Sweet Tomatoes to celebrate Dawn's birthday and had a lot of fun. When we got home we played Mexican Train and have been playing each weekend since then.

Vince and Dawn at Sweet Tomatoes

What Vince gave Dawn for her birthday

Larry and Dawn at Sweet Tomatoes

I had a new Mexican restaurant shop in Scottsdale on the 8^th. Then on the 10^th Larry had his yearly check up at the VA and his doctor told him, based on his excellent labs, he would live to be 150!  We again rode the bike and after his VA appointment I had a shop at Shooter's World.  I was a little concerned we would have a lot of traffic coming home at “go home” time but since we can ride in the HOV lane we actually made better time returning than going!

Larry at my Shooter's World shop

On the 13^th we went to see 'Lights of the World' display at Wild Horse Pass. Several of the displays were made with all dishes or glass bottles or soda cans and they were most interesting. It was nice but we would probably not visit again as it was costly.

The Phoenix light display

from 'down under' showing Australia display

dinosaur made of all glass bottles

Larry advertised an item on Craig's List and had a fellow ask if he would consider trading for a new large revolver and some cash which Larry did and he is like a kid in a candy store with his 'new' toy.

We stopped at Albertson's after church on the 15^th to take advantage of their sale on citron so I could bake a fruitcake. It seems the longer it is in the refrigerator the better it tastes.

Since we received some movie tickets for Christmas we went to see “Hidden Figures” and really enjoyed it. Anytime there is a movie based on real happenings that seem like 'miracles' I enjoy it.

For my birthday we went to Red Lobster and again had a great evening ending up with playing a game of Mexican Train. I lost big time but I still enjoy the game. Of course winning is more fun but there can be only one winner.

At Red Lobster for my birthday

Bethany and Colby enjoying birthday cake
baked by Dawn

The weather has turned warmer and the rain has stopped so Larry is busy working on the Hydrolift. He just may get it finished before we go the Good Sam Rally the end of February!

New LED lights in Larry's Man Cave

working on the HydroLift

We learned late last night that our good friend, David, when home to be with Jesus yesterday.  He will be missed but we will see him again.

Happy New Year 2017!!

Larry started the month off by going to the gun show at the Fairgrounds with Vince. Vince sold some items and Larry bought some.

I had a haircut shop on the 8^th which was nice to be paid to get a haircut, but I won't be doing that again anytime soon as all I had were problems with the shop. It did end OK though.

December 13 Vince graduated from ASU with a Bachelor in Science and Nursing degree. It was at the Convention Center and Dawn walked from her office and met us for the ceremony. Then that afternoon we all met at Olive Garden for a celebration meal.

Vince with Dawn at his graduation from ASU Dec 13

Ellen and Dawn at Vince's graduation at the convention Center in Phoenix, AZ

                               

Dawn and Vince 'chowing down' at Olive Garden

 One of the gifts we gave to Vince and Dawn for combined Housewarming and Christmas was a flagpole for the front of their new house and it was a combined effort to get it up and Dawn put flowers around the base. It looks really nice now that it is done.

We sang in the Christmas Eve choir at our church and Dawn, Vince and Bethany came to hear us. Afterward refreshments were served and free family portraits were taken. I'm looking forward to seeing them.

Vince, Dawn, Ellen, Larry after the Christmas Eve service

After church on Christmas Day we went to Dawn and Vince's around 2 PM and then didn't get 'home' until 3 AM! We had a great time, great food, good fellowship and lots of laughs and fun. We played two different games the last being Mexican Train, something we used to play a lot when we were in RV parks.  

The dining room before our Christmas meal

Family room ready for Christmas

Krista, Colby and Bethany looking 'cool'

Us Christmas day

Larry rented a U-Haul van to borrow his old welder so he can do welding on his latest project. The welder he has isn't large enough to weld the thick metal on the HydoLift.  It will be awhile before his project is finished as he is taking it slowly since he is modifying the motorhome.

unloading the HydoLift

Loading the tank back onto the welder cart

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New Year's Eve we again went with my friend, Judy, to the Marty Goetz concert in Scottsdale. A great way to end 2016!  Dawn and Vince had a small NYE party and we joined them after the concert.  We had fireworks in the front yard that were very nice and the across the street neighbors to the east of us had some really big fireworks.  We were glad we had early rain to cut down on the fire hazard as several of the fireworks didn't go as high as they were supposed to.

Misha Goetz-Holtz holding 10 month old Caleb with Joshua Holtz
and Marty Goetz at the piano

Our fireworks  The bright lights in the background are where the
really big fireworks were set off