Kaitlyn’s 4th Birthday

 

April 19, 2009                                                                                                    Chuck’s Report

 

And now for the main reason we wanted to be here at this time, Kaitlyn’s birthday and her party.  She had been calling Nana at least once a week for the past couple of months to make sure she was coming to her birthday party, as if she would miss it for the world. 

On Sunday, Susy and Mark had a party for Kaitlyn and some of her friends at a kids place where they can play on those big blown up slides and such.  They rent this place out for parties so it wasn’t too busy they could go from one toy to another with no waiting.  She had a ball and really got tired out.  Afterwards they had pizza and cake for her and her friends.  Susy’s friend Mandy made and decorated a princess cake for her, it turned out really nice, good job Mandy.

Monday and Tuesday I picked Kaitlyn up at their house and she played all day with Nana, they sure have a good time.  Wednesday was her actual birthday, Mark took off work that morning to be with her.  We met them at their house until we left to meet Susy for lunch.  After lunch we did some running and then had a party at their house where Kaitlyn opened the rest of her presents.  After a good dinner, we had another birthday cake, chocolate this time.  

Thursday we picked up Kaitlyn from her house but on Friday, Mark had a business meeting close by and he dropped her off at our place.  After his meeting, we picked him up and dropped him off at San Francisco Airport for his trip to Seattle to visit with his dad.  His dad is still recovering, they have his pain under better control and he is at home.  We wish him and his whole family the best!!

Saturday Susy and Kaitlyn came by our coach and then the three girls when shopping and got their portraits taken for Mother’s Day. 

This week we also got some necessary work done on the coach.  On Monday we got to the service center about 8:30, this meant having to get up earlier than normal and getting the coach ready for travel.  We picked it up about 4:30, there were a couple of things still needed and some parts that had to be shipped in so we scheduled it back there on Wednesday.  Tuesday I took it about 30 miles away for a recall to have the hitch replaced, took all of 25 minutes to do the work but was all morning driving in traffic back and forth.  Then back to the shop on Wednesday to finish up with the maintenance work, but of course they found more.  The radiator overflow bottle on the generator had a hole in it and can you believe. it was still under warranty for 5 more days.  I had to take it to another shop, he checked it out and ordered the parts and will call when they get in, one more trip to make then we should be done, hope, hope.  Lorraine has to put everything away for any trip we make so this week she hasn’t put all of the normal stuff out and it isn’t “home”, if you know what I mean. 

Friday morning started out nice and sunny, forecast to be in the 80s.  I decided to wax the roof on the coach, didn’t finish before it got too hot so stopped and finished on Saturday morning.  I can tell that I’m out of shape, I’m tired, sore and I got a bit of a sunburn but glad it’s done.  I’m not sure I could do a honest, hard day’s work now, don’t plan on finding out either, ha. 

We are scheduled to leave here on Wednesday and start our trip back to Bellingham.  The only schedule we have so far is to meet with our friend Tim, from Lynden, Wash.  He is driving down to meet us at Seven Feather’s RV park in Oregon.  We want to visit with a couple of other friends along the way too, we have to work out the schedule yet so I won’t make any promises.  Boy have we met lots of nice folks in our travels this past year and a half. 

I’m still working on the timetable for our upcoming Alaska trip.  I need to make a couple of phone calls this week but it still looks like the first of June we will be driving into Alaska for a 4 month visit.  I’ve done lots of research on what to see and do while in Alaska, don’t think we can see and do all of it even in the 4 months, its a big state with lots to do, plus this is their 50th anniversary of statehood so there will be lots of celebrations for that too. 

Now, here are some pictures of our week. 

Here’s Kaitlyn telling Nana a joke.

Must have been a funny one, they sure enjoyed it.

Following are some pictures from Kaitlyn’s birthday party at Pump It Up Kids.  She really liked the big slide, especially when Mommy or Daddy would go with her.  I also included a picture of the cake that Mandy decorated, looks too good to cut,doesn’t it?

    

On Thursday, Kaitlyn was so worn out, she actually took a nap in the car.  Later, we played with her bubble machine she received for her birthday.  She sure enjoys live, huh!!

On Wednesday she was able to open the last of her presents and have her chocolate birthday cake.  What a big week for a small girl.  And you know, she didn’t change much from when she was three when she turned four like she thought would happen. 

 

 

And now that all that is done, it’s time to clean up.  Here’s Kaitlyn cleaning the kitchen floor, what a big help.

So once again, that was our week.  Nana hasn’t had time to do her regular post yet, too busy but if the first two pictures show nothing else, they show what she has been doing this week.  If she does write a post, I’ll add it here and send out a note letting you know but I wouldn’t count on it this week. 

With Mark in Seattle, Susy and Kaitlyn spent the night with us in the motorhome.  Kaitlyn is now up and playing with Nana and I’m finishing up this blog.  Pretty soon, we will have to make our plans for today, looking forward to that. 

So until next time - - -  - -  

Thanks  Chuck