Del Mar Fair

 We found time to make it to the Del Mar Fair this year, and we made it the first evening trip with the boys.   Every other time they have been to the fair in the daytime.  I think they are the right age to enjoy the night atmosphere, and I think they agreed.

 We did our traditional visit to see the animals.  Here are my animals, Mateo in the front and Troy in the rear.

 Troy looking at the Peruvian horses.

Teo doing the same thing.

 From here, we split up.

 The rest of the crew went to the rides...

 ...and I went to the art displays.  Here are a few of my favorites this year.

 We finally met back up.  Here is a photo from the end of the evening, back on the main drag where the food stands are.

 Mateo brought this toy home.

And Troy brought this one.

A fun night!

An Afternoon At Lake Tahoe

 Since we were all just over the hill in Carson City,  Ron and Mary invited us to South Lake Tahoe for a late lunch / early dinner.

Here are the hosts Mary and Ron!

 Levi and Crystal.

 Neal and Cooper.  Cooper is Ron and Mary's dog.  Even though he had never met Neal before, he hopped right up in Neal's lap as if he'd been invited!  Very unusual for Cooper.

 And the windblown corner - Laura, Jessica, Ames, and Debbie.

 Just across the street is the south shore of Lake Tahoe, and there was a wedding going on...

 The glass patio sides were causing reflection, so after the wedding ceremony I leaned the camera out around the glass and captured these shots of the wedding party leaving.  I thought they kind of told a story, so I'm including all of them.  Sorry if it's too much.

Lake San Marcos

Clara Mae Trotter Celebration of Life

 My wife's mother, Clara Trotter, passed away last month.   Her children pitched in to throw a Celebration of Life in her honor.

 We held it at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City, Nevada since Clara lived in that town.  This is how the room looked when we arrived.

 The Brewery Arts Center is just a few blocks from the Nevada State Capitol Building.

 The venue is very nice and we would highly recommend it to others who need to hold an event in Carson City.  The building itself was built in 1865 as a brewery and has since become an art center.  Hence, the name of the building.

 It was a beautiful day.

 Clara's favorite singer was Elvis Presley, so we brought her painting of the King to the celebration.

 Our son Ron Barker emceed the event and did his usual wonderful job that included a slide show set to music that Clara loved.

 My wife also gave a speech...

 ...as did her sister Debbie...

 ...and her sister Becky.

 I tried to catch everyone who attended in at least one photo, and I apologize in advance if I missed anyone.   Several of Clara's siblings attended including Dan and Debbie as well as Rick and Sandy.   Her children Laura, Debra, Tony, and Becky were also able to attend, as were several other relatives including grandchildren and great grandchildren.

 Friends, neighbors, and coworkers also attended.

 Speaking on behalf of Clara's children, we would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who attended.

Our daughter-in-law Mary with our newest grandson, Ames.

 Mary, Ames, and Teo.

 Our son David holding his brother's son Ames.

 David with his children Troy and Teo, as well as his brother's son Ames.

 David with Ames.

 Ames with his father Ron.

The whole family pitched in to buy food for the celebration.

 The Brewery Arts Center has quite a history, and they have a hallway full of memorabilia from the last 150 years.

 Some photos from way back when.

It was a very pleasant event.