I love this shot, very candid with a hint of sunlight

Our friend Morgan snapped this of me.

Hope everyone had a great relaxing weekend. Todd & I enjoyed the 4th with friends and the dogs.
To view  a slideshow of our day click here

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HAPPY 4TH!

Todd & I wanted to send warm wishes out to all of our friends and families! It’s early here in California but already you can tell the weather and the day is going to be perfect; warm, sunny and absolute perfection…  Our plans are almost like a ritual that we perform each year (at least for the past 3), our friend Kevin has a great boat and a few of us pack up the snacks, food and drinks and pile in… Come back around dusk and figure out where to watch the fireworks. One year it was Kevin’s roof, another the dunes in Dover Shores… and who knows this year.

Be safe, wear your spf, and have fun!

Here’s a few shots from 4th of July- past.

Kevin the captain & Pat the boat comedian

Lori & Todd

Will update everyone more on Fred once im home.
Thanks for the continued support!

From here we headed towards Colorado Springs (for the MTV/Hills viewers- Heidi Montag is from this town). We thought we took a wrong turn or had mis judged the directions because we were literally driving through the heart of the city and turned left, only to stumble upon this little piece of god’s garden! Hence the name “Garden of the Gods”.  Red monstrous rocks shoot out of the earth’s surface in a serene setting/ mountainous backdrops frame the setting and the red color against the blue skies is so dynamic.

Currently we are waiting to board the last flight out to Orange County, Ca. Todd snapped a photo of me and told me that whenever he’s trying to converse or ask me something this is the view he gets… (I found this quite funny) he just happens to want to talk everytime I’m checking my messages/ facebook or texting!

Driving around town (which is only a few blocks) you start to see a lot of the same friendly faces. Salida is again a very charming, quaint town.  Todd and I are in love with the charm of the historical downtown area. (walking distance to dad’s apt).  WE dined tonight at a charming restaurant called “The Butcher’s Table” afterwards we walked the streets taking a few more photos.  It rained while we were dining and I couldn’t resist taking a few photos of the rainbow that appeared and some shots of the corners and buildings in the evening- the wet asphalt made for a great reflection on the streets.

Salida is not Hollywood by any means but they do have an “S” on the highest hill top seen from the city. I love that hey change between a heart and an S… something symbolic of our last night in salida and saying goodbye to a small town my father enjoyed so much, if only for a few years… maybe he really did find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow in Salida…?!

Arkansas River runs through town

heart salida

Dad’s friend, Gerry (spelling?) has been so helpful. He was able to hold a  moving sale the past few weekends prior to Todd and I arriving. We can not express how gracious and thankful we are to know what a great friend, Gerry has been to Fred.  Tonight we took Gerry to dinner at the Laughing Ladies Restaurant.  He is a born local to Salida, CO and full of great stories of growing up in the town along with the history and some funny insight on spending time with Fred.

This town is quaint but charming. The old historic area has many historic old buildings/ retail space/ loft living above. Everyone seems very nice and healthy.. lots of outdoor activities, health food and excersising.

As I’ve been cleaning, packing and sorting all the items in dad’s apt, I’ve ran across some great old photos. I will be sure to post them soon.

Update on Fred… he had the biopsy on his lower pelvis region, he found out late last week that there are melanoma cells present. (not the best news) But he did begin the radiation treatment on the sinus area this week. The first session caused much discomfort and pain. He is working with the Dr.’s to find the right strength and will continue with the treatments; 3X per week for 5 weeks= 15 sessions total.

We continue to pray and stay positive and we’d like to thank everyone for all their support and well wishes.

Dad's Ski Buddy- Gerry

Cool old signs in downtown

Oldest Original Bar in Salida

Boy was she surprised! she didn’t even recognize her…(that’s how great Eleanor looks!) I’m waiting to get photos of all of them and will post at a later date. I found some old photos from September of 2006. This was the first trip I took Todd with me to visit Sarasota. It was for my high school reunion from Sarasota High graduating class of 1996! whoop, whoop.

Todd was kind enough to snap off some photos out on Anna Marie Island, FL. We had just ate lunch at the SandBar or something along that name, it’s one of dad and grandma’s favs.  We all look a bit disheveled from the sun and wind.

PROGRESS on FRED: well finally things seem to be progressing.  Dad will be meeting with the radiation experts on Tuesday to review the options on radiation treatments (fingers crossed) and Friday is a scheduled biopsy on the kidney issues. WE are all praying for some answers and a positive outlook.

Epner Family

Gayle & Fred

Lori & Liah