Yesterday we had a party to celebrate Terry’s dad’s 80th birthday. My father-in-law, Pete Weber, is one of the kindest, nicest, and most loving men I have ever known. Pete is a retired Air Force NCO, and even though he won a battle with cancer a few years ago, nothing slows him down.
He still walks several miles a day, he can do 25 pushups before I could even get down on the floor, and he can outwork most men 30 years younger. In fact, a while back Pete didn’t have enough to do, so he got himself a job as a WalMart greeter, working the graveyard shift four nights a week.
But that wasn’t enough of a challenge, so he volunteered to spend two of his nights retrieving shopping carts from the 
furthest edges of the parking lot! Here’s a picture of the happy birthday boy
Terry’s sisters Dani and Lisa, Lisa’s husband Jim, Dani’s beautiful daughters Lauren and Andrea, and their guys, joined us. Terry’s twin sons, Casey and 
Cody, and their ladies came down from their homes in Colorado, and her son Shawn and his girlfriend arrived from New Mexico, to help Pete celebrate his special day. Here is a picture of Terry and her dad. Can you tell how much she loves him?
That many people demand a lot of food, so Terry, Lisa, Dani, and their mom, Bess, prepared a feast that included Miss Terry’s delicious barbecued smoked ribs, beef sandwiches, all kinds of side dishes, and a huge chocolate cake that would destroy anybody’s diet. We all ate until we couldn’t eat another bite, and then we ate some more!
It was a great day, and everybody had a good time. We stayed until after 9 p.m., and by then everybody’s eyelids were beginning to droop, especially the Colorado contingent, who had to get up at 3 a.m. yesterday morning to be at the airport in Denver in time for their flight. I know Pete really appreciated having so many of his family with him for his birthday.
Friday I put a picture of the grapefruit tree at our RV site in the blog, and longtime reader Dave Burman thought I 
might want to see what life was like in his little corner of the world. Dave and his wife Mary are stuck in Frederick, Maryland, waiting for retirement so they can hit the road next year. Dave said he promised Mary that this will never happen again, and that he will drive their Winnebago Journey to Mexico if necessary, but they will be warm next winter!
I don’t blame you, Dave. We were stuck in Traverse City, Michigan during the wintertime years ago, while Miss Terry was battling cancer, and I don’t think I have completely thawed out yet! Our daughter Tiffany and her family live in Show Low, Arizona, only about a three hour drive from here, and I’d love to be up there spoiling my two granddaughters. But, until it warms up and the snow melts in the high country, that just isn’t going to happen.
Today we’re going back to Terry’s parents’ house to enjoy some more family time, and I bet there are plenty of leftovers we’ll have to wade through. It’s a dirty job, but somebody has to do it!
Thought For The Day – Birthdays are good for you; the more you have the longer you live.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
Nick,
Those attributes of Pete’s are the same things you often say about Miss Terry. The apple does not fall far from the tree.
Responding to yesterday’s post, we suggest a couple of summer destinations, and a mode of travel.
First the travel mode. While we fiercely defend and protect our travel independence, we have nonetheless iminsely enjoyed the camradiere of the WIT caravans, which now are open to you as a Winnebago owner. This coming summer we are doing the Churchill caravan, hopeing to see whales and polar bears.
Secod, two suggested destinations. One of us has been to Alaska seven times, twice with a WIT tour. This would be our first recomendation for a summer tour. Usually there are two tours each summer, one of which terminates in Fairbanks, allowing you to spend more time in Alaska on your own. Our second recommendation is the WIT Newfoundland tour. We have done this one once, and are thinking of doing it again.
Whatever your plans, we hope you enjoy your travels. We are hopeing to do the GNR this summer, and will look forward to meeting you there if you choose to attend.
Hey Nick what a wonderful birthday for your FIL Pete… So nice that so many of the family could make it there to celebrate with him. Have a wonderful visit & travel safe!
Donna
Happy Valentines Day Nick and Terry.