A place of relaxation

A place of relaxation

Monday, May 26, 2008

Disneyland

Kendall thought it was about time (in my advancing years) to have a Disney experience. Since I needed to be in California for business this past week, the weekend before seemed like a good time to make the Disney experience mine. Since it's Memorial Day, I guess it's fitting to open the photos with the flags flying atop the Mark Twain.

Anaheim was experiencing a heat wave so the breeze on the boat felt good as we took a trip down the 'Mississippi'.


I was surprised at the lack of characters mingling with us in the park. This is Minnie having breakfast in one of the restaurants.

It took us 2 times to be able to do the Peter Pan ride. The first time we were close to the front of the line when they closed it down for a medical emergency. We went back the next day to fly over London.


A place to feed hungry humans.


We took a trip around the park on the tram - just because.


The train was also a nice way to travel around the park.

The Mad Hatter chatting with young fans.

These are miniature scenes along the bank of the river on our gondola ride.
Mini windmills and 'trees'.


The mini pumpkin carriage that took Cinderella to the ball.

Bustling main street. Amazing how many people it can accommodate. Quaint stores and places to eat.


I looked, but Chip and Dale weren't at home.

My prince was with me so I didn't need to look in the castle :-)


And here he is! He even let me drive the car around the race track.


We managed to hit both Disneyland and California Adventure. The best part of California Adventure is Soaring Over California. It sure feels like you're flying over the state!

I moved out of my comfort zone to ride some rides never before attempted!



The Dapper Dan's

The man himself. The flowers were lovely and made a nice foreground for the castle.


Good 'ol Toy Story!

Buzz in the flesh -- oh, I mean plastic. I didn't wait in line to have my picture taken with him.




Yummy coffee break time!!


Thursday, May 15, 2008

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Katie's


We all love Katie's ice cream and were pleased to discover she opened on May 1st. We headed there Sunday afternoon for a break.


They have created 'Flavor Bursts' that swirl into a vanilla cone. Lot's of yummy options!

Naomi, April, Andre and Lois


Keith & Lisa

After the funeral on Wednesday, several of us changed our clothes and headed for some comfort food - Ice Cream.


Naomi, Lauren, Michael, Ken and Emma


Rachel knows how to put away a cone!

Emma is no slouch either!

Aunt Dorcas and her clan before heading back to PA

Urbane and Dad


Phebe, Urbane, Me with Rachel. I might add, she's eating my cone after polishing off her own!

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Aunt Rachel's Funeral


It was a beautiful spring day to lay Aunt Rachel to rest. One she would have enjoyed the day, the singing and the flowers greatlyThe service was meaningful and a reflection of her life.



The flowers outside the church were in full bloom.




She loved Dogwood and all spring flowers including Lily of the Valley and Tulips.

We laid a single sprig of Lily of the Valley on a purple napkin at each place setting for the meal following the service.



A collage upon entry to the basement where the meal was served following the services.



Rachel loved candles and we had some floating among the flowers on the tables.




Uncle Monroe and the immediate family were the first to use a shovel in the symbolic ending of the grave side service.


Rachel now has joined many other family members.

Friday, May 02, 2008

A Life Filled With Love

As our Aunt Dorcas said "today our homes are places of mourning". Last night we unexpectedly lost our Aunt Rachel at 9:35 PM. Although her life was full of love and laughter, 71 years doesn't seem long enough to have her with us. Rachel & Monroe at Cousin Joel & Stephanie's Wedding
November 2007

Sliding

1950

Rachel at Age 21
1957

Monroe & Rachel Wedding Day

April 29, 1961

Monroe, Rachel, Naomi

1964

Monroe's Graduation from EMU 1965


Monroe, Keith, Rachel, Naomi

1971
Thanks to Lois & Naomi for putting these pictures together in an electronic album for Grandma which she gave us all as Christmas gifts in 2002, and Mom for the recent photo.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Final Seattle Installment

Space Needle
Notice how this picture is in the shape of a take out coffee cup. Of course this is a scanned picture - I wasn't able to get a good shot of it.
Seattle sure has a long history of good coffee with Seattle's Best Coffee and Starbucks getting their start there.

One of the views from the restaurant at the top of the Space Needle. It is a revolving restaurant that gives a 360-degree view of the city. Our reservations were for 5:45. There is a 2 hour limit for dinner so we went to the observation deck after that to watch the city lights come on. It was the most dreary day of the 5 we were in town. We actually had a lot of sunshine and cool temperatures.


I remember being on the RR tracks about 15 years ago when Naomi and I were in Seattle on our long train trip around the country and we saw the Space Needle on our way out of town.

Me, my terrific boss Kathy, Jennifer - the "Young Punk" with a PhD and only 32, and Amy another co-worker.

An interesting light on the table.

More of the Market

The Public Market was established in August 1907. Celebrating over 100 years!
North entrance of the market

The flowers are breathtaking!



Peppers


More produce

To Market, to Market....

South entrance to the market

Wonderful pastries!


Rachel, the famous bronze piggy bank


Look out for flying fish!!


Gorgeous fruit