RENO!!!!!!

What an AMAZING time I had in Reno!! It was so nice to be there and celebrate Mary's BIG 3-0, and to just hang out with her, stay in her beautiful home, hang out with Karon and also get to see Kurt, Justin and Kenzie!! Everyone there is doing so well and I am so very proud of them all!
I also got to visit with some of the people I have met in previous trips there and made some new "Reno Friends" too. Although I found out my husband is more famous around there then me! :) I had people come up to me at church there and ask if I was John's wife! John is famous in Reno. :)
I don't have many great pics to share mainly because John is usually the one who takes all the pics and he wasn't there!!

I arrived in Reno early Thursday morning and Mary and Judah were there waiting for me right when I got off the plane. Mary and I got a little teary eyed and then Judah rescued us from our emotion with his very best Donald Trump impression :). I wish I had a pic of that!! Mo, you need to catch that on camera and post it!
Anyway, then Mo and I were off for some shopping at the beautiful new outdoor mall there in Reno. We had a fab lunch where I ate all the garlic...you didn't want any of that did you Mo? :) After a couple hours of shopping we picked up Karon and the 3 of us (Ya Ya's!) went back to Mary's and whipped up Mary's AMAZING Chicken Mango Taco's...YUM!! It was fun to have the three of us back in the kitchen together like old times...Karon and Mary working away while I stand there and talk and say things like "You want me to do what with this jalapeno?? What do mean by seed it? And how do you cut it? I just don't understand." :)
Then Saturday morning, Mary and I were up early and off to the spa for massages!! This was my birthday gift from Mary. What a treat!!! Thanks Mo!!!
Then we had some serious work to do to get ready for Mary's big birthday bash! Kurt, Mary, Karon and I worked away to decorate and prepare for a super fun beach theme party. Everything went perfect! Kurt made amazing teriyaki burgers...the decor was awesome, the weather was beautiful, Beach Boys were playing on the stereo, and Mary's house was full of wonderful people all there to honor and celebrate her. It was a VERY special time and I am so so glad I got to be there. I met some more of Kurt and Mary's friends and they are wonderful. The night ended very late with Mary, Karon, Kenzie, Tara (Kenzie's roomate) and I playing cards till the wee hours. "Karon is crazy!" :)
Mo at her party with a few of her friends. This picture cracks me up for two reasons. First, because you can tell who knew I was taking the pic!! But mainly it makes me laugh because of the blankets!! Remeber this is July in Reno people...and that was the hottest day I was there..it was over 100 degrees!! And yet 3 of the girls in that pic are using blankets! Let's just say someone likes their AC!!! Cough cough...Kurt. :) Yes, he is Nora's offspring afterall and was raised in an artic chill.

Saturday Mary and I slept in and then headed out for a little roadtrip to Lake Tahoe! We first stopped for lunch at my very favorite place to eat while in Reno....Black Rock Pizza!!! YUMMMMMM. The road trip to Tahoe was fun and I saw Carson City along the way...Mary even showed me places she went as a kid and places she and Kurt stayed during part of their honeymoon. Lake Tahoe is BEAUTIFUL.....very breath taking and just SWAMPED with tourists EVERYWHERE. It is a fun and very happening place! There are also many public restrooms in Tahoe...that is mostly what Mary and I did while we were there...toured the restrooms! :) Only because we had Starbucks and HUGE smoothies on the ride up! :)
Not the best pic, but you can see just a TINY bit of Lake Tahoe there in the right corner...and it's the only pic I have with Judah boy. Not sure how that happened! :(

After we returned from Tahoe, we went and picked up Karon for a GIRL'S NIGHT!!!!! We went out to this great Mexican resturant (cause I'm hispanic...hehe) right in downtown Reno and sat outside and watched the activity of a Saturday night in Reno. We laughed a lot and just had a great time together. Then we went to the movies and saw "License to Wed"...which was cute...but made me miss John a little. :)
Tres Amigas!!! :)

Sunday morning we were off to church! I didn't sing this time...so Mary and I just went to ONE service...at 11:30am!!! I was in heaven! :) Kurt did an amazing job with worship. It's always fun to get to worship in one of his services.
After church it was all about Wing Stop....the best place to get wings EVER.
Then Mary, Karon, and I hit the town for more shopping until they had to take me to the airport at 7:21pm :).
It was very bittersweet to leave. I had such an amazing time, but missed by husband and my boys. But I know I will be back there soon, I truly love going there to visit.
So, Mary got choked up when I got there...but not when I left....hmmmmmm :). No, really our hearts were full (and our bellies!) and since that was my 4th trip there since they moved...and they have been out here twice too....I think we really KNOW now that we will always see each other again soon and of coarse that these friendships we all share are so very rare and are for life.
I didn't get to spend much time with Kurt or Justin...but got to see them in their element and positions at church and I can tell you there are both right where they are supposed to be for this time and season. They are both just really flowing in their callings and gifts. I am honored to call them friends. Justin, next time.. I am coming to The Gathering FOR SURE!!!! I want to hear you preach, cause I know you're AWESOME...even if you are a part of a "lesser ministry" :) hehehehe.
Justin and precious Bella. She just feel asleep in Daddy's arms like that...too sweet!

I love you all so much.
Kurt and Mo, thanks for opening your home to me...it is such a comfortable and wonderful place to stay...it is truly a "home away from home" for me.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MO!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!