Sunshine on my shoulders

Makes us all happy!

Trees are warming up. Family is getting excited for a bigger harvest this year.

A glass of vin de Noix (walnut dessert wine) awaits for those who live close enough to visit (by reservation only!)

More and photos to come on Saturday!

Papa singing Pirates song

Hi guys.

I tried to upload the video from Auntie Carolyn that shows Papa singing the pirates song in the hospital, but I can’t do it here!

Until we figure out how to do that, I’ve uploaded it to the blog where I have the ultrasound pictures of the baby.

justlikedowntownonlybetter.blogspot.com

If someone else figures out how to post the video to this blog, let me know!

Love,

Alanna

What Would Dad Do?

Christie reminded me last night when she brought it up during a phone conversation, and I thought I would put it out there to the rest of you:

Do you find yourself asking the question “What would Dad do?” or “What would Dad say”? I think it could be our new family saying- kind of like an offshoot of the saying “What Would Jesus Do?”….

For me-it seems to come up fairly often. It is another reminder of his continued presence and his impact as the Patriarch of our family,  while he was here on earth with us.

By the way, I found the saying Mom chose for his prayer card, on a plaque in a thrift store in Mill Valley. It is so true so I am sharing it here with everyone:

The Broken Chain

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you,  the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide;  and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken,  and nothing seems the same;  but as God calls us one by one,  the Chain will link again.

Missing you, Dad, today and always.

Love, Carolyn

Tooth Fairy Time!

Hi Everyone!

We just wanted to update you on the status of the “first loose tooth”. After 12 days of being loose, Marcos’ first loose tooth finally came out last night! Much to Marcos’ surprise it came out when he tugged on it at church last night. He said ” No way would I have tied a string around it and slammed a door. That would have hurt and there would have been blood! Also, no way would I have twisted it because THAT would have hurt too and bled.”

After leaving his tooth under his pillow, he awoke to 4 shiny quarters this morning. So exciting. “The tooth fairy is probably tiny and magic-ed my tooth away leaving me those quarters”! He now looks forward to spending his money.

Love to you all. See you soon.

(Sorry the pic is so large…can’t figure out how to size it)

Colleen (& Marcos)

Walnut Harvest 2011

Christie

Well Dad, you’d be proud of your walnut trees this year! They produced beautiful, clean, tasty walnuts. The fertilizer we put on the last two years (thanks to Xavier in 2010 and lil Gino’s help in 2011) and the right number of chill hours seem to have brought the trees back. Thanks also to the pruning by Patrick and Alanna! Thanks to Kenny and Debbie for their awesome clean up and weed-wacking, Mom and I could SEE the nuts on the ground in order to pick them. Bruce is doing a great job getting things looking just like you would want them. He and Mathew are putting a fence up around the house. With a little more work, we’ll have your orchard looking well groomed and we’ll even get to plant some non- deer resistant plants around the house. You’d think it was spring with the green grass everywhere. The only thing missing is you.

What a fun Birthday!

Hello Everyone: I want to thank you all for  making my 75th BIRTHDAY so fun!  The Party was so wonderful! Thanks to you ALL and especially to all you grandchildren that did such a splendid job of serving everyone! Everyone was telling me what wonderful grandchildren that I have and, of course, I already knew it but I was SO PROUD of you all. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And I did so miss Xavier, Patrick, Darci, Drew and Patrick W.   Papa was so missed also, he would have really liked the gathering…but somehow, I know that he was here in spirit.   Norlene sure did a super job with the “horses’ ovaries”….as Paul, HIMSELF,  would call them!!!   All the desert (cookies AND cupcakes) were so yummy…especially because family made them all!    By the way, has anyone ATHENA FONG?  I was was wondering…….

Let me tell you all about the Northfield’s card they gave me I just now opened it.   How very thoughtful and it made my heart so happy! ~~~~~

Dear Alice, A donation has been made to the Haynes Cardio Vascular Institute in memory of our dear friend, Paul. We will continue to miss him daily. Our family has been blessed by Paul’s presence in our lives and the enormous contribution he made to so many. God Bless the Clary Family. Love, Bob, Sue & Family Happy Birthday, Alice, our very special friend….love, Bob and Sue ~~~~~

So….. The next time you are here, you can read all the  other lovely cards. I got so many flowers also.  Hope you all are having a wonderful day and making the most of your time today. Remember to: Make Today Count….Do Something special for someone! I love you all so much.  You ALL certainly did something special for me yesterday. Thanks again for my lovely day! XOXO Mom, Grandma, & Alice

Sept. 24, 2011 – Alanna & Patrick’s Wedding

Everyone but Ben because he took the picture!

It was a beautiful day! We know that you were there with us Dad (Papa). We had been worried about high temperatures, but you must have intervened and made sure it was comfortable and absolutely beautiful in the orchard. Alanna looked stunning and had a beaming glow about her! I know she felt close to you wearing your watch during the ceremony. Your presence was felt. The whole family was together. Xavier escorted Mom (Grandma) and was in California for something like 30 whole hours!

It was sure a family affair as Alanna and Patrick made a point of including everyone!

The Grange looked so festive. The food was tasty and abundant. All the “helpers” went above and beyond to make the day a memorable one. We danced and celebrated and had a great time! The only thing that would have made it better was if you had been dancing with us.

Love you, Dad!

~Colleen