Peaceful PV

Robyn and I enjoyed our recent visit to PV, on Thanksgiving....We took a drive around the Peninsula....The previous day's rain left the air crystal clear.

The Light House at Point Vicente
Check out this link.

Check out the fox and rocks

Turkey Trotters--4 Generations Run 5 K Turkey Trot Race on Thanksgiving Day 2008

Keeping up the annual tradition, our extended family enjoyed the 5K "Turkey Trot" run on Thanksgiving Day, at 8:00 am in the morning in Torrance. Here are a few of the Turkey Trotters, having successfully completed the course, from 20 min to 60 minutes, by run, walk, trot, stroller and unicycle... Special Congratulations to Jake--the first of the 4th generation to run the Turkey Trot...

Educating Dylan

Robyn introduced Dylan to Henry David Thoreau at Walden Pond. Dyan was impressed.

Robyn Does The Cambridge-Tarrytown Tour

Robyn enjoyed a quick visit with Christian, Katie & Dylan in Cambridge. Here they are at Walden Pond. Robyn says it is very peaceful.

They traveled to Tarrytown to meet the extended family for Jan's 50th Birthday Bash.

Then Dylan went horseback riding.

Family Gathering For Mikel's Funeral

Sunday November 2 & Monday 3 we gathered in Bountiful, Utah for Mikel's funeral. Representatives of all branches of the family came from near and far to pay tribute to Mikel--from Turlock (Phyllis, Melanie, Nicholas, Madison), New York (Jan, John & Sophie), from Boston (Christian), from Alaska (Brett), from Pennsylvania (Lew), from New York and LA (Lisa, Saleem), from Orange County (Jeff, Robyn, Ryan), from SLC, Davis, Ogden and Utah Counties (Joyce, Shawn/Jill & family; Lori/Michael/Aaron/Isaac; Brett/Melanie; Brady & Megan; Kevin & Heidi; Austin & Rachel), from Corona (Phyllis' work colleagues) etc. etc. etc.
A family and friends gathering at the funeral home was held on Sunday evening. Many of Mikel's friends from past and present came to pay their respects.
On Monday Morning, we gathered in the chapel at the funeral home for a beautiful funeral service. Mikel's young grandkids and nieces/nephews sang "Puff the Magic Dragon" to Austin's guitar accompaniment, one of Mikel's favorites. All of Mikel's brothers and sisters spoke of his life and how much they will miss their "older brother."

We drove to the grave site. Nephew Aaron played a solitary and mournful "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes as the pallbearers carried Mike's coffin to the grave site--only a few feet from his father Ralph's grave. Uncle Lew dedicated the grave, and afterwards family and friends mingled, enjoying each other's company and remembering the good times with Mikel.
May the Comforter be with each of us, to ease our grief at Mikel's untimely passing.

Jeff's Scary Cheesecake

Here's my "Scary Cheesecake" which debuted at last night's Halloween Party. All made from scratch, with chocolate sprinkles... Those who tried it claimed to like it, and there wasn't even a crumb left.

Missing Mikel....

We are so sad that Mikel died on Friday. He was such a blessing for our family. Together with Phyllis he has brought so many fun and interesting things--from ham radio, to guitars, ukeleles, Wood-Ranch rendevous, good-natured dogs, many different comptuer games, Palm-pilots and gadgetry, plus a little conservative politics thrown in for spice, etc, etc.! He is now with Ralph and will carry on the great Frasier traditions in the next world. I often feel that Ralph has been involved in supporting our family from the other side of the veil and Mikel will too, if he isn't kept too busy doing other things...

All our love and support to Phyllis, Melanie, David and grandkids...