Andrew's Birthday and Going Away Party

April 1, 2017

OK, this is probably the hardest part of our ministry - saying goodbye to our sons and daughters! Andrew Raffety is leaving. He's saying goodbye to active duty and opening a new chapter in his life - heading to the university.

So, since Andrew's birthday was on April 2nd, we had a birthday party for him. Yvonne asked him what he would like for his birthday meal and he said it didn't matter. But when she asked what kind of cake he wanted, well right away he said "Your cinnamon rolls!" He really likes the Civil War era so we gave him a book on the...yup! You guessed it - the Civil War.

Bethany and Cristian were here too!

We played Settlers of Catan again...can you tell that's one of our favorite games? Cristian Fabela won!

Here's Cristian admiring his trophy...

And, giving his victory pose!

All except for saying farewell to Andrew, it was a fun evening!

I was trying to take a selfie so I could post a picture of my mustache, but I am terrible at taking selfies, so Bethany came around and took one for me, with me!

Settlers Settlers and more Settlers!

This week John, Austin, and Andrew joined us for our Saturday night activity. John challenged us to a game of Settlers...again! I think he loves that game! But so do the rest of us. Do you have any idea who won the game?

We didn't want to leave Andrew out of the pictures. He's getting ready to get out of the Navy and wow! Are we going to miss him!

Teaching Cristian Fabela How To Play Settler's of Catan

What is it about teaching the young men and women who come over to the house how to play Settlers of Catan? The first time they play it THEY WIN!!! What's up with that??? A couple of weeks ago Cristian came over on a Saturday night and we played Settlers. You guessed it...he won!

And wow was he proud of himself too! Just take a look at the pictures.

Here Cristian is showing me his victory 1 point Development Card, his 2 point Largest Army Card, and his 2 point Longest Road Card that he took away from Yvonne. But I like the smile!!

Here he's showing ME the victory point card that got him over the top to win! See how tightly he is holding on to the victor's trophy???

He got a big kick out of the un-sportsmanlike expression on my face! But hey, we all had fun! Settlers of Catan is a great game!

Teaching Bethany How To Play Settlers of Catan

By now, most of you following this blog know that we love to play Settlers of Catan on Saturday night. It really is one of our favorite board games! So, of course we had to teach Bethany, Yvonne's cousin, how to play the game.

She caught on real quick and had fun! Tia was pretty new at the game too and got the hang of it really fast!

This is a "selfie". I am not good at this! But the picture didn't turn out too bad.

And here's the whole gang...including our weekend warrior - Todd. Ooops, except for Yvonne. She's the one taking the picture. She likes doing that every so often to prove that I actually participate in these fun nights too.

So, who won the game? Well, they say a picture is worth a thousand words - right?

No, it wasn't me. It was Andrew!

Crystal Wins Settlers! New Player!!

Saturday night Crystal Abbott, Andrew Raffety, Liam Egbert, and Josh Ellinor came over. Yvonne had roasted a new turkey on Saturday, yup a second one in a week, so the guys could have turkey sandwiches and chips for dinner. Bless her heart!

Then we pulled out our Settlers of Catan game to teach Crystal and Liam how to play. They caught on really quick! And you can tell from the title of this post, Crystal won.

Sunday after church Andrew, Josh and Crystal came over again. Yvonne made Turkey Crepes for dinner today. They were GREAT! For dessert we had chocolate peanut butter ice cream, and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream that Andrew brought last night.

After we ate we went watched "The Climb" with Jason George and Ned Vaughn.

And finally, we shared prayer requests and prayed together. But there was one last request; a picture of Josh and Crystal together. They knew each other from back home in Illinois!

Electronic Monopoly and an Empty Nest!

Sometimes it's about holidays and duty days converging at the same time!

Saturday John Oritz and Andrew Raffety came over for hamburgers and vegetable chips and watermelon. When I asked them what they wanted to play John suggested Monopoly!

So we pulled down our electronic Monopoly game.

Andrew wanted to play with real money, but we didn't have any. Besides, the old money was in the $1, $10, $20 up to $500. In the electronic version properties cost millions of dollars!

We played with the personal ATM and debit cards. Everyone started out the game with $15,000,000.

Sunday we had what is commonly referred to, when all of a couple's children are out of the house as an "Empty Nest"! Josh Ellinor when home on leave over the holiday weekend. Cristian went out of town too. And both Andrew and John had duty Sunday.

So Yvonne and I felt a little weird with no one here. We watched a movie and then played three games of Settler's of Catan. 

Then we played a game of chess. I haven't played in years! Yvonne's never really learned how to play so it was a teaching game. She caught on real quick and almost beat me!

Yvonne bought this set for me when we were stationed in Hawaii. It is a Chinese set made from Soapstone. Each piece is a unique Chinese character. The case is carved and the board itself is inlaid with Chinese pictures. 

Happy Birthday Todd Williams!

Saturday was Todd William's birthday.

And since it was also his reserve drill weekend, he joined us for our Saturday evening activity like he does every month.

Yvonne fixed his favorite meal: meatloaf, potatoes, and salad for dinner and chocolate cupcakes and ice cream for dessert.

Then we played Settlers of Caanan (a different version of the Settlers of Catan game).

Can you tell who won the game? Josh Ellinor is getting really good at these games. He's very competitive and catches on to new games in a hurry!

Then Todd opened his present: we got him the "Do You Believe" DVD.

Just as Todd and Josh left for the evening and we had closed the door the doorbell rang. I went and answered it and Todd was there. His car broke down in our driveway! Good thing it didn't happen later half way down the road! I drove him to Naval Station where he was staying.

Sunday afternoon Josh Ellinor and Cristian Fabela came over for dinner.

Yvonne made chicken fajitas and salad for dinner. Dessert was a little chocolate cake she made from the left over cake batter from Todd's birthday cupcakes, and ice cream.

Yvonne sliced this cake into about eight pieces. It was only about six inches across so the pieces were smaller than the cupcakes we had last night!

 

I think Cristian enjoyed the cake!

After dinner we watched the movie "Time Changers" which is set in the year 1890 and Bible Professor Russell Carlisle has written a new manuscript. His book is about to receive an unanimous endorsement from the board members at Grace Bible Seminary until his colleague, Dr. Norris Anderson, has a difficulty with something. Dr. Anderson believes what Carlisle has written could greatly affect future generations. Using a secret time machine, Anderson sends Carlisle over 100 years into the future, offering him a glimpse of where his beliefs will lead.

While the others watched the movie I went to Naval Station and picked Todd up to bring him back to the house. He's going to spend the night so we can take his car to the shop tomorrow morning.

After the movie we all decided to play Settlers of Catan. Cristian had never played it before so we taught him how to play. He caught on real quick!

It turned out to be a battle to the finish between Josh and me. But can you guess who won???

After the game I took Cristian back to the base. Todd and Yvonne watched "Blindside" while I posted the story and pictures of our weekend. Now it's time for me to go join them!

Another great weekend!!!!!!