Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is really beautiful and has a variety of beaches(even a nude beach).  We rented a house on a lagoon along with a kayak and a stand up paddle board.  We could find clams right off the dock.  We checked out State Beach, South Beach, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, Larsen's seafood, Net Result, Seafood Shanty, and many others.  Sunsets were great too.  I found Carly Simon's store and her daughter Sally's art display.  Every town had it's own 'flavor and feel' and all of the lighthouses were fun to see and visit.  Lobster rolls, stuffed quahog clams, and swordfish were plentiful and enjoyed.  It was fun getting to know Lauren's family too.  We always wish we had more time to spend with family and friends.

Wedding Week - Tyler and Lauren 6/11/2016

We headed off for the wedding week on 6/7/16.  Arn and I flew into Boston, spent the first night in New Bedford, Ma.(large Whaling port during the 19th century), and caught the ferry the next day from Woods Hole, Ma.  We arrived on Martha's Vineyard and settled into our house.  Bernie turned 65 that day so we met them for dinner.  Val and Eric, Mere and Tim arrived the next couple of days.  The house we rented had beautiful grounds and a dock which we thoroughly enjoyed. The welcome party for the wedding weekend was Friday night at Bad Martha's Brewery and it was a fun get together.  The food from Soigne was great and Bad Martha's Brewery did a great job with the beer and app platters.  If I can figure out how to post the video of Arn's toast I'll post it later.
6/11/2016 I Do Day !The next day flew by with getting ready, prewedding pics, the wedding, and reception. It was a great time and we all made lots of memories.  The bride was beautiful and the groom was handsome.  During the ceremony it was a bit windy and drizzly but they got married on the dock anyway and it was beautiful.  I'll add more pics as I find them.  The band was great and we all danced the night away.  On Sunday morn we brunched at the same venue and then all enjoyed Martha's Vineyard for a few days after the wedding.

Grandma Returns to Smithville

The day after Lauren's shower Gma and I returned to Ohio.  We arrived in the afternoon and her wonderful neighbors had the house clean, the yard mowed, the front porch ready for sitting, and even had weeding and flower prep done.  We spent the week with doctor appt, and dentist appt. and getting things organized for Gma to live alone for a few months.  She has Meals on Wheels 2 x a week, a nurse visit 1 x a week and an aide 3 times a week.  So far things are going well and I call her everyday to check in.  While I was there we drove around the area and ate at all of her favorite spots. New Riegal Ribs, The Corner Inn, and Bob Evans are all favorite spots.   Shortly after I left Andy and Roja visited and then Chuck and Rosie visited.  She has lived in her little red house for 70 years.

Rattlesnake Woods - a local landmark

Best friends - Dorothy and Helen (95)

Violets in the yard

Parker Covered Bridge - my great grandfather helped build it and my parents helped protect it from vandalism and graffiti

Indian Mill

Chief Tarhee's Grave

Old Homestead - where Gma grew up

The house down the road where Gma met Grandpa while he was home before going to war.  She changed her mind about moving to Denver and stayed home to wait for him to return.

Lauren's Bridal Shower April 2016

Lauren's shower was at Stella's in Denver on April 30th.  Grandma stayed in Colorado and she and I left for Ohio the day after the shower.  It was a beautiful morning and the shower was wonderful as was the food.
She received many nice gifts.  Valerie arranged the flowers for the table and Lauren's sister Sarah did a great job planning the shower. 

I've Discovered Podcasts!

I've recently discovered Podcasts.  I admit I never really understood how they worked before but they are great for the drive to and from work.  Currently I am listening to Sounds from the Trail.  It is a podcast about thru hiking on the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail.  I've read Wild and have seen the movie and didn't think it was that great.  I also saw Robert Redford's movie about walking the AT and was disappointed in it.  This podcast covers different topics concerning through hiking.  I can't say I want to through hike but I sure would love to do a couple of sections.

Feel free to leave some podcast suggestions in the comment area.

Silver Sneaker Time

Happy Birthday to Arnold!! He turned 65 on May 7th and can't wait to get started with Silver Sneakers - free admission to nationwide health clubs and the Y.  Tyler and Lauren came down and we went to dinner at the Speed Trap in Palmer Lake which was wonderful. The picture above is from Val and Eric's wedding with a couple of college buddies/frat brothers - Mike and Bernie.