Hey, I Remembered

I've finally remembered to upload the pictures from my cell phone. Ok, some of them have been there for a while, but here they are. Enjoy.

There's a funny story about this photo moment on my other blog .

Natalie and I having a bit of mother-daughter time in New York City. Btw, she kicked my butt at Backgammon. She is also sporting her new, beautiful necklace that she picked out and bought for herself. She was very proud.

That's our noah always showing off with funny faces.

That WAS our cat Challah. No, Noodles didn't finally get her wish of giving him a ride of his life, but we did decide to give him away. He was a little too ornery for her.

hkxx

And To Life Celebrated

In Loving Memory of David's Father

z"l

Richard M. S. (1944-2008)

He leaves behind his wife Florence, his son David, his daughter Emily, his sister Rene, his grandchildren - Natalie, Noah and Sebastian,

and many other dear friends and family.

May God confort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem

(Ha'Makom yenahem etkhem betokh she'ar avelei Tziyonvi'Yerushalayim)

DEATH

This past year I have been surrounded by the passings of others ... family members, family members of my friends, family members of community acquaintances, and neighbors.

A year ago my husband lost his stepfather and just recently his aunt just lost her mother. Within the last six months one friend of mine lost his father, another his brother, a few acquaintences have lost their parents, and four neighbors have also died.

And now, we are about to experience it again. I know the cycle of life and death doesn't stand still, but I just feel my children are learning some life lessons quite early.

Today, my husband and I had to sit with our children and explain to them that their other grandfather is dying. Papa Rick, who at only 64 had survived unbeatable odds not once but twice, is dying from an unidentifiable bacterial infection. He survived Non-Hodgkins lymphoma and a heart transplant. And now, it seems that his body is shutting down not only because of the infection, but of the side effects of all the drugs he has been on since late last summer.

Its so odd to know that just last July he and his wife were enjoying playing with the kids at the family's annual 4th of July picnic. Back then, it was Rick and his wife, Florence, that was comforting my mother-n-law, for she had just lost her husband, six months prior.

David and I have been discussing whether or not it was the right thing to do to have the kids see their grandfather in the hospital (which will now be transform into Hospice care) and I assure him it was. Although his father was out of it most of our visit, he did open his eyes a few times briefly and his whole face lit up when he saw them standing there. I only wish my husband and Florence could have seen it. They had stepped out of the room.

It is difficult for the children to comprehend what is happening, why it happens (Noah, who is 5, asked why old people always get sick and die) but I think they understood just how much their presence helped a dying man, and those around him.

(Florence, David, & Rick)

(David, Rick & Emily)

... Was a Summer in San Francisco

Anyone who lives, has lived or spent time in San Francisco would recognize the end of that *Mark Twain quote - "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco". He's not that far off, it does get quite cold there in the summer. But having lived there, I made sure that we were well prepared for our summer vacation to San Francisco and the Sacremento Valley region. We spent almost two weeks there this past August and had a terrific time. One of the best vacations that we've had. The pictures included here are taken from both my nephew Joey and us.

If you would like to read more about our trip, click here.

*As far as it being an urban legend that Mark Twain is the author, I'm not sure. But since I'm still finding quotes that credits him, I will leave it.

And Here's Noah

Grandma's 4th of July party in New Jersey. Below, cousin Sebastien joins in the fun.

Lunch break in Sutter Creek, California

Having fun on the hammock with Nilofar, Kevin and her niece.

Showing off for the Camera at Maxes.

I have no idea what is going on here, nor do I want to know. : )

Noah, fast asleep while shopping at Target.
My Cutie Pie

Support Your Local Farms

We do. One of our favorite past times during the summer and fall months is visiting local farms for their pick-your-own produce, and one of our favorites is Larriland Farm. Below are pictures from our recent excusion of apple picking
(and brocolli, beets, spinach & pumpkins).

You will also noticed pics from our summer blueberry outing. After reading Treppenwitz's post on blueberries, I just couldn't help myself. I rounded up the kids (aka mine and my neighbor's) and headed to the farm for blueberry picking. We also attempted to harvest the raspberries, but it was a little thorny. Mmmm, they were YUMMY. Thanks Dave, for the inspiration.

Izzy, Zerai, and Miriam

Noah's best friend, Yobel

Good thing, I am not afraid of heights

Our very own Great Pumpkin

See what eating spinach can do for you? Just ask Natalie - wow - that pumpkin sure was heavy!

Noah, sampling the fruits of labor