Family Fun - Round One

Last week, Gayle & Morgan (and friends) came to Tahoe! What a great visit before Morgan is off for college.

Dropping off at Kenzo's Skylandia Camp for "Renaissance Faire" day.
 

Me and Morgan on top of Eagle Rock.
 

West Shore back drop.

Morgan helped me with my last wedding! It was great having extra hands and her company.

The wedding went smoothly thanks to my assistant!
 

A little beach time at Meeks Bay.
 

Morgan is off to Johns Hopkins University in August - WOW!

Kenzo and Morgan had a fun time together.
 

Dinner out with Gayle.

Swim lessons at Incline Rec Center.

Miss Becca is the best and Kenzo does whatever she asks of him.

 

Torpedo!

 

A New York Celebration

Leaving Tahoe as the storm rolled in...

We hopped the red-eye to New York last week. Love the direct flight, but not so in love with wheels up at midnight. 

Kenzo fell asleep at the airport and didn't wake up until we landed!

Jammies upon arrival at JFK.

Our first stop was to visit the Rockaways in Queens, Eric's old neighborhood.
 

The old house was still there! 

This is a four block wide peninsula neighborhood, and Eric's old house is on the beach block, five houses from the sand - awesome spot! 

126th Street beach.

The humidity and heat was too much for us.

We changed and quickly went into the water for some relief! 

Muscle men.

Loving the ocean dip...and his new Rockaway Beach rash guard.

Pizza #1.

Eric was determined to have pizza every day. 

Mission accomplished.

It's just SOOO good and unlike any pizza we get in Cali (as the New Yorkers call it).
 

Long drive up to the Matises farm.

Parents of the Year award goes to...

 

Feeding the horses.

Happy to be driving the tractor again, and this time, mostly on his own (mom provided the pedal power).

A quick stop at the track to watch the races.

And then back to Holiday Mountain for some mini golf. 

 

Kenzo loves Max.

We'd like to think the feeling is mutual.

On Saturday, a huge group gathered under tents and shade for Brant's celebration of life.

Brant passed on March 26th from a brain tumor that became inoperable.

Everyone came together and pitched in for this big celebration.

The ladies, shucking the most delicious local corn...
 

Eric called everyone together to start the ceremony and gave a very heart-felt, emotional tribute to his brother.

Cousin Annie.

Songs from Brant's camp friends.

Patty's sister, (Saint) Barbara, and Christopher, Brant & Patty's neighbor.

"Brant was perfect."  - Christopher

 

Art sharing some nice stories about Brant.

Connor, Christopher's younger brother, got up to say a few kind words too.

Everyone loved sharing and hearing of how Brant touched so many lives.

More songs...

Cute Cora and Sweaty Kenzo. Cora is Eric's cousin's son's baby....so is that a third cousin for Kenzo?

 

Wide open spaces in the New York country has it's definite advantages.

Connor taught Kenzo how to drive his mini go cart...how awesome! 

 

Tractor rides too! 

Connor drove everyone. He's a very accomplished 10 year old. 

Lewis, C & C's grandfather, took Kenzo for a spin on the John Deer.

Yeah. Pretty awesome! 

Connor was on his 4-wheeler, leading Kenzo around, making sure he was safe. 

Yes, I entrusted Kenzo's safety in the hands of this 10 year old without a blink. 

                                        I wish these kids could be our neighbors!

Dinner at Kauneonga Lake again, with the statue from last year's pose.

Lakeside dinner.

 

Beautiful evening on the water.

We left the country and headed back to the city with a quick stop in Coney Island, Brooklyn!

Had to stop at Nathan's Famous, of course!

YUM!!

I only ate two.  

Then we did a walk down the historic boardwalk...

...and had to stop for an Italian ice. Where have these been all my life?!

The famous Wonder Wheel behind us. Built in 1920, it's one of the oldest rides at Coney Island.

The flying seat ride.

No thank you.
 

The Cyclone.

Awesome wooden roller coaster that opened in 1927 that is placed on the National Register of Historical Places. 

View from the top of the log ride!

And from the mini roller coaster!

And what trip to NYC would be complete without a stop at a fire station?

Engine 245 / Ladder 161 - of course, friendly, lovely fire fighters ready to show off their trucks to this young fan.

With the Coney Island logo face of Tillie on the truck!

Eric and his mini me on the sky train at the airport...
 

Kenzo got to sit in the cockpit! Lots of buttons and screens...don't touch anything!!

It was a short trip, filled with emotion and sweat. Glad we could make it back to celebrate Brant Matises.