Ma's Memorial

One of Ma's favorite places on Earth was Yellowstone National Park and we promised her that is where we would spread her ashes:

She died in November but we had to wait until June for the snow to melt:

Tom found the perfect spot for our ceremony, very private and peaceful:

Aunt Katie and our cousins joined us from Montana.  And thank goodness, because apparently they are professional picnic-ers and had all the necessary stuff - tables, chairs, ice chests, etc:

 Michelle made our simple ceremony very special by singing "Amazing Grace":

 

It was the perfect send-off.  Ma would have approved. There was an eagle perched above us the entire time we were at the river. I felt Ma's spirit in the eagle and knew she was watching over us:

Goodbye:

How lucky we all were to have had such a wonderful woman in our lives:

2013-Memorial Day to Fourth of July

We headed up to Oakland for the Memorial Day Weekend. Sarah & Jeff had been invited to Santa Rosa to do some wine tasting at Volante Vineyards for Mike & Mariesa's wedding and we were lucky enough to get to tag along.  The owner, Chuck McCoy, was a very gracious host and we had a beautiful afternoon sipping wine and enjoying the beautiful view from his patio. Then we were invited to join Mariesa's family for dinner at Doce Lunas in Kenwood. The next day was Marco's cousin's birthday so we drove out to Moraga for a family bbq.  For dinner Jeff cooked giant bone-in rib eye steaks in the pizza oven -- delicious!! The next day the Romios' came over for Jeff's wood-fired pizza.  Never a dull moment when we visit Sarah, Jeff & Marco!!

When we found out our grandson Zack was graduating from 6th Grade we altered our route home and swung through Sacramento for the celebration.  Also gave us a chance to visit with Pam and try a new restaurant in Sacramento - The Eatery.

A few highlights in June:

Our neighbor Alessandro gave us a lesson in what he called Pizza Bianca Romana:

Paul & his family came to visit for Father's Day:

And we celebrated Bob & Cynthia's anniversary with an awesome dock party. The highlight was Bobby singing and playing the trumpet:

We spent the Fourth of July weekend at Prisoner's Harbor at Santa Cruz Island.  Peter & Lynne and Mike & Linda were also anchored out for the weekend.  Peter & Lynne joined us for dinner one night for Grilled Tri Tip, Shrimp, Heirloom Tomatoes and Bread.  Here are a couple of  other meals we enjoyed that weekend:

Ahi Skewers w/Asparagus & Cherry Tomatoes

Chicken Saltimboca