January to April 2009
We could hardly get the truck out of the driveway for our Presidents Day weekend trip to Santa Paula. Eight inches of snow blanketed everything, nearly breaking the branches of the olive tree.
The monastery was beautiful in all the snow, but the storm got carried away dumping another 10 inches while we were gone.
We passed the Georgetown Hotel and Main St. as we headed down the mountain.
In Auburn we took a picture of Barbara's childhood home on Finley St. with a dusting of snow.
Many hours later we arrived in Ventura where we spent the night. Early the next morning we were with Arnie, Ellen, Austin, and Ashley.
Austin demonstrated new soccer techniques, while Ashley charmed Momma and Grandma, and Arnie coached Austin on the swings.
Grandma demonstrated proper form, while Grandpa pushed and Austin giggled.
Ashley preferred to be held while Grandpa and Austin checked out the birds.
Then there were more adventures on the slide where Ashley took her first ride.
Ashley was happy to be back home with Mom again.
Back at the Monastery a few weeks later we set the table with new dishes for the Old Folks' monthly dinner and card party.
In March we celebrated Wyatt's and Sienna's birthdays.
Then we were off to Boise for a sad farewell to cousin Pat Collins
Click HERE for Obituary
Flocks of relatives, friends, and associates paid tribute to Pat's life of dedicated love to his wife, Margaret, and sons, Cameron and Chris, of special service to the Boise community (Special Olympics), and of incredible talent and humor with his law firm, Hawley Troxell Ennis and Hawley.
Pat, Margaret and Cameron 1985
It was great re-connecting with family and visiting Boise again. Seventeen years ago we traveled there with Grandma Helen shortly after Grandpa Art had passed away. Colleen and Jerry were fabulous hosts on both trips. We returned to the spot where Joe (now 25) posed as if he were playing marbles. Now it was Grandpa Jim's turn. Amazingly, we chose the same bronze marble to join in the game.
A week later we celebrated new life with Dave and Marla who anxiously
await the arrival of their daughter, Madeline, this summer.
Mike was busy in the kitchen preparing a fantastic lunch...
...followed by cake and more pictures...
...the Shannon girls kept stealing the show for now until Madeline comes along.
Wyatt and Helena spent a couple of Spring Break days with Grandma and Grandpa. We looked for gold in the Gold Bug Mine in Placerville. We found quartz and fools gold instead...
...then we hiked along the American River near Auburn... and later posed with an angel back at the monastery