In early April 2006, Jeff, Ana, and the grandkids came up to the farm for some fun in the snow (not much of the white stuff in coastal southern California).

We all went up the hill to Ice House Reservoir for their first taste of snowshoeing.

Alina decides to try the direct method of decending the back face of a dam.

Eric leads Ann & Ana around the longer (but saner) way to the bottom.

After a bit of work, helped by Jym, Alina poses with her 'snow woman' creation.

After having expended most of our energy playing, there was still the long walk back to the car.

The next day, despite the rain, everyone went for walk around the lake. Ana and Eric love their ponchos!

A couple of weeks later, Michael & Gayle came to the farm as well (after it stopped raining and snowing).

Out for a stoll through the spillway meadow.

Michael trys to show Gayle how to skip rocks (or does he just like throwing things)?

We all braved the weather to get an above ground tour of the Kennedy Mine complex - quite interesting.

In early June 2005, Michael & Gayle, and Ana & the grandkids kids met us in Morro Bay for a weekend camping trip.

We arrived a day early to secure a couple of spaces and prepare for the onslaught.

Ana prepares her abode (with only a little help, and a couple of supervisors).

Alina & Eric seem happy with the result.

A little (electric) boat trip on the bay with Eric calling out obstacles.

The girls working on fringing their presents!

Sharing campfire popcorn - who'd a thought?.

Alina proves to be the marshmellow queen!

Posing in the wind. This was at the museum with Morro Rock playing 'hide & seek' through the fog.

After demonstrating our ability to get from one end to the other, it devolved into a game of 'King/Queen of the beam'. I think Eric won.

At the foot of Morro Rock, everyone ventured out onto the pile of rock that has fallen from the sides.

Further up the coast, Eric discovers creatures in the tide pools.

Not content with harrassing critters, Michael goes in search of points west, only to be left high and not quite dry as the tide comes in.

In April, Jym's sister Wendy came out to the farm for a little 'mental health' break. She, like us, enjoys solitude and a quiet country setting.

On one of our outings, we visited an olive oil tasting room. Quite different and we all left a few dollars behind.

Then, in the shop, she tried her hand at turning. Although she's not ready to run out and buy a lathe, she did end up with a nice apple wood pen.

We also managed to convince her to take her first motorcycle ride (and she didn't run away yelling and screaming)!

In late February, Jeff, Ana, and the kids came up to the farm for a visit and to play in the snow (not much of that in southern California).

Eric decided that water was for stomping through, not walking around.

Then the kids had to have grandpa show them what was at the end of the tunnel.

On the lake, they had to take a turn at rowing. Good thing we weren't in a hurry to get anywhere!.

Time for a family photo on the island after lunch.

Then it was up to Echo Summit to trudge up a snow covered hill, sit on an unsteerable plastic board, and hurl yourself down towards unsuspecting onlookers! Everyone loved it!

Jeff and Eric perform an emergency stop with heels dug in and Eric getting a face full.

Even grandma got into the act.

After catching a little air, Jym demonstrates an inappropriate landing, with Jeff faring only slightly better.

Back at the farm, Alina get to drive around on the small garden tractor (her feet were finally able to reach the brake).

Although Eric can't reach the brakes, he can steer on grandma's tractor (sort of)..

Then he got a chance to tear down the side of a hill with one of grandpa's bigger toys.

Later, Alina got to play 'intrepid explorer' on the long island (which hasn't been cleared).

On the occasion of Mom's 80th birthday in early February of 2005, all of her kids (and some of theirs) came to the San Francisco Bay Area to celebrate with her. It had been over thirty years since she and all of her kids were in the same place at the same time!

Although it was a haphazard 'assemble at the wall', it turns out that we lined up in order (with Mom in the middle).

The mood was happy and relaxed, with everyone giving as good as they got (as only siblings can get away with). It was the first time those of the next generation had seen us all together.

This time, everyone was 'up against the wall' for a group photo.